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.

I never felt ashamed of myself being half-naked, but with Forrest around, my insecurities got over me, and all I

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

the burning stare Forrest was throwing to me. So I

few minutes, and I’ll be done before

didn’t have to open my eyes

left,” he stated, almost a whisper.

you too.” I swallowed

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

I found him staring at me, and I couldn’t just look away. It felt like he was pulling me into his world the longer I stare at him. Instead of getting scared, it was weird that I

of answering and looked

like I should go over my

now?”

Milo is the

Milo chuckled. “I did most of his tattoos, especially the

Forrest cleared his throat or more likely groaned, cutting off

eyes. “I’m good at

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 his shoulder.

you be at work?”

gut twisted. “I was fired.”

“Why?” Milo asked.

privacy,

man,” Milo

ex-boss was a shameless piece of an ass. He misread me and thought I wanted to bang

Forrest groaned when Milo laughed. “Filter, Megan.”

smile was self-deprecating. “Why? Doesn’t everyone look at

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

don’t know me, Forrest. You probably thought—”

he

man,” Milo interjected. “I need to concentrate. Her tat has tiny

out of the room, leaving only a loud

“Damn, that was

muttered bitterly. “We won’t talk to me again.

has huge respect over women, Megan. Don’t be too hard on yourself. He’ll get over it and apologize. Just have a little faith for him.” The buzzing stopped.

“Is it

have to keep it clean and dry. I will give you an antibacterial

“Thanks.”

“Can I ask you

up from

It’s about the date on

“Don’t be nosy.”

Nice to meet you, Megan.” He extended

it and smiled.

walk you out to your car.” He led me the way outside the shop toward where I parked my car. “You

Milo left, disappointment swept over me. I checked my phone. I still didn’t

My life had turned to a complete black and white.

***

their family. Well, normal people could still be awake at this time, but not me. I’d nowhere to go, no one to talk to, so I

sleepy ass toward the door when

was thrown out of the window the moment I saw who had the gut to

“You’re not lost, are you?” I grabbed the two boxes of pizza before he could offer. I opened the top box and picked a

table, but I was still alone. When I

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

are you talking about.” Of course, you don’t, you gorgy! He sauntered inside, wandered

doesn’t look like this. Have a seat. Let me get us something to drink.” I strode toward the kitchen and grabbed two soda from the fridge and two bottled water.