Forrest

MEGAN

I feel like a dumb.

WHAT WAS I thinking? Perhaps, I wasn’t thinking at all. I knew him of being distant, cynical, and cautious, and I was thankful he even joined me for breakfast. The way he looked at me, he probably had a lot of questions he wanted to pop, but he chose to keep them all to himself.

Forrest didn’t only intrigue me, but his stares, his charisma, his aura told me something that I could trust him, that we somehow understood each other, and that he could keep me safe, but safe from what? From whom? When I should be worried about myself, the way how I acted lately—these whole fiascoes I’d created in the first place.

I looked down at the left side of my abdomen again as Milo rubbed the topical anesthesia. I can do it. There was no turning back, I would get this tattoo no matter what.

I lied down and bit my lip, preparing myself for the pain. I hated needle, but this was one way of facing one of my own fears.

“Relax. This won’t hurt much,” Milo said.

“You’re a terrible liar,” I replied nervously.

He chuckled. “This won’t take long. And I know you’d love it.”

“Just do it.” Then the soft buzzed followed. I jerked at the first hit of the needle into my skin. For a fraction of moments, I felt I just freed from my cage—I felt wild. It still hurt though, but it wasn’t closer to the pain I inflicted. I closed my eyes as they stung with unshed tears.

“He’s a good guy, you know.”

My eyes flew open to his words. “Who are you talking about?”

“Forrest. He may not talk too much, but trust me, he has a huge heart.”

“How do you know him?”

“His Uncle Alan took me in, taught me how to tattoo when he found out I know how to draw.”

“I see.”

“Forrest is a man of a few words. The type of person who acts than talk. He’s a little rough around the edges, but the best guy I’ve ever known.”

“I started to get that. It was my first time to share a meal with him though. We met a few times on weekends with our friends, but we never talked. You should have seen his reaction at the diner.”

He laughed. “Oh, I can imagine, Megan.”

“Sometimes he scared me, intimidated me, and intrigued me at the same time. For a long time, I wanted to know him better. I just don’t have a gut. I feel like something is holding us back.”

“He doesn’t share too much. Just don’t push him. Let him open up when he feels like to open-up, but believe me, I trust him with all my life.”

I wished I could trust him too, but I doubted if he would trust me in return.

“Milo?” I froze at Forrest’s deep voice behind the door followed by a soft knock.

“I have a customer.”

“Is Megan with you?” I bit my lip harder as he mentioned my name. It was like warm honey pouring down my skin, running down my abdomen, sipping through my thighs—not now. I shook away those naughty thoughts.

“You’re disturbing us, man. We’re busy.” I could feel the amusement in Milo’s voice.

“Just fucking answer me.” His angry voice wracked me. “Is she in there?”

“Oh, shit! He’s pissed. That’s his different variations of fuck off.” Milo laughed softly. “Come in, man, but you might not gonna like what you—”

The door swung open and hit the wall, making me startled. I couldn’t find a word to say. It just, my heart was in galloped. My skin tingled everywhere. I liked and hated this feeling at the same time. His presence made the room smaller for the three of us.

of myself being half-naked, but with Forrest around, my insecurities got over

“Relax. Believe when I say he’s the ambassador of

burning stare Forrest was throwing to me. So I answered nonchalantly, “Maybe the anesthesia is

Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll be done before you even realized.”

chair screeched in front of me. And I didn’t have to open my eyes to see who was in there. I

left,” he stated, almost

too.” I swallowed

with Alan. Why do you wanna get a tattoo?”

just look away. It felt like he was pulling me into his world the longer I stare at him. Instead

answering and looked at Milo.

“I feel like I should go over my fear. I’m

now?”

Milo is the best.”

did most of his tattoos,

more likely groaned, cutting off Milo.

eyes. “I’m

His gaze shifted to me for good seconds, and I never broke it until he did so. He crossed his strong tattooed arms over his broad chest, throwing Milo a chilly stare. I wondered what was on his mind right now. I wished I was like my mom who could read people’s behavior and emotions. I wanted to break through his outer layer on why it seemed like the world was always weighing on

you be at work?”

His question had my gut twisted. “I was fired.”

Milo

little privacy,

man,” Milo

me and thought I wanted to bang with anyone has a

when Milo laughed. “Filter,

I rolled my eyes. My smile was self-deprecating. “Why? Doesn’t everyone look

snapped at me with a glare. “For god’s sake, woman. What’s gotten into your head?”

pretend you don’t know me, Forrest. You probably

he bellowed.

“I need to concentrate. Her tat has tiny

and storm out of the room, leaving only a

was cold.”

bitterly. “We won’t

women, Megan. Don’t be too hard on yourself. He’ll get

it done?”

and dry. I will give you an antibacterial

“Thanks.”

ask you something?”

up

the date

be nosy.”

to meet you, Megan.” He extended

smiled. “Me, too,

way outside the shop toward where I parked my car. “You have my number. If you feel

disappointment swept over me. I checked my phone. I

life had turned to a complete black and white.

***

still be awake at this time, but not me. I’d nowhere to go, no one to talk to, so I decided to sleep all day since

the door when the doorbell

of the window the moment I saw who had the gut to be on my

I grabbed the two boxes of pizza before he could offer. I opened the top box and picked a slice. “My favorite. Thanks.” I took a huge

alone. When I turned around Forrest was still on

smiled. “You’re not a vampire that needs an invitation before you can enter my house, are you? And I

no idea what are you talking about.” Of course, you don’t, you

look like this. Have a seat. Let me get us something to drink.” I strode toward the kitchen and grabbed two soda