“Umm… actually, there is something I need to talk to you about.”
FIM shifts her legs off his, and he stands. “I’ll leave you two to it.”
I reach out, grabbing his firm bicep. “FIM… thanks for looking after Skye. She’s a great girl, and it’s nice to know someone is watching over her.”
FIM furrows his brows like he’s not sure why I randomly said that, but then he smiles. “Sure. She’s great, and I’m always gonna watch out for her. I have her back.”
“Good. Okay, now fuck off, I need to talk to my girl,” I tease.
He nods once and walks off toward the bar. Skye sits taller on the sofa and frowns, taking a deep breath as I plop down beside her. I see it in her eyes, the somber expression crossing her features. She knows, she already knows.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Her tone is sad as she sighs at the end of her words.
“Yeah… I am.”
She exhales, and her eyes begin to water, making my chest hurt in anguish. “Tell me I have a little while before you go? Tell me I havesometime with you?”
I sniffle, shaking my head as a tear slides painfully down her cheek. “Dammit, Lunar. You’re meant to give me time to get used to the idea. I knew you would go, but I need time to adjust to the actual leaving part.”
I reach out, grabbing her hands and holding onto her tightly. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own world that I didn’t have time, and Mad Dog isnothappy with me leaving. The dynamics are shifting, and things are changing, but if anyone can handle change, you can. You’re stronger than anyone I know. Hell, no one can take on Jess and win like you can.”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “That girl is crazy with a capital psych ward! What with the ping-pong balls and whatnot,” Skye mocks, wiping her tears, and I smile.
Wincing, I remember how Jess popped the ping-pong balls from places where they shouldn't have been popped, but how the guys at the club loved her for it.
“How long do we have?” Skye questions.
I take a deep breath. “Right now.”
“You’re leaving after we finish talking?” she blurts out. Her tears fall faster and harder, which makes mine start.
My bottom lip trembles, and I sigh. “Everything is packed. I don’t need a big farewell party or anything. I think it’s better if I just slip out quietly without any fuss.”
“But I want a fuss.You deserve a fuss!”
“Spending my last moments in this club with you is all the fuss I want and need. This is how it’s meant to be, Skye. I’m good. I’m going out into the big wide world, and I know you will one day too.”
She leans in, wrapping her arms around me tightly, so tightly I can barely breathe. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. You know that, right?” she whispers into my hair.
“I always will be. I’m only a phone call away. Whenever you need me… always.”
She pulls back, swipes the salty water from her cheeks, and smiles. “I really am going to miss you.”
“Me too.”
“You gonna be a rocker’s girlfriend?”
I roll my eyes. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’re just—”
“Fucking?” she quips.
“Well… yeah. But I can see myself with him… as his girlfriend. But fuck, we’re both in such a weird headspace that I don’t think that’s on the cards. Right now, though, we’re simply hanging out. We know we like each other, and that’s enough for now.”
“Well, you’re leaving to go on tour with him, so he must want you around. That’s got to count for something.”
“Yeah, I guess it does.” Sighing, I look at the clock above the bar and frown. “I said I’d be back at the hotel for lunch.”
She looks at the clock and slumps her body. “Okay. I love you.”
