The only sign that Forge had even heard him was the small tic in his jaw and the vein on his neck that suddenly appeared.“You ready for that?”he asked, his tone just on the edge of threatening.
I wasn’t sure if I was ready.But if I was leaving soon, I needed to watch it.Move past that.Accept things.Stop living in this limbo.
“I think it’s time,” I told him, my voice just above a whisper.
“You think it’s time, or he does?”Forge asked pointedly.
I could see Calvin tense up from the corner of my eye, but I didn’t look at him.For starters, taking my eyes off Forge was literally impossible, and secondly, I feared if I even tried to and looked at Calvin, he’d be in danger.Which was probably irrational, but there was a warning going off in my head, and I heeded it.Something was off with Forge.Right now, I wasn’t sure either of us was safe.
“I do,” I replied.That lie was what he needed to hear.
Forge straightened and walked over to the bar to put out his cigarette in an ashtray that sat on the corner, then turned back to me.“Let’s go,” he said.
Again, he wasn’t looking at Calvin, and I wasn’t sure he meant that “let’s” to include him.
“Thanks, man.We appreciate it,” Calvin told him.
Forge started toward the back patio doors.“There’s no we,” he replied.“I’ll be the one taking her to watch it.You can wait out here or in the great room.I don’t give a fuck.”
I glanced up at Calvin, whose gaze swung to me at the same time.He was frowning, clearly confused.
Well, join the club, buddy.
I hadn’t expected that either.Last time I’d seen Forge, he’d shouted at me to go away.Granted, he had been grieving, but still, he’d stayed gone.Not come back once.
I shrugged, but said nothing.
Calvin mouthed,What do you want me to do?
I cut my eyes back at Forge’s muscular back as it flexed with each step.I wanted him.I always wanted him.He wasn’t my best friend.He hadn’t known my parents, but … he eased the bad in a way no one or nothing else had been able to do.
Swallowing hard, hating to admit this to Calvin, I looked back at him just as we reached the patio doors.
“It’s fine,” I whispered.“I can watch it with him.”
Calvin’s frown deepened.Confusion was in his expression, as well as a touch of hurt.I hadn’t meant to hurt him.Or leave him out.But I wanted to be with Forge.My time was running out, and I wanted every moment I could get.But the fact Calvin would want to see the funeral too made me feel guilty.My parents had been a part of his life.He’d want to see the funeral.Have his closure or whatever it was he thought I was going to get from it.
Forge stopped and stepped back from the door, his gaze back on me.“You can go inside,” he said to Calvin.“I need to talk to Elsie.”
Calvin didn’t move, and I could feel his hesitancy.
“Go,” I told him.“It’s fine.”
He glanced from me to Forge, still seeming unsure, but with Forge standing there, in all his intimidating presence, Calvin did as he had been told.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Forge spoke.“Picnic?”
It was one word, but I understood the question.
“It wasn’t at the pond,” I replied.
Forge said nothing, reaching up to take off his sunglasses.His eyes met mine, and my knees went weak.Damn the effect this man had on me.
“Not eating, staying in your room.”He said the words slowly.“You ready to leave here, Pickles?”The way he asked it felt as if he was asking if I was ready to leavehim, not here.
No.I wasn’t sure I was ever going to be ready to leave him.But the time was coming.
“I, uh … this wasn’t a permanent thing.I’m sure everyone is ready for the houseguest to move along.”I tried to lighten the mood, but my attempt fell flat.
