Page 64 of Far From Sherwood Forest
I try to push away the dread suddenly blooming in my chest. “Okay.”
“We’ve, uh…Well.” He glances away and clears his throat. “We’ve been talking about moving in together.”
Even as a wave of sadness hits me, I give him a big smile. “Oh. Wow. That’s great.”
He frowns. “Robin—”
“I’m really happy for you, John,” I tell him with as much sincerity as I can muster.
Because it’s true. Iamhappy for him.
But I can be a little sad too.
I met John right after finding out my father was killed, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. We’ve fought together, sought justice together. We’ve traveled and made homes together, first in Sherwood Forest and now here. I knew things would changeone day, but the timing makes it harder.
“Thanks,” he says. “It probably won’t be until the summer though, so you’re stuck with me a bit longer.”
I let out a breathy laugh. “Plenty of time for me to figure out how to be a grown-up without you.”
“Doubt it.”
We both laugh and then settle into a comfortable silence. It’s always comfortable with John, but, lately, there’s been a slight edge between us. I know it’s my fault because of everything I’ve been keeping from him, but maybe I’m the only one who feels it.
That proves not to be the case.
“Maybe it’s at least enough time for you to finally tell me what’s been going on with you.”
I sigh and lean back, staring out at the half mowed field as I mindlessly pick at the label of the water bottle in my hands. “And here I thought I was hiding it so well.”
“You can’t hide anything from me, Robin. At least not the fact that thereissomething to hide. You’ve been off ever since Henry showed up, which, at first, I just chalked up to the past being dredged back up, and I thought maybe that was difficult for you. But I’ve been able to tell there’s something more for a while now. You haven’t been yourself for months. I haven’t wanted to pressure you, but I hope you know you can talk to me.”
I don’t respond right away, instead inhaling a slow lungful of air.
Of course I’vewantedto talk to John. There are some things—like Henry promising to destroy me and the bear attack and everything to do with the Spirit of Sherwood Forest—that I’ve purposefully kept from him to protect him because I didn’t want him to worry.
But everything with me and Henry?
Iwantto tell him, but I’m scared.
“I know,” I finally say, keeping my gaze ahead. Holding my breath for far too long, I let it all out in one gust. “Henry and I had sex.”
Silence.
Dread.
My heart starts to race as something heavy settles on top of my chest. A cow moos in the distance, mocking me.
After several seconds, I turn to look at John. His cheeks are flushed, and his mouth is pressed in a firm line. He’s still facing forward, and his body starts to shake.
Then he bursts into laughter.
I’m not sure if that’s better or worse.
It’s deep and robust and carries out into the field. When he turns toward me, there’s a huge smile stretched across his face.
“It’s about time you got laid.”
His laughter picks back up even louder, and this time I join him as relief courses through me. I feel like I can breathe again. I hadn’t realized how worried I was about telling John, how much of a weight that had been.
