Page 56 of Forever and Ever

“Talk. To. Her.” She pats my chest with each word. “I get the vibe it might not be pleasant—”

“How’d you come to that conclusion? It wasn’t my murderous stare, was it?”

“Something like that.” She laughs deep, and it sounds almost genuine, even if I know this has got to be one hell of an uncomfortable moment for her. “But it’s been four years. Who knows, maybe she just wants some closure. Either way, I get the feeling you might still have some things to get off your chest. And do you really want to keep carrying them around with you?”

I shake my head.

“Good,” she says. She’s drawing on her strong side right now, which I appreciate because it’s holding me together. At the same time, I kind of want to see her break down and tell me how shefeels, not just how she thinks. “In the meantime, Cassie said everyone is getting together for a couple of drinks at Sebastian’s house, so I’m going to head there and give you some space.”

“You don’t have to go.”

Honestly, the idea of Merry walking out my front door and Kali stepping in sends my brain into a black hole. But I also get it if she doesn’t feel like sticking around for a not-so-pleasant reunion between my ex-girlfriend and me.

“You’ve got this, Noah Hayes.” Merry nudges me on the shoulder and it pushes me back a step. “I think it’s better if I clear out, anyway. I don’t want to make things more awkward. Besides, you’ll be fine.”

“As long as you believe in me, Mercedes Lopez.” She rolls her eyes like she does every time I use her full name.

It’s probably a little twisted how much I love her annoyed responses to me, but I can’t help it.

“So, you’ll be at Sebastian’s?” I reach out for her hands and squeeze them in my own.

Merry nods.

“All right, I’ll meet you there when I’m finished.”

“Or…” Her gaze trails to the closed door behind her. “Let me know if I need to crash over there for the night. I’m sure he and Cassie wouldn’t mind.”

I tug her arms, and it forces her to take a step toward me, bringing us almost chest to chest. Her chin has to tip up to look me in the face, and I’m so close to her lips I can almost taste her cherry Chapstick.

“I said, I’ll meet you there when I’m finished.” My tone is firmer this time.

We started something on the couch before Kali showed up and shot it all to hell, but I damn well intend on finishing it.

“Okay,” Merry says, pressing her lips tightly together.

I’d like to think it’s because she doesn’t trust herself not to kiss me, but I know better.

With a deep inhale, Merry takes a step back, and I realize that the chaos I felt in my chest when Kali first showed up at the door, has all but dissipated. Merry might be the embodiment of upheaval when it comes to my emotions, but right here, right now, she settled my feet back on the ground.

“Besides, if she gives you any trouble, just give me the word.” Merry grins. “You know I have no problem decking a chick in the face.”

“I’m well aware.” I laugh, remembering the many fights I’ve had to pull Merry out of before she ended up with a black eye, or worse.

“You can do this, Noah,” she says with a half smile, as she reaches for the doorknob and opens the door.

But as much as I want to believe her, the moment Kali’s face comes back into view, I’m really not so sure.

17

Noah

MerrymustleavebecauseI hear her boots moving down the hallway before the front door opens and closes. And all I want to do is go after her instead of sitting across from Kali at the table.

“I need some air,” I say, walking outside, but Kali just follows me. The slider opens and closes, and when I turn, she’s standing there.

I wish I could say she doesn’t look almost exactly the same as she did four years ago, but that would be a lie. She looks like pure innocence. The kind of purity that teenage Noah couldn’t wait to get a bite of. And back then it wasn’t because I wanted to corrupt her. I genuinely thought that a girl like Kali was what I needed. Because even then, the dark thoughts were already swirling, and I wanted to be lost in her goodness.

I never fit into the cookie-cutter life my parents laid out for me. I was the square peg trying to fit into a round hole, and the more they shoved, all it did was chip away at the pieces.

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