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“Well, we knew he was in the military.” My dad shrugs, looking confused.
“He was there that night,” she says.
I wipe at the tears, wondering how they haven’t run dry yet.
“That night?” My dad shakes his head, clearly not understanding and probably looking like I did when Van started his story.
“The night, babe,” my mom says, and my dad’s eyes widen in understanding.
“He was the diver.” Calista tells them all the details of what happened that night as I told them to her, then explains that Van left.
“Fuck life and its curveballs.” My dad leans back in the chair, resting one foot on his other knee.
“Oh boy.” My mom runs her hand over mine, but I eventually slide it out from under hers because she’s going to rub off a layer of skin. “I see now. Should I call a hit man?”
“Mom!”
“I’m kidding. So you don’t want him to die?”
“Of course not!” I say.
“The worst part is that he blames himself. He thinks he’s the cause of Sawyer’s death,” Calista says.
It’s the first time I realize that I’m not the only one who doesn’t blame Van. I know him well enough to know that he did everything he could. There’s no question about that. The question is, can I still see Van the same way I did before I knew? Can I look at him and not associate him with Sawyer?
“I’m sure people in his position do that a lot. Can you imagine a really shitty day at work means people die?” My dad shakes his head.
I don’t say anything.
“Brin.” My dad waits for me to look at him. When I do, he asks me the question point blank. “Can you still see a future with him?”
“It’s weird. At first, when he was telling me the story, I couldn’t put it all together. I felt like I must be in a dream or nightmare and I’d wake up at any moment. That it was the small amount of guilt I still had for moving on that was manifesting itself, but then I’d wake up happy in Van’s arms.” I look around the room. “But it’s all true and so tragic and such a weird coincidence.”
“I’m not sure I think it’s a coincidence. Seems more like fate. I mean, the guy who tried to save your husband’s life comes to Lake Starlight four years later and ends up being your roommate. Not only that, but you fall for each other as he slowly pulls the old Brinley out of the cold, hard shell you sheltered yourself in after Sawyer’s death.” We all stare at Easton as he eats a piece of the chocolate cake. “And where the hell is the other half of this frosting?”
I bite my lip as memories of last night flood me. Last night when we both said we wanted our relationship to be something more.
“Easton is a closet romantic,” Calista says in an accusatory fashion.
“Fuck that,” he says. “But it makes sense.”
“As if it was a movie.” Calista nods.
“Look how long it took you and Rylan to get your act together,” Easton says.
“At least I share myself with people,” she says.
“I share myself with people.”
“Your dick. You share your dick.”
“Okay, you two.” My mom puts up her arms to stop their bickering, but I’m enjoying the distraction.
“Maybe you just need time.” My dad leans forward and pats my knee.
“No one said you have to decide today,” my mom adds.
“It doesn’t matter. He left.” I shrug.
