Those questions, also obviously, would have to wait until we were back home. They both had been around Eoin and his job-related security enough to und...rstand there was a right time and place for questions and explanations. This was neither.The immediate fallout was ... embarrassing to say the least. Some of Eoin's social and political friends got wind of what happened. He swore he had nothing to do with it but it rather effectively eliminated the need for solicitor involvement. I was summoned. This is complicated and it is why I suggested coming out here so we can talk about it. For my sake if not yours.”Tessra saw a conflict within me. “Alexa, talk to us. There is something bothering you and it would appear to be sex with the men. I think talking to us will help.”“Yes, it is the sex with the men. You both know I have fucked nearly every major species on this island that I wanted. Even the dolphins, and now you have, and an octopus. So what is my problem? It comes down to a fear of. The one companion he’d really loved had been that dog; when he had died, a lot of Brian had died with him. The pain of losing him was still palpable, as it had been when he had carried his one true friend to their special spot in the woods, wrapped up in his favorite blanket, and buried him near the field where they’d so often played.The separation had never gotten any easier. After twenty-three years, Brian still flinched sometimes when he thought he saw Benjamin running around a corner. Those. ‘I’ve got the tickets, honey. Pack your bags for Friday morning, we’re all going to the game!’ ‘Oh, David, thank you! This will be so much fun.’ She was relieved, unsure whether he would be able to get tickets in time, unsure whether he’d want to spend so much money on watching a basketball game, unsure how she was so lucky but that he loved her, that she was sure. ‘We’ll rent a car and go to San Francisco the next day and fly back Sunday with the team,’ he assured her. ‘You’ll… you’ll both.