Go for a run?
Uh. Wow. Okay. Let me go throw on my gear.
Hurry, Ben.
It's eight kilometres of oppressive humidity, light rain and silence before I speak. Ben has no problem keeping the slow pace I run, even though I run flat out like my ass is on fire. Eleven days from now-
I know.
He died THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, Benny.
I remember the night well, Bridge. We were still reeling from his attack on you. And then he just checked out of life with no explanation as to what made him snap. Well, I mean Jake made him snap-
Cole and Jake were friends!
DUDE. He spent close to a decade watching you two fall in love. It was Lochlan all over again but on crack. He went mental. I probably would have too, save for I'm super-generous and too busy for a full-time lover.
Ben-
Only partially serious here. But Bridge, you had to know he was wrecked over you. He would rather kill you than live without you. What does that say about him?
If he hadn't tried that he would still be here.
And you think having Caleb around is awkward.
THIRTEEN YEARS, Ben.
I still miss my friend. Sorry. As fucked up as it all was he left a huge hole that doesn't get filled. Sam and August don't fill it. Nothing does.
I know they don't.
So why are you marking it now?
This is the first year I can think about it objectively, without losing my shit.
Eleven days is a long time, Bee. It could still happen.
Oh, I have no doubts.
Should we gather the troops? He cocks an eyebrow at me as I look up at him.
I didn't know they were scrambled this time of year. They probably shouldn't be.
You're right. You're weirdly objective right now.
Just in case. Don't tell Lochlan I'm losing it.
Lucky for you he's had me shadowing you since last week already. He's a boy scout when it comes to your grief. Always prepared. The troops aren't as scrambled as you think. Ever.
But he's avoiding me.
He's giving you space to mourn. Whatever it takes. But he's there if you need him. Cole was his best friend, Bridget. This is hard for him.
Thirteen years, Ben. That's a lifetime.
Not quite.
I stop, hands on my knees. Gasping for air. I don't think I can run back.
I know. Duncan's just up ahead there. See the truck? Lochlan sent him out shortly after we left. I can see the texts on my watch.
Uh. Wow. Okay. Let me go throw on my gear.
Hurry, Ben.
It's eight kilometres of oppressive humidity, light rain and silence before I speak. Ben has no problem keeping the slow pace I run, even though I run flat out like my ass is on fire. Eleven days from now-
I know.
He died THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, Benny.
I remember the night well, Bridge. We were still reeling from his attack on you. And then he just checked out of life with no explanation as to what made him snap. Well, I mean Jake made him snap-
Cole and Jake were friends!
DUDE. He spent close to a decade watching you two fall in love. It was Lochlan all over again but on crack. He went mental. I probably would have too, save for I'm super-generous and too busy for a full-time lover.
Ben-
Only partially serious here. But Bridge, you had to know he was wrecked over you. He would rather kill you than live without you. What does that say about him?
If he hadn't tried that he would still be here.
And you think having Caleb around is awkward.
THIRTEEN YEARS, Ben.
I still miss my friend. Sorry. As fucked up as it all was he left a huge hole that doesn't get filled. Sam and August don't fill it. Nothing does.
I know they don't.
So why are you marking it now?
This is the first year I can think about it objectively, without losing my shit.
Eleven days is a long time, Bee. It could still happen.
Oh, I have no doubts.
Should we gather the troops? He cocks an eyebrow at me as I look up at him.
I didn't know they were scrambled this time of year. They probably shouldn't be.
You're right. You're weirdly objective right now.
Just in case. Don't tell Lochlan I'm losing it.
Lucky for you he's had me shadowing you since last week already. He's a boy scout when it comes to your grief. Always prepared. The troops aren't as scrambled as you think. Ever.
But he's avoiding me.
He's giving you space to mourn. Whatever it takes. But he's there if you need him. Cole was his best friend, Bridget. This is hard for him.
Thirteen years, Ben. That's a lifetime.
Not quite.
I stop, hands on my knees. Gasping for air. I don't think I can run back.
I know. Duncan's just up ahead there. See the truck? Lochlan sent him out shortly after we left. I can see the texts on my watch.