Page 127 of Magic or Madness

Her head rests on my chest, and I gently pull the scrunchie from her hair, raking my fingers through the lilac-colored tangles, enjoying her comfort after the day I had.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your neighbor?” She asks, and I sigh, knowing this was coming.

“Honestly, it’s not something I’m proud of. I should’ve known better, and nobody wants to admit when they’ve been taken advantage of.” I close my eyes, pushing the memories out of my mind.

“I know, Ozzy. I know.”

Of course, she does, considering what she’s been through before me. In a way, we walked the same path, with differentconsequences. Instead of dwelling on our pasts, I change the subject, ready to pour my heart into her lap.

“I am so fucking sorry for yelling at you last night, Fallon.” I start, tilting her chin so she’s looking into my eyes.

“I was out of my mind, terrified of admitting the fear I was hiding behind. About two days into us accepting the job, I knew it was impossible, but I kept going for everyone else, stuffing down how I felt. When you brought up the same concerns I’d already run through my mind I was so overwhelmed, I lashed out. I fucking promise you, Fallon Morell Mariano, I will never treat you that way again, especially when you’re voicing your opinion. We are an equal partnership, and I will never shut you down again.”

The tears well in her eyes while I speak, a few slipping out, and I brush the pad of my thumb onto her cheeks, swiping away her sadness and replacing it with a form of intimacy.

I lean down, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead while she sniffles, attempting to keep her emotions in check.

“I don’t care, I’m just thankful you listened to me. I couldnotstand by and watch you all do that job, it was killing me inside,” she whispers, her grip tightening around my midsection.

“I promise you, I’ll never fall asleep during a fight until we come to a resolution. I barely slept without your touch, and the unresolved tension between us,” I assert, bringing her lips to mine, solidifying my promise.

“I love you, Ozzy. I love every single person in this dealership like family, and I would do anything to protect you guys. I hate that we had to fight for you to see my point of view, though. I wish you had more faith in me,” she cries, and I feel my heart breaking inside my chest.

I pull her on top of me, keeping her eyes locked on mine, and I do everything I can to make her feel comfortable, safe and loved before I speak again.

I fix her knotted bun, using the scrunchie to wrap her hair up as she’s shown me, and I pull the covers over both of us, rubbing her shoulders afterward.

There isn’t much I can say to ease her mind, or convince her that I didn’t believe in her, because for a time, I didn’t. I thought we could handle the threat and do the impossible.

“I was being stubborn, and trying to fix things on my own, but I was wrong. You made me see the light, and I won’t doubt you again, I promise,” I say, and she nods against my chest.

“How does it feel to be in charge?” She teases, tracing her finger along my jaw while changing the subject.

I know she’s still upset, but I can feel the tension dissolving between us, and I know we’re going to be okay.

“A little strange, but it feels right. I never wanted to oust Max, but when he stepped into the leadership role, we just accepted it. Sometimes change can be a good thing, and I’m hoping that’s what happens for us,” I say honestly, and Fallon doesn’t skip a beat.

“You were made for this, Ozzy. I have complete faith in you, and so do they.” We talk until she falls asleep on my chest, and the quiet creeps in, sending waves of self-doubt through my mind.

Can I really lead these guys, and make decisions that not only affect me, but them too? We’re up against an invisible threat, with the scales tipped heavily against us, and I have no real idea how we can get out of this unscathed.

I look down at the girl in my arms, and all the fear seems to flood out of me. She believes in me, she thinks I can do this, and with her beside me, I think I can.

An idea forms, and I might know how we’re going to get out of this, or at least learn a bit more about who we’re dealing with.

It’s risky, but it needs to be done.

Tomorrow, we call the client’s bluff to see how he reacts, and maybe if we’re lucky, he’ll make a mistake.

This is the first time my back has been against the wall, and I’m certain it won’t be the last, but it’s time to push back and fight.

FALLON

We’reall hovering over Lex’s laptop, unable to tear our eyes off the screen.

When we piled into the war room this morning, Ozzy proposed a risky plan, and we all decided to follow our leader, trusting in his ideas.

Now, we’re staring at an increased threat, unsure of how to proceed. It’s written clearly in black and white, but the problem is, no matter what we decide we’ve already lost.

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