Page 52 of Lost Lyrebird

Bodie throws the bottle of pills.They land beside Finn on the couch.

Finn shakes his head.

“Yes.”Bodie and Dozer say in unison.

When Finn doesn’t respond, Bodie says, “Look, man.I know a shit ton of these have side effects.But you’re not going to find one that works if you don’t at least give them a try.Alister says these are the best out there.He’s not going to steer you wrong on purpose.”

“We’re not doin’ this,” is Finn’s response.He picks up the pills and throws them back at Bodie.

“We are,” Dozer says, crossing his massive arms over his chest.He stands like a sentinel a few feet away, all business.

Finn’s dark blue gaze, glare and all, shifts from Dozer to Bodie.He sees me and Raven and freezes.Then he does a chin lift in my direction and says, “What the fuck?Is this like some kind of intervention?”

Bodie chuckles.“No, but only because I didn’t think of it.”

Under his breath, Finn hisses, “Then why is she here?”

“I don’t know.Maybe it’s like a divine intervention, bro.”

The hurt I feel is like an arrow to the gut, a fucking bull’s-eye.It’s like he’s saying anything to do with his life is none of my goddamn business.

I fortify my emotional walls to protect my heart, and point my thumb over my shoulder.“I’m gonna get going.I just wanted to check that you were all right.”

Raven scolds him.“Don’t be an ass to us just because we care about you.”I appreciate her words, but that doesn’t make me feel any less like an unwanted outsider.

Bodie rolls his eyes.“It’s not what you think, so calm the fuck down.She was just in the right place at the right time.”

Finn palms his head and closes his eyes.“Fuck, Lily.I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.It’s just been one hell of a night.”

“It’s okay.I was headed out anyway.”I don’t need this bullshit.

Bodie’s hand snakes out to grab my wrist.I nearly yank it away, but force myself to calm down and not react.

Finn is up in a heartbeat, shoving Bodie’s arm off me.“Don’t fucking grab her.”

Bodie’s grins wide at this.Why?I have no idea.But his next move shocks me.He goes for the pills and comes back to me.Plops them into my hand.“Do me a solid, babe… get him to take one of these.”

Finn curses and paces away from us.He grips the back of his head and mutters under his breath, frustration and anger palpable.When he stops, his gaze is fierce as he stares at his friends.“I mean this with all the love and respect in the world.Everyone but Lily, please get the fuck outta my office.”

Raising an eyebrow, Bodie hesitates.“I’m not leaving until I know you’ve taken one.”

Dozer slaps Bodie’s chest.“Fuck, Rivers.Stop eggin’ him on.We’ve done what we can.It’s time to go.”

Turning the bottle over, I read the label.When I look up to meet Finn’s eyes, I study his features, the pain he’s trying and failing to hide.Worry for him tightens a knot in my stomach.

“Are these for migraines?”I ask.

It’s Bodie who responds.“Yeah, and he’ll be stubborn about taking one, but believe me when I say, he’s gotta do it, or he’s gonna land his ass in a pine box.”

Finn takes a step forward as if to harm him.His fists balled up at his sides.Dozer plants his meaty hand on Bodie’s shoulder and forces him toward the door, seeing the deadly threat on Finn’s face.“Come on, let’s get outta here before he putsyouin a pine box for meddling.”

Raven follows the guys out of Finn’s office without another word.

At the last second, Bodie peeks his head back in before the door can shut.“Just wanted to say… you were sexy as fuck tonight, Lily.Wet Dreams-R-Us cummin’ to town.”The door shuts with athunk.

I blink, then let out an abrupt, short laugh.“I’m not sure if I want to know.”

Finn grumbles as he walks back into the bathroom, “I assure you.You don’t.It’s best if you ignore anything that comes outta his mouth.”