Page 92 of The Desire

“It’s now or never, man.” I look at him and wait.

“He’s a handful, but my brother is a good man. He will get past this and be happy for you. This last week has just been a lot.” Forrest is always so calm, and you don’t get much from him, but when he speaks, it’s direct and no waffling like Flynn.

“I know.” And I do. That’s why I didn’t want to say anything, but I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer. It was eating me up inside, and I knew when I woke up this morning it was time.

“One last thing. She’s a lucky woman, but you’re an even luckier man. Treat her like she deserves to be treated and there will never be another harsh word spoken from us.” He gives me that stern almost fatherly look.

“I promise, Forrest. With everything I am, I will protect her and love her until the day I die, and then some.” When he turns his back to me and walks to his desk, I know it’s time to go.

We all need space this afternoon to process before we sit down at a table with three hundred odd people all putting us under a microscope while we pretend that not a thing is wrong with any of us.

Nic keeps reminding me how messy I am. Well, bring on the messy!

“Holy shit, you weren’t kidding, you own a dress. I don’t just mean that it’s in your possession, but you know how to own a dress.” I’m standing next to the town car I hired for tonight to pick up Cherie. I wasn’t letting her find her own way there or walk into a room full of people she didn’t know without a friendly face.

“Oh, shut up. Surely you didn’t think I live my life in workout gear. I truly worry about you sometimes.” I can tell she is trying to use the confidence she has in the gym to dismiss the compliment I gave her.

“Shall we?” I motion for her to hop into the car so I can close the door and head to the function.

Walking around to get in the other side, my stomach twists again like it’s been doing all day. Three times I almost made it to my car to drive home and talk to El before tonight, but I have a feeling there is more at play than just what I want. Especially if Tori is involved. I couldn’t help myself and checked the tracker on Tori’s phone. It has shown her at my house all day, so there is something going on.

“Tell me about this Flynn guy. Does he know about me?” Cherie blurts out in a hurry, and I can tell the nerves are starting to kick in for her.

“I finally told them this morning who you are to me,” I say, looking at her across the seat from me.

“Wow, that’s huge, Rem. How did that feel?” I love how she asked how it affected me, not what they said. I may never box with her again, but I know she will always be there for me as a friend. Because that is what she is. She stopped being just my therapist years ago.

“At first like I was exorcising a demon, you know, the one I carry about hitting a woman, but once it was out, it was quite cathartic.”

Her face lights up with a smile of pride that she has in me, that finally after all the years of talking about it, I have finally done it. “I guess we are getting to the end of our sessions. You won’t need me anymore now that you have Elouise. She will be your sounding board, and good luck to her I say.” She laughs at me, trying to hide the sadness that we are both feeling.

“I think you’re right, but instead, I want you in my life, actually our life, as a dear friend. You will love El, and once she gets over that you aren’t my hooker, then I’m sure you two will become great friends.”

“What the actual fuck, Remington! Explain. Now!” She’s not laughing, and there’s panic, fear, anger, confusion, and every other emotion written all over her face as I start telling her what has happened over the last few days.

“You didn’t think all that might have been handy to know before I dressed up and got in a car with you tonight to face a scorned woman and her best friend? Damn it, Rem, I’m tough, but that is like putting raw meat in front of a couple of hungry bears. There’s no hiding from that frenzy.” She rolls her eyes at me, and I can see she would love to hit me right now and actually mean to hurt me.

“I’ve seen you stand up against far worse. You’ll be fine.”

“You don’t get it, do you. When I’m in my fight gear, I know how to face anything. But you stripped me bare and got me in this glittery thing that gives me no protection against any of this.” And all of a sudden, I feel terrible. I didn’t think of that. To me, Cherie is hard as steel, and I’ve never seen her any different. But she’s right, it’s always been in the safety of her environment. Not like this.

“Shit, sorry. You can say no, and we will turn this car around now and take you home.” I would never expect her to do anything that would upset her.

“Fuck no! But you owe me, big guy. Just remember that, and one day I will come calling to collect, and you won’t be able to say no.” And there she is, the fighter I know her to be. Shield up and ready to go into battle.

“Let’s get your woman back, and in the meantime, I’m about to hand a few men their asses when they least expect it. Tonight might be the most interesting night of my life to date, and that’s saying something.”

“Damn, what have I done now?”

Both of us laughing, I didn’t realize that the trip is over, and we are pulling up in front of the building where the function is being held. Cherie managed to take my mind off everything, even if only for a moment.

“You’ve given me a challenge, and you know how I love to win. So, buckle up, buddy.”

Christ, I’ve created a monster.

Okay, let’s do this. Let’s get my girl. Because my body is aching just knowing she is almost near.

ELOUISE

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