Page 107 of Chasing Lyric
Ithasto work.
Because the truth is, I need her back, not just for peace of mind, not for pride or ego, but because without her, the world feels off-center. She grounds me, and right now, I’m drifting.
Beside me, Dax blows out a slow breath and glances my way. “Okay, man… you got the first one?”
I pull open the folder. We thought the best way not to fuck up was to be organized. So, everything’s in order.
Note one—check.
We thought I should start with a compliment. Something to break the ice. Something to make Lyric feel good.
I take in the note with my handwriting scrawled across it.
You’re as stunning today as you were the day I met you.
Have a good day at work, Starlight. xo
I don’t have to see her to know she will look amazing when she reads this note. I know it will be truthful because Lyric is the most gorgeous woman in the world.
Inmyworld.
Because sheismyworld.
“Let’s do this,” I mutter as I grab the handle of the car door and slowly edge out. It’s early, but I know exactly what time Lyric goes to work. I know, because I know her. And this last week, Dax and I have been madly doing recon for this exact moment.
Dax stays back in the car as I rush into her driveway, keeping down so she can’t see me through her giant bay window. I sneak up to her car, attaching the note under her windshield wiper. I place a kiss on the tips of my fingers and press them to the paper.
Tacky?Maybe.
But I want Lyric to know I still love her.
I quickly turn, making a mad dash back to the car. Dax reaches across, opening the door for me, and I slide in and let out a relieved breath.
“Step one complete. Now she just has to read it,” Dax offers.
“She’ll read it. A note on her truck will grab her attention,” I tell him as Lyric walks out of her front door. I duck down a little lower. We’re back far enough that she won’t notice us, but I still feel like I need to hide. I can only just see above the dash. I have to wait now, my stomach sinking, wondering how she’ll take it.
Lyric looks so good. Dressed in her usual work outfit, her hair framing her perfect face, which has a slight smattering of makeup, but it doesn’t hide the darkness under her eyes.
Lyric’s in the zone as her feet drag to the truck. She’s simply going through the motions, off to work for another day. My stomach tightens. She’s going to get in the truck without seeing my note, but suddenly, she stops. Her whole body turns to the front of the vehicle. She stills as her head turns all around the street, checking everywhere.
We both duck down farther, trying to conceal ourselves, my heart thumping at the thought of being caught before phase two has had a chance to get off the ground. Lyric hesitates, but gently eases out the note from under the wiper like it might be poison or something. My stomach lurches up into my throat watching her face while she unfolds it, then reads my words. Suddenly, she skims the street again, her eyes hard. She curls up her lip in anger, huffs, and scrunches up the note. It’s thrown to the ground before she turns and slides into the driver’s side, seeming completely aggravated by my attempt.
I let out a disappointed exhale as Dax starts the car. “Sorry, man,” he mutters as my chest squeezes with hurt. I honestly thought she might show a little bit of something other than disdain.
Dax pulls away from the curb. I know we have to leave right now to keep this thing going. We have to stick to the plan, but damn if this doesn’t hurt.
“Hey!” Dax calls out as he speeds off. “Don’t you do that, soldier. Do you think the troops in World War II backed away when they came up against the Taliban?”
I cock my head to the side, thinking his words through. “Ahh, Dax, I think you’re getting your wars mixed up. The Taliban are in—”
“Whatever, dude, you’re missing my point,” he almost yells in frustration. His tantrum actually makes me laugh. “Look… all I’m saying is, when the odds are stacked against you, you need to dig deeper because wars aren’t won in a day, my friend. They’re won with time and a hell of a lot of patience. You gotta be inLyrical Revivalfor the long haul, Chase. It won’t happen overnight, but itwillhappen. In the words of the great Whitney and Mariah, it will, ‘When you believe.’”He sings the last part from the Disney movie soundtrack.
“Fuck, Dax, you’re so full of shit, you actually have me believing in you.”
He chuckles, forcing his foot down on the gas, driving faster. “There you go… now push the red button.”
I groan. “Your car doesn’t have a red button like inMen in Black, Dax.”
