“But what?” Seth didn’t really need an answer—he knew exactly why Graham hadn’t gone with him.
Graham rested his forearm against the window frame and pressed his brow to the back of his hand. His throat hurt as it closed up tight, burning his eyes with tears. “I really thought he would be the one, Seth.” His eyes shifted to his younger brother. “Every time dad talked about him…I fell a little more in love with him…with hisheart.” He lowered his eyes then closed them, pressing harder against his hand. “All my life I’ve been walking away from good men because I didn’t want to be the one left behind. And I wasn’t capable of believing they would stay with me.”
The pain of his childhood had burrowed in deep, took root, and poisoned him. He had hated his father for that—among so many other things. Because of him, Graham had been incapable of loving who he was…or believing anyone else could love him as well.
“But it was different when I thought about Micah,” he whispered thickly. “The way dad talked about him…Ifeltit in mysoul…he was theone.I reallybelievedit, Seth.”
“I know,” Seth murmured.
“But then today, at the airport…” he squeezed his eyes tighter, tears burning behind his lids. “It ruinedeverything.I didn’t want thatmomentto be withhim.”His chin trembled, and he shook his head. “It wasn’t supposed to be with some random stranger—it was supposed to be withMicah.”
Seth stared at him, eyes damp and filled with sympathy. “Then meet with Micah,” he said softly. “Do what you came here to do. There were things you wanted to tell him—so tell him. You won’t rest until you.”
Graham pushed away from the window and wiped his eyes. “Everything feels so messed up,” he choked. “Why did that man have to be there today? Why did he have to run into me andruin everything—then walk away with someone else? What was the fuckingpoint?”
Letting out a slow breath, Seth walked over and touched his shoulder. “I told Micah you would meet him at the diner in…” he glanced at his watch. “…about an hour and a half, now. Go. Talk to him.” He cupped Graham’s neck and smiled softly. “And keep the faith.”
Graham trembled, his whole world quaking around him. “Faith in what, Seth?” he whispered brokenly.
Seth came closer and wrapped him in his arms. “Life, God…love.” He pressed his lips to Graham’s hair. “Hang onto that faith and I promise you, big brother…everythingis going to work out just fine.”
