Page 23 of Forever Yours
“Oh, for God’s sake you moron, do you love me like a brother?”
I stare at my friend, my buddy, the guy who made sure I was always fed and always had clothes, even if he had to give up his own.
“Yeah, I love you like a brother.” I clear my throat to get rid of a sudden lump. “You know that.”
He slaps me on the back of the head, and I rub the spot. “Ow, you’ve gotten way too physical since you joined the army.”
“You deserve it, you idiot. If you love me like a brother, then what makes you think you can’t love Sophie too, in the way she needs? What makes you think you can’t be in love?” He places his hands on his knees. “Man, if we are meant to be our parents, then I’m in trouble. Dad left when I was five. You think I’m gonna be a deadbeat dad like him?”
“No, no way would you be like that.” And I know Brian would be right there if he got a girl pregnant. He’s the type of guy who would stay.
“Exactly, so what makes you think you have to be like your parents? What makes you think you aren’t capable of being in love?”
“I don’t know. Since when did you get all into emotions and stuff?”
“Since I’ve had a lot of time to think while sittin’ in a bunker trying not to die.” I watch his face change and a cloud passes over him that I’ve never seen before. My always jovial friend has matured in the last few months.
“You need to go after her and tell her you love her. We only have so much time in this world, and we need to be with the ones we love while we can.” The emotion in his voice catches me off guard.
“Is there something you need to talk about?”
He glances away and grabs his beer again. He takes a long sip and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “No, I’m good. Today is about you and Soph. You’re going to make this right with my sister.”
“Or what? You’ll beat my ass again?” I chuckle lightly and lean away from him.
“Nope, if you don’t fix this, I think you’ll be in a lot more pain than I could ever inflict with a punch.” His serious expression makes my stomach fall.
He’s right. I have to fix this. What I don’t know is how. How do you show someone they mean the world to you, but you still don’t know if you’re good enough for them?
Chapter Twenty-six
When I was a little girl, I had these very thick glasses. At fifteen, I switched to contacts. I remember feeling like an imposter with those contacts. I was still the same little girl (Four-eyed Sophie) even if I wasn’t wearing my glasses- Sophie
Sophie
My heart is beating out of my chest. I can feel the fast rhythm beneath these ridiculously tight clothes. I wipe sweaty palms on the scandalously short black skirt Reina insisted I wear tonight. I’m back at the original scene of the crime. I’m at the frat house where I upchucked on the front porch that first night with Liam. It’s my first party since our ‘break up’. I tap my hand against my hip and peruse the same crowd that was here that first night. I guess you can’t really call it a breakup considering we were never together. God, it felt like we were, though. For a moment in time, I felt like his, and he felt like mine.
“And then the guy threw the pass, and I was like ‘whoa I got this’, and then guess what babe? Babe? Are you listening?” The guy with no neck that stands next to me tugs on my hand and I look over at him, a small fake smile on my face. I look up, and up, because he’s that damn tall, and he’s glaring at me with aggravation. Shit, what was he talking about? Something about football?
I feel a headache beginning to start behind my eyes. The truth is I can’t remember my date’s name. How awful is that? He’s a random guy that Reina set me up with because “you need to get back on that horse, and this guy has just the right equipment to ride.” I think his name is Cal. Or Ken. Or Kelvin. Yep, Kelvin, that’s it. A unit of measure of temperature. Got it.
I put my hand on his chest. “I’m sorry Kelvin, I drifted off for a moment. Tell me what happened next.”
I spend the next ten minutes trying to listen and failing. Kelvin seems perfectly content to talk about himself, so I don’t think he notices. I survey the room of drunken college students and feel nothing but tired. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be in this outfit with my boobs squashed up and out for the world to see, and the man I love probably far away from here. I sigh loudly and place a hand on Kelvin’s chest again. He grins down at me and flexes his muscles in response.
“Feelin’ of the goods, babe? Yeah, I work out every day, like twice a day. Gotta stay in good shape in case the scouts come callin’ you know?” He looks down at me. God bless him he seems like a decent guy, but I just can’t get into this.
“Yes, I can see how that would be important.” I clear my throat. “Do you mind getting me some water, Kelvin? I’m not feeling great, and I would really appreciate it.” I flutter my eyelashes a bit for good measure, and he beams back at me.
“Sure, anything for you beautiful.” Kelvin turns and disappears into the crowd. I breathe in a sigh of relief. I want to go back to my dorm room and hide from the world.
I swear the feeling in the air shifts around me. Goosebumps appear on my and I shiver in response. Without even turning around, I know that Liam is here.
“What the hell are you doing, Sophie? Remember what happened last time you were here? And what the fuck are you wearing?” Liam’s deep voice is a harsh whisper in my ear. I swing around to face him.
I can’t help the blush that comes to my cheeks. This red top is not something I normally would wear. Reina assured me that this outfit would cause ‘penises to salute and boys to drop to their knees’. The only boy I want to drop to his knees stands in front of me, nostrils flaring and looking mad as a hornet.
“Everyone can see...everything.” He gestures up and down my body and rakes his hand through his hair. I take time to notice the dark shadows under his eyes and the scruffiness on his face. Maybe he’s suffering a bit too? Doubtful, and the thought of the past week’s loneliness saddens me again.
