Wind Blows Cold
“I love this song,” Fangs jumped from his seat and began to move his hips to the beat that bumped through the speakers, earning some laughter-filled encouragement from Sweet Pea and Toni. “This is Earth, Wind & Fire’s best album for sure.” The smile left Sweet Pea’s face almost instantly and was replaced with confusion.
“No, I Am is their best album.” Sweet Pea countered. Fangs stopped his movements and scrunched his nose up.
Toni sighed, taking another swig of her beer. “Here we go.”
“That’s the Way of the World is even statistically their best-ranked album to date, dude.”
“Whoever they asked has it all wrong. I Am has the best collection of songs out of their entire discography.” Sweet Pea scoffed.
“You’re telling me that you don’t like That’s the Way of the World?” Fangs interrogated.
“I never said that… It just happens to be the one Earth, Wind & Fire album I don’t own on vinyl.” Sweet Pea shrugged. Fangs’ face fell.
“You clearly have a skewed music taste.” Fangs retorted.
“You wound me, brother,” Sweet Pea feigned hurt as he placed his hand over his heart. “But actually –”
“Boys,” Toni interrupted, not interested in hearing the pair pointlessly bicker any further. “You’re a few decades too late for this argument. Who cares?” The pair waved Toni off as they continued to argue.
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“What’s this? You didn’t have to get me anything.” Sweet Pea grinned as he took the thin, brightly wrapped gift from his best friend.
“Don’t pretend to be modest, pea brain. Happy birthday.” Fangs punched him playfully on the shoulder.
“Did Toni help you pick it out?” Sweet Pea joked.
“I did not offer my services on this one,” Toni raised her hands in surrender. He grinned as he took the small card that was tucked underneath a bit of ribbon. He carefully opened the envelope.
Only the best for my best pal. Happy birthday. – Fangs
“Aw, buddy.” Sweet Pea chuckled, clapping Fangs on the shoulder.
“Open it already!” Toni encouraged excitedly. Sweet Pea rolled his eyes. He always felt uncomfortable unwrapping gifts in front of people, and this time was no exception as he haphazardly tore the paper off, revealing a near mint-condition vintage record: That’s the Way of the World by Earth, Wind & Fire. Sweet Pea stared down at the vinyl, a wide grin plastered on his face.
“Thanks, I hate it.” Sweet Pea joked before pulling Fangs into a tight hug. “Thank you, seriously. Now my Earth, Wind & Fire collection is complete.”
“Now your music taste has only improved.” Fangs smirked as he pulled away, clapping him on the back.
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Sweet Pea drunkenly stumbled over to his record player, placing a hand on the side to steady himself as he flipped through his collection with the other. He froze as he stopped on the same sleeve that he had every night since… Since. He carefully removed the sleeve and placed it on the turntable, flipping the switch and positioning the needle on the brink of the disk. The beginning thrum of notes in Shining Star echoed through his trailer as he pushed himself backward, fumbling for the whiskey bottle he had nabbed from Hog Eye’s stash. He staggered over to the armchair in the corner, basically falling into it as he took a swig from the bottle. His eyes wandered to the faced-down picture frame on the table beside him, and he hesitated to reach for it. His hand shook as he flipped it over; the broken glass of the frame slightly obstructed the happy faces of him and his best friend. My best friend. A cold wind blew through his open window, drying the fresh tears on his cheeks. Now you’re gone. He chuckled bitterly as he assessed the state of himself, taking another swig before slamming the frame back onto the table. Just fucking gone.
