Page 138 of Conflicted

The angel in question was so engrossed in his phone that he didn’t hear me enter. “Um, Ez?”

Ezekiel jumped, his face flaming red as he fumbled his phone. It went sailing through the air. I caught it reflexively, glancing down at the screen to see what had captured my seconds attention so thoroughly. It was some sort of messaging app, with a tiny game window in the upper corner.

“Are you playing a game? And…chattingwith someone? Who’s Sam?”

Ez hurriedly got to his feet, sending multicoloured sweets flying in every direction. He strode over and plucked the phone out of my hand. “None of your business, that’s who.”

Shame washed over me as Ez glared at the carpet. “Shit, I’m sorry, Ez. I shouldn’t have looked. That was a dick move.”

“It’s okay.” He still wouldn’t look at me. “It’s just some stupid game I’ve got into. Decided that if you were making some changes, then maybe I should too. Thought I’d give this a go and then I’d have something to say at our next meeting when you ask us what’s made us happy this week.”

I squeezed his shoulder. “I think that’s fantastic, Ez.”

“It’s just a stupid game.”

“It doesn’t matter what it is,” I said quietly. “If it makes you happy, then who gives a fuck? Grab it with both hands and don’t let go.”

“Thanks.” Ez’s phone pinged and he winced. “Ah, I should answer that. I don’t want Sam to…I mean, it’s rude to just disappear offline without saying anything.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to contain my grin. When had Ezeverworried about being rude? I had no idea who Sam was, but clearly, they already had Ez running in circles. “No worries, take your time. Not too long though. I can only hold back the twins for so long.”

“Noted,” Ez said dryly before chewing on his lip. “Hey, do you mind not mentioning this to the others? I mean, the game stuff is fine but…”

“My lips are sealed.” If Ez wanted me to keep the fact that he was chatting to someone quiet then I’d take that to my grave. “Just know, I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

“I know.” Ezekiel smiled, a rare sight on him. “You always are, Micah. And we’re so fucking grateful for it.”

Epilogue

MICAH

“Do we really have to do this?”

“Yes,” Nox said patiently as he pulled up outside Dimitri’s house. “It’ll be good for you to clear the air properly. You miss Dimitri’s friendship, he misses yours. You can sort this shit out once and for all.”

I poked him in the ribs. “Aren’t you supposed to just agree with everything I want?”

Nox laughed heartily. “Only if it’ll make you happy in the long run, little angel. Mending fences here willdefinitelymake you happy. Short-term awkwardness for long-term happiness.”

I knew he was right, which only pissed me off more. “You irritate me.”

“You love it.” He was correct. “Now come on, before someone comes out to ask us why we’re sat outside like a couple of weirdos.”

“Too late for that,” I said as the front door swung open. Lucky appeared, a massive grin on his face as he waved wildly. “Well, here goes nothing.”

“We’re so happy that you’re here,” Lucky said as we made our way up the path. He was bouncing on his toes, practically vibrating with excitement. “Hope you’re hungry; we might’ve gone a bit overboard.”

“Starving,” Nox said, resting his hand against the small of my back as he tried to calm the nerves roaring through me.

It was stupid of me to be nervous, especially after recent events, but Dimitri had been a vital part of my life once before, and I’d fucked it up royally. What if I managed to do the same this time?

I realised belatedly that I hadn’t spoken or moved. Lucky stopped bouncing, a small frown forming on his face. I recovered quickly, offering him a smile. “Thank you for inviting us. We’ve been looking forward to it.”

“Liar,” Dagon said appearing behind Lucky and ignoring the elbow he threw into his ribs. “If it helps, Dimitri’s a bundle of nerves too. He doesn’t wanna fuck this up.”

Hearing thatdidhelp. It was all very well us trying to mend fences, but that would only happen if we were both willing to pick up the tools. If Dimitri was worried about it going wrong too, then that was a good sign. It meant we both cared about getting the same outcome: clearing the air so that Dimitri could feel comfortable visiting the Seraphim again. They all missed him as much as he missed them. It had been the tension between us that’d kept him away.

I didn’t want to be the reason for that any longer.

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