Page 43 of Falling Faster
"What? Are you serious?"
"You should," Noah agrees. "But we can talk about that later. Back to Craig, if he didn't care, why would he send the gift that he clearly put time and thought into, and why would he come tonight?"
Dragging my hand through my hair, I huff out a breath and then roll my shoulders to dislodge the frenzied uncertainty residing there. "I don't know. I'm just… scared. We've never had the conversation about labeling what this is. Maybe things would be different if we lived closer together, but I feel like the distance and time difference are making things more complicated. I know what I want…"
"And what's that?" Noah's question is simple. Only three words. But they are asking me to spill the longings of my soul.
"Him." I can't leave it at that, because even though the answer is true, it's entirely too vague. "I want what you guys have—with him."
Slater raises a brow. With his towering height, arms crossed over his wide chest, and no-nonsense expression, he looks every bit the enforcer, the protector he is on the ice for his hockey team. "You need to have that conversation with him."
"I know…" Plucking at my shirt cuff, I give voice to my fears. "What if he doesn't want what I want?"
Noah's features crease in sympathy. He shifts closer and lays his hand on my shoulder. "Then that would suck, but at least you'd know. And there's always the other, happier scenario: What if he wants the same thing as you? You're eventually giving your hero and villain a happily ever after, right? So why shouldn't you have one?"
"Exactly," Slater adds. "You're our friend and we want you to be happy. And Craig makes you happy. So talk to him."
My gaze bounces between the two men and my thoughts spin. For my own peace of mind, I need to do it, no matter how vulnerable I feel. Excitement and nerves whirl like mini tornadoes in my gut.
In a year of change, it is time to take another leap. And if I crash and burn, my friends will be there to help me through it.
As if Slater is reading my mind, he lays his hand on my shoulder. "No matter what happens, we're here for you."
"Thank you." Gratitude for the two men wells deep, washing away some of my nerves. "You'd really let me move in with you?"
"You should. With how often you've been over, it's like you're living there anyway. You don't need the stress of inconsiderate people making your life more difficult." Noah nods his thanks to one of the servers and takes the plate shehands him filled with snacks. "Plus, we like having you around."
After years of feeling like a burden when I was growing up, hearing that I am wanted and liked squeezes something in my chest. "I'd like that."
"Good. We'll do the official thing of adding you with the management company later this week." Slater snags two cookies from the plate and hands me one. "If you and Craig want to stay over tonight, you can. Then you won't have to deal with your roommates."
"He's staying with Devon for this visit. But he was going to stay with me tonight. We'll take you up on that." More people have arrived, and Craig and Patrick aren't with them. I need something to calm my nerves. "If you guys don't mind, I think I'll head over to try one of the cocktails."
"Go ahead. We'll catch up with you in a bit."
Various Bedlam players join me on the way to the bar. They suggest the comic book for our next book club pick. I'm touched by their support and I also have to laugh because Noah, who has next month's pick, told Slater and me today that he's choosing it for sure. I choose the drink named for our villain. It has whiskey, champagne, honey, and a squeeze of lemon juice. The cocktail is strong, and I take small sips as I chat with the guys.
A few of us drift away to the food, and I take a photo of that too. I'm starving, and stuff a sugar cookie decorated like our superhero's mask into my mouth. The crowd shifts, giving me a view of the front doors. One opens, and Devon and Cody enter the building. I wash down the cookie with the rest of my drink and wave my hand high, catching their attention.
"Ty!" Cody's exuberant voice hits me seconds before his hug engulfs me in a tight embrace. There are raindropsglistening in his dark hair, and scattered drops dot the shoulders and arms of his pink button-down. Beaming, he pulls back and his glance bounces around the room before returning to mine. His eyebrow piercing glints in the light. "Congratulations. Great party."
"Thanks for coming. The party is all due to Noah." I point to where Noah and Slater are standing across the room. "Slater's the redhead who co-wrote the series with me. Noah's the dark-haired one beside him. He's Slater's boyfriend and the one who put the party together."
"Oh, I know who they are. I've seen Bedlam games with Devon." He gives a sly smile to Devon, who is standing next to him.
Clad in a blazer, T-shirt, and jeans, Devon tears his gaze from a group of Bedlam players. Clasping my hand, he pulls me in for a quick hug. "Congratulations on the series. I bought my copy this morning."
"Thank you." They were so nice to me that weekend in LA, making me feel included right away, and they've kept it up since, whether we're texting in the group chat about the logo I tweaked for them, or about whatever randomness they come across in their daily lives. "How are you guys doing? It seems like yourBetter Days Aheadvideo is everywhere."
"Right? It's wild." Cody practically vibrates, and it’s clear his excitement from The Fury’s offer to now has not dissipated in the slightest. "When we were hanging out in the studio to support Craig, and Luke asked us if we wanted to play together like we did at his place, I couldn't begin to imagine the reaction we've received. It's unreal."
"It really is." Devon's voice is soft, threaded with wonder as though he still can't believe the positive response. "We're seeing a lot of downloads of our other songs too. I'm reallyhappy we had you make our logo better. It's badass now. I'm proud of people seeing it."
Pride pushes me to stand taller. I'd sent ideas for tweaks to the four of them and incorporated everyone's input. "Glad you like it."
"Luke and the rest of The Fury do too." Devon peers at the pictures lining the wall, open admiration in his gaze. "You should do the artwork for our album. You're amazing."
Working with them was interesting and entertaining, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. "I'd be honored."
