It was now or never. He trudged across the sand, each step bringing him closer to the fire until he made out the forms of the two men he’d left a few weeks before.
They looked up as he approached.
Paxton leapt to his feet. “Who’s there?” He squinted until Hutch entered the circle of light, whooping and doing fist punch into the air. “Damn! Hutch! It’s so fucking good to see you! I thought you’d left us.”
What sounded almost like a sob emerged from Paxton’s throat, while with a completely differing reaction, Gunni remained seated, looking suitably bored.
Apparently, that guy’s attitude hadn’t changed.
“What did I miss?”
“Oh, man.” Paxton practically danced from foot to foot. “I can’t wait to fill you in.”