“I’m not feeling so great,” he reiterated. “I’ll have to call you later. And next time, I’ll take you both to dinner so that you don’t have to cook.”

“No problem,” Graham said. “Of course if you’re not feeling well, you should go lie down. But...”

“But?” Seth said when he stretched his collar and stopped.

“I know it’s a bit out of the blue now that you’re rushing off. We haven’t really had a chance to get into it. But we were going to see if you could help us out a little.”

Seth’s skin began to crawl. “Help you out?”

“The pool-supply business has been slow, so I had to borrow some money to get us through. The loan’s due this week, and I know the asshole who lent it to us will make our lives miserable if we can’t pay him off. So I was wondering if...if we could borrow it from you and pay you back as soon as we get on our feet.”

So that was what this was about. They’d been mad at him until they realized they needed him again. “How much is it?” Seth asked as he grabbed his coat and sweater.

Graham shoved his hands in his pockets while trying to affect an expression of chagrin. “Fifty thousand dollars.” He laughed awkwardly while Lois looked on, her eyes filled with hope. “Can you believe it?” he added. “It’s been a really rough year.”

That was what he’d said the last time he’d come to Seth for money. And yet he still had a boat sitting in his driveway. “You haven’t paid back what I gave you last time,” Seth pointed out.

Graham’s eyes widened as if he didn’t think Seth should require that money back. “Because we haven’t had it. You know how it is for us working-class folks.”

They could’ve at least made the attempt. Or come to him to explain the situation. But they hadn’t even mentioned it, even though the date they’d promised to get him the money had come and gone months ago. They wouldn’t make good on this new loan, either. They saw Seth as being so rich he’d never miss it.

Seth almost said yes. He would’ve given it to them if Shiloh were alive—for her sake. But this time, something wouldn’t let him do it. “I’m sorry you’ve gotten yourself into another tight spot,” he said. “But I’m afraid I can’t help you this time.”

“Why not?” Lois blurted, obviously shocked.

“Because our relationship is starting to revolve around money.”

Graham followed him to the door. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying no,” he reiterated.

“You’re not feeling well. I understand. Let’s wait and talk about it tomorrow. Should I give you a call?”