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But he would always have one big regret when it came to Petra. Well, two regrets, wrapped into one messed-up childish decision that had changed him forever.
Keaton didn’t often openly talk about what hadhappened, but there were moments it bubbled to the surface. Normally, he pushed them down.
However, this was one of those rare times that he believed sharing his personal, private hell might help one of his best friends past an important hurdle.
“I fought with Petra the week before she died,” Keaton said softly. “I was too stubborn to call her before we were deployed. It didn’t matter what the fight was about, we always said we loved each other before I left, and we didn’t that one time. She died without hearing those words come out of my mouth, and trust me, man, they are not just words.” Keaton sighed. The emotion stuck in his throat, then dropped to his heart.
Dawson knew there was so much more to this story. It wasn’t just that he’d failed to tell the woman he loved how he felt, but he’d also forgiven her for breaking his trust. He understood her reasons. He could have accepted they weren’t ready. But she’d never given him the chance, and he’d let her die believing he not only didn’t love her but wasn’t sure if they could stand the test of time.
He would always love Petra. There could never be another woman for him, which was why this thing with Trinity made him so crazy. The blond-haired beauty had gotten under his skin like a toxin. For the last year, she was all he could think about. He’d blink his eyes open in the morning and wonder what she’d be doing that day. Would he see her when he showed up at the docks? Or run into her in town? He found himself stopping at the local coffee shop almost every morning inhopes of running into her, only to get pissed off because he’d learn she was doing something stupid again.
Petra had died because she’d thought she was invisible. She’d lived her life on the edge. Adrenaline meant almost more to her than he did. At first, that’s what had drawn him to Petra. He’d loved how much she’d enjoyed the outdoors. She’d try almost anything. About the only thing she hadn’t liked was fishing because the woman couldn’t sit still unless she was strapped to something going a hundred miles an hour.
As they’d gotten older, a little more mature, her wild nature had become a concern. He’d wanted her to stop seeking out everything that could kill her. He’d started to worry she had a death wish that he hadn’t noticed before. And maybe she had. Maybe she’d gone up in that plane and performed those tricks with reckless abandon, not caring if she’d lived or died.
Her motto had always been,Babe, you only live once. Might as well live like you’re dying.
Trinity wasn’t like that. He knew she didn’t want to die—well, maybe Petra hadn’t wanted to either, but she also hadn’t been afraid of it.
Trinity wanted to prove she wasn’t some spoiled rich bitch who needed the world to serve her, that she could do what everyone else in Calusa Cove did. That she wasn’t afraid to take risks.
But this scuba diving alone thing was making him crazy. She could die under the water, and no one would know—and for what? To prove what? This wasn’t her battle. It belonged to someone else.
“I know you’re right about Audra. I’m just scared it’s too soon, and she’ll run,” Dawson said.
Keaton smiled. “That chick isn’t afraid of much, and I’m pretty sure she feels the same way.” The sound of big-ass tires kicking up pebbles tickled his ears. He waved his finger toward Hayes’s souped-up truck. “Did you know that Hayes managed to get Chloe’s personal cell phone number and has been texting her for a week straight?”
“As in the FBI agent who’s been in town a couple of times looking for those missing young adults?” Dawson asked.
“That’s the one.” Keaton chuckled. “Talk about a man with a hard-on. The last time she showed up in town, his eyes nearly popped right out of their sockets. He’s not even subtle about it.”
“Looks like he’s got Fletcher with him.” Dawson stood. “Want another beer?”
Keaton closed one eye and peered into his longneck. “Yeah.” He downed the last two swallows, handed the empty to his buddy, and watched him walk away.
Dawson stopped on the front porch, took Audra by the hand, and led her inside the big house. They were about two months from the grand opening of Harvey’s Bed and Breakfast. Keaton didn’t understand why on God’s green earth they hadn’t changed the name. Granted, Harvey’s Cabins had been a staple in the community for years. It was a well-known name, but Dawson owned the establishment now. Turning that house into a B&B and slapping someone else’s name on it seemed strange.
“Well, dang. I didn’t mean say it right now,” Keaton mumbled.
“What are you babbling about?” Fletcher slapped his shoulder.
“Oh, Dawson’s about to tell Audra he loves her for the first time.” Keaton shook his head. This team didn’t have any secrets. Well, at least the living didn’t. They’d recently learned that their good friend Ken—Baily’s brother, the man who had died in combat and was one of the reasons they’d come to Calusa Cove a little over a year ago, had a few secrets.
One, they knew.
The rest? Well, a picture was forming, and it wasn’t pretty.
“Not the most romantic moment, but good on him.” Fletcher snagged a stick and the marshmallow bag. He plopped himself down in a chair and tossed the bag to Hayes. “I see that idiot Decker Brown is back in town.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “I don’t like that guy.”
“You barely even know him,” Keaton said. “None of us do. Besides, Dawson did a basic check on the man. His story is legit.”
“I don’t care,” Fletcher huffed. “He’s a land developer. His job description goes against everything we all stand for, not to mention his current project is over on Marco Island. Why does he keep coming around here—specifically, showing up at the marina to have a cup of coffee with Baily?”
“Ah. I see.” Keaton leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “You’re jealous.”
“Not the right word,” Fletcher said. “I don’t trust him. It’s a long commute to deal with a project when he comes to town, which is way too often. Dawson should tell him he doesn’t have any vacancies.”
“Decker’s a paying customer.” Keaton shook his head. “Besides, Trinity told me Baily’s not interested.”