Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60418 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60418 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Casey returned about half an hour later. We were both glad to see he hadn’t decided to ditch us and go back to California. When he joined us in Eden’s cabin, he muttered, “It’s fucking freezing outside.”
“Yeah, but you love the snow as much as I do,” I told him.
“I know,” he admitted. “I just felt like complaining about it.”
“So, guess what Eden did while you were gone,” I said.
My brother frowned, as if I was about to tell him his best friend blew me or something. I had to fight back a sigh. Finally, he asked, “What?” He managed to pack a lot of skepticism into that one word.
“He gave two weeks’ notice at his job.”
Casey’s eyes went wide. “You’re kidding!” When I shook my head, he turned to Eden and asked, “What brought that on?”
Eden shrugged. “I wasn’t happy in that job, and I guess I’m just at a point in my life where I want to make happiness a priority.”
My brother asked him, “Are you going through a midlife crisis or something?”
“At thirty-two? I doubt it.”
“It’s weird. I didn’t see that coming.” Casey thought about it before adding, “I think it’s good, though. If you were unhappy at that job, then quitting was definitely the right call. But what are you going to do instead?”
“No clue. I have plenty of savings though, along with those investments my parents set up for me, so I can take some time to figure it out. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up going back to school with Seth.” Eden flashed me a smile.
Casey grinned and said, “With over ten years’ experience as a cop, I bet you could get hired as a palace guard at Seth’s new job. They probably need someone to make sure no one absconds with Big Ben, the giant dildo.” We all laughed at that.
A little while later, when Casey and I were on the covered porch getting more firewood, he said, “While I was out earlier, I called my friend Yolanda Gutierrez from work. I think I told you she recently got an inheritance and used it to buy a funky old Victorian near Delores Park.”
I nodded. “I remember you mentioning that.”
“It turns out repairs and upkeep are way more expensive than she bargained for, so she’s decided to rent out a couple more rooms in her house. I told her to count me in.”
I turned to my brother and said, “Please don’t move out, Casey. Eden and I both love you, and we want you around.”
“This isn’t a bad thing, Seth, for any of us. You and Eden need your privacy, and time to build your relationship.”
“But I don’t want you to be alone,” I said.
“I won’t be. Yolanda is a good friend. Plus, I’ve been to the house and met her girlfriend and the two roommates they already have, and everyone’s really nice. I’m looking forward to this.”
I studied him closely, and he really did seem happy about it. I still had some concerns though. “I’m worried about what moving out is going to do to your friendship with Eden.”
“It’s going to save it.” He said that confidently. “I need time to get over my crush on him and to get a handle on you two as a couple, and this’ll give me that opportunity. Eden is family, and he’s been my best friend for fifteen years. I’m not just going to throw that away.”
“Okay. This actually sounds positive.”
“It is for sure.” I was surprised when my brother put down the firewood he was holding and gave me a hug. “I love you, Seth, and I’m sorry I made your relationship with Eden all about me,” he said. “I want you to be happy, more than anything. That’s what I’ve always wanted for you.”
“I’ve always wanted that for you, too.”
When we let go of each other, Casey smiled at me. It was genuine this time, and it lit up his blue eyes. For the first time since he’d arrived in Utah, I really believed he was going to be okay, and so was his friendship with Eden.
Chapter 14
George Davis and Flora Jones got married one month after they met, almost to the day. The simple but beautiful ceremony was held in front of the marble fireplace in Flora’s impressive home. The radiant bride wore a magenta silk dress, and the groom looked dapper in his best suit.
About twenty-five people attended the ceremony, and Casey, Eden, and I were George’s groomsmen. All three of us were a little misty-eyed as we watched the couple take their vows. George looked happier than we’d ever seen him. So did Flora. She was a kind, intelligent woman who adored Eden’s granddad. She’d been widowed more than ten years, and she told us she’d expected to be single for the rest of her life, until George came along. Now they were both getting a second chance at love.