Page 85 of Midnight Dissonance

Josh waited while the band played through their set. And they weren’t the same without Lexi. She had this energy and presence on stage, an intangible quality that made the difference between the musical legends and local bands.

Lexi had it.

At the end of the show, he approached Cliff while they were packing up their instruments.

“Hey, Cliff. Great show.”

“Oh hey, man. Didn’t expect to see you here.” Cliff looked at him with a slight frown. But there was an edge to it, which meant he knew about their breakup.

“Yeah, I’m looking for Lexi. We had a horrible fight because I’m an idiot. And I need to apologize.”

“She’s not here, dude.” Cliff shrugged with a Duh. Look around, dude, look.

“I gathered as much when I didn’t see her on stage with you guys. Could you tell me where she’s at? I really need to talk to her. Any help you could give me would be appreciated.”

“I wish I could, man, but she left Denver.”

“What do you mean she left Denver?” His panic increased. She wasn’t in Denver? Where the hell had she gone? “Where the bloody hell did she go?”

“Uh, Chicago. She’s, um, going back to school or something. Says she’ll be back in December. That’s why we got Phillip to fill in for her until she’s back. Although she might not come back. She pawned her guitar.”

“She did what?” Oh, he was the dumbest fecker who ever lived. She’d gotten rid of her guitar. And it was because of him.

He swore then and there that if she forgave him, he would spend the rest of his days making it up to her. If that meant he had to follow her around the country while she toured with her band, so be it. His life was with her.

“I don’t know what to tell you. She was really hurt by the fight you guys had. Wouldn’t talk about it much.”

“I’m an idiot. And I need to tell her that and beg her to come back. But I can’t do that if I can’t get in touch with her. Do you have any idea where she is and how I could get in touch with her?”

“I know she’s crashing with a friend while she’s there.”

“Do you have the address?” Please let him have the address.

“Nah, dude. Sorry.”

“Look, I know you don’t know me well. But could you text her and get the address for me? Just don’t tell her it’s for me. Tell her you have a package to ship her way and need an address.”

“Yeah, I could do that. You’re not going to hurt her or nothing?” Cliff asked skeptically, assessing Josh like he might be a serial killer or intend to harm her.

He decided honesty was the best policy to get his assistance. “I’m going to marry her, if she’ll have me.”

“Nice, dude. All right, I’ll help you out.” Cliff whipped out his phone and texted Lexi.

The gods must have been smiling down on him. Because Cliff got a text back in under a minute.

“Got it. What’s your number? I’ll screenshot it and text you.”

Josh relayed his number. “Thank you. And please don’t say anything to her until I’ve had a chance to talk to her.”

“My lips are sealed. Good luck. You’re going to need it.” Cliff shook his head. And his expression said it all. That it would take a miracle to get her to forgive him.

Josh raced home and called his cousin. He picked up on the first ring. “Is there a reason you’re calling me this late? Is everything all right?”

“Jase, I need to borrow one of the planes.”

“Are you telling me you got me out of bed with my wife because you need to borrow a plane?” Jase growled.

“It’s because I need to fly to Chicago tomorrow so I can tell Lexi I love her and ask her to marry me,” he explained, pinching the bridge of his nose.

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