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

But he’s frozen still against me and I make myself move back. For a moment, we stare at each other.


I didn’t kiss him. It wasn’t a kiss.


I can see he’s breathing hard. I can see he’s wired.


“Do you know what you just did?” he asks, like he’s about to cry.


“Stop. You’re not a baby.” I rub my finger against my mouth. God, I want to kiss him so hard. I want to kiss him until he chokes. “Don’t act so offended.”


“Then what are you? Disgusted?” I’m afraid of his answer. “Well, are you?”


“I’m not disgusted or offended! I…I don’t know—”


Chapter 12