Initiative (Suncoast Society #31)(9)

“I’ll be back on Sunday, Sir,” she softly said. “I love you and miss you.” She closed her eyes for a moment, her mind always drifting back to the last time they’d said good-bye.

At least she had the comfort of remembering that every time they parted ways, they always exchanged I love yous.

And his very last words to her, ever, had been, “I love you. You’re my good girl.”

Once she felt steady enough she rose and headed to the front door, gathering her purse, keys, and bags. After setting the alarm, she headed out.

She was determined to survive this weekend, to prove to herself she could engage in a reasonable facsimile of a life.

That she could successfully pull off the ultimate hoax that she was a fully functional human being.





Susan had never been to this particular resort on Siesta Key before, but she had an oceanside room that looked out onto the Gulf of Mexico. She’d sprung for an upgrade outside of the block of rooms discounted for the reunion attendees. She usually didn’t engage in splurges, even though she could afford them, but for this weekend she’d make an exception. The large king suite had a separate living room and a kitchenette, not that she’d be using those.

But this floor would likely be quieter than the ones lower down, where many of the attendees were staying.

After settling in, she headed downstairs to find the reunion check-in area, just to realize she was still nearly an hour early.

Crap.

Since the poolside cocktail party wouldn’t have anything other than appetizers, she decided to head to the hotel’s restaurant. On her way there, someone called her name.

“Susie? Susie Carson?”

She turned to spot a smiling man heading her way, a woman trailing in his wake.

She had to think for a moment, to try to picture him without the beard and mustache and about thirty pounds lighter. “Corey McElroy?”

His grin widened and, for the first time in a long time, she was genuinely happy to see someone. He picked her up in a huge hug, both of them laughing as he set her back down again.

“Holy crap, look at you!” he said. “Susie, this is my wife, Marcy.”

The women shook hands. “Nice to meet you,” Susan said. “Susan Costello.”

“Oh, heh, sorry,” Corey said. “Should have known you’re married. Oh, duh, you’re wearing a ring. Is he here?”

Susan hoped her smile didn’t slip. She knew she’d have to get used to this over the weekend. “Um, no. He died two years ago.”

Corey froze. “Oh, shit, sweetie. I’m so sorry.”

His wife elbowed him. “Nice job, brainiac. I’m going to start calling you ‘barbarian,’ too, the way Eliza does Rusty.”

“It’s okay,” Susan assured him. “You had no way of knowing. It’s fine.” She immediately changed the subject. “How is Rusty? So he and Eliza got married, huh?”

Corey dove for the easy out like a quarterback making a last-ditch conversion play through heavy coverage. “Yeah, wow, all this time. Not long after I graduated high school. They have a daughter, too. Kailey. Man, is she a pistol. She’s in college now.”

Susan pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. “We can’t check in yet for the reunion. They’re not set up. I was going to get some dinner before the pool party tonight. Want to join me?”

“Sure,” Marcy said, warmly smiling. “It’s nice to finally get to meet you. I’ve heard some of the old war stories about you guys in high school…”

And they spent over an hour doing just that, eating and talking and catching up. Corey and Marcy lived outside of Atlanta, where he worked in IT for a cable news company there, and Marcy worked at a bank. Marcy had been born and raised in the Atlanta area. Their two young sons were spending the weekend with Marcy’s parents.

“Rusty told me Grant and Darryl are coming this weekend,” Corey said. “It’ll be like old times.”

Wistful thoughts flowed through Susan, along with more than a little relief. “It’ll be nice seeing them. Are their wives coming, too?”

Corey winced. “No, Darryl’s divorced. Nasty one, from what Rusty said. And he and Grant are an item now.” He leaned in and dropped his voice. “Doesn’t bother me, don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for them. Rusty said they have to keep it on the down-low because of their jobs and because of Darryl’s custody battle.”

“Oh. Okay. Gotcha.” Susan honestly didn’t know how to respond to that. It seemed like half her high school fantasies were unrequited daydreams about the two guys.

Including some especially naughty ones of the three of them in bed together.

Looks like that will stay firmly in the realm of fantasy.

“They live here locally,” Corey said. “Rusty still sees them every week. They bumped into each other at dinner one night with some mutual friends, and they ended up joining the weekly game Rusty plays in.”

“Game? You mean they’re still rolling dice?”

He grinned. “Absolutely. You still play?”

“I haven’t played in years. Wow. That’s awesome.”

“I’m sure they could fit you in, if you wanted to. I’ll give you Rusty’s contact info. Hey, we’re all having dinner together Sunday night. Why don’t you join us?”