Page 19 of Never To Forever

GARRETT

Something’s up.Marie is being way too quiet today. She hasn’t even tried flirting with me since I arrived at the library, which is really not like her. I glance from my computer screen over to her and frown, concern making my stomach twist. She’s just sitting in her chair, staring down at an open notebook where she’s been reading over the notes I’ve taken for the paper I’m working on. The library is pretty much empty right now, which should be a good thing because that means I have more of her attention, but somehow it doesn’t feel that way today.

“Hey,” I say gently. “Are you okay?”

Marie looks up, blinking, and appears momentarily startled.

“Huh? Oh, sorry, I spaced out. I’m okay. Are you okay? Do you have a headache?”

I don’t believe her. I’ve always been able to tell when she’s not being truthful, and the frustration in her gaze, even as she tries to hide it, is a dead giveaway. It causes a heavy feeling to settle in my chest. I want her to be her usual bubbly, funny self.

“No, no headache. Come on,” I say, turning in my chair so I can face her fully. “I know there’s something going on. Tell me. Maybe I can help.”

Whatever is bothering her, I have the overwhelming urge to fix it for her.

She lets out a long sigh and shakes her head. “I doubt it. It’s not really something that can be fixed, I don’t think.”

“Still, tell me,” I insist. “I want to know.”

She stares at me before finally saying, “It’s Meredith… shocking, I know. She did the most unbelievable thing last night and told me my youngest siblings were sick with the flu and that Ally needed to come stay with me. Mind you, I don’t mind having Ally over, but it wasn’t a question or a request—Meredith simply declared that Ally was staying with me and I didn’t have a say in the matter. Then, it turns out the kids don’t even have the flu! They just have colds that they got from their birthday party this last weekend, which I wasn’t invited to! Meredith totally lied to me, but that really shouldn’t surprise me. She’s never had any qualms about lying to my face to get what she wants. This isn’t even the worst one, but it’s just so… ugh! I can’t stand her most of the time.”

She stops talking abruptly and stares at me with wide eyes, panting. I’m a bit stunned by her rant and don’t immediately know what to say.

“Oh, my gosh,” she quickly says, her cheeks turning bright pink. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go off like that.”

“Don’t apologize,” I tell her. “You can vent to me about this stuff.”

“Thanks,” she murmurs, her shoulders slumping as she drops her head in her hands. “This is so embarrassing.”

Embarrassing? She thinks expressing her genuine feelings about how unfair her stepmother treats her is embarrassing? She should be as furious as I am hearing how Meredith manipulates her so badly. It’s not right. Marie is one of the most selfless people I know. She’d do just about anything for the people she cares about, and that her stepmother would take advantage of that is infuriating.

“You should start telling Meredith no. Stand up for yourself against her. She can’t keep treating you this way.”

Whatever response I might have expected from her, it’s not her frowning up at me with narrowed eyes.

“I want to be there for my siblings,” she insists defensively. “I need to be able to help them. Yeah, Meredith’s a pain in the ass, but I’m not doing any of this for her. I’m doing it for them.”

“I get that, Marie,” I reply, firmly. “But you can be there for your siblings without letting Meredith or your dad walk all over you. You have a right to set boundaries.”

She scoffs. “You’re one to talk about boundaries. Aren’t you always dropping everything to help everyone else instead of pursuing your own dreams and plans?”

Her words are sharp and feel like a slap in the face. Anger pulses through me and I glare back at her.

“At least my family is appreciative of what I do for them. I’m not just running around helping people who don’t give a damn about me otherwise.”

She sucks in a sharp breath and pushes to her feet, sending her chair scratching along the floor.

“God, you're such an asshole sometimes!” she exclaims in a hushed tone, ever the librarian. “Why do I waste my time with you?”

Attempting to stand as well, I get immediately dizzy, so sit back down, and look up at her. I’m so fucking over these lingering concussion symptoms. I snap, “I don’t know, maybe because you’re stubborn and don’t know what’s good for you.”

She lets out a huff of irritation and turns, apparently intent on storming away from me. I’m not done with her, though. Now I stand and I grab her hand with my good arm and spin her back around, yanking her into my chest. I wince when my shoulder is jostled, but ignore the pain as I hold her against me. She gasps, her hands falling flat against my pecs, and she gives me a venomous look.

“What do you think you’re doing, you brut?”

My lips crashing against hers cut off her furious tirade. I can’t help myself. She’s pressed up tight against me, looking gorgeous in her fury, and my blood is so heated with anger and arousal, I can’t control myself.

She moans against my mouth and parts her lips, letting my tongue tangle with hers. Her hands slide up my chest and grip my shoulders, and I grab hold of her hips. As I move my lips over hers, I lose myself in the feel of her. Her soft body pressed tight against mine feels so damn right. I love the sound of her soft breaths and whimpers as I explore her mouth and run my hands up her back, slipping them beneath her shirt to touch her bare skin.

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