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

breath caught up in my 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

you understand

squeezing my eyes shut as my greatest fear

in just a snap, a smack hit my cheek. The stong impact had my head snapped to the side, stumbling me against my

him to get my message, bitch!” He quickly turned around and left me shocked, humiliated, and

to the ground. What had just happened? All I could think at this moment

“Megan?”

I gripped the counter as I was about to slip off the stool. I frowned to see the worry and pain plastered all

his hand. He was offering me a tissue, and

feelings for years, yet here I was, in just a little attention he gave, they shattered to pieces. What a

my face, slid off the stool, and eased back to

***

“What brings you

since my last visit, but this place had been the same—the same warm ambiance, shelves filled with books, white orchid at the corner. A couple of framed certificates on the wall. A new set of couch though, a coffee table with

a therapist again?” She kept her perfect makeup face on the therapist mode as

I don’t know why I am here.”

bothering you right now?”

“Am I a

brow lifted. “What made you say that?”

constantly

not make you a slut, Megan. You’re an attractive

was too weak to even fight back. Do I need to enroll in a self-defense

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

“Like I should choose one man I sleep with,” I

a serious date? Invest your time knowing each

up getting hurt when he found out what I did.” I blinked as my eyes started to burn.

you’re wrong, Meggie. Men will be lucky to be with you. You’re a wonderful person. Not most men judge

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 trusted her more than anyone, and it was easy for me to open up to

She had me when she was still in college. She was like my best friend before

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

don’t

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

with me.”

I shook my head. “I need

pain crossed her face. I felt terrible for making her felt

am fired.”

“My receptionist is due in the next two weeks. I could use your help.” She