by K E Osborn
I groan. “Why does everything have to be an innuendo with you?”
“I can stop. Or I can give you more… more, more, mooore—”
“Fucking hell, you’re like a prepubescent teen, I swear.”
He laughs. “I’m just glad we’re working together again. Operation Lyrical Revival is now in full swing.”
“Getting my woman back has a code name?”
“Every mission has to have one. We’re brothers in arms, fighting the good fight, Eddie. You with me on this?” Enthusiasm seeps off him in waves.
I can’t help but get excited at the possibility because in the end of whatever-the-hell-ride I’m about to embark on with Jase, I know I am going to have Lyric back as the end result. “Yeah.”
“I can’t hear you, soldier. I said… are you with me on this?”
“Fuck’s sake,” I mumble under my breath. “Yeah,” I state with much more enthusiasm while trying to appease him.
He grins like the damn Cheshire cat as he straightens his leather jacket. “Okay, first thing’s first. What’s her favorite food?”
I narrow my eyes in curiosity. “What?”
He glares at me.
“Okay, ahh… I know she likes Pixy Stix. She ate a bunch of them on the road trip to take the goat back to Chance. Oh, plus Fun Dip and Indian Food, but don’t know how we could work that into it?”
“Girl’s got a spicy side, but more importantly, a sweet tooth. Okay, we can work with the second one.”
“You gonna shower her in sugar? I think that’s a bad idea.”
His eyes close, then a huge juvenile expression lights his face. I reach out, punching his arm. “Stop imagining Lyri in the shower.”
His eyes flash open with a chuckle. “Sorry, bro. Gotta admit she is fucking hot, though.”
I exhale. The thought of never seeing her gorgeous face makes me want to punch something. Again. The fact this all happened in such a shitty way is completely my fault.
This is all my fault.
If I’d just told her every fucking thing from the start—who I am, what I’ve done in the past—none of this would have happened.
This is all on me.
Not Dad.
Not Jase.
They were simply doing their jobs.
I didn’t do mine when I was in a relationship as Lyri’s boyfriend. Now Lyric and I are suffering the consequences of my bad judgment.
“Where did you go just now?” Jase asks, seeming more serious.
I exhale with a frown. “She’s never going to take me back.”
He steps in beside me, slapping my shoulder. “She will. She has to. If she doesn’t, I’m afraid your pretty face is going to take on this mopey sack-of-shit look forever, and then you’ll never have a chance with another female again.”
“You really are an asshole.”
He chuckles like he’s making fun of himself. “Right? So, let’s go find Mary-Beth.”
I jerk my head back. “What the hell? Why?”
“Because she’s going shopping for us.”
“There’s that us again.”
“Shut up and roll with it. Now, c’mon.” He grabs my arm, yanking me through the hall down to Mary-Beth’s desk. Her eyes shift up the instant she sees Jase, and her lashes flutter like she’s entirely in love with him.
Hell, she probably is. Most women at Ego Star are.
“Jase…” His name rolls off her tongue like she’s humming it to herself. “How can I help you today?”
He perches on the top of her desk, leaning down almost into her damn face. The guy knows how to play her, that’s for sure. Her breath catches as I stand back watching the whole thing unfold like I’m invading on their time. I feel like a damn voyeur.
He does this cocky lopsided smirk thing and begins his spiel. “Mary-B… sweetness…”
She bats her eyelashes, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.
“Can you do a little task for us?”
She glances at me, and I put on my best panty-dropping smile, but she’s instantly back to Jase with star-struck awe in her eyes.
“For me, Mary-B?” he asks.
She giggles.
I want to hurl at this little display.
She sighs like she’s totally and utterly in love, or maybe it’s lust as she leans closer to Jase. “I’m working overtime on a Sunday because I’m highly valued, though way underpaid,” she flips her hair over her shoulder, “… but I do love it when you call me that.”
He waggles his brows. “I know.” He smirks. “So, do you think you can help us out… Mary-B?”
Her entire body shudders like hearing her name sent a shockwave right through her. She bites down on her bottom lip, obviously trying to be seductive. I feel like I need to leave the room or something. This shit’s fucking weird to watch.
“You’re so good to me. Okay, so what I need is for you to go to the store and grab as many Pixy Stix and Fun Dips as you can find. Plus, a colorful toy for a parrot, a bottle of expensive champagne, and something to put them in, so it’s like a gift basket? You following?” She nods. “Then I need you to find a card, a real nice one with I’m sorry or some shit along those lines on it and bring all of it back here to put together.”
“Got it.”
I want to make sure she does, in fact, get it. “Do you need to write it down or something?”
She and Jase both snap their heads to me.
Jase grimaces.
Mary-Beth glares at me. “I didn’t get this job by not being able to do it properly, Mr. Covington. If you took the time to get to know your employees like Jase does, then you’d know I’m the best damn secretary in this company.”
I open my eyes wide. He dips his head like he knew that was coming. “My apologies,” I offer sincerely.
“I’ll get what you need, but Jase, you gotta do that thing you do for me… as a payment,” she requests.
I tilt my head at Jase questionably this time.
He tenses like he’s embarrassed, but he dips his chin. “Deal. Only if once the gift basket is ready, you deliver it as well.”
“Yep, okay,” she agrees.
He stands and places his hand out. Jase brings her hand to his lips, and he kisses the back of it. Her entire body relaxes at his touch.
She takes a deep breath, then grabs her handbag, stands, and turns, walking off without another word.
I slowly spin, glancing at Jase. He knows exactly what I’m thinking.
He groans. “Oh, fuck, don’t even start with me—”
“So, is it some kind of weird kink? I bet she likes dress-ups, right?” I tease.
He tilts his head like he’s thinking. “She probably does, but it’s not that.”
“Jase, tell me, what do you have to do? I mean, you’re doing it to help me, so I should at least know.”
“It’s nothing, honest—”
“I really think I should kno—”
“I really think you shouldn’t—”
“Jase!”
He exhales exasperatedly. “Fine! I have to lay on her bed wearing a unicorn onesie, singing Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’ to her while she cuddles her cat, Mr. Mittens.”
I stare at him and tilt my head to the side, trying to figure out if he’s joking with me or not.
But the stern expression crossing his face tells me he’s dead serious, and I can’t help the slow laughter which erupts from my chest as the image floods my mind.
He rolls his shoulders as I try to compose myself. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, fuck face. See what I do for you?”
I take in a deep breath. “Yep, that’s really going above and beyond.” I burst out laughing again.
He dips his head. “We’re brothers, you and me, Eddie. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Yeah, I know... same for me. I’m a dick for not realizing you felt left out. I should have introduced you to Lyri sooner. I shouldn’t have tried to keep you guys separate. I love you both, so you sh
ould know each other… you should be friends. I fucked up, big time. I’m really fucking sorry.”
He shrugs. “I’m used to you fucking up, Eddie. Who do you think cleans up your messes all the damn time?”
“True…” I pause. “Wait! You knew what Mary-B wanted.” Jase stills. “Does that mean you’ve done it before?”
His eyes widen as he cracks his neck. “We should get a drink while we wait for Mary-B to come back.”
His avoidance technique sounds like a good one to me. I wrap my arm around his shoulder, pulling me to him. “Jesus, Jase, the shit you must get up to when I’m not around. Okay, drinks it is.”
“Fuck, yes! And then we will enact phase one.”
My muscles clench all over, but if anyone can help me get Lyri back, it’s going to be Jase.
Phase one, here we come.
Chapter Seventeen
Jase and I have been sitting back, catching up. Over the past four months, I guess I’ve missed my best friend. I feel bad for shutting him out. I was so lost and caught up in Lyri, I let myself become that guy. The guy who dropped everything. Not that it’s a bad thing. Lyri’s worth it. But because I was so invested in the lie I was creating, in the persona I was forging for Lyri, I was sheltering her from this world, from my real world. From my real friends and my family, and that’s not cool.
If I want her to know the real me, to love the real me, then she needs to know my friends and family. She needs to know me.
Jase is somehow making the ache in my chest, the pain riddling my entire body, seem just a little more bearable. The idea I might be able to get Lyri back plays on my mind as I sit here trying to think of how she must be feeling right now.
Mary-B strides through my office door with a huge basket chock full of stuff. She waltzes over to my table, placing it down in front of us. She eyes Jase, then starts talking. “Pixy Stix galore, same as Fun Dip. I also bought a bottle of champagne, and I splurged and bought some loose rose petals to place in the basket around the objects to make it look a little nicer. I also found this mini parrot game… it’s a basketball hoop on a stand and some plastic balls. Oh… and this bear.” She holds up a cute little bear with ‘I’m an idiot’ printed on its chest. “I thought the bear might be appropriate.”
Jase tilts his head as if to say, ‘See, I told you she was good.’ “Mary-B, this stuff is perfect. You’ve outdone yourself.”
She shrugs. “I know.” She winks at Jase. “I’ll put it all together in the basket. Here…” She shoves a card at me. “You need to do this part. Think of something nice… you know… heartfelt.”
On the front of the card is a picture of a goat with ‘I’m sorry, I’ve been baaad’ written in script font. It’s cute as fuck!
How the hell does Mary-B know about Lyri’s newfound love of goats? Or, maybe it’s just a coincidence, and it’s meant to be. Either way, this card is fucking perfect.
Jase reaches out, placing his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll give you a minute,” he offers, tilting his head to Mary-B. She picks up the basket of goodies, and they both walk down to the main conference room.
I take a deep breath.
This is important.
This is my first connection point with Lyri since this all happened. Other than my text and showing up at her house, of course. So, whatever I say in this card has to mean something and be from my heart. It has to tell her how I feel. The card is small, so I can’t explain everything, but I can at least start. I take out my finest pen and start to write.
My dearest hummingbird,
You have to know I never meant for any of this to happen. I didn’t enter into our relationship with a plan to lie to you or with a plan to carry on that lie for months. Things got out of hand. I own my mistake, and it’s a massive one. I will never forgive myself for losing you, Lyri. You are the single greatest thing in my life. I didn’t tell you everything because I love you. That was never a lie. Please believe that. I will do whatever you need to make this up to you. My life is nothing if you’re not in it. Because honestly, I didn’t start living until I met you.
Forever,
Your hotshot.
P.S. I hope Polly is eating his apple. If not, I will come by and give it to him anytime you need me. Love you both. xo
I place my pen on the table—it was somewhat cathartic getting it out. I need her to know even if she doesn’t want me, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be right here.
I wave the card through the air letting the ink set. I exhale a deep breath, having no idea how she will receive my words
She may love them.
She may hate them.
Hell, knowing Lyri, she may set the card on fire in her backyard and dance around it in her underwear like she’s burning an effigy. Let’s face it, she’s that freaking sassy.
With the card, I walk out to Jase and Mary-B to see them wrapping the basket and flirting like there’s no tomorrow. I swear Jase will flirt with anything with breasts. I think he would flirt with a roast chicken, given half the chance.
I wave the card in my hand. “Finished.”
Mary-B turns with genuine excitement. “Great! I hope you made it count.” She snaps it from my fingers, then places it inside the basket.
It’s not half bad—between the two of them they’ve done a great job. Mary-B pulls up the cellophane, tying it at the top with a yellow bow—Lyri’s favorite color. Again, I don’t know if she somehow knew or if that’s a coincidence too. Maybe Mary-B is really that amazing at her job.
“Right, Mr. Covington, if you could place the address here for me, I’ll go ahead and deliver this for you,” Mary-B announces as she finishes the final touches.
It looks great. I can’t help but think Lyri will be impressed with my well-thought-out gift basket. Things from our first date and our road trip. It should remind her how good we are together. I jot down Lyri’s address for Mary-B.
She winks at Jase, picks up the basket, then heads off.
“Mary-B,” I call out. She turns back, void of emotion. “Thank you.”
She dips her head, then spins around, and continues to leave.
Jase slaps my shoulder. “Phase one’s set in motion, big man.”
I can’t help but feel a little anxious about it all. I have no idea how Lyri’s going to react. “It’s been a big day… hell, a big twenty-four hours. I think I’m gonna head home and catch up on some sleep.”
Jase grunts while shaking his head. “Sleep’s for pussies. We need to be celebrating the start of Lyrical Revival. We’re well into phase one. We can’t wimp out now.”
I let out a laugh. “Lyrical Revival… that code name’s going to stick, isn’t it?”
Jase nods matter-of-factly. “Yeah.”
“Maybe another time. I need to go home and unwind.”
Jase groans. “Pussy!”
I ignore him but make the move to leave. It is a Sunday, after all, and I don’t really need to be here. I just came in because there’s always work to be done.
I duck out of the building in a move which makes me a little uneasy. I’m not sure why I feel the need to do it, but a part of me has to see this pan out. So, I make my way down to my car, slide in, then take off after Mary-B.
My pulse races as I think of how this could all pan out.
I need to see if Lyri accepts the gift—how she takes it. I know this could be considered a form of stalking, but I was kind of catfishing her. What’s a bit of stalking to add to the list?
I’m a convicted felon.
May as well behave like one.
I drive at a rate that’s definitely not legal until I’m one car behind Mary-B, then I watch her pull into Lyri’s drive. I park my car across the street and down the road a little, jumping out and rushing so Mary-B and Lyri can’t see me. I’m heading in the opposite direction to where Mary-B is going, so she can’t see me approaching. Mary-B walks down the driveway up to Lyri’s house, picking and plucking at the gift basket. Mary-B’s eyes are not f
ocused on me as I approach—luckily for me. I slide in behind the shrubs then make my way down the path out of sight as she continues to fuss about with the basket. I duck behind the bushes under Lyri’s front bay window, peeking inside, but keeping myself well hidden. Mary-B finally seems happy enough with the presentation as she bops her head and makes her way to the door and rings the bell.
I can see and hear everything.
I have really lowered my morals.
But a man’s got to do and all that.
Mary-B is still picking at the cellophane, making it look perfect. I now know why she’s the best secretary in the company because she does a great fucking job. I’ve obviously had my head so far up my ass I haven’t seen shit around the company.
I freeze as Lyri walks to the front door. I gulp hard as she pulls it open. She looks terrible, and that sight alone makes me feel awful. Even though I can tell she’s been crying, she’s still fucking beautiful. Tiny denim shorts sit high on her tanned thighs, the sight causes my cock to throb. The little frayed edges send my palms twitching. A tight white tank top, hugging her firm breasts, makes me want to smother my face in her cleavage.
Lyri’s eyes narrow as she takes in Mary-B standing at her front door, holding the gift basket. “Hi, can I help you?” Lyri’s husky, gorgeous voice asks.
Mary-B’s face exudes formality. Ever the professional. “I have a special delivery for Lyric Griffin.”
Lyri shifts uncomfortably, assessing the parcel. She wipes her face like she’s trying to fight the tears from falling. “Who’s it from?” she asks.
If Mary-B tells Lyri, she might not accept it.
She might not read my letter.
“The sender didn’t disclose their name when ordering, ma’am. I’m just here to deliver. We hope you enjoy your sugary treats.” Mary-B hands the parcel over to Lyri. She hesitates but takes it from Mary-B. Damn you’re good, Mary-B.
“Thank you,” Lyri offers, finally seeming to break out of her shocked state.
“You’re welcome. Have a sweet day,” Mary-B coos, keeping up the pretense she’s from some gift basket company. She turns, walking away without another word as Lyri shakes her head like she’s in shock. Lyri shuts the door while Mary-B walks back to her car.
