Cherry Bomb [H.S.]

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

It's been a month since the charity auction I attended with Marlowe, and now I find myself behind my drum set in Marlowe's recording studio with not only her, but also Kailey and Mikey. Today was the first day we had gotten together to start practicing our cover of "If It Means A Lot to You" for the award show that's now only two months away. So far things have been going smooth between the four of us, and I can tell that Marlowe is more than ecstatic.

"How is it feeling to you guys?" She asks as she looks over at the two of them. "Are there any spots that you want to run through specifically that might be tripping you up?"

"I feel pretty good about it." Kailey shrugs. "How about you Mikey?"

"Yeah, I'm feeling the same. I'm planning on going home and working on it too, so I know the next time we meet up, I'll be pretty solid."

The sound of Marlowe's ringtone cuts through the room, and she walks over to - picking it up and looking down at the screen.

"Sorry. Just one second," she says as she starts towards the door. "It's Lys."

Marlowe steps out of the studio, and I look over to Kailey and Mikey. Kailey is staring at me with a wide grin on her face which causes me to let out a soft laugh as I shake my head.

"What?"

"This is just the first time I've seen you behind a drum set in five years," she states before walking over to me. "Last time your hair was a bit shorter though, and you always wore those fucking bandanas to keep it out of your face."

Mikey chuckles as I roll my eyes, and I swat Kailey's hand away when she goes to ruffle my hair.

"It's nice seeing you play again." Mikey sits down on the couch. "This feels just like old times. I love it."

"Me too," I agree with a nod. "It's nice being able to do this with all of you again. I knew I missed it, even when I tried to tell myself that I didn't, but I didn't realize just how much I did."

"We're happy you're back." Kailey takes a seat next to Mikey. "We've missed you."

I feel a swell of emotions fill my chest, and I wedge my bottom lip between my teeth as I look down at the drumsticks in my hand. "I know I've apologized to Marlowe, but I've never apologized to the two of you." Sucking in a deep breath, I avert my gaze back over to Kailey and Mikey. "I'm sorry for the way I abandoned you both, and I'm sorry for my behavior up until that moment as well. I was spiraling with my own shit. I thought you all would be better without me holding you back, and we all know that Marlowe wouldn't let me go on my own. Me just giving up and separating myself from everything seemed like the best decision, but I know now that it wasn't. I appreciate you guys for allowing me back into your lives, and giving me a chance to make things right."

I can see moisture filling Kailey's eyes, and her bottom lip begins to tremble.

"Please don't cry, K," I whisper as I feel my throat tightening.