Forrest

MEGAN

THE STOIC looked was back on Forrest’s face. A frown deepened even more as I tried to get his attention. I just wanted to apologize, but my chance was starting to slip off my fingers when he gave me the cold shoulder. I didn’t think he would give me a chance after what I pulled out the other night. I thought I could talk to him to keep what happened just between us because I couldn’t let my friends know about it.

He left right away after placing my drink and took another order from a socialite-ish woman two stools from my left. Forrest never flirted back with the customers, but this time was different, and it annoyed me. What was he trying to pursue? Fine. Have it your way.

Oh, no! No freaking way! This was unacceptable! What’s so special with that woman anyway?

I could feel something shifted in me as I watched them interacted with one another, and I wanted to claw this woman’s eyes out so bad, not to mention my stupid chest constricted painfully.

“Another, please?” I placed down another bill with the fifty bucks I grabbed from Forrest earlier. I dawned my drink in a single shot. Dice eyed me with curiosity.

“You might wanna slow down.” Dice took the cash, still wearing the incredulous look on his face.

“The hell I will. I’m losing.” I glared at him.

Customers were in and out of the bar. I was left alone with the socialite-ish and the woman in a red dress that separated us, and she was still on the same drink Forrest placed down for almost two hours now. Was she going with him after his shift? Why did I care?

If Pyke and Xandry were right, he never brought women home unless they were lying to keep his record clean. Right now something changed in his game, and I was beyond pissed that I wanted to punch his brooding face. This couldn’t be happening. Gah, I can’t believe he has a low taste in women! Low taste, huh? Her dress only cost a quarter year rent for my apartment.

Bartenders and waitstaff were busy. Forrest never came back to take another order from me. He was avoiding my existence to the next level. What was his problem with me? He was the one who provoked that douchebag in the first place.

“Asher, I thought you left,” I said as I rolled my window down.

He leaned in and smiled apologetically. “I just wanna apologize.”

I got out of my car and fixed my dress as it rode up a few inches above my knees and smiled at him. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

“Yeah. About that dude. Are you two sleeping together?” Wow! That was the last thing for a man to ever ask a woman who wanted a hook-up.

I shook my head, confused. “No. He’s kinda overprotective over friends.”

“Just friends, huh?”

I could feel my face lit up that he kept it cool. “Yeah, and I don’t sleep with friends. Ever. Forrest doesn’t date, and I doubt if he even sleeps around.”

“I don’t see him as a saint either, but you seem to know him well.”

“I’ve known him for almost two years. I mean we don’t chitchat, but Forrest doesn’t mess around with anyone. My friends kinda adore him. He’s a good guy.”

“And here I thought you two have a thing because he just humiliated me in the bar to send me a message.” His face suddenly darkened.

“I don’t think he meant it that way.” I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the chill run down my spine.

babe.” In a split second, he was gripping my jaw. “You both shouldn’t have messed with me. You don’t know me, babe. I mean you’re hot and slutty but I can find a better

throat. I tried to loosen his grip as he tightened around my jaw, causing my teeth to chatter. My limbs shook uncontrollably, and I couldn’t think of

“Did you understand me?”

greatest fear was threatened to hit

already conquered me, consuming me. And in just a snap, a smack hit my cheek. The stong impact had my head snapped to the side, stumbling me against my car. My hand flew to my left cheek with a gasp before

message, bitch!” He quickly

the ground. What had just happened? All I could think

“Megan?”

was about to slip off the stool. I frowned to

humiliation and anger swirled in the pit of my belly when I looked at his hand. He was offering me a tissue, and I didn’t know why until I felt the

I was, in just a little attention he gave, they shattered to pieces. What a pathetic

Determined, I wiped my face, slid off the stool, and eased back to walk away.

***

“What brings you back, Megan?”

same—the same warm ambiance, shelves filled with books, white orchid at the corner. A couple of

kept her perfect makeup face on the therapist

“To start, I don’t know why I am here.”

me what’s bothering you right

I a slut?”

lifted. “What made you say

“I was constantly violated.”

You’re an attractive young woman.

Do I need to enroll in a self-defense class? Men

“Perhaps, what you need is to set a limit.”

choose one man I

Invest your time knowing each other,

man. I don’t date anymore. I would just end up getting hurt when he found out what I did.”

where you’re wrong, Meggie. Men will be lucky to be with you. You’re a wonderful person. Not most men judge women on her past relationship, her lifestyle, and

to her. Her shrink wall went down. “That’s not what I mean. You don’t have to make me feel I’m a better person, Mom. I am here as your patient and I want you to be honest with me.” I left my old shrink and chose her instead because I

college. She was like

am also your mom. It breaks me to see you doing that to yourself. I know, dealing with your feelings is not your strong suit right now, but that’s why I am here. You can do it. We can do this together, Meggie. It’s time for you

don’t

“Baby steps, Meggie. Today is the start. And I am so glad that I...” She looked up and bit

was still in college. I couldn’t see her blaming herself for what happened to me, to us. I thought if I was far, she would

dinner with

need to find a

fell again, pain crossed her face. I felt terrible for making her felt this

I am fired.”

due in the next two weeks. I could use your help.” She smiled,