บท 22: Phone Call
Lucian walked toward the Mustang parked on middle of road.
he reached the car, Garry was already in the driver's seat, hands on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the bouquet of flowers resting on the passenger seat. Garry didn't say a word but glanced at the flowers.
Lucian didn't respond at first. He opened the passenger door, gently picking up the bouquet that had once symbolized all his hopes and dreams for Avey. Now, the flowers seemed to weigh him down with memories of heartbreak. He placed the bouquet on the dashboard, in full view of both of them, as if daring himself to confront the pain head-on.
Garry revved the engine, the Mustang roaring to life. Without a word, they pulled out of the parking lot, the sound of the tires spinning against the road a reminder of their shared love for speed and recklessness. They drove in silence for a while, the black night sky stretching endlessly above them, the hum of the engine filling the quiet.
"So... what were the flowers for?" Garry asked eventually, breaking the silence. His voice was casual, but there was a note of curiosity in it that Lucian couldn't ignore.
Lucian stared out of the window, watching the darkened city blur past them. His mind raced, torn between telling the truth and keeping things vague. "Yeah, same as you." His voice was flat, emotionless. There was no point in hiding it; Garry probably already knew everything.
"Rejected?" Garry pressed, keeping his eyes on the road, but his tone carried more empathy than Lucian expected.
"Yeah... something like that." Lucian let out a sigh, his heart feeling heavier with each passing second. It wasn't just about rejection anymore it was about everything. The years he'd wasted, the love he'd given so freely only to be met with cold indifference.but well it was not same this time but well this time he is free
Garry nodded as if he understood. "That's sad." He said it almost flippantly, as if he was trying to lighten the mood, but the words held weight between them. They both knew the pain of giving too much and receiving too little.
Lucian shot him a sideways glance. "Don't act like you didn't get rejected too, motherfucker." His voice held a hint of annoyance, but there was a smirk on his lips, a sign that he wasn't entirely defeated.
"Oh, yeah, yeah..." Garry chuckled. "We're both a couple of idiots, huh?" His tone was more playful now, trying to lift the somber mood.
"Yeah... no kidding," Lucian muttered, shaking his head. They shared a moment of camaraderie, both acknowledging the mess they were in without needing to say much more.
The drive didn't take long, and soon enough, Garry pulled into the parking lot of a small, unassuming restaurant. The neon sign flickered above them, casting a soft glow over the place. Black Butterfly, it read in elegant cursive. The kind of place that didn't try too hard to be fancy but had a charm all its own. It was a place Lucian hadn't been to in years in two lives, actually.
"You've been here before?" Lucian asked, giving Garry a curious glance as they parked the car.
Garry shrugged, a vague smile on his face. "Kind of. Let's just say I know my way around." His answer was evasive, but Lucian didn't push. There was something about Garry now, something knowing, but Lucian couldn't quite put his finger on it.
They walked inside and found a quiet corner table. The restaurant wasn't crowded, which suited them just fine. Lucian slumped into his chair, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him again. Garry followed, more relaxed, like he was at home.
A waiter approached, handing them menus, but Lucian didn't even glance at it. He looked at Garry instead, raising an eyebrow. "You even old enough to drink?"
Garry grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Of course I am. I've been 18 since I was born, man." His tone was joking, but there was something about the way he said it that made Lucian laugh. It was the first genuine laugh he'd had in days.
"Two drinks, please," Lucian told the waiter without hesitation. The waiter nodded and walked off.
As they waited, Lucian couldn't help but feel a strange comfort in Garry's presence. It was as if no time had passed between them, like they had picked up right where they left off. But there was something nagging at him, something deeper.
"So, what do you do?" Lucian asked, breaking the silence.
Garry shrugged again, playing it cool. "Nothing, really."
"How do you eat and live, then?" Lucian asked, even though he already knew the answer.
"Parents' money, mostly." Garry's response was flippant, and both of them laughed at that. There was an ease to their conversation, a rhythm they fell into naturally.
After a moment, Lucian's thoughts drifted, and he remembered something. He looked at Garry, a question forming in his mind. "Hey, give me your phone. I need to call someone."
"What happened to yours?" Garry asked, already reaching into his pocket and pulling out his beat-up old phone. The device looked ancient, worn from years of use, but Garry handed it over without hesitation.
Lucian took the phone, not even bothering to answer Garry's question. He dialed the number, his heart racing slightly as he waited for the call to connect. Jimmy. The thought of his old friend brought a mixture of warmth and anxiety. But when the phone rang and rang without an answer, Lucian frowned.
"Who are you calling?" Garry asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Just a motherfucker I thought might want to join us." Lucian muttered, his frown deepening as he tried again. Still, no answer.
Garry watched Lucian's frustration grow, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. Jimmy. It had to be Jimmy. The thought of seeing their old friend again made Garry's heart race, but he kept his excitement in check. This time would be different. This time, he'd make sure to make a better impression.
"Try again," Garry urged, unable to hide his grin.
Lucian sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Let me try his mom." He scrolled through the contacts and dialed Jimmy's mother's number, something Garry had given him years ago in another life.
The phone rang, and after a few seconds, a soft, familiar voice answered. "Hello?"
"Hello, aunty." Lucian's voice softened, a sudden wave of warmth and nostalgia washing over him. He hadn't expected to feel this much emotion, but hearing Jimmy's mom after so long it hit him harder than he thought.
There was a pause on the other end before the woman replied, her tone surprised but kind. "Yes? Who is this?"
Lucian smiled, though tears were already welling in his eyes. "It's Lucian, aunty. Jimmy's friend."
The woman's voice brightened immediately. "Oh, no no jimmy had told me Lucian! Jimmy's talked about you so much. I feel like I already know you!" Her laughter was warm, like sunshine after a long storm.
Lucian's heart swelled at her words. Jimmy talked about me?
"He did?"
"Oh, yes. Every day, in fact. Just last night, he was telling me how much you mean to him, like a younger brother. He's so proud of you, Lucian." Her voice was filled with affection, and Lucian couldn't help but smile, even as tears silently fell down his cheeks.
A younger brother. The words hit Lucian deeply, more than he had expected. He had always thought of Jimmy as a brother, but hearing that Jimmy had felt the same that he had told his mother brought a sense of validation that Lucian hadn't known he needed.
"He really said that?" Lucian's voice cracked as he wiped at his face with his sleeve, his emotions overwhelming him.
"Of course, dear. You've been such a big part of his life. He may not show it, but Jimmy cares deeply for you. Just like family."
Lucian smiled through his tears, his heart full. Thank you, aunty. I'll take care of him
Lucian's voice trembled as he fought to keep it steady, but the warmth from Jimmy's mom was overwhelming. "Thank you, aunty. I'll always take care of him, just like he's taken care of me."
There was a soft laugh on the other end, followed by a motherly, comforting tone. "I know you will, Lucian. Jimmy is lucky to have a friend like you. He's always been a bit of a wild one, but you... you balance him out. You're his anchor, you know that?"
Those words hit Lucian hard. Anchor. He had never thought of himself as anything more than someone who was hanging on to friendships, desperately seeking meaning in a world that often left him feeling discarded. But hearing that Jimmy thought of him as an anchor? That was something he wasn't prepared for. He sat there, blinking rapidly, trying to process the flood of emotions crashing over him.
Lucian cleared his throat, managing a weak chuckle. "I never knew that, aunty. Thank you for telling me. I really needed to hear that today."
Jimmy's mom paused for a moment, sensing the depth in Lucian's voice. "You're welcome, Lucian. You're a good boy, and I hope you know that. Jimmy would be lost without you. You mean the world to him, and you've become part of our family. So, don't be a stranger. You're always welcome at our home, anytime."
Lucian smiled, the tears now freely running down his cheeks, but there was no sadness in them just a deep sense of gratitude. "I promise, aunty, I'll visit soon. I'll make sure Jimmy brings me by for dinner. I'll never be a stranger."
The warmth in Jimmy's mom's voice wrapped around him like a blanket. "I'll hold you to that, Lucian. And don't worry about Jimmy. He's always been a bit of a troublemaker, but he's got a good heart. I'm sure he's out there just blowing off some steam. He'll be fine."
Lucian nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "I'll look for him. I'll make sure he's okay. Thank you again, aunty."
"You're welcome, dear. Take care of yourself, and remember, you're family. Call anytime."
Lucian smiled through his tears, feeling more at peace than he had in years. "I will. Goodbye, aunty."
He hung up the phone, placing it gently on the table in front of him. For a moment, he just sat there, staring at it, the weight of everything that had just been said settling deep into his chest. Jimmy and Garry were more than just friends. They were brothers, bound not by blood, but by something deeper.
Wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, Lucian finally looked up at Garry, who had been quietly watching him the whole time, a knowing smile on his face. Garry had heard enough to understand, even if he hadn't been able to hear every word.
"You okay there, you big softie?" Garry teased, but there was nothing but affection in his voice.
Lucian chuckled, sniffling as he grabbed the glass of water Garry had passed him earlier. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just... I didn't expect that."
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