The confession hits me square in the chest. I reach for him. “Come here.”
He leans in until our lips meet, my hand cupping his cheek. His shaky exhale is full of relief. “I was so worried.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
A couple of hours pass. Fletcher never leaves my side. He tells me a funny story about Bones trying to burrow under his sheets last night, nearly knocking him off the bed. I laugh until my sides ache.
By midday, I’m feeling more like myself, though my head aches from the bruise. Around noon, the door slides open again, and the curtain ruffles from the breeze. As soon as the guest steps into view, my breath stutters.
“Ace.”
My old friend throws me a lopsided grin, right eye covered by a black patch. His blond hair is longer than I’ve ever seen it, and perfectly styled.
“Hey, man.” His tone is thick with worry, and maybe a touch of angry. Shit. I really should’ve called him back.
“What are you—how—?”
“Someone named… Declan? Devin? I don’t know. They said you listed me as your emergency contact on your employment forms and wanted to tell me something happened. So I hopped on a flight as soon as I could.”
My heart clenches. I don’t remember listing him as the emergency contact, but it makes sense. Ace is… well—he’s the closest thing I have to family.
Fletcher immediately climbs off the bed as Ace gets closer. Ace eyes him curiously, but doesn’t hesitate to lean in for a hug. I sit up to wrap my arms tight around his shoulders, holding on. “It’s so good to see you.”
“No kidding. You scared the shit out of me, Stoney.”
I pull away. “Yeah. Seems to be the theme lately.”
“No, not just this,” Ace says. “I’ve been texting and calling for weeks. When I didn’t hear back—what is going on with you?”
“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just been… rough, I guess.”
He looks at Fletcher again. “Or you’ve been busy.”
Fletcher sputters a little. “Hey, don’t blame me!”
I laugh. “This is my… friend, Fletcher.”
Friend. The word is all wrong. Too small. Too incomplete. But I really don’t know what else to call him.
Ace arches one brow, like he’s already reading between the lines. He shakes Fletcher’s hand firmly. “Good to meet you. I’m Ace.”
Fletcher smiles politely, but it’s guarded. He clearly doesn’t trust Ace, and I can’t blame him. The guy is a little rough around the edges, but deep down, he’s the best kind of friend anyone could ask for.
I still can’t believe he’s here.
“Ace is a friend from my army days,” I explain.
“Oh. Oh!” Fletcher’s eyes widen like he’s suddenly remembering something. He snaps his attention to Ace, gaze scanning his shorter frame. “Do you want me to go?” he asks me.
“No. It’s fine.”
“You sure?”
“Stay, Fletch.”
Fletcher still seems uncomfortable. “How about I go get us some coffee downstairs? It’ll give you a few minutes to catch up?” He doesn’t give me a choice, forcing a smile toward Ace. “Do you want anything?”
“Sure. Something dark and mysterious.”
