Page 22 of Be Your Forever
Me: You got it. I’m headed out now.
IarriveatCas’house to find him cuddling with Avery on their porch swing, looking at her with stars in his eyes. My heart aches for what they have. Their journey hasn’t been easy, but their love is something to admire. My mind drifts to an item on Bri’s list: fall in love.
Out of all the goals on her list, that’s the one thing I can already check off on my end. We only talked about the sex item on her list, so I’m not sure I’m the one she wants to fall in love with. Thinking of her falling in love with another man physically hurts, but it’s her journey to take. I’ll help her regardless, even if I’m not the one she calls hers.
“Get a room.” I roll down my window, harassing the newlyweds.
Their heads snap in my direction, Avery’s cheeks turning cherry red. Cas just laughs before kissing her forehead and heading my way.
“Thanks for picking me up,” Cas says while buckling his seatbelt.
“No problem. How’s married life treating you?” I ask, trying to hide the jealousy in my tone.
“It’s incredible. I honestly never thought I’d get to marry my best friend.”
“Your best friend? I thought Max and I were your best friends. I’m wounded.” I place a hand to my chest in mock hurt, and Cas punches my arm.
“Whatever. So, Avery told me about how she asked you to help Bri. How’s she doing?” It doesn’t surprise me that he knows about Avery’s request, but it still catches me off guard. It’s not my story to tell, so I opt to give him a shortened version of the truth.
“She’s doing good, given the circumstances. She’s a lot stronger than she thinks she is. I just want her to see her true potential, ya know?”
“Yeah, I get it. It’s hard to watch someone you love struggle.”
“Yeah. Wait, what do you mean? I don’t love Bri.” Shit.Play it cool, Asher. Feel it out first before you admit anything.
“Asher. Remember when you and Max called me out for liking Avery? And how y’all came at me for denying it?” Cas…using my own words against me.
“Yeah…”
“Well, I’m telling you that you’re just as obvious. Especially at my wedding.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, my attempt at playing it cool betrayed by the slight waver in my voice.
“You were glued to her side all night, holding her hand and staring at her with hearts in your eyes. And that one time when we were hanging at Aces, you accidentally slipped up and called her your bear. I had a feeling then, but I knew for sure at my wedding. You’re head over heels for her.”
“Fuck.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think she knows.”
“Oh, thanks. That totally helps,” I say sarcastically.
“For what it’s worth, I think she’s into you as well. She’s just in denial,” Cas says matter-of-factly while shrugging his shoulders.
“Um. How do you know?”
“Well, she’s letting you help her. Bri is very headstrong, and despite whatever she’s going through, she’s not pushing you away. That, and the fact that both of you have been in the longest game of foreplay known to man. I think she didn’t like the fact that she had some sort of feelings for you. I mean, given how things went down in high school—”
“Have you been talking to Max? I swear, I had the exact same conversation with him. Wait—what aren’t y’all telling me?”
“Avery told me some shit, and I wasn’t supposed to say anything. Forget I mentioned anything.” Cas’ panicked look has me on edge. I wrack my brain, trying to figure out what Cas is referring to. I can only think of what she whispered in my ear, and then she gave me the cold shoulder the rest of the evening. Could that have something to do with it?
“Dude, you can’t just say something like that and tell me to forget it.” Frustration blooms in my chest, soaking my words. Being left in the dark fills my mouth with a sour taste. First Max alludes to something, and now Cas? What the fuck!
“Hey, I told Avery I’d keep it a secret, and I plan to do just that. Just ask Bri, man.”
“Yeah, cuz she’ll tell me the truth,” I scoff.
“She just might. Communicate with her, it never hurts to try.”
