Page 54 of Falling Faster
"Considering I'm staying down the hall from you, that's saying something." I've been living with them since they issued the invitation to me the night of the launch party. They're amazing friends I'm going to miss like crazy.
They kept me distracted and entertained while Craig andhis band traveled with Satyr's Kiss for their shows at the beginning of the month. Slater and I worked on drawing his teammates into a comic strip for our holiday present and I attended my last in-person Bedlam book club meeting. The guys said they could add a virtual option for me so I can keep taking part.
The last two weeks have been especially busy. Most of my things were in boxes already, from my move from the house I'd shared with my old roommates to Slater and Noah's place. But I was finishing up my last few weeks at the insurance company and also helping Devon and Cody box things up for our official move to LA.
Though he'd gone back to LA for a few weeks to handle some projects with other artists, Craig's been here in Buffalo helping us for the past five days. I can't wait to get settled in his apartment, and to have Cody and Devon moved into Celek's beach house in Malibu. The pair are renting it from the Bedlam's team captain through an arrangement initiated by Slater, and though Devon swears nothing's going on between Celek and him, I know sparks when I see them.
My worry about finding a job in LA ended when Furious Records offered me a graphics design position I can do from anywhere, so I can be with Craig whether we're in LA or on the road touring. Working with the label and with their bands lets me stretch my creative muscles in new directions.
Rolling my shoulders, I feel the ache from lifting so many moving boxes. We finally finished packing everything for the guys. I nearly cried when Craig showed me a video of the space he'd created for me in his music room. The level of care and detail he'd taken in creating the art side of the room means the world to me. I feel welcomed, valued, and loved.
"I'm glad you guys could be here tonight. It means a lot to Ty and me." Craig bends and brushes his lips over my temple,right above the mask. "Thanks for letting us crash at your place."
Slater lays his hand on my shoulder. "Like we told you, that room is yours anytime you're in Buffalo. We're gonna miss you, Ty."
My eyes prick with the threat of tears. "You've been so good to me."
Noah wraps his arms around us both. "It'll be tough not having you down the hall from us, but we'll do video calls and see you when we're in LA for games. Maybe we'll run into you at away game cities when you travel with Craig."
I nod. "I know we'll see each other, but it won't be the same as before. More video. Less in person."
Slater hugs me. "Only until the summer. Then we'll join you in LA, crash Celek's beach house, and work on the next comic books. It'll be epic. Maybe we'll rent our own tour bus and follow Falling Midnight around, so we can hang out with all of you."
"I can't wait." Smiling, I squeeze him tight, then do the same to Noah. "Love you guys."
"We love you too." Noah presses a kiss to my cheek. "We're happy you're chasing your dreams. And that you won't be alone out there."
"Not alone. I’ll have friends who look out for me just like you two do." Smiling, I gesture at the tight-knit trio who've welcomed me with enthusiasm and kindness, and celebrate my relationship with their oldest friend.
Cody, in his Captain America costume, gives me a salute. He's affixed a glow-in-the-dark pumpkin sticker to the star at the center of his chest and another on the shield he carries. "We'll always have Ty's back. That's a promise."
"Thanks, Cody. That means a lot to us. Let's get a picturetogether. All of us." Slater holds up his phone and waves for everyone to gather in close.
"Super Squad, assemble." With a dramatic flourish, Cody raises his shield high above his head.
Chuckling, Patrick moves closer to the man, shaking his head. Lacking the mask and long hair, he still received compliments on his Winter Soldier costume. "Dude, that isnotwhat they say. I should know, after sitting through that movie marathon with you guys last weekend."
His expression swinging from exasperation to amusement, Cody cocks his head to the side and slowly lowers the shield. The light of battle sparks in his gaze. "But we're not all dressed as Avengers, Paddy, so I'm improvising."
Devon, the lone rebel against the group's superhero theme, wields his light saber and steps between the bickering duo. His brown robe swishes as he moves. "You twowillget along."
Laughing, I snuggle closer to Craig and whisper, "I really like your friends."
"Don’t know what I’d do without them. And now all of us will be together in the same place. It's perfect." He shifts his position, sliding behind me, and wraps his other arm around my torso, enveloping me in warmth and strength. "Especially having you there."
"Back at you." I smile at our image reflected in Slater's phone. The rest of the group gathers in close and fills the screen. They are a good crew and I consider all of them part of my family.
After taking several photos, Slater lowers his phone. "I think we got some great shots. I'll share them with whoever wants the pics."
The group spreads out. Cody and Patrick head for the bar, promising to bring back refills for everyone, and Slater drawsDevon into a conversation with Noah about the next pick for the Bedlam book club.
I lean my head back and stretch until my lips graze Craig's jaw. "How's the tattoo feeling? Having any regrets about getting your narwhal covered?"
"Nope. It was time to bid it goodbye." His appointment with Noah's tattoo artist this afternoon brought the dragon tattoo to life on his skin. We worked on the design for the last month and a half, in between my other commissions and packing. The tattoo covers Craig's arm from his shoulder to his elbow. Of all the drawings I've done, the elaborate, fiery creature with music notes woven throughout the dragon's scales is one of my favorite pieces.
"I love seeing you sport the dragon. Still, I miss the narwhal a little."
"You do?"
