Page 94 of Love in the Storm

“Talk to you soon.”

Lyric stood as she ended the call and rounded on Asa. “That was great!”

Asa was in front of her in an instant, wrapping her in his strong embrace. “I knew you could do it.”

“Why do I want to cry? That’s ridiculous,” she said with a sniffle.

His calming hand rubbed circles over her back. “I’ve heard there’s such a thing as happy tears.”

Wiping her eyes, she looked up at him. “You’ve never cried happy tears before?”

Asa leveled her with a mischievous smirk. “Men don’t cry.”

“That is so not true. You’re a total softie.”

He gave her a wink before wrapping her up again. “Okay, maybe I’ve shed a tear or two, but you better keep it between us. I can’t have people thinking I’m a wimp.”

Lyric squeezed his large bicep. “I don’t think anyone is mistaking you for a wimp.”

Lyric’s phone chimed, and she pulled it out of her pocket. “It’s Wendy.”

“Answer it.”

“Okay, but let’s head toward the car. I don’t want to be late.” She pressed the phone to her ear. “Hello.”

“Hey, are you busy?” Wendy said through tears and gasps.

“No, I’m just going to pick up Jacob, but I can talk. What’s wrong?”

Wendy sobbed and her breaths hitched until she could speak. “It’s Jaycee. She’s dead.”

Lyric jerked to a stop beside her car. Wendy and Jaycee had been friends for years, both on different levels on the road to sobriety.

“Wendy, I’m so sorry.”

“Can you come over? I need…someone.”

“Of course. Let me get Jacob from school and drop him and Asa off at Beau’s garage. It’s on the way to your place. I should be there in forty minutes.”

Wendy hiccupped and gasped. “Okay. Thank you.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

Lyric hung up the phone and slid into the driver’s seat. Asa wasn’t released to drive, but they were hoping for clearance from the doctor at his appointment tomorrow.

“Is she okay?” he asked as he buckled his seatbelt.

“Her friend Jaycee died. I don’t know any details yet, but last I heard they were roommates.”

“Man, that’s awful. I can go get Jacob. Go be with her.”

“It’s fine. It takes ten minutes to get through the school line, and the garage is on the way to her place.”

Lyric backed out of the driveway and headed toward the school on the main road with pressure building in her chest like a shaken-up soda.

Asa reached for her hand and threaded his fingers with hers. “You want me to pray?”

“Yes, please.” She hadn’t realized what she needed until Asa said the words, but the one thing she and Wendy both needed was prayer.

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