Page 69 of Deep Down
Chapter 25
Alex
“And then my brother runs straight towards the pool and cannonballs into the water, spraying the podium and the head teacher!”
Alex snorted as he took a drink. Bad news. The beer exited through his nose, and it was painful and embarrassing. “Oh my god! What trouble did he get into?”
“That was the funniest thing of all,” Heath continued, passing a napkin over to him. “He didn’t get into any trouble for it!”
“How did he manage that?” Alex mopped his face with the paper towel, grinning.
“I have no idea. And to this day, Parker won’t admit to what was said in the head teacher’s office.” Heath shrugged.
Alex sipped his beer, not wanting a repeat of before.
“Hey, Alex? Did you enjoy the beer the second time around?” Zak held his beer up in salute.
Alex laughed again and threw the wadded-up napkin at him. “I’ll remember, Zak, just you wait. I’m sure there are several people around who would help me return the favour.”
“Touché.”
Seeing some of the group focus their gaze behind him, Alex followed suit, his jaw dropping when he saw Casey with a familiar face. Casey paused before arriving at the table, twisting to talk to Craig, who shook his head and smiled.
“Everyone, this is Craig. Craig, this is Sean; Asher; Logan, you know; Max; Trent; Zak; Heath and Alex, you know.”
The table occupants greeted Craig and set to pulling more chairs around their already full table—or rather tables, since they’d pulled three together when more people arrived.
“What would you like to drink, Craig?” Casey asked.
“Um, beer would be good, thanks.” Craig fidgeted in his seat, glancing at Casey and around the group.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.” Casey glared over at Alex and mouthed, “Be good.”
Not understanding what he meant by that, Alex shrugged as his gaze roamed over Craig, watching as Craig rubbed his hands together and bit his bottom lip. Alex could tell Craig was uncomfortable, but was it because he was new to the table of people or because Alex was there?
“Everything okay?” A voice in his ear made him jerk back. Heath’s chuckle ruffled his hair as he stretched his arm around Alex’s back.
Alex tensed, his spine straightening, and Heath paused before removing his arm. Alex peered at Heath with what he hoped was a small, apologetic smile. “Yeah. Everything’s fine.” He tried to recall their conversation thread. “So, your brother still won’t tell what happened?”
Heath hesitated, glancing between Alex and, he assumed, Craig before continuing. “No, we ask him several times every year and he won’t spill.”
The apparently forced warmth in Heath’s voice sent a pang of guilt through Alex. He’d not mentioned anything about Craig to Heath; he didn’t think he needed to, until now.
“Shall we head out?” Heath asked quietly.
Alex hesitated, torn between wanting to leave and smooth things over with Heath and wanting to stay in Craig’s periphery for a while longer. In the end, he chose the best choice for Craig. Alex nodded. “Yeah, let’s go.”
They said their goodbyes to everyone with Alex trying not to focus solely on Craig before heading out into the cool, night air. They mutually agreed on walking towards Alex’s house as it was not far away. Nothing was said between them for the first few streets, although Alex could feel the tension between them. They weren’t touching in any form, which was unusual for them.
“How do you know Craig?” The question was quiet, whisked away on the slight breeze.
Heath’s perception was not surprising. On many occasions, Alex had found Heath to be extra observant and highly attuned to a situation. Alex knew it was not his place to divulge information about Craig, but he had to give Heath something. “Craig was a patient several months back. Not a great story.”
Heath’s silence was telling. “You appeared uncomfortable when Craig arrived. Did it bring up bad memories?”
Alex wanted to clutch the lifeline Heath was providing, but it wouldn’t be fair to Heath. Alex sighed. “I grew too close to the situation. Too attached.”
The reservation and tension in Heath were tangible. “And do you continue to be attached?”
