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"Did you know about this?" Jimmy asked Sandy as they stood in the den.
"Yes. I found out a few weeks ago…"
"Sandy, you're my friend, why didn't you tell me?"
"Because Ryan is like a son to me," Sandy said seriously. "He…he didn't…I can't make excuses for him, Jimmy, but he didn't grow up around here…his family…he doesn't make decisions like anyone I've ever met…he does everything on impulse…"
"He was fucking Hailey for months…"
"Jimmy."
Jimmy sighed and turned away from Sandy. "I know…It's my fault, too…I wasn't enough for her…"
"Jimmy, this isn't your fault…"
"I've been spending so much time trying to get my life back, making money, saving money, that I didn't pay attention to what was happening around me. Hailey…Marissa…I didn't see any of it until it was too late."
"I'm sorry, Jimmy…"
He sighed. "I shouldn't have hit him…he didn't deserve that…" Jimmy said. "Can I apologize?"
"Let's give him some time with Kirsten," Sandy replied.
Ryan walked in. He didn't acknowledge the men, walking through the room and out the front door.
"I'll be right back," Sandy said, startled. He hurried out behind Ryan, calling his name.
Ryan didn't stop, he walked down the driveway. Sandy had to sprint to catch him. He spun him around by the shoulders.
"I'll call you as soon as I get there," Ryan said.
"Where are you going? No one said you had to go, you can't leave," Sandy said.
"I'm going to Portland. Kirsten agreed that it's for the best. For a few days."
"No, Ryan. I overrule her…you're not ready…" Sandy protested. They'd just got Ryan back. He wouldn't let him walk away again. This wasn't supposed to happen. Sure, there would be drama and tension in the house but Hailey and Ryan could handle it. No one was supposed to leave.
"I have to go. Let me go…" Ryan whispered.
"No…"
"Please. It's killing me, Sandy…I have to go…give them some time, give me some time…"
Sandy shook his head. "I don't want you to go…"
"Kirsten…I won't do this to her. And Hailey needs her sister more than anything…they're the ones who need to work it out. Let me go."
Sandy didn't release Ryan's arm. Finally, Ryan pulled away.
"I'll call you when I get there." Ryan turned.
"How are you getting to the airport?"
"A cab's picking me up at the gate," Ryan said as he walked away.
Sandy turned and walked up the driveway. He met his wife at the door.
"Is he gone?"
"How could you send him away?"
"I…I made a mistake, he said that he was going to bring it up anyway, that it wasn't because of this but I…I told him to go, it was just too hard seeing them together…" Kirsten said quickly. Sandy slowed her babble down by pulling her into his arms. "I was wrong…she loves him…" She whispered.
Sandy knew she was right. He'd known it when he confronted Hailey the first time. He'd just hoped that he was wrong.
"Sandy…"
"It's okay…he'll come back…all of this is going to work out…"
"God…"
"Come on, honey. Jimmy and Hailey are waiting. And somebody's going to have to explain this to Seth…"
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Ryan didn't take a flight to Portland. He was better with heights, but not that good. He'd never been on a plane before. He didn't trust his nerves to last. He took a bus.
Luke met him at the bus station.
"Damn, you look like hell," Luke said seriously when he met him in the terminal.
"You, too," Ryan replied. Distance hadn't helped Luke. He looked tired and stressed out.
Luke smiled. "It's good to see you, man."
"Yeah."
Ryan found out a lot of things after he tossed his bag into Luke's brand new Cadillac SUV. Carson Ward hadn't become a better parent after bringing Luke to Portland. He was enjoying his new freedom and tended to bring home different men every night. Luke couldn't really handle it. He hated going home. He hadn't even enrolled in school for the fall. He hadn't dated since Julie. He said he spent his nights driving around and going to the gym.
"So, man. You've listened to my sob story. What's yours? Why'd you take me up on my offer?" Luke asked.
"Because. I know how you feel, now. The whole thing with Julie Cooper and how it got out of control…"
"What are you talking about?"
"You slept with your ex's mom. I slept with my foster mother's sister…"
"What?" Luke almost drove off the road. "You slept with…Hailey?"
"Yeah."
"What happened to Teresa? And Marissa? Damn, man, was I gone that long?"
"Teresa's dead. Eddie's in jail. Marissa…she's out of control, I haven't talked to her in months. She's on drugs, she's sleeping around…everything's a big mess. And I…I can't stop thinking about Hailey…"
"Harsh. Damn, man…are you okay?"
"I don't think so. Is this my hotel?"
"Yeah. I told Dad you were coming. He's paying the tab."
"Man, I can't…"
"Hell yeah, you can. I earned this. He got us two rooms. Fully stocked bars…"
"Luke…"
"Come on, man. We need some fun. Both of us."
Ryan glanced at his friend. "You're right. We're not in Newport anymore." He'd been drinking from a fifth of whiskey since he got on the bus.
"I thought I needed cheering up, but I should have thought before I invited the king of brood up here to cheer me up."