“It’s something.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“What are you guys moaning about?” Ryan asked. He held a bottle of soda in his hand, looking a little sad.
“True love,” Edward said.
“It’s overrated. Believe me.”
“Your ex moved on?” William asked.
Ryan shook his head. “I don’t know. We’ve not spoken since the divorce. I thought we were friends. I guess I was hoping that we’d remain friends and there wouldn’t be any hard feelings.”
“You told your wife you didn’t love her, and never had.”
Ryan scrunched up his nose. “You know, I’m thinking of getting in my car and driving as far from this town as I can.”
“You want to leave?” Edward asked.
“Yeah. I thought about it a lot of the time. There’s nothing for me here. I’ve got nothing left to lose, and the town is taking too long to move forward. We’re slowly moving in the direction of the twenty-first century, just not fast enough. I want to get out, explore. I don’t want my final days to be here.”
Edward stared at his friend. “You’ve thought about this a lot?”
“A long time. Even when I was married I was trying to get away. Nothing holds me here. It never has. Growing up here, I don’t even know why I didn’t leave.”
“It’s the Cape Falls curse if you ask me,” Peter Steer said, approaching them. He held his hands up. “Sorry, I couldn’t help overhearing. You know how it is.”
“The curse?” Edward asked.
“It’s not something that I think anyone really cares about. I’ve thought about it a lot. The town is full of a bunch of people who hate it here. Still they don’t leave. Look at Peter and Laura. They grew up here, and neither of them have gone. I’ve not either. I think if we don’t get out when we’re young enough, we won’t leave. It’s the Cape Falls curse.”
“Get out while you can,” Ryan said. “Makes sense.”
“You’re going to leave?” Peter asked.
“Yeah, you know what? I am. When I go home this evening, I’m going to pack up. I only have what I need at Control.”
“I noticed you didn’t move out,” William said, pointing at Ryan.
“You’re cheap rent. I was able to live a good life without worry,” Ryan said, laughing. “I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I mean it.”
“Do you think you’ll come back?” Edward asked.
“I don’t know. It’s hard to say right now.”
Edward looked past Peter’s shoulder and saw that his woman was on her own. “Excuse me.”
He left the guys alone to chat. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her close. “How is my little angel doing?”
She chuckled. “I’m doing okay. Everyone is asking how we’re getting on. I’ve not had so much attention.” She covered her cheeks. “I’m kind of embarrassed. They want to know if you still sound British in the bedroom.”
He nibbled her ear, loving the sound of her giggle. Edward loved teasing her more than anything. “You should tell them that is when it gets worse, especially when I’m eating out your pussy.”
“You’re bad, Edward.”
“You don’t even know how bad I can be.”
“I know. You won’t go that far with me.” She ran her hand up and down his back.