Page 31 of Never To Forever

I’m so lost in thought that I make my way home by muscle memory alone, and I don’t realize there’s someone waiting for me on my front porch steps until I’m nearly on top of him.

“Garrett!” I exclaim in shock, nearly jumping out of my skin. “What are you doing here?”

He’s sitting on the top step, wearing dark jeans and a brown leather jacket. His elbows are resting on his knees and he looks like he’s been waiting here for a little bit.

Clearing his throat, he pushes to his feet and I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact.

“Hey, Marie,” he begins in a stiff tone. “I, uh, wanted to come by and apologize to you.”

“Apologize?” I frown, confused. “For what?”

He rubs the back of his neck, looking tense and uncomfortable.

“What happened last night was a mistake,” he says with a sigh. “I shouldn’t have let it happen, and I’m sorry.”

My heart sinks and disappointment settles on my shoulders like a weighted blanket. I drop my gaze from his and take a moment to collect myself. I don’t want to break right now. Not until I’ve said what I need to say.

“I don’t think it was a mistake,” I reply softly.

“I shouldn’t have crossed that line with you,” he continues, as if I haven’t spoken. “You’re like a sister to me, Marie, and it wasn’t right of me to take advantage of you like I did. You were vulnerable. We’d both been drinking… I should have walked away.”

Jerking my gaze back up to his, I stare at him, dumbfounded. Seriously?Thisis what he wants to say to me right now?

“You didn’t take advantage of me.” Frustration bubbles up inside of me. Once again, he’s treating me with kid gloves, and that’s not something I’ve ever wanted from him. “I was a very willing participant and knew exactly what I was doing. I’m a grown-ass woman, Garrett! I’m not a child, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t treat me like one.”

His eyes go wide and he stares at me, clearly stunned. What? Shocked that I’m actually calling him on his bullshit for once?

“I know you’re not a child,” he says at length, his tone low and firm. “Regardless, what happened last night can’t happen again.”

“Why?” I demand to know. I’m so sick of this. So sick of him dodging me and giving me these lame, half-assed reasons for not giving me a chance. “Why can’t it happen again? And don’t you dare tell me it’s because you think of me like a sister, because I know that’s bullshit. None of this would’ve happened at all if that was true.”

He clenches his jaw and frustration flashes through his gaze. Good! I’m actually getting some emotion out of him!

“I care about you, Marie,” he grumbles at last. “I always will, and I’ll always be there for you… as a friend. But it can’t be anything more than that.”

“Not good enough,” I hiss, balling my hands into fists at my sides, struggling not to beat them against his chest in frustration.

His eyes narrow. “Well, it’s all you’re going to get.”

With that, he moves past me and storms away. I watch him go, stunned by his easy dismissal. Son of a bitch!

Tears prick the corners of my eyes and I whirl back around and hurry up my porch steps to my front door, overwhelmed by disappointment and heartbreak. Once inside, I slam my door shut as hard as I can to get the last word in, so to speak, and I hope he hears it and knows how much he’s hurt me.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

GARRETT

Coming backto the library might have been a mistake. It’s been three weeks since my fight with Marie in front of her house. I hurt her feelings that night, and I have no idea how to fix things between us. She was angry that night, but also disappointed, her emotions bright in her eyes. I decided to return to the library to try and start mending things between us, but in the couple days I’ve been back, she hasn’t spoken to me, all but ignoring me.

It hasn’t been the same. Not by a longshot. Every time I come in now, she claims she has too much work to do and can’t help me one-on-one like before. Instead, she has Ally sit with me and help me with my homework. It’s obvious she’s trying to keep her distance, and it’s a gut-punch every time. I’m doing well in my class and am close to getting the last few credits I need to earn my degree, and it’s all because of Marie.

I’m also mostly healed, except for a few more physical therapy sessions for my shoulder. I should be a lot happier than I am—celebrating and looking forward to starting the next chapter of my life. I’m not happy. Not while Marie is so upset with me.

“Hey, Garrett? Earth to Garrett! Helloooo, have you been listening?”

Ally watches me with an amused grin. We’re sitting at a computer near the front desk of the library, where Marie works intently, appearing to do her best not to look our way at all.

“Huh?” I blink. “Oh! Yeah, uh, sorry… what were you saying?”

---