Phoenix had been literally counting down the days to Spring Break for weeks.

And it wasn’t just because he was looking forward to having a break from his classes or spending more time with his friends.

It was because one of his favorite people in the entire world was coming to visit.

It had only been about two months since he’d seen Tam back at home in Windenburg. Yet somehow, their separation this time had felt so much longer than the first.

Maybe it was because Phoenix knew things had been hard for Tam since he ended things with Taylor. Maybe it was because he knew Tam needed his best friend.

Or maybe it’s because I need mine right now too.

“How was the flight?” Phoenix asked kindly as he pulled away from their hug. “The second one, I mean.”

During his layover in New York, Tam had already regaled him with stories of his somewhat hellish eight-hour flight from Germany (which apparently included a crying baby and a large, smelly man whom Tam was certain was part Orc).

His friend shrugged. “Going through Customs and Immigration was a pain in the ass… But the flight felt like nothing after the last one!” Tam laughed.

“I know… It’s awful.” Phoenix shook his head for a moment. “When is somebody gonna figure out how to invent Fast Travel for real life?”

“RIGHT?! I’ve been saying that for years!”

They laughed together all the way to the baggage claim.

Once they’d collected Tam’s suitcase, they decided to stop for some lunch before heading back to the house. Hotel prices were through the roof around Brindleton Bay, even in the off-season, so Tam would be sleeping on Phoenix and Gigi’s couch during his visit.

It was an arrangement Gigi was very hesitant to accept, at first. But, much to Phoenix’s surprise, she’d managed to come around. And he was very grateful for that.

Phoenix drove them straight from the airport to one of his favorite seafood restaurants down by the pier. Gotta start this visit off right! He thought to himself with a smile. It filled him with a strange sense of pride and excitement to be able to share Brindleton Bay with his friend.

Tam seemed much less taken aback by the smalltalk than he and Gigi had been as the kind host chit-chatted and led them to their table. And, though they often alternated between German and English during their Space Dementia raids with his friends, Phoenix was still amazed by how well Tam managed to hide his accent when he spoke. Must be because he’s so good with all those voices!

“Damn, you’re a natural!” He teased as the host left them alone with their menus.

Tam just smiled. “Well, speaking English with your friends has totally been giving me a Language bonus… And you too!”

“You really think so?” Phoenix hadn’t thought about it much before now… But he did feel so much more comfortable speaking English now than he did all those months ago.

His friend nodded eagerly. “Niko’s German sounds like it’s getting better too!”

Phoenix’s lips stretched into a smile. He spoke almost exclusively English with his friends now, especially the girls. Addy seemed to have all but given up, and Niko was the only one of his friends who really seemed to still care about learning German… Though Lola continued to insist she’d do a video all in German one day. His smile widened at the thought. Her enthusiasm was so sweet.

Across the table, Tam let out a small chuckle. “Wow… okay, then.”

“What?”

Tam shrugged. “I mentioned Niko, and all of a sudden you’re staring off into space making goo-goo eyes… Is there something I should know about?” He teased.

Phoenix felt his cheeks warm slightly. “I… was thinking of Gigi.” He lied. Why did he lie? “I should call her and see if she wants to meet up for lunch.”

His wife had declined his invitation to go pick up Tam at the airport. There was some sort of article she was finishing up for work. But maybe she’d want to join them for some food?

Her phone rang three times before she answered. “Hello?”

“Hey, Gigi.”

“Hey… did Tam make it in okay?” She asked.

Tam must have been able to hear her through the phone. “Greetings, Lady Rosebrook!” He called out across the table in a haughty accent.

Gigi giggled. “Hi Tam!” She called out. “Guess that answers that question.”

“We stopped to grab some food on the way home… Do you wanna meet us here?”

His wife sighed. “I wish I knew that earlier… I wasn’t sure how long you’d be gone. I’m already on my way to meet up with Lucy and Brandon for coffee.”

“Oh. Sorry… I probably should have told you sooner.”

“Yeah, probably.” His wife agreed stiffly. “But it’s fine. I’ll see you guys at home later?” She asked, her tone a bit more cheerful this time.

“Definitely… And I’m sorry again.” Phoenix said softly. “Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

Across the table, Tam smiled nervously as he hung up his phone. “Whoops… Bad timing?”

“Yeah…” Phoenix sighed softly. “Oh well.” There was nothing he could do about it now.

“It’ll be fine. Maybe I’ll go for a really long walk on the beach tonight to give you some time to make it up to her?” Tam suggested, smirking.

Phoenix couldn’t help but laugh. Even Tam knew the drill, apparently.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Tam.” He replied at last, changing the subject. “Seriously.”

“Me too.” His friend smiled softly at him. “I really needed this, I think. Especially after everything that happened…” Tam’s face fell slightly.

Did he mean with Jasper, Phoenix wondered? Or Taylor? Maybe both. “I’m sorry, Tam.” He said seriously. “And you don’t have to talk about any of it if you don’t want to or anything, but… If you do, you know I’ll always listen.”

“I know… And I do wanna talk about it.” Tam confessed. “I just don’t wanna be a total mood-killer or anything either…”

“You won’t be.” His friend assured him. “What’s up?”

“I’ve just been thinking about Jas a lot… Ever since I stopped seeing Taylor.” He explained.

Phoenix nodded. Tam had already told him what happened with her… Taylor told him she was falling in love with him. She wanted to be more. But as much as he liked her, he just didn’t feel the same way.

Tam took a slow breath before continuing. “I keep thinking about this ‘break’… And we can’t let it drag on forever. I’ve put off this Boss Battle long enough. I spent the past few months working on side quests and leveling up and stuff, but I can’t move forward with the main questline if I don’t face this thing head on.”

“I get it.” He nodded sympathetically. “But… do you know what you’re gonna do?” Was he hoping to get back with Jasper? Or end their relationship for good?

“I’m still not sure.” Tam admitted softly. “I mean, I know what I want to do. But I’m not sure if I can… Or if Jas even wants to. And I know I can’t figure it out without him. We’ve gotta beat this sucker together. On co-op mode…” He explained.

Phoenix nodded. “This is definitely something you’ve gotta work through together.”

“I just kinda wish he was here too. This is the most ready I’ve felt to actually talk about this stuff ever since we broke up… And he’s on the other side of the ocean.” To Phoenix’s surprise, Tam almost laughed. “Worst timing ever, right? But I guess we’ll just have to talk about it when I go home.”

“You’ll be fine. I mean, face-to-face is always the best… But you could call him or Skype with him if you really want to.” Phoenix suggested. “What’s most important is that you’re honest with each other. And willing to listen too.”

“I know… And I know I kinda blew you off when you tried to help back at Christmas… I’m really sorry about that, Phee.” Tam said guiltily. “But I was kinda hoping you could use some of your Jedi mind tricks again? To help me figure some shit out before I talk to Jas…”

Phoenix almost laughed. He couldn’t help it. “So… you’re saying you want me to be your therapist?”

Tam shook his head. “No, I want you to be my amazing best friend who also happens to be really good at working through shit and communicating and stuff.”

Yeah, with everyone but my wife, apparently. A bitter voice in the back of Phoenix’s mind whispered.

“I’m definitely willing to try.” He replied at last. “I wanna help you guys however I can.”

Tam’s smile widened. “Thanks, Phee. You’re the best.”

“No problem…” Phoenix smiled at his friend. “I just hope you can afford my hourly rate…”