“Bravo,” Gordon exclaimed.

“You make it look easy,” John said.

“It’s not,” Cooper replied. “You can make a real mess of this if you don’t know what you’re doing.” He let the net sink to the bottom, then steadily pulled the rope back in, jerking it to tuck the net into a bag. Soon after, the net resurfaced holding a dozen small shad.

John whooped and brought over the drop bucket. “To think we were going to use worms. Rookie move, right?” he said.

Cooper cast the net again and drew it back in while Gordon baited the hooks. In the spirit of brotherhood, John went to his backpack and pulled out a few cigars. He handed one to Gordon, who sat comfortably with his feet on the rail, cradling a beer. He took the cigar, nodded with appreciation, and placed it, unlit, in his mouth.

“Cooper, you want one of these beauties?”

“No thanks,” Cooper said, picking up his rod and already casting his line, intent on getting some fishing in. “I’ve given up cancer for Lent.” He cast again, closer to the reeds. “Just a matter of time, boys, till I reel in the big one.”

“Okay, junior,” John said, preparing to cast. “You’re on.”

Gordon reeled in his line, then moved closer to John. John looked at him, curious.

Gordon spoke in a low voice. “I’ve got to tell you, to clear the air, I wasn’t psyched when you came back here to Isle of Palms. And that you were living next door to Linnea. I was half a world away, could only see my girlfriend through a screen, and she let it slip you were here.”

John focused on reeling in his line. “Nah, man—there’s no secret. We’re not doing anything wrong. I just want to try to repair our friendship.”

Gordon turned his head to check on Cooper, who was doing what he could to look preoccupied with his fishing.

“Don’t worry,” John said. “He can’t hear us.”

“He can hear us,” Gordon said. “He’s just got enough grace to appear to not listen in.”

“Look, man,” John said begrudgingly. “What do you want me to say? We were together a year ago. We fucking lived together. Then I screwed up and let her go. What else do you want to know?”

Gordon looked at him impassively. “Do you still love her?”

John wasn’t about to tell this guy how he felt about Linnea. “I don’t know.”

“Does she… have feelings for you?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know?” When Gordon continued staring at him, John said brusquely, “No. Not really. Maybe a little. I don’t know. I mean, we’re friends again. I think.”

Gordon smirked. “How well do you really know her?”

“Trust me. I know her.”

“What’s her favorite color?”

“Pink.”

“Wrong.” Gordon smiled. “It’s green.”

“You’re both wrong,” Cooper said. “It’s blue.”

“I thought you weren’t listening,” John said, then turned to Gordon. “Okay, smartass. Does she like rom-coms or action films?”