Page 106 of Bless This Hot Mess

“How all the parts connect.”

Rino let out a soft huff of a laugh.

“But love’s a rhythm, baby,

And we can take our time.

Try every move together,

Till every groove feels right.”

The night seemed to lean in closer. Rino drove with the window cracked now, letting the air in.

“Against all odds and what they told us,

And how long we’ve held back.

Against all odds or what it cost us,

We’re getting our train on track.”

Japheth stood on his pedals, pushing through the last stretch toward home.

“Against all odds, or where this goes now,

Or how the story bends.

Tonight there’s no more pretending…

We’re finally more than friends.”

Rino’s voice softened, almost a promise,

“And if the world goes quiet,

And we’re the last men under the moon.

If the end meant starting again with you,

Then our love story couldn’t end too soon.”

Japheth exhaled, and he sang out, steady and full,

“Every door and window open,

Every fear is finally gone.

All the nights we waited with longing

Were just edging us along.”

And then together, across the town, like two lone wolves they howled to each other,

“Against all odds and what tomorrow,

Or what the future brings.

Against all odds of there being an us,