Page 88 of Forever Fighting
“It’s you and Roman. Except you’re calling in the middle of the night because you don’t know what’s happening.”
“No clue,” I agree, chagrined. “I’m scared. The only two guys I’ve ever loved…” I trail off, swallow, and mumble, “They didn’t turn out well for me. I’m two for two, with broken hearts to show for it.”
Quinn sighs. “Yeah. But life goes on. And Nash is still there. You know that. You feel that. Hell, you told me you dreamed about him tonight.”
I blink back tears. “I don’t remember what he said or the rest of the dream, though I know it wasn’t good.”
“Losing Nash and getting dicked over by Adam doesn’t equate to a lifetime of hurt. Our future love isn’t dictated by our pasts. At least I hope not.”
“I bet you don’t.”
“My ex chose to follow his dreams, and I chose mine. They didn’t align. I like to imagine the next guy I find will be a better situation. Roman is different, Brae. He’s not the type of guy to risk you or your friendship unless he’s invested. He’s not going anywhere.”
I think about this for a moment. About what that means.
“But am I ready?”
“Only you can answer that. But on the flip side, I can’t imagine you’d risk what you and Roman have if you weren’t. The marriage piece aside, you’re there with him, sharing a bed, and having sex. You wouldn’t be scared if it didn’t mean something to you. More than the fact that he’s your best friend.”
I take that and let it settle over me. I hold it against my skin, against my chest, against my mind.
“I hope not. I hope this becomes our best decision instead of turning into our worst mistake.”
“It’s all any of us can hope for.”
28
BRAELYN
The sound of our phones ringing wakes us from a dead sleep with a jolt. It’s the second time I’ve been startled awake in the last five hours, and it’s not a fun way to wake up. The minute one stops ringing, it instantly starts again, as does the other. Roman and I exchange panicked looks and dive for our phones to answer.
“Hello?”
“You’re married to Roman, and you didn’t tell me?!” my mother screeches into the phone.
Her words don’t fully register. “What?”
“Don’t what me, Braelyn. It’s all over the damn internet. A copy of your marriage license from Vegasa week agoas well as pictures of the two of you kissing on the beach.”
“Oh shit.” Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.
My head flips over to Roman, who has an equally impressive oh shit look on his face.
“Yes,” he says to whomever he’s on the phone with. “Stop. I can’t change that. Do we know who leaked it?”
“Braelyn!” my mother yells, calling my attention back to her.
I jolt. “Crap. Sorry.”
“Tell us what’s going on.”
I rub a hand up and down my face, trying to calm myself and gather my thoughts. Because my oh shit is turning into a lot more than that as my mind goes wild. “We got drunk in Vegas and his friends dared us to get married. I don’t know. I don’t remember everything, but I’m pretty sure I talked Roman into it. Something I’m sure he regrets right now. It wasn’t our finest moment.”
“And the kissing?” she presses.
I close my eyes and rest my forehead in my palm. “Um, well, Roman and I are, well, we’re…” I trail off. God, what a mess. “We haven’t figured that out yet.”
“Jesus Christ, Braelyn. You’re sleeping with your best friend, who happens to be your accidental husband? Are we living out our bestDays of Our Livesself?”
