Page 163 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

Love, huh?

“It isn’t. Things just haven’t ever been this… good for me. I’m happy,” she admitted. Nohen nuzzled into her touch, and she smiled like a sap.

Over the line, Andi sniffled, and Lyric froze. “Are you crying? What’s wrong?”

“No—I’m fine. I’m just happy for you, is all. I was proud of you for following your dreams, but I always hoped you’d find someone who could support and love you. And you found five someones.” Andi sniffled again before rustling came over the line.

“Andi…” Lyric’s voice broke as her throat closed up with tears. “Don’t make me cry.”

“I’m sorry. My emotions have been all over the place. I’m just glad I don’t have to worry about you anymore.”

“Now it’s my turn,” Lyric teased. “Have you been eating?”

The sigh over the line was like something out of a movie. “Yes, Mom,” Andi teased, and then went quiet.

“Really, are you okay?” Lyric pressed. “I’ll be home soon. What can I do?” A pang pierced her heart, and she wished she could wrap her arms around her best friend.

“I’m… well, okay is saying a little much, but I’m handling it. It makes me feel better to know that you’re okay too.”

“I’m not the one you should be worried about. You’re the one who just…”

“I know, I know,” Andi whispered, saving Lyric from finishing her sentence. “I’ll be okay. I don’t really have a choice at this point. But the tour’s coming to an end, how do you feel?”

Lyric shrugged, and Nohen buried his head into the back of her neck. Her empty brownstone flashed in her mind, and suddenly her chest felt cold.

“I think I’m just scared to go back to reality. When the tour ends and I walk off that bus… what happens?”

“What do you want to happen?”

Lyric ground her teeth together. Dammit, Andi. She willed the burning in her eyes to subside. But it persisted, and tears welled until they spilled over in a hot flood.

“I don’t want to go back to my apartment.”

All alone was what she didn’t add. Nohen squeezed her tighter, offering his own comfort, reminding her that she wasn’t alone.

Lyric didn’t want to be alone anymore.

“Then don’t. Talk to your pack,” Andi replied, and something rustled in the background. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. Text me any time.”

“You call me,” Lyric demanded, reaching up to dash the tears from her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah,” she drawled. “Love you.”

Lyric mirrored the sentiment before hanging up and tossed the phone to the side, losing it in the blankets and pillows her pack had gathered for her. This was her safe space now, with them.

What was once her safe space, her home, she now dreaded returning to.

Nohen was quiet, offering silent support until Lyric needed him.

They rearranged until Lyric was curled up against his chest, his arms wrapped around her and holding her close.

“Want to talk about it? It sounded pretty heavy,” Nohen murmured.

Lyric curled into him, breathing his comforting scent, pulling him into her lungs. He’d already heard most of it.

“Where’d the others go?”

“They didn’t wanna wake you up, they’re in the main area. Is this a group conversation?”