Like this idiot just dragged me out of the darkness one ridiculous image at a time.
“You’re a goddamn hero,” I tell him, voice hoarse with laughter. “This… this is next level.”
The earlier fury still simmers in the back of my mind, but it’s dulled now, like this ridiculous conversation hit the brakes on the hurricane inside me.
The anger’s still there, but so is perspective.
And maybe, just maybe, I don’t feel like punching the walls anymore.
Dax straightens, brushing invisible lint off his imaginary unicorn chest. “We’re brothers, you and me, Chase. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“And now I know the true meaning of sacrifice.” I slap a hand over my heart.
He points a finger at me. “Youevertell anyone about this, I’ll deny it so hard the NSA’ll start deleting records.”
“Too late.” I grin. “Burned into my memory forever. But I am a dick for not realizing you felt left out. I should have introduced you to Lyri sooner. I shouldn’t have tried to keep you guys separate. I love you both, so you should know each other. You should be friends. I fucked up, big time. I apologize, Dax.”
He shrugs. “I’m used to you fucking up, Chase. Who do you think cleans up your messesallthe time?”
“True…” I pause. “Wait! You knew what Mary-B wanted.” Dax stills. “Does that mean you’ve done it before?”
His eyes widen as he cracks his neck. “We should get a drink while we wait for Mary-B to return.”
His avoidance technique sounds like a good one to me. I wrap my arm around his shoulder, pulling him to me. “Jesus, Dax, the shit you must get up to when I’m not around.” I let out a chuckle. “Okay, drinks it is.”
“Fuck, yes! And then we will enact phase one.”
My muscles clench all over, but if anyone can help me get Lyric back, I know it’s going to be Dax.
So, phase one, here we come.
Chapter Nineteen
CHASE
Dax and I have been sitting back, catching up. Over the past four months, I’ve missed my best friend, and I feel bad for shutting him out. I was so lost and caught up in Lyric that I let myself becomethatguy. The guy who dropped everything. Not that it’s a bad thing because Lyric’s worth it, but because I was so invested in the lie I was creating, in the persona I was forging for Lyric, I was sheltering her from this world, from myrealworld. From myrealfriends and my family, and that’s not okay.
If I want her to know therealme, to love therealme, then she needs to know my friends and family. She needs to knowme.
Dax is somehow making the ache in my chest, the pain riddling my entire body, seem just a little more bearable. As much as I want her back, I can’t stop thinking about how wrecked she must be because of me.
Mary-B strides into my office with a basket stuffed with more shit than a survival pack. It’s overflowing with color, cellophane, and what looks suspiciously like something fuzzy peeking out the side. She marches over, heels clicking like she owns the damn place, and plonks it on the table with a proud flourish.
“Okay, boys,” she says, clapping her hands once like a game show host unveiling the grand prize. “Red Vines and Fun Dip, because who doesn’t love to gnaw on pure sugar. Also, a chilled bottle of champagne, because obviously. And these…” she gestures with a flourish, “… loose rose petals. I scattered them in there to give it that romantic vibe without being…” she looks me up and down with a huff, “…desperate.”
Dax chuckles, and I glare at him while she starts pulling items out like she’s onThe Home Shopping Network.“This little gameis my favorite. It’s a parrot-themed mini basketball hoop. For no reason other than it’s weird and cute and I couldn’t resist. And this guy…” She lifts a small plush bear with a deadpan expression and the words‘I’m an idiot’stitched across its chest. “Seems fitting, no?”
I blink at the bear, then at the parrot game, then back at Mary-B, who’s practically vibrating with pride. How the hell she managed to nail Lyric’s vibe with this weird-ass combo, I have no idea. But she did.Somehow.It’s a mix of quirky, sweet, and just the right amount of sincere apology without crossing into pathetic territory. And I have to admit, the bear’s a goddamn genius move.
Dax tilts his head, smirking like he’s been waiting for me to acknowledge it. His expression practically reads,‘Told you she’s a damn wizard.’“As always, Mary-B, you rocked this shit!”
Mary-B beams under the praise. “I know… I’m amazing.”
I rub the back of my neck, still thrown by the chaos. “Yeah, you kinda are. This is…” I glance at the basket again, baffled but impressed, “…exactlywhat I’m after.”
She shrugs. “I know.” She winks at Dax. “I’ll put it all together in the basket. Here…” She shoves a card at me. “You need to do this part. Think of something nice, you know, heartfelt. Meaningful, but don’t be a sappy douche.”
On the front of the card is a picture of a goat with‘I’m sorry, I’ve been baaad’written in script font. It’s cute as fuck!
