Booger shields us a little bit from the few cars that pass along this street. Akara and Banks know Philly like the back of their hands, and they said this area doesn’t get much foot traffic.
They’re right. We’re practically alone.
Sun descending in an evening glow, it’s nice being outside without the chaos and onlookers. The handful of pedestrians who pass don’t pay us any notice.
As I break away from Banks, I say, “Maybe I should go back on birth control.”
“You hated it,” Akara reminds me.
Banks adds, “Don’t go back on it for us.”
For us.
I start to smile, then falter. Akara hasn’t officially said he wants to be in a relationship with me and Banks again. Until he says the words, I’m going to keep my expectations low. Like under the ground. Just so disappointment can’t touch me.
But I can’t deny how good it felt having Akara back. Like coming up for air after a long swim. I hang on to those feelings. And I hope.
Just as I go to speak, Banks’ phone rings.
The doctor. We’re all caging breath. Orion sniffs Booger’s tire, and I pull him towards us a little more.
Banks stares at his cell, gaze darkening on the caller ID.
“Answer it,” Akara urges.
He does, raising the phone to his ear. “This is Banks Moretti.” He puts a hand to his lips. “June 9th.” His birthday. He must be verifying his identification. He stares at the ground. Nodding. Over and over.
I can’t breathe.
Please be okay.
Please.
I can’t lose you either.
He nods once more. Face serious and readied. He often looks primed for everything, and Banks will say he’s equipped better for hell than for heaven, but he’ll run towards both. He’ll run towards anything, as long as he’s not stuck in place.
“Thanks. You too.” He hangs up, then slips the phone in his jacket, and I reach out and clasp his hand. Banks smiles down at me.
“You’re smiling—that’s a good sign, right?” I ask in one breath.
“Yeah, I guess it is.” He inhales strongly. “As far as they can tell, the tests look good.”
“You’re serious?” Akara questions like Banks might not be telling the whole truth.
I interject, “Don’t lie to us. Don’t fucking downplay anything—we want to know what’s going on.”
Banks squeezes my hand. “I’m not lying, mermaid. I promise you two, that’s what they said. He told me they couldn’t see anything of immediate concern. And it’s likely I’m suffering from chronic migraines. I’m gonna have to watch out for things that trigger them.”
Akara asks, “Are they going to give you anything for the pain?”
He nods, scrutinizing a guy who disappears in a pawn shop further down the sidewalk. “They’re prescribing me some medicine. It should help.” He slips a toothpick between his lips. “Farrow’s going to pierce my ear too.” He explains the Daith piercing, and he finally begins to smile. “Looks like I’m surviving another year or two, maybe thirty if the Lord doesn’t take me.”
Relief and joy and love burst inside of me. “Thank fuck.” I fling my arms around Banks, standing on the tips of my toes. He smiles against my neck, and I’m fucking crying tears of relief.
He reaches out a hand like I do, and we both pull Akara in our hug. He shares the biggest grin with Banks, and we don’t part right away.
Triad huddle. A safe, happy, and loving embrace that I want to last forever. We keep our arms around each other, forming a literal circle huddle on the sidewalk. Orion hops excitedly down at our heels.
“Hey, I have your Lord on speed-dial, remember?” Akara tells Banks. “If He tries to take you before you’re an old man, we’re going to have words.”
Banks smiles. “You’ll have to phone Hell too. The devil has always wanted me more.”
“I’ll make sure Sulli is with me. She’s a pro at launching meat and sour cream.”
“Food fight with the devil,” I say into a smile. “I’m in.”
Knowing Banks is okay should cement total happiness, but the mole is still at large and the condom recently broke. Good news sprinkled with some bad.
Akara reroutes our banter into a plan. “I’ll go grab the Plan B. You two stay out here with Orion.”
“Break,” I say like a football player as we split up from the huddle.
Banks and Akara are smiling, until they face the drugstore. My stomach flip-flops like a fucking pancake.
Kits leaves, and I watch him go.
My heart thumps a little harder. “You think he’ll stay with us?” I wonder while Banks stares inside the store, then down the streets.
He frowns at me. “You don’t think he will?”
“He never said that he is. I’m not getting my hopes too high.” It’ll fucking hurt worse. Like losing him a second time. Before he can respond, my phone buzzes.
Caller ID: Nona-Frog.
After the break-up with Akara, my sister has been Team Sulli. She made me a care basket of sweet treats with Audrey, Kinney, and Vada. Iced cookies, cupcakes, and brownies with self-love sayings like you’re awesome, you’re a badass, you’re beautiful.