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Duncan held him close and grunted, “I know, man. It’s fucked up how you can be so fucking pissed at him and still get it. Still love him.”
At his words, Hale groaned, and his body bucked in Duncan’s hold, but Duncan held fast.
Genny horned in and Tom did too.
And then there were more.
Chloe was there. Matt. Sasha. All of them joining the huddle around Hale.
Of course, Genny and Tom wouldn’t make him do this without them close.
Chloe was getting married that weekend.
But of course they were all there.
All holding him. All there when he needed them.
His family.
The precious gift his dad gave him.
* * *
Corey
Then…
“I can’t take these, Marilyn.”
“Yes, you can.”
“I have no use for them. And it’s far too soon for you to be giving them away.”
“I’m not giving them toyou, silly. I’m giving them to you to keep safe until Hale needs them.”
It wasn’t entirely a foreign feeling, so he knew exactly what it was.
Corey felt shame.
“I don’t think he’ll want anything from me,” he said quietly.
“Oh, buddy boy.” She shook her head. “You’ve got one of the greatest minds of our time, but still, you sure do miss a whole load of important things.”
She then wrapped his fingers around the rings she’d worn ever since he’d known her. Rings that she’d placed in his palm. After that, she kissed his cheek and walked away.
It was the gathering after her husband’s funeral.
Within a year, she too would be gone.
* * *
Hale
Now…
“Vaughan?”
“Hale.”
