it echoes off the skyline.
We both clutch our heads,
losing it completely,
the no-sound,
stomach-aching,
breath-gone laughter.
I fall back onto the blanket, wheezing. “Who needs Tony when we take each other out?”
Andrew groans through his laugh.
“Nah. You saidno cannoli?—”
“Shoulda packed the cannolis, homie,”
I jab from the ground.
Tony's glaring down, judging us.
“I’m gonna get whacked,” Andrew pants. “Tell your ex to stand down.”
I wipe my eyes.
“I don’t control him. He answers to no one.”
Our laughter fades into shaky aftershocks.
Those stupid, breathy,
Ican’t-believe-we-just-laughed-that-hardlaughs.
Then Andrew leans in,
still smiling.
“Hey,” he says, softer now,
thumb brushing my forehead.
“You good? Did I break your skull?”
I grin, breathless. “I’m good. Just seeing stars.”
But I don’t move. Neither does he.
Somewhere behind us,
Tony puffs his chest a little higher.
// 4:57 AM //
I always keep one hand on the exit.
But with him I’m not thinking about leaving.
