Lucian steered his Mustang out of the hotel parking lot, the low growl of the engine echoing through the streets. His heart was still heavy, the weight of everything he'd been through making every breath feel like a burden. Yet, driving this car the one he and Jimmy had worked on together felt like a balm for his soul, even if just for a moment. The engine roared as he increased his speed, weaving through the streets at an impressive 94 km/h.
The wind rushed past him, tugging at his clothes, and the city lights blurred around him. The feeling of speed, of power under his hands, grounded him in this surreal reality. He was alive again. It didn't matter how much emotional chaos he was in; the car wouldn't let him forget that.
As Lucian checked the time on his watch, a small chuckle escaped his lips. That bastard must be out there somewhere, he thought to himself, recalling the exact moment he first met Garry. That day had felt like a lifetime ago, but the memory was etched deep in his mind. Garry, heartbroken and standing in the middle of the road like a fool, bouquet in hand, ready to end it all.
He could almost picture it again. Same place. Same time. Same damn situation.
Lucian pushed the gas pedal down harder, the car leaping forward with a feral growl, zipping past other vehicles on the road. His god-level driving skills made the journey seamless, each lane change smooth, every corner taken at the perfect angle. 94 km/h wasn't just speed; it was an escape from his thoughts, from the pain that had gnawed at him for years.
His smile widened when, ahead of him, he spotted the familiar silhouette. Garry, dressed up, standing in the middle of the road with a bouquet of roses clutched in his hands, his eyes locked on Lucian's car as it barreled toward him. Garry's face was blank, a man ready to embrace death.
But Lucian had no plans to stop.
He didn't slow down didn't even think about it. Instead, he accelerated, the Mustang roaring like a beast unleashed. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, adrenaline pumping through his veins. Just like before. As the gap between them closed, Lucian yanked the handbrake and sent the car into a perfect drift. The tires screeched against the asphalt, smoke billowing as the Mustang spun in a tight circle around Garry, leaving black marks on the road.
Zuuummmbbbb! The sound echoed through the air, as if straight out of a movie. The car performed a flawless stunt, missing Garry by mere inches as it circled him, before coming to a smooth stop in front of him. The stunt was dangerous reckless but Lucian reveled in it. He was in control again.
Lucian pushed open the door and stepped out, the cold night air hitting him. His heart was still racing, the adrenaline from the drift leaving his hands slightly shaky. But he forced a grin, pretending everything was fine.
Garry stood motionless in the middle of the road, the bouquet still clutched in his hands, his eyes fixed on Lucian. He hadn't flinched during the entire stunt, hadn't moved a muscle. He just stared, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.
Lucian's grin softened, and he shook his head. "Motherfucker, why are you standing there? Did you really just pick my car to jump in front of? You're trying to kill yourself in style now?" Lucian's voice was casual, as though he were talking about the weather, but there was a teasing edge to it.
Garry didn't respond right away. He just kept looking at Lucian, his gaze unwavering. Then, slowly, his lips quivered, and his eyes grew misty. Tears started to stream down Garry's face as he took in the sight of his old friend, standing there in front of him as if the past hadn't happened, as if Lucian hadn't died in that life they both remembered so well.
Lucian's teasing expression faltered. He hadn't expected this reaction, and for a moment, he felt a pang of guilt. He had come back with all his memories intact, but Garry… Garry was living it all again. The pain. The loss. The confusion.
"Don't worry, mate," Lucian said, his voice softening. "Try again next time. Killing yourself isn't the answer. You'll find someone else. Hell, you can even try another woman if it doesn't work out." He smiled, trying to keep things light, but the truth behind his words cut deeper than he let on.
But Garry wasn't crying because of some girl. He wasn't crying because of rejection. He was crying because he had a second chance to see his friend the friend he'd lost. His tears weren't of heartbreak; they were of relief.
Garry's mind raced with a thousand thoughts, but none of them made sense. Lucian was alive. That's all that mattered. He was alive. He didn't care how it had happened, or why, but the man standing before him was real. He could touch him, talk to him again.
Lucian, seeing Garry's reaction, grew more confused. This wasn't the Garry he remembered meeting in the past. What was going on? But he didn't have time to think because Garry suddenly walked over and, without a word, wrapped his arms around Lucian in a tight embrace, his bouquet of roses squashed between them.
For a moment, Lucian was caught off guard, his body stiffening at the unexpected hug. But then he relaxed, hugging Garry back. His heart felt heavy again, but this time it wasn't from pain it was from the weight of this reunion. A friendship reborn.
Garry didn't say anything for a while, just holding onto Lucian like he was afraid he might vanish again. His body shook with silent sobs, and Lucian could feel the dampness of his tears against his shoulder.
Lucian patted Garry's back, trying to comfort him. "Come on, don't cry like a little girl. It's not the end of the world." He chuckled softly, even though he could feel the emotions stirring in his own chest. This was real. They were both here, alive.
Garry pulled back slightly, wiping his face with his sleeve, but the tears kept coming. "I… I can't believe it, man." His voice was hoarse, choked with emotion.
Lucian smiled, his eyes softening. "Of course I'm here. Where else would I be?"
Garry sniffed, shaking his head as if trying to wrap his mind around it all. "You don't understand… I thought i will never see anyone anymore," he muttered, more to himself than to Lucian.
Lucian felt a lump form in his throat but forced it down. "Hey, you are still alive man...you'll see me around. We've got a lot of time ahead of us now, right?"
Garry wiped the last of his tears away and gave a shaky laugh. "Yeah. Yeah, we do."
Lucian, sensing that the heavy moment was passing, took a step back and clapped Garry on the shoulder. "So, what's your name, man?" He asked, knowing damn well who he was but keeping up the act for the sake of appearances.
"Gerrit, but call me Garry," he said with a grin, extending his hand for a handshake.
Lucian smiled wider and took his hand, shaking it firmly. "Lucian. Nice to meet you, Garry."
The handshake was solid, but the connection between them was even stronger. Garry, filled with nostalgia and a deep sense of gratitude, couldn't help but laugh. "Good to meet you Lucian."
Lucian's heart swelled, but he played it off coolly. "So, wanna go grab a drink? I was just on my way, and after what I've just seen, it looks like you could use one too."
Garry grinned and nodded, his spirits lifting. "Let's go. But I'm driving." Without waiting for Lucian's approval, Garry walked over to the Mustang and slid into the driver's seat like he owned it.
Lucian blinked in surprise. "Hey, aren't you getting a little too comfortable with me already?" He called out with mock indignation scratching his head.
Garry just shot him a playful smirk. "If you want to drink, get in. Otherwise, you can walk."
Lucian stood there for a moment, dumbfounded, but then burst out laughing. This felt right. He hadn't expected it to feel this natural, this easy. But Garry was Garry, no matter how much time had passed putting those flower bouquet on rear of car.
"Alright, alright. Let's go, you bastard," Lucian muttered as he walked over to the passenger side and jumped into the Mustang.
As Garry revved the engine, the Mustang roared to life once more, and they sped off into the night. Two friends, reunited, driving headfirst into their second chance at life.
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haha guys our book is now contracted horrreyyyy
thanks for your support guys as to celebrate this happy moment i sent two chapters even tho its no holiday
buckets of loves from LazyDiablo....you most handsome and charming author...