Page 89 of Before Now

I sigh, forehead meeting my arm on top of the airport bar while he orders a final round. We took up residence on the stools, waiting for our connecting flight to London.

Which started boarding five minutes ago.

The bartender stops in front of us, and I raise my head as she pours four shots. I nod a thanks and hand over my card. Chase splits the glasses, sliding two over for me, and he lifts one, elbows on the bar.

“This is it,” he says. “Almost three months ago, we started in London.”

I half-smile. “No better place for us to end.”

He claps his free hand on my shoulder. “We never end, brother. Our trip ends. Your dick’s freedom ends once a sexy little redhead gets her hands on you. School will end. And in ninety-seven years, life ends. But not us.”

I swipe up a shot. “Here’s to ninety-seven more years of you being a freeloader, then.”

We grin at each other and drink, his hand gripping my shoulder tighter.

It took another two days after I drew on his chest in permanent marker for my best friend to come back. But when he did, it was in true Chase fashion. I was on the balcony, playing my guitar, when he appeared and nonchalantly set off a confetti cannon.

“There’s no place like bro,” he said. “Now come get fucked up with me.”

I let my eyes fall closed, silver foil hearts raining down on me. Then I went and got fucked up with him. Our first stop was a rooftop bar and an apology from him.

“I was out of line, Foster.”He shook his head, drinking his beer.

“I just want to understand what happened, man. We were fine, and then we weren’t. You were relentless about the lifeguard and flipped on me about Remi.” I studied him as he looked at me with regret in his eyes. But I didn’t want his regret. I wanted to finally talk it out with him.

“I’m sorry for all of it. You weren’t the problem. It was all me. Registering for next semester’s classes hit harder than I expected.”

We’d signed up the day before Halloween, hours after the #TeamFomi chanting and my start as a shit-filled kitten. We grabbed dinner, and then he went out while I worked on my song.

Chase scrubbed a hand over his face. “We have a year before life comes for us. I’m not like you, Foster. I have nothing waiting for me on the other side.”

I frowned as he continued, “I kept thinking how little time we hadleft. How we needed to fit everything in now because we won’t have another chance. Not like this. Not before everything changes.” His gaze drops to his beer bottle, and he starts peeling the label. “I took it personally when you stopped coming out. It’s stupid, but I felt like you were already moving on without me. You talking to Remi was something to blame it on and made her an easy target. Then I said that shit about you not having a home.”Chase exhaled, his forehead creasing. “Hurt people hurt people, but it’s not an excuse. My head was fucked up, and I hate it took me this long to sort it out.”

I sat forward, bracing my forearms on my thighs. “I’m glad it’s sorted, so I can tell you what a fucking idiot you are. You have something waiting, Chase. You have me. On this side, the other side, I’m on every one of your sides.”

His mouth hitched, the most familiar eyes on the planet meeting mine. “I know.I just got twisted up for a bit.”

“You’re my brother.No matter what, we stay family. No way out for either of us,” I told him. I needed him to hear me, let it sink in, and be permanently marked deep inside his chest instead of permanent marker on it. “I have no sides without you.”

Chase nodded, groaning in annoyance when he wiped his eyes. Then I knocked my bottle to the top of his, sending him forward to catch the foaming beer with his mouth for once.

Since then, we’ve celebrated his birthday, I’ve dragged him to exhibits and attractions, we gave a salute toWandererat the end of the beta program, and he’s tormented me about seeing Remi’s face.

And now they’re calling for us to board. Again.

My impatient gaze swings to Chase. His lips twitch, confirming he’s doing this to fuck with me.

“You’re the fucking worst,” I say.

But I smile as we throw back our last shots, bidding ana shledanouto Prague.

Until we meet again.

Catching the strap for my bag as I stand, I palm my phone. I told Remi to let me know once she’s out of classes, which should be soon since she finishes early on Fridays.

I told her I’m coming for her, and I am. Remi Saint will be mine—it feels like she always has been, and fuck knows, she’s been claiming parts of me since the beginning. And I have this crushing feeling the moment I see her, I’ll willingly hand over the rest.

The past two weeks have turned torturous where she’s concerned. She’s seemed sad less and less and reminded me every day how long until only land separates us instead of an ocean. I’ve played for her more and shown her lyrics in my notebook. She begs me to flip the page when I stop because the rest are about her. For her.

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