Page 107 of Wild in Minnesota

Trust

She disappeared into the elevator without a word. I was grateful to my core for the fact I was able to lay it on the line to her, but she gave no clue as to my odds.

I paced the lobby, ten minutes of my life I’d never get back, and realized I needed to come clean and make things right with Dave.

I’d said my piece to Fern, and it was out of my hands. Should I keep quiet as she may’ve cut me loose already, and my best friend would never have to know I’d gone back to try to get his sister a second time? I could...but I couldn’t.

Eight hours later, I was up, showered and ready to take my licks like a man. The wedding wasn’t until five, so I’d have a good chunk of the day to deal with and attempt to conceal any bruises or broken bones from Novots. That was a plus.

I arrived at room 612, my blood pressure at a new high. I knocked, and Liv appeared.

“Good morning, Gabe.”

“Good morning. Is Dave awake?”

“Come on in.” She grabbed her purse from the table by the door. “Dave! Gabe’s here.” She patted my arm. “I’m grabbing Scooters Coffee. See you later.”

I entered the living room area and braced myself as Dave came in from the bedroom. He wore sweats and a hoodie, definitely a good option if you were going to attempt to do bodily harm to a friend.

There’d been strong tension between us since he found out, and I longed for the days when Dave and I were like brothers. I inhaled, realizing that bond would likely never return after the words I was about to spit out.

“Hey, Dave.”

He walked to me and crossed his arms over his chest. “What brings you by? Is there some groomsman thing I’ve missed this morning?”

“No, you’re not missing anything. I’m here because I need to clear the air between you and me.”

His brow arched. “That does not sound good, Gabe.”

This was it. My last chance to make a run for it. My eyes looked toward the door, knowing I wasn’t going anywhere. “I wasn’t up front with you when I had interest in Fern, and that made me a shitty friend, Dave. I should’ve come to you. And the way you found out was unfair and unforgiveable.”

“Nice to see we agree on a few things.” His resting I want to kill you face was on point.

“That day in the locker room you reminded me of every flaw I have. Every shitty thing I’ve done, and as her brother, I understood. You told me to say whatever I had to in order to end everything, and I did. I told untruths and hurt her so she wouldn’t want to know me anymore.”

My former best friend had daggers coming from his eyes, and the temperature in the room shot up quickly.

“But she’s like nobody?—”

“Shut your mouth.” He took a controlled breath I was thankful for.

“I went to your parent’s house two weeks ago, persuaded her to speak with me, and we hung out. She’s amazing, and we kind of just get each other. Then something from my past that happened over a year ago presented itself and scared her.”

His teeth gritted. “Son of a bitch! I knew?—”

I wanted to step back but stood firm. “No, this was someone I haven’t spoken to or seen in well over a year.”

“Stay the fuck away, man.”

“I’m not trying to make the moves on Fern.” I braced for the punch I knew might be heading my way. “I love her.”

He shook his head, turned, and walked towards the patio door. “This is bullshit?—”

“You know I’ve wanted nothing with any woman I’ve met. Nothing.”

He kept his back toward me.

“I begged for a conversation with her last night. I told her I was crazy about her and wanted to move forward with her by my side. I told her if she didn’t want to see me again, I’d walk away without a word. And I will. If she doesn’t speak with me today, I’ll have my answer.”

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