The scene on the sand, which he had hoped would comfort him, did not. Laird was passing a joint to Dewalt, and Annie was running topless toward the ocean screeching gibberish. He paused, wondering if he should head back to the beach house alone, but instead strode ahead through the moonlit sand. He stood near the two men, who were sharing a stupid joke.
“Hey sexy,” Dewalt said, lolling on his side.
Dewalt had removed his shirt, as if he were preparing to swim. Laird was sucking the last of the joint, which he pressed between his fingers to extinguish, then stood unsteadily and ran toward the water and Annie. Dewalt, eyes slits, mouth gaping like a fool, pulled Neal toward him. He could smell the pot, that rank stink he’d never liked even when he was getting high. Neal did not want to l
