Page 85 of Needing to Fall
“I’m happy for you.” A genuine smile lit up her face. “You deserve this, Reign.”
“I’m happy, Andi. For the first time in my life, I’m truly happy. I want to live, not just breathe air. I want tolive. I want to do all those things I missed out on as a kid and so far as an adult. I want to experience things and figure out what I like and what I hate. I want a family.”
Her eyes began to water. “You deserve that.”
“I watched Lynx with his niece, and it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. I want that for me, for us.”
“Then you need to take it. Don’t hold back.”
“He wants me to move in with him.”
She eyed me skeptically. “Hon, I hate to tell you this, but you already are living with him.”
My brows drew together.
“Seriously, Reign, you sleep there almost every night and have clothes at his place. What difference would it be to move in the rest of your stuff?”
She was right. I had been sleeping there, eating dinner there, building a life with Lynx there, but something ate at me.
“But I don’t want to leave you.” My words were hushed. I didn’t even know at first if she had heard me, but she had.
“You’re not leaving me; you’re building a life, a home with someone who means something to you. Lynx is a stand-up man. He laid Drew to rest for you. Guys don’t do that shit unless they love you with everything they have inside of them. He does. Your moving in with him doesn’t mean we are cut off from each other. It just means we do lunches, dinners, and text often. I love you, Reign, and I want this for you.”
Tears sprang in my eyes, and my nose did that weird tingle thing before I knew I was going to cry. I didn’t stop myself.
“I love you, too, Andi. You stuck by me through everything, helped me when I pushed you away, stood by me when I spat ugly words at you. You never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself. You’re my light. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be sitting across this table right now, bawling my eyes out like a baby.”
Andi’s tears came in a steady stream as she rose from the small table and wrapped her arms around me. I reciprocated as we cried together. This was what friendship was, what sisterhood was—unconditional, unequivocal love, and I had it for her in spades.
Andi pulled back, grabbing a tissue box and bringing it back. We cleaned our faces and then she got us some more coffee before sitting down.
“Look at us, a big pile of tears and snot.”
I laughed. “I’m all about the tears and snot these days.”
Andi twirled her mug of coffee, staring down into the brown brew.
“What?” I asked.
“I met someone.” Her eyes fluttered up to mine, and I smiled.
“You did?”
“I’ve known him for a long time, but I never really took that step.”
“Him?” I asked, confused.
She laughed. “Yeah, you’re the only female I’ve ever had those feelings for, Reign. His name is Matthew. He comes into the diner at least once a week, maybe twice. I flirted with him, of course. Better tips.” We laughed. She wasn’t wrong there. “He’s asked me out several times, and I said no, but this last time, I said yes. We had a great time together, and I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
My heart grew for my best friend. She had been the light, the sunshine for me, and now she was spreading it to someone she cared about.
“I’m so happy for you.”
“Me, too.”
When my phone beeped, I looked down to see Lynx had texted me,I’m here.
“Lynx is here.”
