"That's why I aim to prove it," he said, and if there was any worry in his face, it was for Mike, not his doubts. For the pain they caused them, not that he had them. They were understandable. And Sandy wouldn't belittle them by trying to say the right thing.

He'd prove it. He'd live it.

Wes had told him to let himself be open, to let himself find happiness. Wes had told him when he had, he'd best not let go. He didn't intend to.

Like he'd said: Wes had been a pretty good mentor for the most part.