Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Forrest
“Get it, girl!” I tossed the ball to Bailey, and she happily trotted after it. I checked my phone for the millionth time but still no messages. I hadn’t heard from Joanie all day, and I hated the feeling of waiting for a message.
I also hated the feeling of knowing I was madly in love with a girl I couldn’t have while trying to grow a connection with another.
Bailey came back and dropped the slobbery ball at my feet. She barked at me when I didn’t immediately pick it up. “Jeez, have some patience, girl.” I tucked my phone away and went to scoop up the ball, but Bailey took off toward the house in a fit of barks.
Then I heard the distinct rumble of my best friend’s voice. “Forrest, yo, where are you?”
“Out back!” I called.
A few moments later, Jack walked out the back door with Bailey hot on his heels along with Adalynn and Suzie.
“Hey, what’s up? I wasn’t expecting company.” I stood and walked over to them. “Ads, Suz, how are you?”
“We need to talk to you about something,” Jack said.
“Okay. It’s nice out, want to join me?” I led them over to my patio, and we sat around the table. All three wore a weird expression, and I wondered what the hell was going on, especially with Suzie. She couldn’t stop grinning like a cat who just found all the milk. “Anyone want a drink?”
They all shook their heads, and silence fell between us.
Jack took a deep breath after what felt like years. “Adalynn, you want to tell him?”
I fixed my gaze on the woman I was secretly in love with, and my heart pounded at triple speed. She looked beautiful in the late morning sunlight, the sun highlighting the few freckles scattered along her nose. I’ve pictured myself kissing each one so many times.
“I’m sorry, Forrest, but the woman you’ve been talking to online is me.”
It felt like someone smacked me upside the head. “What?” I chuckled, unable to believe what I heard.
“ApplesNotSweet is me. There is no Joanie. I made up the name and used a different picture. I’m so sorry. Suzie and I had a bit too much to drink, and I never expected things to progress the way they have or for us to even match, never mind message each other. But once we started, I couldn’t stop. Because the truth is, I’ve always been in love with you, Forrest.”
I sat there, stunned into silence.
“I overheard Suzie and her talking this morning. Adalynn confessed everything to me, and while I don’t love the idea of you two being together, I know she’d be in good hands. I honestly wouldn’t trust anyone else but you to take care of my sister. If you don’t feel the same, that’s okay, too. But I couldn’t let Adalynn let this go on any longer. I don’t want to see either of you hurt,” Jack explained.
No words formed. My mind was in complete shock.
“I’m sorry, Forrest,” Adalynn said. “If we want to blame someone for the profile, we can blame Suzie.”
Suzie gasped in mock anger, but it quickly changed into a warm smile. “She’s been in love with you for years. I needed to get the ball rolling.”
“I don’t even know what to say or where to begin.”
“Why don’t we give you some space to process it all?” Jack offered as he tossed the ball to Bailey for the millionth time. “You’re probably mad, and you have every right to be. Adalynn shouldn’t have deceived you.”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” Adalynn blurted, and the hurt on her face made my heart crack. I didn’t like seeing her upset, didn’t like her being sad. But at the same time, an anger pulsed through me. She lied. Adalynn lied to me.
I can’t help but wonder how long this would’ve gone on if Jack hadn’t overheard her?
“I…I’m…” I gathered my thoughts and took a deep breath, trying to work out what I wanted to say. “I’m hurt you lied to me. I think I need to be alone for a bit. Thanks, Jack, for looking out for me.” I stood, and they followed. Adalynn snuck a quick look at me before she and Suzie hightailed it out of there, nearly sprinting as if they couldn’t get away fast enough.
Jack tapped me on the back. “I’m here for you if you need anything. And it’s okay if you don’t feel the same way about my sister. I just want you both to be happy.”
I swallowed over the sudden lump in my throat.
Just say it, Forrest. Tell him already. He won’t be mad.
“I’m in love with your sister. I always have been. I’ve kept it hidden for fear she didn’t feel the same or that you would be upset. To find out she feels the same and you are okay with it is what I’d always hoped for. But now, it feels tainted because she deceived me. I…fuck…I don’t know, man.”
“I get it. You’re right. She lied. One hundred percent. But remember why she did it. She felt the same way as you. Afraid to confess her feelings and afraid of what I’d think. What I think is the two of you should start fresh, go out on a date, and see what’s really there.”
“Where’s all this mushy stuff coming from? And what the hell have you done with my best friend?”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said. We’re only getting older, man. It’s about time we accepted love instead of only chasing tail.”
I sat on the couch and stared at the TV, the screen dark. Bailey snoozed beside me, her soft snores a small comfort. I rubbed her ears absentmindedly as I tried to sort through the chaos of thoughts.
Adalynn loves me.
She always has.
Jack’s okay with it.
Joanie is Adalynn.
The woman I tried to replace Adalynn with turned out to be Adalynn.
I should be happy.
But she lied.
How can I forgive her for that?
She lied because she was afraid. Her heart’s in the right place.
The mental battle continued as my thoughts went to war with each other. Yet I kept circling back to the same spot.
Adalynn’s in love with me.
Adalynn loves me.
Adalynn loves me.
Suddenly, the urge to kiss her was too strong to ignore. I could forgive her, understand why she did what she had to, and finally, finally have her in my arms.
I left Bailey sleeping, threw on my shoes, and rushed to the front door. Yet when I opened it, I found Adalynn on my porch, her hand raised as if she were going to knock.
Her eyes were red and swollen as if she’d been crying. Tears slipped down her cheeks as soon as she saw me, and she hastily swiped them away. “I’m sorry, Forrest. I’m so sorry for hurting you. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Without a word, I stepped forward, took her face in my hands, and kissed her. I kissed her hard and long and deep, the way I’d dreamed of kissing her for years. It was finally happening. My dream was coming true.
Adalynn kissed me back with the same amount of passion, and we lost ourselves in the moment, a moment we’d both been waiting for for a long time.
When she broke our kiss, her teary eyes searched mine. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
I pressed my forehead to hers. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I do. I’ve waited just as long.”
“So you’re not mad?”
“I’m hurt about the profile, but I understand why you did it. It’s hard being in love with someone and never being able to do anything about it. I made that profile to get my mind off you. But all it did was lead me straight to you. Which is all my heart’s been trying to do all this time. How could I stay mad?”
Adalynn smiled through her tears and wrapped her arms around my neck. “I love you so much, Forrest. I’m sorry it took me so long to say it.”
“I love you too, Adalynn. Now get in here so I can finally taste you the way I’ve always wanted.” I grabbed her ass, lifted her into my arms, and threw her over my shoulder, but not without a quick slap to the cheeks.