There wasn’t any use of going back and forth between the two of them. They were shit-faced and needed the electrolytes to recoup. The naps would help, but they wouldn’t cure them. Their bodies needed to be replenished.
“I forgot how annoying you are,” Lyric whined.
“Good thing you remember now,” I finalized.
“Here, Ever. This man isn’t going to stop tripping until we drink this shit.”
Ever. As the thought crossed my mind, her eyes found mine.
Ever.It suited her.
She accepted the orange Pedialyte that Lyric was handing her without fuss. I watched as she unscrewed the top, removed the seal, and turned it up. She consumed a decent amount before that familiar sound demanded her attention again.
Ping.
She lowered the juice and reached for her device. The same smile she wore the last time she took a look at the screen returned. This time, I didn’t even wonder about who the fuckwas on her line because now that I was in her mix it didn’t matter.
Quickly as it had come, all the shit about her being Lyric’s best friend had gone out the window. As she pecked away at her phone, it took everything in me not to gently slide it from her fingers and toss it out the window along with it. I would’ve gotten her a new one when I made it back to the city, but I didn’t have grounds to do so, not yet.
I straightened my line of vision and pulled from the spot that we’d been occupying. Gratitude heavy on my heart, I prepared to hit the road and put the last eight years of my life behind me. I had so much more to look forward to and so much I was ready to accomplish. There was one mission in particular that I was exceptionally open to the idea of. It wasEver.
FOUR
Even with the music playing,all I heard was silence. That was the only way to explain how my heart’s throbbing was the loudest thing in my ear. Loudly and dramatically, it galloped in my chest.
She could’ve warned me, was my only thought. It replayed over and over in my head. There wasn’t a single picture in her home of her family members. There wasn’t a single jailhouse picture in a tiny frame on her nightstand near her bed. There was literally no trace of family throughout her living quarters. Not even her parents graced the walls.
Lyric’s home was full of abstract art, which puzzled me because the man who sat beside me was the epitome of art –real art. From his obviously brown hair to his thick, fit frame. He weighed no less than two hundred and twenty-eight pounds that was perfectly dispersed over approximately six feet and four inches, give or take one inch.
His brown skin hadn’t seen much of the sun. Eight years behind bars, and I was sure that he’d darken in no time when it came to the Channing sun. Nevertheless, his brown skin was perfect. It matched his brown eyes and warm aura.
Each time I found myself gazing in his direction, it was either because his eyes were already on mine or because I wanted them to be. His side profile was spectacular, each of his features forming curves of their own, which made for the perfect silhouette. This man was beautiful. Ravishing. Blemish-free.
Needing to disperse my attention so that he didn’t consume it all, I turned toward a sleeping Lyric.Just as beautiful, I reasoned. How I’d expected anything different of her brother was foolishness. I only had myself to blame.
Her arms were tucked underneath her as she laid out flat on her stomach. I smiled as I watched her for a brief moment, her mouth hanging open as her back rose and fell with each breath she took. She was in a deep slumber, and I loved that for her. After the night we’d had, I wanted nothing more than to join her, but I was too afraid that I’d also be snoring with my mouth hanging open. Had it only been us two in the truck, it would have been fine. Now, we had a guest, and I just couldn’t see myself going out like that.
I’d grabbed a blanket from the store just in case I did manage to get some shuteye. I wanted my entire face concealed so that I wasn’t worried about how crazy I looked when in a deep, uninterrupted sleep. I knew that wouldn’t be an issue, now, because suddenly sleep wasn’t a desire of mine. So, instead, I pulled the tags from the blanket and unfolded it before unbuckling my seatbelt to lay it over Lyric’s body.
Once she was fully covered, I settled in my seat. The chill bumps on my arms that pierced the air the moment I re-entered the truck were evidence that it might be a bit too cool, anyway. So, I knew the blue blanket would bring Lyric comfort. As for me, closed vents and lowered AC would do the trick.
As I leaned forward to twist the circle that closed the vent that was aimed in my direction, so did he. His hand rested on top of mine without moving in a haste. The somberness of my world was lifted briefly and replaced with unforgettable rays of sunshine and unique rainbows. But when he pulled back, it returned full throttle.
“Sorry,” I murmured.
He said nothing. In fact, he hadn’t said anything to me in particular since I’d awakened. Hadn’t it been for his conversation with Lyric, I would’ve sworn he was mute, but I knew that wasn’t the case.
Ping.
I smiled inwardly at the mere thought of the text I’d been sent. Cedric wasn’t as easy to get rid of as I’d thought. Me living in Channing didn’t seem to faze him. It was four hours away, which was a lot for me. Too much, even.
Did you enjoy yourself? It looked like you did.
I did.
Why didn’t you say bye?
When I looked over in your section, you’d disappeared.
