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

“And you shouldn’t.” Awkwardly, he touches my shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”


I look at my mother. She’s teary-eyed of course.


I turn for the sink and put my cup in there. “I’m going to church for him,” I say.


“Him, Alistair,” my mother answers for me. “Larry, are you that clueless?”


I turn around and face him. “‘Cause…I like him, Dad. Well, more than like him.” I glance over at my mother. “He’s, you know, the one I want.”


“Huh,” my dad says. “Really? Okay, I didn’t know you were into blonds.”


I can’t help laughing a little. “I guess so.”


“All right then, go ahead. Go to church.” He drinks his coffee and smiles at me from over the rim of the cup. “Not like I can stop you now anyway.” He winks. “Right?”


“No, it’s a little too late for that,” I say, nervously. “So, can I borrow a tie from you?”


Chapter 18