Publisher's Synopsis
A story of friendship and betrayal, of ambition and the cost of chasing dreams. It's a poignant exploration of how people change-or fail to-and how the ties that bind us can fray but never truly break. As James and Nick navigate their complex history, the desert around them becomes a canvas for their rediscovery, where every choice feels like a gamble and every memory carries the weight of the past.
Las Cruces acts as a silent character-its rugged beauty and relentless heat reflecting the intensity of the characters' emotional journeys. Moments of clarity emerge against this backdrop, like the two men standing by ancient volcanic rocks as the sun sets, or sitting in a dim espresso bar just outside a bustling casino, their conversations laced with regret and resignation.
A visit to a forgotten mining site, underscores the story's themes of excavation-of digging through the layers of their shared past to uncover the truths buried beneath. The jagged landscape mirrors the fractured relationship between the two men, with rusting machinery and weathered signs serving as metaphors for their fading youth and the decay of trust.
Nina, a property manager with sharp wit and a grounded sense of self, adds another layer of complexity to their dynamic. While James sees her as a stabilizing force, Nick sees her as an emblem of everything slipping away-stability, partnership, and a future he can't quite grasp.
James's life has been steady, built on pragmatic choices and cautious ambition. Nick's, on the other hand, has been a volatile mix of high-stakes ventures, risky deals, and a restless search for the next big thing. Their reunion is catalyzed by chance, but it's fueled by unfinished business. As they sit beneath the sweltering desert sun, exchanging stories and teasing out details of their lives, the lines between past and present begin to blur.
