Page 41 of Game Winner
“You should see the medic.” Concern lines Everett’s eyes and laces through his tone. He gingerly lays his fingertips on Layne’s shoulder. “You had at least a six-foot drop, maybe higher. Just get checked over.”
Layne runs his hand over his hair. “I’m okay, a little bruised, but not broken. Think I might take off.”
Gavin links his hand with Everett’s. “But we’re supposed to go to the diner. The four of us do it every year.”
“Bax!” Soren’s voice rings out. Dodging equipment, techs, and event staff, he hurries toward me with Tyler beside him.
Both are wearing Flame Shade shirts and jeans and have their coats tucked under their arms. Tyler tackle-hugs me into Soren and claims a kiss before a warm hand on my cheek guides me to Soren’s lips. My men taste of alcohol with a layer of chocolate and mint.
Wrapping me in a hug of his own, Soren beams with pride. “You were amazing up there. All of you.”
Tyler sweeps his fingers over the Metros logo on my chest. “You really wore it.”
“Told you I would.” I slip my hand into his hair. “And I’ll wear a Slash shirt for Soren next time.”
Soren shakes hands with Everett, then Gavin. “Great set. I was blown away. Hey, where’s Layne?”
I spin, scanning the area. “He was just here… I’ll text him.”
Bax: Where are you?
Layne: Heading home.
Bax: What about the diner? Are you sure you’re feeling okay?
Layne: Just not in the mood.
I show the messages to Gavin. “So, what do we do?”
He shrugs. “He’s not gonna talk about what’s bugging him until he’s ready. We might as well go without him.”
“I guess.” I tuck my phone away, but putting aside my concern for Layne is much harder. Gavin is right. Layne is stubborn as hell, and if he’s not ready to talk, he won’t. “Everyone ready?”
Soren slips his arm around my waist, I wrap my arm around Tyler’s shoulders, and after a quick stop to grab our coats from the dressing room and stow our equipment in Gavin’s van, we set off with Everett and Gavin.
Outside the arena, the icy chill of early February tingles our faces and draws us to huddle closer together for warmth during the three-block walk to the diner.
We settle into a booth at the back. Soren and Tyler cram into one side with me, and Gavin and Everett settle across from us. I like being tucked in between them and how well they get along with my bandmates. We order burgers and fries for Everett and me, pancakes for Soren, a BLT for Tyler, and chicken and waffles for Gavin.
Coming down from the high of performing while sharing food and chatting about the show together is one of the things I really enjoy and Layne’s absence is noticeable. Doing this without him doesn’t feel right. I still can’t get the image of him plummeting into the crowd out of my mind, but each kiss and caress from Soren and Tyler helps ease the stress of seeing Layne fall.
When I climb into Soren’s bed with them at the end of the night, and they wrap me in their arms, I can pretend for a moment that all is right in my world. And hope for a time when my best friend isn’t falling apart, because I’m not sure how to put him back together.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SOREN
The last colors of sunset fade into the purple sky. Countless trees cover the landscape under stars winking to life in the expansive sky, encircling a winter wonderland of towers, caves, a maze, and houses made of ice.
Snow crunches under our boots as Bax, Tyler, and I wander along the main path.
Rainbow lights glow from the snowy structures, coloring them yellow, orange, green, blue, and purple. More colors dance across the sky like the Northern Lights I saw countless times during vacations to visit my grandparents. We’re only an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities, but it looks like we’re in a different world.
“How did you find out about this place?” Bax glances around in wonder.
“Sage suggested it. He and Rhys came here a couple weeks ago. The same day I was sent back down to the Slash.” I don’t know where to look first, there’s so much and I want to see everything. “This reminds me of the Gargoyles Gateway holiday game.”
“Totally. I keep expecting to see fantasy creatures popping up.” Tyler tucks his gloved hand in mine. “You know, I’ve never worn so many clothes on a date before.”
