Page 57 of Accidentally Forever
“I don’t know if that’s healthy, Lex.”
“You only yell because you know you can trust each other completely. And you only yell because it’s for the other person. Not for your own issues. It’s weird that it took me so long to realize it.”
I blinked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Lex parked in my driveway but didn’t shut off the engine. “You both fightsohard for other people that you forget what you want for yourself. Aria went into business with the cousins at Montgomery Security because she was afraid of wanting to use her art for something other than fun. So she used her business degree to make sure Noah didn’t have to do the initial set up paperwork on his own. And in the end, every other person involved had the same idea, so Aria ended up feeling like the odd man out.”
I nodded. “I remember. We got into such a fight when I told her that.”
Lex snorted. “Yeah. Youtoldher what she was doing rather than talking it out.”
I shrugged. “And she did the same to me when I was figuring out the gym.”
“Exactly. It took you both too long to figure out howto talk things out with each other, rather than pointing it out with sarcasm.”
“I hate when she doesn’t put herself first,” I put in simply.
“And she hates the same for you.”
“I don’t do that.” I scowled.
“The fuck you don’t,” Lex snapped. “You spend your whole day making sure your friends have what they need, that Aria is safe and putting herself out there but not risking her soul or sanity. Then when you’re not doing that, you’re dealing with the fucking problems that are your parents. And at some point, you find time for yourself and your art. I hate that you don’t try to put yourself first in that but it’s not your nature. I don’t mind that Aria is your number one goal andshouldbe. But don’t forget yourself along the way, Crew.”
I frowned at my friend, wondering where the hell this was coming from. “Why are you saying this, Lex? You’re not usually the one who blurts out shit like this. Yet I don’t think my priorities are so cut and dry.”
Lex shrugged. “Maybe not. But I don’t want you two to fuck up what could be the best thing in your life because you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared,” I lied.
My best friend laughed. “Liar. I’m scared to death that I’m going to end up alone and be the one who hasthe most unsurpassed and fucking elite best man speeches in the world because that’s what I’m good at but you’re the only person I’d ever tell that to. So don’t fucking lie to me that you’re secure around Aria. You never have been, and I don’t think you are now.”
“I…Lex.” I didn’t know what to say about that revelation and I felt like such a shit friend. “You want to talk about that?” I finally croaked.
“Not in the slightest. I needed that self-pity party and now I’m done. But I better be your best man.”
I shook my head. “I’m not getting married.”
“Says the man who is going to get married next. That’s the rules of a proclamation like that. Now, let’s get inside because I have to pee since I had like eight glasses of water and I’m not in the mood to get into my feels anymore. Just don’t fuck things up with Aria and hurt her or yourself and we’ll be great.”
And with that, he got out of the car, and I joined him, wondering if maybe I’d had too much to drink since my mind couldn’t help but whirl. We walked up the path toward my front door, but I paused before I made it fully to the porch.
“What’s wrong?” Lex asked.
“I don’t know. Something feels off.” The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I moved toward my garage. Then I cursed, pulling out my phone. “Fuck.”
“What is it?” Lex bumped into me, then cursed as well when he got a look at my view. “You calling the cops?”
“Yep. Call your cousins. Someone had a hell of a time tonight. Let’s hope we caught whoever it was on camera.”
Because someone had broken into my garage, left the door open, and slashed every single tire of my most recent rides they could get their hands on. My bike, my truck, the SUV, the convertible.
Everything that Aria had ever touched.
And with that chilling thought, I dialed the cops.
And had to wonder if Travis had really gone this far…or if I had another enemy out there I didn’t know about.
Chapter Twelve
