Page 20 of Beneath Cherry Blossom Memories

Swallowing, I puff my vape and glance at the venue. “I don’t know if I can fight. I don’t know if I want to.”

She sighs softly. “Then you made the right decision. It’s hard loving someone who can’t love themselves. And it isn’t your job to make them, either. But…it helps.”

“How is he, anyway?” I ask, too ashamed to admit I haven’t checked on him.

“Calls when he’s hungry or needs money.”

“Dad okay with that?”

A bitter laugh comes through the phone. “No, but he is bedridden, so I’m in charge. Oli is supposed to see a new therapist next week. Nyxia is taking him.”

My little sister is a boss, I swear. “Good. Maybe getting some of that pain out might help.”

“We’ll support him. Push him in the right direction. But he’s my child, myblood.” She pauses, clearing her throat. “Elijah is acting out; it would seem like a call for help. I don’t know what you should or shouldn’t do baby, but don’t sink on that ship with him.”

“I know,” I whisper. “Thanks, Mom.”

“You always call me. No matter what.”

“I will. I gotta go in. Doors are opening in an hour.” People are already parking.

“I love you, Phoenix.”

“Love you too.”

The lead singer of Dark Wing rented a house for Thanksgiving.

It's a super sweet gesture since we’re all away from home for the holiday. Headhunter is from Sweden, so they don’t celebrate it, but they will be staying with us, too. That part fuckingsucks.I busy myself while we drive to the mini-mansion that doubles as an AirBnB during the week and make sure to call everyone.

Even Oli. He didn’t answer, but I left him a voicemail telling him to call me back when he could.

Nyx sends me a picture of Helios staring longingly into the oven door where Mom’s cooking the turkey. I miss my fur child so much it hurts. I can’t wait until December so we can go home for Christmas. I save the picture because it’s cute and set it as my new wallpaper, replacing the one of his face smooshed next to mine. I’m trying to keep my chin up. I’m trying to forget that I’ll be in a house with Eli in a few minutes. Mere feet separating us.

Everyone is excited to have their own rooms, good food, and some downtime from the road. We all smell, too, since our bus doesn’t have a shower and it’s been a few days since we stayed at a hotel. Biker baths aren’t all they’re hyped up to be.

Jorge smells like fucking curry.

“Put your arm down,” I tell him and swat his stomach.

“Bitch,” he slaps me back and then attempts to shove his armpit in my face. I roll off the couch, nailing my head on Michael’s shin.

“Seriously?” he yelps, rubbing it.

“You love my musk.” Jorge flashes me a dumb grin, then smells himself and gags. “That’s nasty.”

“Exactly, and now the whole bus stinks.”

Kelly cackles from her bunk, where she’s been video chatting with her grandparents. I shoot over to the other couch before Jorge can get there. I half sit on Devon and elbow Michael in the side. He grunts. “You’re too lanky for this,” Devon grumbles.

Jorge stands, holds the back of his head, and spins. Even Terry yells at him to stop. “You’re sick!” Michael howls, scrambling to run for the back of the bus. I tuck my nose in my shirt collar, finding I don’t smell much better.

“Everyone showers. Immediately,” Devon orders us but stares at Jorge. “You first.”

Jorge dives for Devon, a high-pitched shriek exploding out of him. They fall to the floor while Jorge wrestles to rub his pits on him, and I take the opportunity to jump over them and rush for the bathroom. Kelly is already there, though.

“Nu-uh, I got here first. That’syourbest friend.” She blows a raspberry at me and darts inside.

Damn it. Jorge successfully smothers Devon in his funk, then locks onto me. “Donot,” I warn, backing up.

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