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Why did I have a feeling there was so much more to this story? My dad was tight lipped when it came to his buddies and time spent in the Marines. Serving our country did have a way of changing every man and woman sent overseas.
“Let me see if I got this right. You want me to convince my buddies, Hudson and Jack, that after being out to sea for three freaking long months of savage work and icy conditions that they need to come with me on an adventure in another country.”
“Yep. And about seventeen others.”
I laughed. “Twenty men heading to Ireland. For how long?”
“A couple weeks, a month tops. The pay should be phenomenal.”
That was like a lifetime to the men who’d barely had a few hours off let alone a single day. Sure, all of us were getting a damn good salary for a change but that didn’t make up for the heavy weight of exhaustion and loneliness. Or the stench of salt water, body odor, and crude oil.
“Right. You know how well that will go over.”
“Maybe not, son, but my buddy needs help and I’m the only man he can trust.”
My dad almost never called me his son either. That meant there was something else going on. “I’ll think about it.”
“Well, don’t think too hard. With that other fuckin’ storm rolling in, we got less than eight hours before we need to be off the rig or hunker down for the long haul.”
Great. He had me stuck between a rock and steep precipice. “They’re not going to want to do it. You know that. Let alone I doubt every man has a passport.”
“We can work that out. I know some folks who can expedite the paperwork.”
“And what about Jack? He has a record.”
“He ain’t on probation. He’s a free man.”
Free. I wasn’t certain there was such a thing. As I scratched my beard, he walked closer.
“Son. I need you on this one. Sean saved my life. I owe it to him to do something in kind.”
Goddamn it. I hated it when he laid a guilt trip on me.
I shook my head but grumbling about it wasn’t going to do me any good. I’d do just about anything for my dad, even if he could be a pain in the ass at times.
“Let me see what I can do.”
Fuck. Why did I have a feeling this was going to be a pain in my ass?
CHAPTER 3
Rylee
Somewhere I’d heard that despondency made your heart grow stronger.
I knew better.
I still ached inside, the kind of dull pain that never left, that never took a day off. And never allowed you to fully enjoy a moment of your exhausting life.
Woof!
Xena’s bark was enthusiastic, a reminder that I was a survivor. Why wouldn’t she be a happy, fuzzy girl? She was still reeling from the fact her mommy dog was finally in the mood to take her somewhere in the car, one of her favorite activities. Sadly, this wasn’t just a walk in the park on a beautiful Irish spring day or a jaunt in the woods near the river where water tumbled over the craggy rocks twenty-four/seven.
This was an anniversary, one that used to bring me joy and happiness. Now it only added to the despondency that had stripped all my will to live. Or to care. Yes, I was feeling sorry for myself on this dreary day, the light rain soaking into my skin. But I had every right to feel the brutal ache, the dull pain in every muscle. Because I was still here. I was alive.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Erin asked from directly behind me. My older sister had been my rock, the girl who’d held me during the worst nights when I couldn’t stop the tears. She’d been the one to stand by as I’d broken dishes, tossed glasses against the wall, and smashed lamps, saying nothing in admonishment. Merely waiting until the ugly, haunted tantrum had passed to grab a dustpan and broom.
And she’d tried to cheer me up over bottles of Chianti and Irish whiskey, forcing me to play Cards Against Humanity until I could finally laugh.
