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

“My dad’s gonna give me thirty bucks,” I say, changing the subject. “Do you wanna go to Miss Candiac and have a pizza?”


Some kids come running by us, chasing a wet dog. Alistair turns his face to mine. “Do you think I see that angel because of my migraines?”


What do I say? I go for the truth. “Yeah, probably. My mom says it happens and that maybe you should see a doctor.”


The dog whips past us again, but backtracks and runs up to Alistair. He’s a little brown dog with long, mangy fur. Laughing, Alistair pets him and rubs his pathetic ears back. The dog is ecstatic about it and wags his tail, splashing water over my arms. I don’t know why I’m so annoyed. I want to pet the dog but I won’t even look at it. Alistair caresses it and I feel this gigantic ball of fury rolling around inside me.


Chapter 14