Page 15 of Forever Fighting
Me: First Germany, then Paris and London. I haven’t told anyone yet.
Forest: And this all happens right after the wedding that might not happen anymore.
I sigh.
Me: Yes.
Forest: Interesting.
Me: Not so much because everything is all fucked up now but I signed contracts and I’m needed there for what I have planned.
Crew: But you love her!
Hayes: It’s all over your face, brother. I saw it the other night after the fight. It’s why I brought it up.
I stare down at my phone screen, reading this. And here I thought I was so smart. They all saw it, but Braelyn hasn’t. Or hasn’t wanted to. I drag a hand through my hair.
Me: I can’t change the move. It’s happening.
But I have to try. Don’t I? I can’t move away not having tried.
Crew: But you have this time. You can figure out other things if you have to.
Me: Maybe. I don’t know. I’m helping Brae move out of her apartment today and into mine. How soon is too soon to finally make a move?
The bubbles instantly start dancing on my screen, and I smile to myself. Here it comes.
Hayes: Motherfucking finally!! He admits it.
Me: I also somehow talked her into coming with me to Vegas next week and to Mexico after.
Crew: And you love her, or is this just some fun you’re after? You never answered me.
Me: Do you honestly have to ask that? When I said make a move, I wasn’t talking about sex. If for a second, I thought she’d say yes, I’d fucking propose.
Crew: Just making sure. Why have you never made a move before?
Me: Bad timing, and she wasn’t interested. Before Adam swept in on her, I started to, and she never reciprocated.
Hayes: Probably because she didn’t know or realize what you were doing.
Maybe. It’s possible she didn’t. I don’t know. I didn’t kiss her, and I didn’t tell her how I felt, but I wasn’t entirely subtle either. I’d touch her and tease her and fucking flirt. I don’t flirt. So maybe that was it too. I’ve never had to fight for a woman. Perhaps I was doing it all wrong. Perhaps what I thought was flirting fell flat. Who knows.
All I know is she never seemed to want me back, and then she started dating Adam. The dumbest motherfucker on the planet. How he cheated on her is the mystery of the world. I hate it for her. I genuinely do. That’s the best friend side of me. The guy who’s never been able to get over the girl is looking at it like it’s finally my time.
It always circles back to her.
But once again my life is set to diverge from hers, and I can’t help but wonder if that will always be our story. If our timing will never be right.
Me: Whatever, can you help me out here? Uncharted waters and all.
Crew: Don’t push anything. You don’t want to be a rebound. Go slow, be patient, and feel her out (not up) to see what she’s ready for. If you’re serious about her, you have to be willing to put in the work.
Hayes: This *finger pointing up emoji*
Forest: Honestly? I say go for it. You can be patient, and I’m not saying to kiss her and profess your love tonight, but if you wait too long, she’ll either get back together with him or you’ll be gone. I say put it on the line and go for broke. But prove that you’ll be different from Adam.
I think about this. About all of this.
