“I better get back to the bar.” Justice nods at me and heads for the door.
“Thank you,” Lyric calls out as he disappears.
“You know, if these look red or swollen, you might need a tetanus shot,” I say as I gently inspect her arm.
“I had one two years ago when I was in Afghanistan.”
“What set Missy off?”
Lyric shrugs. “I have no idea.”
I put my arms around her and kiss the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Her arms wrap around my waist. “I’m glad you walked in when you did. Where is Missy?”
“Creed banished her.”
Lyric leans back to look into my eyes. “Over me?”
“No. You were the final straw. She’s been erratic for a while.” I cup her face with my hands. “Are you okay?”
“Do you think it could be Missy who ratted you out to Crimson Wheelers?”
Shaking my head, I say, “No way.”
“Why? Because she was one of your… special friends?”
My hands drop from her face, and I burst out laughing. “Special friends?”
Lyric steps away from me. “Yes, or would you prefer I said fuck buddy?”
Trying not to laugh, I say, “I never fucked Missy.”
Lyric nods, and her eyes drop to my chest. “Oh.”
“Yeah, oh.”
“But she said…”
Putting two fingers under her chin, I tilt her head back. “Yeah, some of the club girls gossip, and I’m not saying I haven’t ever had sex with anyone but you.” Her eyes come back to mine. “But I am saying I’d like it to bejust youfor the foreseeable future.”
“Just me?”
“Yeah. How about we see how this thing goes?”
Lyric swallows and then, in a quiet voice, says, “I’d like that.”
My hand drops to my side. “Come here.”
She closes the gap between us and squeezes me tight. “Wanna go upstairs and fool around?”
Creed clears his throat behind us. “Highway, you got a minute?”
I kiss her forehead and turn. “Yeah, Prez.”
“Meeting room, now.”
Lyric puts her hand in mine. “That sounds serious.”
