My lips pinched together again, holding in each of the racing thoughts of my mind. He didn’t let me stew for long though.
“What I need you to hear me say, without interruption is that what you saw last week between me and Juliette was nothing. It was actually a fucking crime, but that’s beside the point. If I had the choice, May, I never would’ve kissed her.”
He paused, letting that last part sink in while I bitdown on my questions. “I also think the friend thing you want between us is bull and I have no doubt that you know it too, but I’m willing to play along, for now. You want to be friends? You want to get to know each other more? Fine, but I’m not going to pretend my feelings for you aren’t more than friendship.”
I went utterly still as Trey inhaled a deep breath and exhaled. “I once told you that this, us, was end game for me and I meant it. I want you, May. I’ve been waiting for you to be ready. I waited in high school. I waited through your coma, and now I’m willing to wait until you’re ready to accept it or remember that you want me too.”
I had no words for the admission he just sacrificed before me. The silence that spilled between us was my only ally and I held to it as I gathered my thoughts.
One thought did itch at the forefront of my doubts and as much as I wished I could ignore it, I couldn’t.
“Can I ask you something?”
He nodded and I heaved a breath. “Are you going to that football banquet thing with Juliette?”
The silence engulfed us once again, except this time it was stifling. Trey’s eyes widened then closed as his head bowed.
That’s what I thought.
I did want him, and I had no doubt he wanted me too, but I was a clueless cannon ball that just blew up his reality. And I was planning on integrating myself into more of his life when I moved.
I wanted to get to know him more, create a real foundation for a friendship I could depend on, despite the memory loss. But more than anything, I wanted to learn more about myself, apart from my forgotten past. Without the fear of losing my only support system as I did so.
Trey offered a much-needed subject change as he reached for my hand, tracing the lines of my still healing palm. “I do have one request for when you move outthere.”
“And that is?” I asked, wary of the way he studied the fading scrapes and bruises in my skin.
“No more walking or trying to run by yourself.”
I snorted and tried to pull my hand away, but he didn’t let go.
“Calm down. I’m not asking you to stop. I’m just asking that you stop going out alone. I will walk with you every day. Morning, night, rain or shine I’ll be there. Just, please, don’t go out alone anymore.”
“Hmm,” I hummed. “That’s a very friendly offer.”
He shrugged. “What can I say, I watch out for my friends.” The tension in the room dissipated as I laced my fingers with his.
“Fine. Deal.”
29 Moving Day
Maybelle
“I can’t do it, Penn. I’m not strong enough.”
“You got this, Belles; I believe in you.”
“Your faith is misplaced; I am a weak, weak woman.”
“Just look away.” Penny supplied.
I continued to gawk. “Easier said than done.”
Larson sauntered up to where Penny and I stood in the far corner of our shared apartment.
“Couldn’t help but notice you two ladies staring. What’s caught your atten—oh, Maybelle, you naughty girl.”
He followed my stare to the sweaty, shirtless, tanned, pack of abs on Trey as he carried a box into the living room.
