Page 22 of Lost Lyrics

She flinched beneath my touch. Goose bumps shot over her skin, and she blushed. I loved that.

“I’m liking that notion more by the second,” Flint groaned, then grinned.

“Hey!” Sutton flicked Flint on the chest with the back of her hand. “We’re going to enjoy being engaged, and we’re going tohave a fabulous wedding.”

“Yes. We will.” Flint caught her hand, kissed it, and drew her close. “I just can’t wait to marry you.”

“Me either.” Sutton smiled, melted into his side, and kissed him on the cheek.

“Well, then.” I raised my glass toward the center of my gathered friends. “To Sutton and Flint. Congratulations on your engagement. We look forward to being part of your celebrations and your future together. Cheers.”

“Thank you.” Sutton dipped her chin, then took a sip of her champagne. She turned to Maddy and caught her by the hand. “We will have to line up some weekends to go dress shopping. I can’t do that with anyone but you. Will you please be my maid of honor?”

“Really?” Maddy stood two inches taller, towering half a head over Sutton. “I’d love to.”

“There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side. I wish you lived closer. I want you to be part of everything. I’m so freaking excited.”

“I’ll be here as often as I can.” Maddy hugged Sutton, but I didn’t miss the falter in my wife’s tone. “I promise.”

An ache stabbed the center of my chest. Maddy always missed Sutton, but was she missing LA? That was new. We’d kept in touch with everyone, but other than two quick trips home for the spreading of Phil’s ashes and Flint’s proposal, we hadn’t been here for months.

Maddy didn’t miss rushing home every two weeks to care for her mom like she used to do before we’d moved to Bowen Island. Valerie had been away when we’d been here visiting. Valerie’s lupus still wasn’t under control, but during her brief phone calls, she’d insisted she was stable and doing okay. Bridget, her former home nurse and now live-in companion, had kept her in line. Bridget had been a godsend, giving Maddya much-needed break from looking after her mom. Maddy’s mental health, eating disorder, and worries seemed to have disappeared since we’d been living on the island. Like me, she’d needed to escape.

I hadn’t missed parties or going out. It was strange how content I was just hanging out with my wife. Walking. Talking. Reading. Kayaking around the island. I’d gotten back into repairing old guitars after finding some for sale at the local markets. Maddy had taken up landscape painting. She was so fucking good. Our new interests were part of our therapy and recovery, and we loved the creative outlet. But maybe Maddy was ready for things to change. Our travels would amp up once she returned to filming her show in Vancouver at the end of next month. I wasn’t looking forward to our getaway coming to an end.

But we were here in LA for two days.

I planned to enjoy every moment of the weekend, catching up with friends.

After our drink, the guys grabbed fresh vodkas and the girls, champagne.

As food came around, we fell into telling old stories, cracking jokes, and throwing digs at each other. I missed this element of our friendship.

But as the alcohol flowed and people got drunk, just looking at the bar became hot torture. The smell tantalized my nostrils and spun through my head. The recollection of the taste on my tongue made my mouth water. My veins hummed as I recalled the buzz. The high. The fun. The kick. The rush.

No. Stop. Don’t go there.

I grabbed another soda and lime from the bar, excused myself, and made my way to the far end of the rooftop. Taking a seat at one of the small tables, I took a slow, deep breath to clear my head.That’s better.I stared out across the endless blanketof LA lights, the traffic meandering along the boulevards, and the black silhouette of the mountains in the distance.

Pity LA wasn’t always this quiet, scenic, and calm.

“Hey?”Cole.

I jumped as he slapped me on the shoulder and took the chair beside me. Lewis and Flint fell onto the seats opposite us. All had bottles of water, no booze.Thank fuck.

Cole nudged his elbow against my arm. “Everything okay?”

“Yep.” I fidgeted with my glass on the table, twisting it from side to side and picking at the etched logo. “Just needed a moment.”

“Take all the time you need. I’m just glad you’re here.” Cole ruffled the top of my head, flicking my long hair over my face. I didn’t miss that.

“Yeah. Me too.” Chuckling, I swept my hair back into place and pushed his hand away.

“You’re looking better every time I see you.” Lewis waved his water bottle at me before taking a sip.

“Thanks, man. Feeling it too.”

“I’m really happy for you.” Flint reached across the table, slapped my arm, and laid it on. “So, does being here ignite the fire under your ass and the need to get the band back together?”

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