He wanted to so badly. He wanted to unburden himself on the three brothers he loved more than almost anyone in the world. There was nothing they wouldn’t do for him. He knew it and believed they’d stand by him no matter what. But he was so afraid to say the words, to confess what he’d done, especially with Steve’s mother in their home.

“Let me in.”

Grant heard his father’s voice and stiffened.

Mac smoothly transitioned him into the arms of their father, who held him even more tightly than Mac had.

“Tell us what has you so upset,” Big Mac said. “Put it out there, get it off your chest, let us share the load.”

Surrounded by the unconditional love of his family, Grant could no longer hold back the words that poured forth. The boat, the crash, landing in the water with Dan and Steve, both grievously injured, not knowing where Mac or Evan were and faced with an unimaginable choice: save one of his best friends or save the man he’d met only that morning. He couldn’t save them both and save himself, too.

“Oh God,” Mac said. “God.”

“I couldn’t save him,” Grant said, choking on sobs, “and now his mother is here, and I have to tell her that? I have to tell her that I let him go because I couldn’t save him and Dan?”

“Grant…”

He pulled back from his dad and found Dan staring at him, stricken as realization set in.

“I chose you,” Grant said. “I chose to save you, and now he’s dead, and it’s my fault.”

The circle of men around him sniffled and wiped their eyes. He’d never seen any of them cry, let alone all of them at once.

Dan came over to him and hugged him as best he could. “It’s not your fault. It’s the fault of the ship that hit us, the fog, the bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was nothing you could’ve done but survive. You saved my life. It’s thanks to you that Steve and I aren’t both dead.”

“That’s right, son,” Big Mac said. “Do you give yourself any credit for saving Dan?”

“I wanted to save them both,” Grant said, depleted by the emotional firestorm.

“You couldn’t,” Adam said. “And no one will blame you for reaching for the one who’s been your friend for so long.”

“Not even Steve’s mother?” Grant asked him. “Will she understand? I can’t tell her this. She’s come here for answers, and I can’t tell her. I can’t.”

“We’ll do it for you,” Mac said. “We’ve got your back. We’ve always got your back.”