Echoes in the Wind by Debra Jupe

Mitchell too. Damn, this is got to be tough on their family.” He paused. “This is too damn hard, but we’ve got to form a plan quickly. One of us ought to contact Drake’s wife on our behalf. I’m assuming she’ll inherit Drake’s portion. If we gain anything, she’ll have a say in what we do.” Eric didn’t want to get further into a deeper conversation about his friend’s passing or Mitchell’s situation, yet it was disrespectful to glide over the incidents to only discuss the financial aspects. “I’m wondering when would be the right time for us to approach the relatives.”
    “They’re probably messed up pretty bad after this. Drake and his wife waited a long while to marry and Mitchell—man, this is hard for me to talk about too.”
    “I’m not doing great myself.” Eric removed a cigarette out of the box and rolled it between his fingers. “I’ve known Drake since my first year of college. I met Mitchell not long after. We played together for, what, three years before we became famous. I considered them both more like my brothers than friends.”
    “I’m the same way.” Blaine looked past Eric through the bay window located behind him. He stared out at the ocean for several seconds. “What time are we supposed to get together with Finn?”
    “He wants us at there by eight. He says he’s got a party to go to, and it starts around midnight. Also, he’s meeting friends for drinks at ten, so we need to be finished by then.” Eric gave a cynical smile. “Hell of a way of grieving a friend’s death. I hope that asshole brother of his is already gone. You think we oughta take the car over to his place or is walking okay with you?”
    Eric preferred to go on foot. Finn’s neighborhood was several blocks away and not in the best area, but the distance wasn’t too far. He’d rather be outdoors. Plus, he needed a shit-load of fresh air before and after he “enjoyed” Finn’s company again. They may have formed an uneasy truce because of their mutual predicament. But they were hardly friends.
    “What are we doing?” Eric paused. “Car or walk?”
    “I’ll meet you at Finn’s.”
    Eric’s brows dipped.
    Blaine kept his voice calm. “I’m not going with you to Finn’s house. I phoned Stephanie this morning. We’re getting together for dinner tonight.”
    “You made a date?” Eric’s eyes narrowed. “How can you even think about a woman after everything that’s happened these past few hours? You knew we had a meeting, and you’re well aware what’s at stake.”
    “I am. But I need a break from this crazy shit. I’m about to go insane. If anything else happens to us, I will. I like Stephanie. Because of this crap going down, I don’t think I’ll get more than an evening or two to take her out, plus I’m afraid if I’m with her too much, I’ll put her in danger. I’m spending what little time I have with her. Maybe I’ll feel normal for a few minutes.”
    Eric chuckled sardonically. “Normal. Do you even know what that is?”
    “Don’t worry. It’s only dinner. We’ll make this an early night. I’ll be at Finn’s by eight.”
    Eric fumed as he shoved away from the table and sprang to his feet. “I need a smoke.”
    He withdrew his disposable lighter from his pants pocket and was clicking as he stepped outdoors. He held the cigarette between his lips, then lifted the fire to the end. After taking several drags, he sat down on the top step to rest on the small weathered porch as he regarded the azure sea.
    Today was a gorgeous spring day. The sun shone bright, a light breeze carried a sultry heat making the morning almost hot. Gulls dived gracefully to skim the tops of the swells in efforts of catching their next meal. Usually, the tranquil sights gave him a sense of peace, but today even the water’s hypnotic lull didn’t do anything for him.
    While recent events weighed heavy on his mind, he was unexplainably pissed at Blaine. Eric understood his motives.