Forever Love: A Friends to Lovers Collections Read online

  She got so into the music. She sang along to the songs as her body moved against mine.

  Carly suddenly froze. “Let’s go.”

  “What? He’s not even done with the first set. What’s wrong?”

  “Please. Let’s go.”

  “Are you sure?” I looked at her nervously. Something had spooked her, but I had no idea what.

  She took my hand and pulled me toward the door. We got stuck in a crowd by the bathrooms, but made it out to the lobby. The music was faint outside the main doors.

  “Running away from me, Carly?” A voice called.

  She squeezed my hand, and I turned around. I came face to face with a guy in his mid-to late twenties. “Who the fuck are you?”

  He ignored me and focused on Carly. “Just like when we were kids, you always spied on me and ran away.”

  Carly turned. “I wasn’t spying on you. I’m obviously here with someone. And if I find out you’re here with someone God help you, asshole.”

  Whoa. Carly didn’t curse much. Whoever the hell this punk was he’d rubbed her the wrong way.

  “Oh yeah? Are you going to go crying to Kim again? Look at what good that did last time. Just made a mess of things for all of us.”

  Kim? A light bulb went off. This was her brother-in-law. “Don’t even talk to her, you jackass.”

  “I see you found yourself a new friend. How long’s he going to last? You were never good at keeping boys around, were you? Even in high school you always scared them off.”

  “What the hell would you know? You were in college by the time I was in high school.”

  “That didn’t stop you from chasing after me back then.”

  “Shut up, Jasper. I was a kid. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re leaving.”

  “Leaving?” He laughed dryly. “The show’s barely started.”

  “And you successfully managed to ruin it for her. Don’t say another word.”

  “Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?”

  “Her boyfriend. Now get lost.”

  “Boyfriend? Well let me do you a favor, cut your losses. She’s just a little tease. She’s not worth your time.”

  “What did you just say?”

  “She’s a tease. Always has been, always will be. She fucks everything up, and even her family knows it.”

  “Oh yeah? Is that why you were hitting on her? Coming on to your wife’s little sister, real classy.”

  “I was only offering Carly what she’d wanted for years.”

  I looked at Carly. I was so tempted to punch the asshole, but I was also realizing there was so much more to the story. Either way, none of it was Carly’s fault. I knew that.

  “Let’s go.” I took her hand. “Let’s catch the rest of the show.” I wasn’t going to let the idiot ruin our night.

  “Not yet.” She squeezed my hand. “There’s something I need to say.”

  “Is there?” He sneered. “Is this where you finally confess what we both already know. If it weren’t for Colin none of us would be in this mess.”

  Colin? He was involved too? I forced myself to stay quiet. Carly was holding my hand. If she wanted me to get involved I would, but right now I needed to just support her.

  “Colin was protecting me, the way a brother should.”

  “No. Colin screwed things up. You felt the same things I did. Don’t even try to lie.”

  “Did I have a crush on you back then? Yeah, but what girl doesn’t crush on her older brother’s best friend at some point? It’s human nature.”

  Brother’s best friend? Whoa.

  “It was more than a crush, and it went both ways.”

  “It was a crush. I was sixteen and stupid. Colin did the right thing keeping you away. And what, six months later you were dating Kim? Clearly you didn’t care that much.”

  “Didn’t you ever wonder why?”

  “Wonder why? No. You ended up with the perfect one. The one who did everything right. I hated Kim for a year when you guys got engaged, but then I realized I was being stupid. She deserved to be happy, and if it was with you, then fine.”

  “The perfect one? Not quite. Do you realize how hard it’s been for me? All those stupid family events when you’d show up with shmucks like this one just to piss me off.”

  I bit down the response I wanted to make.

  “I wasn’t trying to piss you off. I’d moved on. You were married to my sister. My sister, who also happens to be the sister of your best friend.”

  “We’re not friends anymore. You know that.”

  “That’s your own fault. What did you expect him to do?”

  “Back us up. He’s the reason we’re in this position.”

  “Stop saying that. You’re in this position because you’re a jerk.”

  “How am I a jerk? You spent that whole night watching me. You kept giving me those looks of yours, and you wanted me to follow you home.”

  “No. I had absolutely no interest in sleeping with my sister’s husband. I’m not that kind of person, and frankly I can’t believe you’ve become that type either.”

  “Don’t act like I’m a monster. It’s not like I’m sleeping around on her. Although she thinks I am. You went and told and now she’s checking my phone records, and I swear she’s hired a PI.”

  “You came on to me, Jasper. You tried to talk me into having sex with you when you were married to my sister. I never said you were a monster, but you’re a jerk. You tried to guilt trip me, play on my insecurities. You know how much I wish I was Kim, how I wish I could be half as successful and perfect as her, but I’ll never be. Go home. You’re lucky she kept you in her life. She sure as heck didn’t keep me.” Tears spilled down Carly’s face, and I’d had enough.

  “Just admit it, Carly. You’re in love with me.” He stepped closer to her. “You always have been.”

  “No.” Carly wiped away her tears and stood up straighter. “I’m not.”

  He leered at her. “We’ll see what you say when I see you without your boyfriend next time.”

  My fist made contact with his face without me thinking about it. His words were the last straw.

  Security moved toward us at lightning speed. They watched us, clearly deciding how to intervene.

  “We’re leaving.” Carly held up her hand, and they backed off. “He was just protecting me.”

  She grabbed hold of my hand and rushed toward where we parked. We didn’t speak until we were in the car and on our way back home. Fuck the hotel, I just wanted to get away from this place. I could tell she was upset. She tried to hide them, but I noticed the tears. I wanted to give her time before asking any questions.

  She put a hand on my leg. “Thank you.”

  “You never told me the backstory.” I wasn’t mad, she didn’t owe the whole story to me, but I wished she’d trusted me enough to tell me everything.

  “I didn’t want you to think even less of me.”

  “Why would I think less? That just makes the guy even more of a creep. He went after you when you were sixteen.”

  She turned to look out the window.

  “He didn’t. I mean I’m hoping when he said tease that means you didn’t sleep with him back then.”

  “No… we came close, but you heard what he said about Colin.”

  “My respect for your brother just rose again.”

  “I still don’t get why she married him. She’d never liked him growing up. I was the one who did.”

  “Maybe that’s exactly it. She wanted to prove she could have him.”

  She turned to look at me. “But why? What did that matter?”

  “I don’t know Kim, but maybe she feels the same way about you that you feel about her. Maybe she’s jealous of you.”

  “That’s impossible.” Carly slumped down in her seat.

  “No, babe, it’s completely possible.”

  “I’m sorry this night was such a mess.”

  “I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have punched him. We shou
ld have just gone back in.”

  “I’m glad you did. I wish I’d had the courage to do that myself.” She stared down at her hands in her lap.

  “You were awesome, Carly. You stood up for yourself and didn’t back down. I’m glad I was able to witness that.”

  “Do you want me to drive? You drove so much today already.”

  “No, I just want to know you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine.” She squeezed my arm. “I have you.”

  My heart swelled. This amazingly beautiful girl found strength and comfort from me. Maybe I wasn’t completely worthless.

  “Tell me about your childhood. It had to have been more interesting than mine.” She traced small circles on my arm.

  “Are you sure about that? Your late teens kind of sound like they belong on a TV show.”

  “Very funny. Come on, what were you like? That first night down on the beach you told me you weren’t always cool. Were you a nerd?”

  I put my arm behind her seat. “A nerd? No. More like a geek.”

  “Is there a difference?”

  “Yes. A nerd is all bookish. A geek is just into geeky things. And I was the kind of geek who didn’t look like one on the surface.” I passed a slow moving truck before settling back into the right lane. I wasn’t in a huge rush, but I was ready to get Carly home.

  “Really? No glasses?”

  “I had glasses, but they made me look cute, not geeky.”

  “So you say.”

  “Just ask Maddy.”

  “I had braces for five years.”

  “Really? I can’t even picture that.”

  “Yup. The first time I made out with a guy I cut his lip.”

  I laughed. “Seriously? You were a dangerous kisser?”

  “I guess so. Looks like you met me at a better time.”

  “I think we met each other at the perfect time.”

  “Me too.” She leaned into my arm, and I turned up the music. We didn’t have to worry about listening to too much Dan Croll.

  Carly

  As I stood on the shore preparing for my first dive, I was questioning my unwavering faith in Macon. Brody had come with us supposedly for moral support, but I think he was doing it to make sure I didn’t chicken out. In some things I was fearless, but scuba diving wasn’t one of those. I wasn’t afraid of the ocean and was a decent swimmer, but I didn’t like the idea of my breathing being completely dependent on a tank. What if something went wrong? Macon had reassured me he’d be with me every step of the way, but I was still nervous. I knew I could just say no, but I didn’t want to. Hiding from my fears wouldn’t make them go away. Besides, diving was Macon’s passion. If for no other reason, I needed to try for him.

  “All right. This is a good spot.” Macon started handing me all sorts of gear. It was go time. No turning back. I took the advice Maddy had given me: deep breaths and a positive attitude. I wasn’t sure that advice applied specifically to scuba diving, but it would probably work in most situations.

  “I’m going to be watching the whole time. I promise that even if you don’t trust Macon, I’m here.” Brody was of course joking, but he had to be one of the nicest guys I’d ever met. After a few months of living with him, I still couldn’t quite comprehend how he was single. Maybe it was by choice. I was dying to know what held him back, and I hoped to learn more, but right before diving into the ocean didn’t seem like the best time. I was already panicked enough. Three more deep breaths did nothing to calm me down. I shivered underneath my wet suit even though I was dry and the sun was out.

  “Okay, you have to breathe, Carly.” Macon put his hands on both of my arms. “I already told you that’s the most important thing. Today we’re going to be in shallow water so it’s not a huge deal, but on a deeper dive it’s more important.”

  “What he means is that on a deeper dive it could kill you.” Brody chuckled.

  “Kill me?” I stepped back from Macon, ready to throw the mask and snorkel at both of them.

  “Thanks, asshole.” Macon glared at Brody.

  “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Just kiss her Macon. That might speed up her heart, but it will probably get rid of her nerves.” Brody winked.

  “No. That’s okay. No need to do that now.”

  Macon grinned. “I think that’s a great idea.”

  Two seconds later his lips were on mine, two minutes later I was underwater. Admittedly we were in fairly shallow water, but I was doing it. I was putting faith in Macon and the equipment. He was right, it was remarkably easy to breathe through the regulator when you stayed calm.

  I didn’t see anything at first. The water was murky from the sand, but eventually I got used to the sensation and noticed a few fish. Wildlife aside, I was doing it. I was diving.

  We didn’t stay under for long.

  “I did it!” I wrapped my arms around Macon’s neck as soon as we surfaced.

  He laughed. “Yes you did, babe.”

  “Aren’t you proud of me?”

  “Yes, very.” He rested his hands on my hips. “So proud I’m going to insist you get your certification so we can really start diving together.”

  “You’re pushing it.”

  “Am I?”

  “At least let me revel in the excitement tonight.”

  He laughed. “Okay.”

  We celebrated my first taste of scuba diving by going out for ice cream. We walked down the beach eating overflowing waffle cones. Macon had insisted I get three scoops. I usually didn’t even finish the single. I preferred the cone to the ice cream anyway.

  “I can’t believe it’s August.” I hated to even think about how fast the summer was going, but ignoring it wasn’t going to help either. It’s not that we’d ever really discussed what was going to happen at the end of the summer, but we all knew things were going to change.

  “Tell me about it. This summer is flying by.” Brody polished off all but the last bits of his ice cream. He’d gone with mint chip.

  “Can I just ask the question that no one’s asking?” I licked some of the chocolate chip cookie dough on my cone.

  “You can ask anything, doesn’t mean I’ll answer.” Macon took a bite of my ice cream even though he had plenty of his chocolate left.

  “Is there an eviction date or something? Do I get kicked out on a certain day?”

  “You do realize you’re sleeping with the landlord, right?” Brody half laugh, half snorted. “I doubt you’re getting kicked to the curb anytime soon.”

  “Why are you worrying about this now?” Macon slung an arm over my shoulder.

  “Because I still don’t know where I’ll go.”

  “And you honestly think I’m going to throw you out?” He gaped at me.

  “No, of course not, but if you’re leaving…”

  “Brody, can you give us a minute?” Macon gave him a knowing look.

  “Sure. Meet you back at the car in a few.” Brody took off down the beach.

  “I’m not disappearing on you. I’m not using you. I’m not getting bored. I have no idea what I’m going to be doing, but that doesn’t mean I don’t plan to still be with you.”

  “Okay. That’s what I needed to hear.”

  “Good. Now get back to work on that cone, it’s starting to melt and we’re not going home until you’re done.”

  “I’m not finishing this whole thing.”

  “Why not?”

  I stared at the monstrous mound of ice cream. “Because it’s huge.”

  “I thought you liked huge things.”

  I pushed his side. “Don’t start, Macon.”

  “What? I’m taking about how much you love big cars.”

  “I told you I want a mini coupe.”

  “Okay, bad example.”

  “Stop while you’re ahead.” I licked my ice cream again. “And if I were you I’d help me finish this cone.”

  “And why’s that?”

  “Because I’m still hyped up over that dive. I want to get out my en
ergy.”

  “Does getting out energy involve me?”

  “I’d like for it too.”

  “Then, give me that.” He grabbed my cone. “Let’s go find Brody and get out of here.”

  Macon

  Get here now. Carly needs you.

  Maddy’s text nearly gave me a heart attack. I’d just gotten in my car to head home after work. Before starting the car I texted back. Where?

  Colin’s.

  I didn’t waste any more time asking questions. I pulled out of the lot and onto the road. I didn’t get far. The traffic was horrible. With only one major road, high traffic times were a problem at the beach. Waiting wasn’t going to work. If Carly needed me I was going to get there—fast. I was still close enough to work I could get my car back. I drove over the curb and parked my car on the sidewalk. It would be quicker to run at the rate I was going.

  My mind ran a million miles a minute. What could be going on? If Carly needed me she normally would have texted me herself. Why did Maddy have to do it?

  I was sweaty as all hell by the time Colin’s place finally came into sight. I ran up the driveway. There was an unfamiliar car parked out front. I ran right to the front door and didn’t even bother to knock.

  “I don’t understand why you’re supporting your sister making such a stupid decision. You know as well as we do that running away is never the answer.”

  I walked into the living room just in time to catch a middle aged man going off on Colin. The familiar resemblance left no question that it was his father.

  Carly stood huddled in the corner of the room with her arms wrapped around her chest. She hadn’t noticed me enter.

  “I support Carly. That’s more than what you can say.” Colin glared at his father.

  I took in the room. The dad had his arm resting on the leg of a woman that I assumed was their mother.

  “We support all of our children, but we can’t just gloss over what she did to Kim.”

  “What I did to Kim?” Carly stood, her eyes blazing with anger. “I did nothing.”

  “Are you really going to keep this up? Something happened with you and Jasper.”

  “Yes. Something did. He came on to me, and I said no.” She clenched her teeth.