Forrest — Chapter 18 When A Heart Speaks

MEGAN

MY FACE burned with embarrassment to my friends who were now giggling as if they got their answers effortlessly and knowing that my reaction said it all. Forrest walked in with the guys, carrying Kelly in his huge arms. He looked delicious and magnificent in a white shirt and navy blue pants.

I was still rooted in place when my gaze locked with his, and I swore his scalding gaze buzzed right into my core, making my inner muscles clenched. God, this man is just delicious.

“Celebrating with us?” Pyke asked me, kissing Camila on the lips with eyes flashing with love and warmth. “Glad you could join us, Meg.”

I could feel that there was something more in that statement. Now I felt like I was being set-up.

“Someone wants to run away, Pyke.” She giggled.

“I’m not running away if you weren’t all ridiculous.” Guilty, I faced her.

“Don’t mess with her. She has now Broody to defend her,” Pyke whispered then glanced at me. “Right, Meg?”

My face was burning. “I don’t know what you all are talking about.”

“I remember myself when I first met Xandry. Right, baby?”

Xandry gave Blaine a knowing grin.

Oh, god! I wanna die this instant. Why is this so hard for me to admit that I like Forrest more than I have to admit?

Forrest gave Kelly to Bianca, then sauntered silently inside the bar, ignoring our friends’ comments as if we weren’t in the hot seat. Excellent!

So how could I admit if I would only end up embarrassed?

He grabbed a bottle of whiskey. “Knock yourself up.”

“Thanks, man,” Kyland said. “And you won’t drink a thing, Cam.”

“I know. I’m drinking this fresh lime juice.” She pointed at the half-empty glass on the counter.

I felt suddenly out of place. “Okay, that’s quite enough of Oxytocin over here.” I grabbed my Champagne, ready to skip away when Forrest called my name. Again, I stuck in my place.

“Wait.” He picked at least five bottles of white spirits, poured into a glass of ice, then topped off with Coke and garnished it with a lemon wedge. He pushed to my front. “Try this one. A Long Island Iced tea.”

I stared at him for a good few seconds before I placed down the glass of Champagne and grabbed the drink he mixed. I was quite touched by his effort to make something for me.

I wished it would make me feel better, but my life lately couldn’t be fixed by a single drink. Not even sex.

“Thanks.” I raised the glass and smiled. Finally, I found a chair and sulked in there alone.

Before I could take a sip, a shadow towered me. I scowled at Kyland. “What?”

“Is it true?”

“It’s the million-dollar question for tonight, isn’t it? Why don’t you ask him?”

“Ask who?” He looked confused. “I was referring if you’re looking for a job.”

Oh, crap!

I sat straight, feeling my cheek heated even more. “Oh.” I was beyond mortified. I cleared my throat. “Yeah.”

“Pyke is thinking of transferring me to the new Night Stalker. It’s closer to my apartment. Are you interested in taking my place?” He sat on the empty chair to my left. “I know you have experience with paperwork. I think the job is perfect for you.”

“Is there anyone more qualified than me. How about Forrest?”

“I offered, but he turned it down.”

“Of course.” I tried hard not to roll my eyes because they didn’t have any idea that Forrest was probably as rich as Pyke or even richer. I didn’t even know why he was bartending when it paid way below his pay grade.

“Let me think about it.”

He sipped his whiskey. “Good.” Then stood up and smiled. “I know that, too.”

Oh, God! The news indeed travels so fast. I followed Kyland with my gaze as he sauntered to join the others. Forrest was playing with Kelly in Bianca’s arms. I knew he loved that kid. He even agreed to be Kelly’s godfather when Kyland asked him to be.

I dropped my gaze when he shifted his gaze to me because the longer I stared at him the longer I didn’t want it to end. I sought to control my pounding heart, but it seemed that it was too late.

“Did you drive over here?” He’d been ignoring me like plague earlier. I was surprised to find him standing at my side, talking to me.

“Yes,” I answered shortly.

“Can I drive you home?”

I looked up at him, astounded. “Where’s your car?” Since Bianca and Blaine left already with their husbands, I was here stuck with Forrest alone.

“I carpooled with Kyland. I left mine at Fleur.”

“Okay.” I blinked. “I mean, are you sure?”

“You two, drive home safe.” Cam kissed my cheek and gripped Forrest’s arm with a groan as if giving him a warning.

I frowned. There was something I was missing here. That tells the fuss and questions.

“Thanks, Cam,” Forrest replied.

When we get into my car, I tossed him the key. I wasn’t expecting him to open the door for me, but he did. He remained silent when we hit the road. I honestly didn’t know what to say when he was this silent just like he used to. Why was I even surprised? I was just trying to prevent more embarrassments than I had already tonight because I knew he would tell me to shut up again.

“I was there after my work,” Finally, he started.

“Where?” I looked sharply at him.

“Down your apartment building.”

I frowned. “Then why didn’t you come up or let me know at least?”

“I don’t know.”

“You better have a more dependable answer than that because the guys kept grilling me with stupid questions about us.” I huffed in frustration. “And I couldn’t give them an answer because nothing’s going on between us.” Isn’t there?

His jaw clenched, knuckles gripping white against the steering wheel. I waited and waited, but he hadn’t said a word again. I wanted him to shake him to talk to me.

God, he’s frustrating. The remaining ride was a blur as I ended scowling in the passenger seat until we arrived at my place.

I groaned in annoyance. Before I could open the door, a warm grip on my hand had me completely stilled and panicked. I experienced a jolt of pleasure at his innocent touch, and I ached to grasp him back. Still, he had not spoken a word, so I waited, but to my disappointment, it didn’t happen.

“Gah! Why do I have to guess all the time? I can’t read your mind, you know. And it’s frustrating!”

He groaned at my irritated voice. “I came to see you.”

Still, I didn’t face him. “Is it so hard to tell?”

“I’m not ready to answer you if you will ask.”

Annoyed, I turned to him. His hand remained on mine, he was wearing a frustration on his face, his gaze was outside the windshield.

“Look at me,” I ordered. When he did, our eyes connected. A burning needs glowed brightly in his gaze, stirring my soul and awakening something in me that had been long ignored. “Did I pry? Did you press when you found out about my mother? You know I have so many questions, and so do you. We know we’re not ready for that. We both have skeletons in our closets, and I don’t give a crap for as long as I know you don’t kill people for a living.”

He licked his lips, nervous. His eyes glittered with pain, begging for understanding. “I don’t want when the time comes, and you will tell me you can’t do it anymore.”

My senses momentarily freeze, just staring at his pleading gaze. I pleaded my heart to remain calm, but it was beating a million a mile. If there was a sensible side in my brain was telling me to hold a sec, I already did, but my stupid heart was strong enough to speak for itself.

For a brief moment, I managed to say his name before I grabbed the back of his head, dove my fingers into his thick and soft dark hair, pulled him closer to me as I slammed my lips into his.