Jokes, obviously, but I couldn’t deny having Folk nearby, present and sober, helped me feel a hell of a lot better about following Rubi’s advice.
I drank the beer.
Smoked the green.
And I raved with Locke until my feet hurt and my head spun like a fucking merry-go-round.
I stumbled out of the indie tent.
Locke caught me around the waist, laughing. “Easy. I’m the lightweight around here.”
Valid. But he also knew it and paced himself accordingly.
Me? I was a happy hot mess and I didn’t give a fuck. The last few weeks weighed heavy on my shoulders, butLocke, man. With his solid bulk a brick wall of comfort and his deep laugh rattling my bones, for the first time in days, I could truly fucking breathe.
The only thing missing was my girl.
My mouth was dry.
I dug in my jeans, came up with a lollipop, and changed my mind about opening it.
With clumsy fingers, I tucked it into the front pocket of Locke’s old Levis.
He still held me around the waist. Laughing, dragged me in for a kiss that made the earth beneath my feet legit fucking move.
Then he steered me to a firepit sheltered by an awning, and I pretty much fell into Folk’s lap.
Laughing, he redirected me to Locke and pressed a water bottle into my hand. “Drink, brother.”
“Yes, Daddy Folk.” I drained the bottle before I tipped myself back into Locke’s waiting arms.
Music surrounded us—Oscar and Sol, the fishermen from Porth Luck singing an old song about trees, friendship, and love.
There were thick hessian rugs on the fire-warmed ground. Decoy lounged on the one beside me, Folk leaning against him the same way I was on Locke.
They looked so fucking happy, and I felt it to my damn core.
I fumbled for my phone, digging it out of my pocket and pulling up my message thread with Orla. The last text she’d sent had been yesterday afternoon.
I miss her.
Nash:i love u
Orla:Back at you, McGovern
Nash:locke loves me
Orla:How do you feel about that?
Nash:lucky
Nash:I love him too
Orla:Then you’re both lucky. And so am I xx
My heart swelled. I tapped out a reply, but Mateo stuck a joint in my mouth and my thumbs became fat-headed traitors.
I sent her a love heart.
