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

I try to catch his eye. “Are we gonna have a religious debate, like we used to?” I lean back in my chair. “‘Cause I’m ready for it.”


“Look,” I say, “I know it’s a big deal with the church and all, but I am what I am.” I take another bite. I see he’s on the cusp of saying something but can’t seem to manage it. So I wait.


“Ryde,” he finally says, after a long pause, “I admire your courage. You know who you are. There’s something fierce and innocent in that.”


“Yes.” He looks down into his plate again.


“You know,” he whispers, “I’m the same. I mean—”


But he stops. “You mean you’re gay.”


He stares into his lap, nodding gravely.


“Okay, so why the long face?” I slide my chair closer to his. “Hm? You think they don’t know? Masson, Cornwell, Eberhart, the whole lot of them, you think they don’t know?”


Chapter 53