Page 54 of The Plan

“Don’t apologize, August.”

“No, I shouldn't have brought it up right now. A part of me wants to know, yes, but you’re struggling right now, and—”

“I’m always struggling, August, and you’re always there.” He looks over at me, stops moving around nervously, and sort of goes still. “I know it’s wrong, and me being on whatever drugs doesn’t excuse it, but… it’s easier to lie to you and ask you to do fucked up shit for me because you’re still going to be here in the end.”

I’m not sure why, but a smile reaches his mouth as I go on. “God, August, I think I could stab you in a major artery, and you’d bleed out with a smile on your face, going on about how you know I did it for a good reason.”

He laughs softly, and I give him a weak smile. “I won’t lie to you anymore,” I promise him. “And God please forbid it, but if I relapse and I make you cover for me, I’m giving you permission right now to beat me up, take me against my will, and have me admitted into rehab or one of those scary shock therapy camps.”

He throws his head back with a laugh, but I mean every word. Just because I know he’ll never leave my side doesn’t mean I get to keep testing his love for me. It isn’t fair.

He walks over to me with his arms open, and I almost back away but let him hug me. “It’s me and you til the wheels fall off.” A smile spreads across my face, and I hug him back.

“And even when they fall, we’re pushing that shit across the finish line” I finish for him, and he squeezes me tighter before pulling away.

“Sorry again for joking about that. I was trying to go about this the way Lisette does.” Humor is her coping mechanism, but I don’t find it helpful, so I won’t be joking about that again. I don’t get how that’s supposed to help, but whatever.

At the reminder of Lis, August turns to me, and he looks worried all over again. “What’s up with her?”

I shake my head in response. “If she’d talk about it, I'd know.” We walked out of my closet to find our youngest brat on my living room floor, crisscrossed.

August immediately gasps when he sees what she has. “Is that a turtle?!” She smiles as she nods and holds the little thing in her palm so August can see.

“Didn’t I tell you not to bring that shit over here?” They both turn to me like I just offended their mother.

“He’s my emotional support animal. I love him.” She holds him closer like I just threatened to make turtle soup.

“He’s a turtle,” I deadpan, “who you got two weeks ago. You do notlovehim.”

“He’s her emotional support animal, Sire. And she does love him. We both do.” August jumps at her defense perusal and sits on the floor with the damn turtle. I roll my eyes at them and walk over to the couch.

“You’re coming to brunch with us, right?” I sigh and shake my head at him.

“No. Your girlfriend puts a strain on my brain. I swear she’s constantly bullying me about something that had nothing to do with her and happened four years ago.” She obviously holds grudges for way too long. One may argue that so do Vidia and I, but that's different. That night directly affected us, and it had nothing to do with Hazel.

August pulls his phone out, replies to whoever texts him, and then looks up at me. “Did you just say she bullies you?” He’s fighting back a smile, and I roll my eyes as I take a seat on my couch.

“She does bully me.” As if on cue, my phone rings with a text.

Little menace:

Stop being a bitch and come to brunch. My man unfortunately wants you here. Try not to stab my best friend’s back again while you’re here.

I turn my phone to August, and he just laughs. Asshole. “My queen has spoken. Let's go before we’re late.” He taps Lis’s turtle goodbye, then gets up.

“Let’s go, Lis.” I turn to her, but she only shakes her head.

“Oh, absolutely not. Sage told me you and Vidia argue like a divorced couple. I’m sobering up, and I’m going to need another shot if I have to deal with that.” A part of me is upset that she was drinking, but I can’t help but laugh at her words.

“Fine. Stay here until I get back so we can talk.” She gives me a thumbs up and says something about setting up an obstacle course for her ninja turtle.

I knew I was going to end up going to brunch even though I told August I wasn't, which is why I got ready after the third time he asked.

We walk into our garage, and August makes a run to his orange Lambo. “Three Gs to whoever gets there first.”

I smile at him and make a run for it. “Where to?!”

“That bakery you’re always at!” I slide into my matte black Ferrari and race out of the garage. I’m always at the bakery because I own it, but August doesn’t know that. No one knows, actually.

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