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“Yeah.Just…nothingIcan’t handle.”
Adam’seyebrow arched. “Youknow if you need help, we’ve all got your back.”
Huxhadn’t grown up in a warm, loving family the wayAdamhad.He’dbeen raised mostly by his grandmother here inGossamerFalls, with occasional stints all over the country with his mom—when she took an interest—or his biker father, when it was convenient for him.Adamdidn’t know what he’d do without the support system of his mom and his siblings.Hecouldn’t imagine it.
Huxflashed him a tired grin and pushed a hand through his dark hair. “Allgood, man.Life’sjust shit sometimes, you know?Andeven when there’s nothing you can do about it, it still…”Hepaused. “Iteats at you.”
Adampushed off the wall and crossed toHux, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Soundsrough.”
“I…”Hetrailed off and then shook his head, andAdamrecognized the look of a man pushing away shit he didn’t want to think about because he did it, too. “HeardfromFinnlately?”
Adamshook his head. “No.Imostly keep up with him on hisYouTubechannel.”
“Metoo.”
FinnShephardwas an independent documentarian with a journalism degree fromNYU.He’dalways been passionate about the environment and conservation, and he made a living from hisYouTubechannel where he created mini-documentaries about various eco issues.
“LastIsaw, he was somewhere inAlaska.”
“Yeah, up in the fucking tundra, picking flowers.”Huxdidn’t try to hide the bitterness in his voice, andAdamcouldn’t blame him.Theyall felt abandoned byFinn, even if they understood that it was what he needed to do.Huxsnorted. “Hashe at least reached out toSienna?” he asked, bracing his hands on the stainless steel counter top.
Adamshook his head. “Idon’t think so, but you’d have to askAutumn.She’sfriends with her.”
SiennaandFinnhad been together for about a year and a half when he’d taken off shortly after their father’s death.AccordingtoAutumn, she’d thought he was going to propose.Instead, he’d left.
Aneasy silence fell between the two men and thenAdamcrossed to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup, adding just a splash of milk and then stirring it.Whenhe crossed back towards whereHuxwas standing, he laid his hand on the man’s shoulder again.
“Seriously.Ifyou need anything…time off, money, a friendly ear,I’vegot you.Youdon’t need to tell me what it is.”
Huxsighed. “Imight need some time off.Ihave some shit to figure out…with my dad.”
Adamnodded and gaveHux’sshoulder a friendly squeeze. “Anythingyou need, man.We’llfigure out the restaurant.”
Huxnodded, looking slightly less world weary than whenAdamhad first stepped into the kitchen, and he considered that a win.Hetook a sip of his coffee and started toward the swinging doors.
“Hey,Adam,”Huxcalled andAdamturned, catching the swinging door with his foot before it smacked him.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.Forbeing…”Heshook his head. “Just…thanks.”
Adamsmiled. “Welcome.”
Hewalked back through the hotel as the light filtering in through the windows lightened, revealing a pale, overcast sky that promised cool air and possibly rain.Heset out the newspapers in the lounge, turning on a few lights as he went, and then headed toward the sunroom at the back that looked out over the grounds.Awall ofFrenchdoors led out onto a covered patio where he andAutumnhad hung a few hammocks.She’ddecorated the space for fall with pumpkins of various shades and sizes, and several outdoor lanterns with electric candles were strewn about.Alarge fireplace sat on the edge of the space, andAdamfrowned slightly when he noticed that the metal bin that normally held firewood was empty.He’dhave to chop some later.
Autumnkept trying to convince him to chop wood in a plaid flannel shirt so that she could take a video for their social media, saying something about a “hot lumberjack vibe.”
He’dtold her no.Obviously.
Hestepped back inside, sipping his coffee as he walked slowly down the hall, making sure everything was as it should be.Justas he slipped behind the front desk, the phone started to ring.
“Frontdesk,Adamspeaking,” he answered, setting his coffee down on the desk, watching the steam rise in swirling whorls.
“Oh, um, hi.I’mso sorry to bother you so early.ThisisHazelWoodwardin room two.”
Ah, the famous writer. “It’snot a bother at all.WhatcanIhelp you with,MissWoodward?”Therewas silence on the other end of the line.Hefrowned slightly, glancing down at the display screen on the phone’s cradle to make sure the call was still connected.Itwas.
“MissWoodward?Youstill there?” he asked, and then he heard a shuddery breath on the other end of the line.
