Evan "Buck" Buckley tossed his duffel bag into the backseat of his Jeep and climbed behind the wheel, exhaustion hanging over him like a storm cloud. The day had been long, grueling, and filled with distractions he could barely shake. Between a difficult rescue that had left him rattled and lingering thoughts of Tommy Kinard, his mind felt like it had been through the wringer.
And then there was Daniella.
It had started innocently enough—a drink at a quiet bar after a particularly rough shift. Buck wasn't looking for company, but Daniella, with her mysterious aura and quick wit, had drawn him in. One drink turned into two, then three, and before Buck knew it, they were wrapped in each other's arms in a hotel room across town.
The affair was brief, passionate, and ultimately hollow. Daniella had made it clear she wasn't looking for anything serious, and Buck, still reeling from his breakup with Tommy, hadn't argued. But as the days passed, the encounter left him with more questions than answers.
In the days that followed, Buck couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that he was running from something—or everything. His heart still ached for Tommy, but his mind was tangled in a web of confusion about who he was, what he wanted, and where he belonged. Daniella had been a momentary escape, but it was clear now that it wasn't enough.
He needed something more. Something bigger. Something that could help him make sense of the chaos in his heart.
One night, while scrolling through his phone in his apartment, an idea struck him: he'd travel. Not just for the sake of travel, but to find clarity. He'd always dreamed of exploring the world, and now seemed like the perfect time. Greece, China, and Cambodia—three destinations that had always called to him.
The decision felt impulsive, but for Buck, it was a lifeline.
He booked his flight to Athens that same night. As the confirmation email lit up his screen, a wave of anticipation washed over him. For the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope.
The day of his departure came quickly. At LAX, Buck stood near the departure gate, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Eddie Diaz, his best friend, stood beside him, arms crossed as he tried to mask his concern.
"You sure about this?" Eddie asked, his voice soft but steady.
Buck nodded, offering a faint smile. "Yeah. I need this, Eddie. I need to figure out who I am and what I want."
Eddie clapped a hand on Buck's shoulder. "Just remember, you're not alone. We're all here when you're ready to come back."
"Thanks," Buck replied, his voice thick with emotion. He hugged Eddie tightly, then turned to say goodbye to the others who had come to see him off.
As Buck made his way toward the security checkpoint, a familiar voice called out behind him.
"Buck, wait!"
He froze. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The sound of Tommy Kinard's voice was unmistakable.
Buck turned slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. Tommy stood there, looking as conflicted as Buck felt.
"What are you doing here, Tommy?" Buck asked, his tone sharp.
"I needed to see you," Tommy said, stepping closer. "I couldn't let you leave without telling you the truth."
Buck's eyes narrowed. "The truth? You mean about why you broke up with me? You already told me—it was Abby."
Tommy shook his head, his voice trembling. "It wasn't Abby. Not really."
Buck crossed his arms, his anger bubbling to the surface. "Then what was it, Tommy? What could possibly be worse than you still being in love with your ex-fiancée?"
Tommy looked down at his feet, his hands clenched into fists. "I was scared, Buck. I was scared of how much I loved you. Of how vulnerable you made me feel. I thought if I ended things, I could protect myself, but all I did was hurt you—and me."
Buck stared at him, his emotions warring between anger and heartbreak. "You think that makes it okay? You think that changes anything?"
"No," Tommy admitted, his voice breaking. "But I want to fix this. I want to try again. Please, Buck."
Buck shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. "Do you have any idea what you put me through? I'm not sure I can just forget that, Tommy."
"I'm not asking you to forget," Tommy said desperately. "I'm asking you to give me a chance to make it right."
For a long moment, Buck said nothing. The pain in his chest was almost unbearable, but so was the sight of Tommy standing there, pleading with him.
Finally, Buck sighed. "I'm leaving, Tommy. I need time to figure things out."
Tommy nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Then let me come with you."
Buck blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"Let me come with you," Tommy repeated. "I'll give you space. I just... I want to be there, even if it's just as a friend."
Buck hesitated, his mind racing. The idea was insane, but something about it felt right. Slowly, he nodded. "Fine. But don't think this means everything's okay."
Tommy managed a small smile. "I wouldn't dream of it."
As they boarded the plane, Buck and Tommy found themselves seated next to each other, though an unspoken tension hung between them. Buck turned toward the window, his thoughts swirling, while Tommy sat quietly, respecting Buck's need for space.
The flight to Athens was long, but it felt like the beginning of something new. Whether it was reconciliation or closure, Buck didn't know. But for the first time in weeks, he felt like he was moving forward.