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He snorted. “We’re not?”
“Shocking, I know. But this,” and Raf held up a thick stack of papers, “is what I’m mailing to you today. Final proofs for the page spreads.”
Barrett felt something constrict in his chest. Perry’s illustrations. “You move fast.”
“I do. Especially when I’ve got an audience clamoring for content like this and we’re working for a good cause.” All joviality dropped off Raf’s face. “You’re sure? It’s not a small sum of money and I get that you’re not the kind to care about that. But it would make a good nest egg for the future.”
Barrett shook his head. “I’m sure. That money should go to kids who need it. Perry would have wanted that.”
Something shifted on Raf’s face and Barrett saw the respect for his decision loud and clear. “Got it. The scholarship fund paperwork will be in the packet, too. And you’ll want to set up a secondary executor, just in case.”
Barrett had already talked to Val about that, and she’d been overjoyed to assist with overseeing the wilderness scholarship fund set up in Perry’s name. Barrett’s part of the proceeds from the book were funding the scholarship, with the money being given out to students interested in college-level environmental studies and attending wilderness camps.
He hadn’t given it all away, though. The signing bonus had gone straight into an account for Forrest. His way of helping Val out, and as an apology. His call with his nephew a few days ago had gone about as well as expected, but it still fucking sucked to tell a kid he had to give up his dog. Dandi was too big, too full of energy, and too rambunctious even for him some days. But Val and Forrest were downsizing into an apartment, one closer to the children’s hospital where Forrest went for treatments. It also put them closer to Barrett by about an hour, but cost of living in the city was higher and an apartment was no place for a massive beast like Dandelion.
Forrest didn’t blame his Uncle Bear, but he was still just a kid. A sick kid going through some serious shit and even with a high remission rate as a light at the end of the tunnel, the journey was going to suck. He sighed and dropped one hand from his lap, caressing Dandi’s soft ears. “Second executor’s in place, just gotta get the papers to sign.”
With a smile that read as utterly pleased, Raf leaned back in his chair. “So.”
“Oh no.”
“Please.” Raf waved a hand, then pushed his stylish dark hair out of his face. “I’m just excited to meet you properly.”
Barrett gaped. “That’s it? No remarks about how…” He motioned to himself, old doubts creeping back in. “How different Ambrose and I are?”
“Not at all. I find that kind of talk a little crass, to be honest. Crass and tired. And like I said, I’ve no need to wave the theoretical knife under your nose. I am truly, honestly excited to meet you in person.”
Something eased out of Barrett’s chest. A knot undoing itself. “Yeah, me too.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll see you and Ambrose on Friday.” Mischief glimmered in hazel eyes. “Should I text before I arrive?”
“Don’t want to walk in on anything untoward?”
“Mercy, no. Untoward all you like. I just didn’t take you for an exhibitionist.”
Barrett barked out a laugh, waved, and signed off. It was nice to meet a best friend who wasn’t an overprotective asshole. And any worry he’d had that Raf might look down on him and his worn clothes and simple life had been obliterated.
Raf’s text came later with a recommendation of a “lovely little spot” to take Ambrose on Sunday. He hadn’t been dancing inforever, not since those sweaty summer nights between college semesters where he and a group of friends had been drunk on cheap vodka and heard only their heartbeats and the pulsing music in their ears. As long as Ambrose enjoyed it, that was all that mattered.
And with his plans for Ambrose’s birthday set, Barrett cast an eye at the afternoon sun gathering above trees boldly proclaiming their spring greenery. He hadn’t been out on the boat in a while and Ambrose was in town on business for one of his clients. No time like the present.
He clipped Dandi and himself into their life vests and gathered his supplies. And when he stepped outside and looked at the dock, that memory of meeting Ambrose for the first time rushed him headlong. That had felt like years ago, but had only been six months. A lot had changed. A lot of good had come out of a budding friendship that was now somethingmore. Something real and honest and full of warmth that filled a hole in his life.
But his boat was gone.
Frowning, Barrett walked around the edge of the water, looking for any sign of a snapped dock line. Nothing. No footprints outside his own and Dandi’s and the occasional deer. There hadn’t been any storms in the last week, just some rain and fog. So a snapped line, and the boat being carried away into one of the lake’s eddys, didn’t make much sense. Plus he knew his knots and the standing end was always tied securely to the dock. Barrett scaled back his memory, trying to remember when he’d last seen the boat.
From: BarrettDo you remember when you saw my boat the last time? I was gonna get out on the lake this afternoon, but the boat’s gone.
From: AmbroseWell that’s not good. I remember seeing it from the bedroom window on Sunday night.
That made him grin, despite the confusion churning in his gut. Sunday night they’d been in his bed. Then Ambrose’s. Then on the couch. Back to Barrett’s bed.Terribly convenient having two beds so close, Ambrose had said.
From: BarrettYou’ll have to specify.
From: AmbroseMy mistake. From your bed, around maybe 8 pm? It was after we had showered.
From: BarrettOkay, that makes sense. Shit that was three days ago. Why didn’t I notice the boat was gone?
