32. Just Go (Lexi POV)

The next four days felt like tiptoeing through a minefield, each step loaded with clear tension. Luke oscillated between moments of seeming clarity and agitated outbursts. His nerves were frayed guitar strings about to snap.

After much debate and several intense discussions, we finally persuaded him to take a minuscule amount, once or twice a day, to stave off the worst withdrawal symptoms. His physical body needed to catch up to the resilience of his spirit.

Clay and Luke had more than one standoff, usually over trivial matters, magnified by the emotional weight Luke was carrying. They still kept up with their morning workouts, but those sessions were strained, a fragile truce on the balcony. I often hung out with them during these workouts until both their eyes started the light show flashing thing.

At night, the clock on the wall seemed to mock us, its hands ticking away into the early morning hours. Despite the ungodly time, our conversation flowed naturally, words spilling out