Three Part Harmony (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)

17. Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Mike

Fletcher and I started throwing anything we could easily lift that wasn’t necessary for playing and we knew would make a loud noise when it hit the floor. Of course it was juvenile but it went a long way to burn off some of our frustration. I mean, that was the whole point of this tantrum, wasn’t it—to work through our anger and get their attention in the process? I know it’s why I was tossing around inanimate objects but I couldn’t speak for Fletcher’s motives. Glancing over at him, he seemed as fully invested in acting out as I was. It was my personal protest for being locked in this room like a stubborn toddler who didn’t want the time-out the adults insisted he needed.

Fuck that noise.

I didn’t deserve to be in here, since I wasn’t the reason behind this rift. This all fell solely onto Fletcher’s shoulders and only he knew his reasons for pushing me away so vehemently. I was honestly in the dark about what even started this mess. When I thought back, nothing stood out to me in my memory that illuminated the point where shit went bad. I didn’t remember an argument or so much as harsh words exchanged. It was as if one day Fletcher just suddenly decided to pull away from me—right at the same time I was leaning in closer to Griffin. Maybe this was all destined to happen eventually—with him settling down with Dallas, and me finding Griffin. Maybe our friendship had just run its course and we’d somehow outgrown the bond that had once tethered us so tightly together.

Again, it didn’t really matter. Fletcher was the one with the problem, not me. When he got together with Dallas I didn’t pull away. I celebrated with him and was sincerely happy for him. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t doing the same for me. What was it about Griffin being with me that made Fletcher turn away? It made me furious as hell not knowing what was going on with my longest and closest friend. But since he obviously wasn’t ready to talk about it, I’d have to take out my frustration on the non-living things in this room instead.

With that in mind, the folding metal chairs took a beating until exhaustion forced me to stop. A minute or so later, Fletcher lost his fire as well. I walked to the refrigerator we had in the room and grabbed a bottle of water. I briefly thought about tossing one to Fletcher but changed my mind. I slammed the door shut as if making a statement with my action and took my water to drink over by a window that looked across the side parking lot filled with half a dozen tractor-trailer trucks all lined up in a neat formation.

Fletcher opened the refrigerator right after I’d shut it and took a bottle of water for himself. He chugged half of it down before he finally stopped to take a breath. In my periphery I saw him shifting closer to me, not in a straight line, more of a wide zig-zag route, maybe to make it less obvious he was approaching me. I had no idea what was going through his mind at this point.

“He means it, you know,” Fletcher said once he was close enough that I’d clearly hear him.

“What are you talking about?” I asked flatly.

“Dagger. He will absolutely cancel our tour,” Fletcher clarified.

“Look, I didn’t start this. You did , and honestly I don’t even know why,” I said.

Fletcher came a little closer while still remaining a safe distance away. “So, you really are with him—like, for real?” he asked.

My jaw ticked in irritation at his question. “I’m not talking to you about Griffin,” I said.

“And that right there is the problem,” Fletcher pointed out.

“You stopped talking to me weeks ago, all on your own,” I explained. “You basically disappeared from my life without any explanation, and now you want to stand there and imply this is all on me? That’s bullshit. ”

“Is it?” he asked and shook his head. “Jesus, you really can’t see beyond the tip of your own dick, can you?”

“What does that even mean, Fletcher?” I asked in a tone much louder than I expected. “Christ, enough with the riddles! Just tell me why you have such a problem with Griffin being in my life! Do you even have a reason, or do you just not like seeing me happy? I sure as fuck was happy when you hooked up with Dallas. I loved watching you discover yourself and then fall hard for him. It was beautiful, but now that I’ve found someone special in my life, you suddenly pull away and stop talking to me. It makes no fucking sense at all.”

Fletcher turned away from me and pressed his forehead to a pane of glass in the window beside the one I was leaning on. “There is no Dallas,” he said in a voice so soft I almost didn’t hear him.

It took about three seconds for my brain to register what he’d said and then my head snapped in his direction. “What do you mean by that?” I asked somberly.

Fletcher shrugged. “I meant it exactly how it sounds,” he repeated. “Dallas and I…I don’t know. I guess we broke up.”

“No fucking way! That simply isn’t possible,” I said and my chest suddenly felt tight, like I couldn’t draw in a full breath.

“Have you seen him around at the band house lately?” he asked me and I shook my head. “It doesn’t surprise me that you haven’t noticed him missing because you’re rarely at home these days. Even when you were home, you stuck to yourself.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I questioned .

“Because, as my friend—or my brother, as we were basically raised, I stupidly expected you to notice I was in pain, that I was emotionally sinking into a dark pit of despair. But you were off living your best life, hooking up with your magic triad and then falling into Griffin’s bed. I can’t keep the long list of your fuck buddies straight. Not to mention, it’s kind of hard to talk to someone who you hardly ever see.”

“You could have texted me, told me that you needed to talk, or what-fucking-ever,” I explained. “If you’d asked me, I would have come running. I’d do just about anything for you, Fletcher and you know that.”

Fletcher made a scoffing sound before he asked, “Do I know that, Mike?”

“Well, you should know it!” I defended myself.

He stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “Your absence at the house put a spotlight on where your life was heading—and it wasn’t with me, Dixon, or Potts. You were off chasing something you thought you wanted and when that didn’t work out you turned to Griffin—instead of me, Dixon, or Potts. So, I guess I didn’t want to bother you with my stupid boyfriend troubles when you finally seemed really happy.”

“Fuckkk, I would have been there for you, Fletch, and deep down you know that,” I said. “What the hell happened with Dallas? I seriously thought you two were close to making wedding plans.”

“I don’t know about planning a wedding but I did think he was it for me. I still do,” he lamented. “But his father kept pushing him to reach higher and do better but Dallas is just happy being who he is—a laid-back, hardworking man who revels in the simple things in life, like watching a sunset on a beach. He doesn’t aspire to own a company or have a huge investment portfolio. He’d much rather be hiking through the woods, surfing, or laying on a beach on a day off from work. His father called him lazy and said he was a fuck-up. Can you believe that?”

“Actually, it doesn’t surprise me to hear that,” I replied. “Dallas doesn’t believe him, does he?”

Fletcher shrugged again. “It’s shit he’s heard from his old man for many years,” I said. “If you listen to crap like that year after year eventually you come to believe it’s true.”

“That all sounds like a fight between Dallas and his father,” I pointed out. “How did that break you up?”

“His father convinced him to enlist in the Army,” Fletcher said. “He told Dallas it was the only way he’d become a real man and have a decent future ahead of him.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I shouted.

Fletcher shook his head. “I desperately tried to talk him out of it, but his father had successfully gotten inside his head this time and Dallas wanted to prove the man wrong. He left for boot camp almost a month ago.”

I clutched onto my head as disbelief burrowed under my skin. How had I missed the signs of my best friend’s personal agony? His life had all but imploded and I hadn’t noticed because I was too fucking busy chasing life outside of the band house. I should have been paying attention. I should have seen the changes in Fletcher and instinctively known he was hurting. I should have asked questions, checked in with him to make sure he was okay. But I did none of that. My head was stuck too far up my own ass to notice Fletcher’s relationship was crumbling down around him.

What kind of friend did that make me?

The worst kind, and I had no idea how to make it up to him, except to keep him talking and hope that I could be here for him now.

“Fletcher, I am so fucking sorry,” I whispered. “I should have been a better friend to you, but I’m here now and I want to help.”

“There’s nothing you or anyone else can do,” he said. “He signed the contract with the Army and he’s checked into camp, so it’s a done deal. They own him for the next several years.”

“Have you heard from him?” I asked.

“He sent me a text when he arrived at Fort Benning in Georgia,” Fletcher said. “He told me he wouldn’t be able to contact me again for quite a while. Basic training is almost three months long and if he gets deployed after that it could be years before I see him again. Maybe he won’t want me by then, who the hell knows, but it sucks.”

I didn’t even think before I moved. I simply eliminated the distance between us and wrapped him up in my arms for the tightest hug I could manage without physically hurting him. “Goddamn, I wish you had talked to me sooner, Fletch,” I whispered into his wavy hair. “I swear, I would have been there for you when this happened. ”

“I know, but I didn’t want to drag you down when you finally seemed so happy and content,” Fletcher said back to me.

Our embrace lasted for a long time. I did my best to pour all my emotions and support into him through soothing touches and by rubbing circles on his back. And Fletcher clung to me, like his sanity depended on me not letting him go.

“I’ve got you, Fletch. Just hold on tight and we’ll figure out a way to get through this.”

“I’ll be okay, but it hurts more than anything else I’ve been through,” he admitted. He stepped back a bit to put a little distance between us and I didn’t miss the evidence of water under both his eyes. I reached out and wiped away his tears.

“So, Dallas enlisting was the whole problem—not specifically me being with Griffin?” I asked.

“It was mostly me being pissed off at Dallas but I was also jealous of you finding something special with Griffin,” Fletcher confessed. “I’d just lost Dallas and it felt like I was losing you to Griffin at the same time. I was panicking and taking it out on you and I shouldn’t have. I’m really sorry. I want you to be happy, I really do, and when you started spending more and more time with Griffin, I saw how excited you were about life. I’ve literally been watching you fall in love with him and as thrilled as I was for you, I was feeling completely empty and lost myself.”

I pulled him against my chest again for another hug and this time I hung on for dear life. There was no way I’d ever let him down again. From here on out, I would make the time to be with him .

“I’m glad you’re okay with me being with Griffin because I’m definitely falling for him,” I shared. “He’s just…everything.”

“I know,” he chuckled. “I can tell. Even the way you say his name, all dreamy-like, tells me you’re in love.”

“Don’t go putting words into my mouth,” I said with a chuckle. “I didn’t say love , at least not yet, but I’m damn close. The man just does it for me, on every level.”

“And that truly fills me with joy,” he answered and squeezed the back of my neck.

“I’m going to help you with Dallas,” I offered. “Not sure how just yet, but I know your love story with him isn’t over. It’s barely just begun.”

“I hope you’re right but for now my hands are tied, at least until he finishes basic training,” Fletcher said. “Maybe after that he and I can talk and see where we’re at. All I can do is hope that he still wants me.”

“He adores you,” I said. “There’s no way in hell he isn’t going to want you after he’s done with the Army.”

“We’ll see what happens but at least the band will keep me distracted until he comes home,” Fletcher said.

“Do Dixon and Potts know about Dallas joining the Army?” I asked.

“No, not yet. You’re the only one I’ve told,” Fletcher said.

“Thank you for trusting me with this, and I won’t tell anyone until you’re ready,” I assured.

“You can tell Griffin,” Fletcher said. “I mean, I expect you to share it with him since you two are like, inseparable,” Fletcher said .

Behind us one of the doors to the room swung open and rattled when it swung wide and bounced off the wall. Fizzbo and Griffin stepped inside to assess the situation. I visibly saw the tension leave Griffin’s muscled frame and then I actually saw Fizzbo smile—a real smile, which was something I wasn’t sure I’d seen before this very moment.

“I see you two passed through the anger phase and are now hugging it out,” Fizzbo stated as he walked closer with Griffin right beside him. “That took less time than I thought it would.”

At Fizzbo’s words I looped an arm back around Fletcher’s neck and tugged him to my side. “He’s my brother and I’ll always love him,” I admitted to everyone in the room. “No matter what.”

“Same for me,” Fletcher said. “We might not always agree on everything but at the end of the day I will always have mad respect and love for this idiot.”

“Who are you calling an idiot?” I questioned and pressed a loud, smacking kiss to his forehead.

“We obviously still have some talking to do, but at least now we understand where the other one is coming from,” Fletcher explained.

“Exactly,” I agreed. “How about we take the rest of the day and go fishing—just you and me. We haven’t done that in years.”

Fletcher held my steady gaze, looking so serious and emotionally raw. “I would love to go fishing with you.”

“Good, then if you two boys will excuse us, we’re taking off to go catch some fish!” I declared.

We started walking toward the exit but I stopped about halfway and spun around. Griffin and Fizzbo remained where they were with smiles plastered to their faces. I glanced at Fletcher and said, “Just give me one second.” Then I hurried back to Griffin and flung my arms around his neck to pull him closer. “Will I see you later?” I asked Griffin in a soft voice.

“I was hoping so, but it’s okay if you want to be with Fletch instead,” he said in a hushed tone.

“Do we need security for this excursion?” I asked Fizzbo.

Fizzbo scratched his whiskered jawline before he answered. “Nah, not this time,” he said. “But take Dixon’s truck. At least we have a tracking device attached to that vehicle.”

“You what?” I asked indignantly.

Fizzbo rolled his eyes. “That tracking device allowed me to know exactly where you were when you took off the other day for your little joy ride.”

“You knew about that?” I asked.

“Not even Griffin knew I was aware of your location,” Fizzbo stated. “And you’d be wise to remember that I know everything when it comes to our clients,” Fizzbo said.

“Fair enough,” I replied and set my hand against Griffin’s firm chest. “I’ll text you later.”

Griffin nodded and I leaned in to tease his lips with mine.

“Make good decisions and have fun,” Fizzbo said.

“Will do, Dad ,” I said.

“Knock it off with the dad crap,” Fizzbo growled. “I’m not your daddy! ”

“Hey, hey! If anyone is going to be his daddy, it will be me ,” Griffin boasted.

That comment earned Griffin another quick kiss. “You can be my daddy any day of the week,” I whispered beside his ear.

“Fuckkk meee,” Griffin exhaled softly.

“I’d be more than happy to oblige your request,” I said and grinned. “Just name the time and place and I’m there. I’ll even bring supplies.”

“Very good to know,” Griffin replied before he kissed the side of my neck. “Now go play with your rods.”

Fletcher burst out laughing behind me. “I’m pretty sure he’d greatly prefer it if you played with his rod and not me,” he said with a chuckle.

“Fletcher’s right. I mean, we’re friends and I love the guy, but we don’t have that kind of friendship,” I added.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Griffin said and gave me a wave as I hurried back to Fletcher. I couldn’t believe how excited I was to be spending the afternoon with my best bud.