Fourteen years ago, on the banks of Craving’s Creek, Ryde swore to his best friend Alistair he’d never be alone in the world. Though Alistair was destined for the priesthood, there was something beyond holy about the first kiss they shared. But a fun camping trip went horribly wrong when Alistair was involved in a horrific incident. Now, at age thirty-one, Ryde’s life is a mess of alcohol and the painful imprint of his last look into Alistair’s desperate eyes. Since the evil they encountered on that shore, his first love has been lost to him ... until he learns a friend’s wedding is to be officiated by a priest named Father Alistair Genet. Amid the rush of emotions, one thought crystallizes: Ryde’s love for Alistair has never died. It’s stronger than ever. But can it win over the repressed memories slowly tearing Alistair’s mind apart?

Craving's Creek

“Sheryl and me left and went to the park.” Now I see his jawline harden and the fire inside me starts anew. “She wants to go to Hollywood next year.”


“No, not with me.” I touch his hand with a fingertip. “And, anyway, I wouldn’t go, even if she asked me to.”


I want him to let his guard down. “My mom says she’s gonna talk to your mom about Catholic camp. She wants you to come to camp with us, up north.”


Alistair’s face finally brightens. “For real?”


“Yeah, for real. It would be so cool if you could come. If she said yes, wouldn’t that be amazing?”


“She’ll say no. I know she will.” He looks over my shoulder at the house. “My father won’t allow it.”


I don’t know what to say. I stand there, frustrated and dumb.


“Ryde,” he whispers, “I wanna tell you something. Something important I decided this week.”


Everything in me stops and listens. “What is it?” I come a little closer to him.


Chapter 11