12
jude
My best friend looked like hell, but he also never looked so good. His hair was a little longer, he had trimmed facial hair that gave him a more rugged look and seeing him with Sol always made my non-existent ovaries go into overdrive.
I didn’t go with him into the house as he dropped off Sol, needing a little space and time to think about us. Was I really going to tell him that I loved him? Baring my soul to him sounded like a really bad idea. Maybe we could just kiss and make up, then maybe once we were in a better place I could casually say, “Hey, I love you and want your babies…”
Why was this so fucking hard?
I was scared, I was being a child and I knew if I just told him, then I could move on, no matter the outcome. Sam left the front door open and Forest was right behind him. Nova must have said something funny because they laughed together, glancing at one another before waving, then closing the door.
Forest said something to Sam, making him scowl but Forest was enjoying his discomfort. I looked between them, noticing the vast differences between them. They were good looking in their own ways, but they were such opposites. Light and dark. A flash of them in bed together popped into my mind.Forest’s darker tan against Sam's lighter skin and them grinding together. Sam liked to top, but would he bottom for Forest?
Forest screamed dominant top and picturing them together had me uncomfortable in my uniform. My window was lowered as I heard them talking, my fantasy getting dirtier and raunchier.
“Peaches, don’t be stubborn,” Forest said, catching my attention.
Peaches?
“I’m not,” Sam huffed as he grew red.
“Alright, I think it would do you some good to ride around since you've lost your crutches,” Forest said, following Sam who looked to be walking faster to get away from him. “I checked with the PT personnel, and they said riding in small increments would be ok.”
“Are you talking to my PTs?” Sam growled.
“Yes, you need to get out of that damn house, Sam.” Forest glared at Sam. “It’s not healthy for you to be there by yourself and maybe if you'd answer your damn phone, I wouldn’t have to check on you like a damn child.”
Guilt slapped me in the face and kicked me in the nuts. After hearing about the second surgery, I knew this was going to be hard on him, he might be losing the only thing that mattered most to him. A myriad of emotions hit me and professing my love to him felt foolish.
Sam wasn’t a stranger to depression. He had grown up in a toxic household and the fact that he had managed to become this great person was a damn miracle. I should have reached out sooner, but it wasn’t too late, and I wasn’t going to let anything stop me now. I jumped out of my truck, and they both looked up at me.
Sam instantly smiled. “Hey, I thought you might not have come.”
Forest stripped me with his gaze, tipping his hat like a gentleman. “Good afternoon, Jude.”
“Hello,” I said, stupidly blushing at Forest’s attention. “Yeah, I had to take a call, so I stayed out here a little longer.”
“Great,” Sam grinned. “Are you hungry? Can we get something to eat?”
“I’m starving,” Forest said.
“We could go to the Boozy Bandit,” I said, since it was close to Sam’s place.
“Perfect, I need a beer and a burger,” he said, walking backward. “See you guys there.”
Sam scowled as he walked away and I couldn’t help but find it adorable and hilarious.
“Not a fan of Forest? I thought you guys…” I trailed off hoping he’d fill in the details.
“Do you really want me to finish that sentence when something is going on between you two?” He cocked his brow.
“There is nothing going on between us,” I said quickly.
He studied me for a moment before nodding. “Things with Forest are complicated. He’s been checking on me, it’s irritating and?—”
“It's what you need.” I finished his sentence.
He shrugged.
