She places her hand on his chest. “And your heart.”
“Yes… that too.”
Watching Effa’s tactile interaction with Danger causes a wave of jealousy to wash over me. Sure, it’s not exactly intimate, but it’s not exactly friend-zone either, leaving me feeling left out.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Remember—”
“Be the good you want in yourself,” they say in unison.
Have I walked into a self-help clinic?
This isnotthe Danger I know.
Effa stands, silencing the ocean sounds from her cell phone, then grabs her guitar and heads to the door. I remain seated, struggling to keep my thoughts to myself. Danger also stands, collecting the crumpled paper balls strewn across the floor.
After the door closes, a stale silence settles in the room, leaving me with this transformed versionof Danger. Unable to resist, I jest sarcastically, “So… you’re a hippy now?” My voice carries a tone of bewilderment, bordering on disbelief.
He turns toward me, his expression twisting into a frown. “I amnothinglike them.”
“Like who?” I inquire.
“Like my parents!”
Jerking my head back in confusion, I ask, “What the hell are you going on about? I didn’t say anything about your parents.”
“I knew you wouldn’t understand,” he states, skulking around the room, picking up more crumpled pieces of paper.
Standing up, I step closer. “I’m trying to… talk to me.”
Running his hand through his hair, he exhales. “Effa helped me relax. She gets it.”
“Gets what?”
His eyes meet mine, fear streaming back at me. “My black heart.”
I jolt back. “You donothave a black heart.”
“I do! It’s dark and damaged, bruised and pained, and I don’t know how to fix it. It’s ruining my writing mojo.”
I reach out, grabbing his hands in mine. “Then let me help you mend.”
He breaks free from my grip. “But that’s just it, Lunar. I’m not sure you can?”
Widening my eyes, I let out a small huff. “But Effa can?”
“With her words and unique way of looking at things… yeah, maybe.”
Sinking on the edge of the bed, I can’t shake off the sting of those words. “Fine… if that’s your perception, then there’s nothing more to say.”
He furrows his brow, closing the distance between us and grasping my hands in his again. “I still need you. You’re my go-to girl. I couldn’t handle touring without you, Lunar.”
“But I’m not the one to mend your broken heart. Thanks a lot. God, you’re a prick.”
His expression darkens. “What?Why?”
“You’re comfortable confiding in Effa about your heartache, but not me? Can’t you see how that’s a problem?”
He stands taller and furrows his brows. “A problem? I don’t want to talk to you about Ella.”
