Page 142 of Fractured Frets

“I can’t believe this is it.” Cole’s voice snagged in his throat as he swiped his hand down his cheek. “You’re moving to Vancouver.”

“Yep.” I closed my eyes to avoid their pained gazes. “For the foreseeable future.”

“Fuck.” Flint slumped back against the sofa. “We’ve barely gone more than a few days apart since we were nine.”

No, we hadn’t. But life had changed so much since we’d lost Phil. “It’s certainly gonna be different.”

“I’m gonna miss you like crazy, man.” Lewis’s emotional gaze speared the bottom of my gut. He’d become one of us over the past two years. I was still there, alive, thanks to him and his unwavering friendship.

“We’ll be back for Christmas,” Maddy said softly. “It’ll be like we’re not even gone.” With Maddy working till the holidays, and Bridget taking care of Valerie, we planned not to come back to LA for the next five weeks—our trial run before we disappeared in the new year.

Flint closed his eyes, winced, and nodded. “It’ll just be weird that you’re not a couple miles away.”

“True,” I agreed. “But it’s only a short flight.”

“You won’t stay for Thanksgiving next week?” Cole asked.

“No.” I shook my head. Why was saying goodbye so hard? It wasn’t like we’d never see each other again. “But know that I’m more than thankful and beyond grateful that I’m here. Sober. Clean. And I have you guys in my life.”

Lewis straightened and rubbed his hands down his thighs. “That goes without question.”

“How’s the new house?” Maddy asked.

Lewis grinned and rested his arm on the back of the sofa. “I never thought I’d see the day where I could afford a house anywhere let alone in Hollywood.” Humbleness drifted through his tone. “It’s awesome. Tia and I didn’t own a lot of stuff before we moved in together, but we seem to keep unpacking boxes and boxes of the crap that she’d had in storage since coming home from Chicago.”

They didn’t have to move out of my place so quickly after the tour, but they wanted to start their life together. Have a baby. They’d bought a four-bedroom home, not far from Flint’s joint. My house wouldn’t be the same without them in it. Or anyone, for that matter. But it would always be home when Maddy and I were in LA.

“Wait until you have children.” Cole smirked, but then his lips curled and morphed into the happiest of grins. “You think you have an enormous house, and then suddenly there’s kids crap filling every room.” Yep, his home was now inundated with girly toys...and the random dinosaur and truck for Josh. Cole fucking loved it.

I gave him a quizzical look. “Is Ava officially gonna move in with you?”

Cole’s smile broadened even more as he nodded. “Yeah. Eventually. I’ve asked her to, but she wants to stay at her place for a few more months. We’re in no rush. We love being together and running around after the kids.”

“Flint?” My heart faltered as I glanced at him. His ice-blue eyes looked like they were melting. Tears pooled on the rims of his eyes, but none fell. This was a hard day for everyone. “You cool?”

“Yeah.” He sniffled and sucked in a deep breath. “I’m stoked everyone is happy. I couldn’t ask for more than that.”

“But are you?” I asked.

“Yeah...I am. Absolutely.” Strength and reassurance set in his tone. “I have you guys and Sutton.”

Maddy pouted at him. “When are you gonna marry her and put her out of her misery?”

“She’s not subtle, is she?” A glint returned to his eyes. “While I’m sure she’d say yes even if I walked in one day and plonked a ring down on the table in front of her, I know deep down she’d be disappointed. I know Sutton. She wants the fairy tale, so I’m working on making that happen.”

“Yay!” Maddy clapped. “When are you going to ask her?”

“Nah-ah.” Flint shook his head and waggled a finger at Maddy. “It’s a surprise, but don’t tell her it’s coming.”

“Better be quick before she asks you.” Maddy mirrored Flint’s finger wave. “Your anniversary is her deadline.”

“Thanks for the heads-up.” He grinned and drew his eyebrows together. “But I’ve got it covered. Just a lot of planning is involved.”

Not my style. “Spontaneity is much more fun.” A low chuckle rolled through my throat, but then I swallowed hard. My heartbeat thudded loudly in my ears. I took Maddy’s hand in mine and whispered to her, “Is it time?”

She glanced at her cell phone lying on the sofa beside her and nodded.

Shit. This is it.

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