When it Rains, it Pours

MEGAN

I feel so dumb.

WHAT WAS I thinking? Perhaps, I wasn’t thinking at all. I knew him of being distant, cynical, and cautious, and I was thankful he even joined me for breakfast. The way he looked at me, he probably had a lot of questions he wanted to pop, but he chose to keep them all to himself.

Forrest didn’t only intrigue me, but his stares, his charisma, his aura told me something that I could trust him, that we somehow understood each other, and that he could keep me safe, but safe from what? From whom? When I should be worried about myself, the way how I acted lately—these whole fiascoes I’d created in the first place.

I looked down at the left side of my abdomen again as Milo rubbed the topical anesthesia. I can do it. There was no turning back. I would get this tattoo no matter what.

I lied down and bit my lip, preparing myself for the pain. I hated needles, but this was one way of facing one of my own fears.

“Relax. This won’t hurt much,” Milo said.

“You’re a terrible liar,” I replied nervously.

He chuckled. “This won’t take long. And I know you’d love it.”

“Just do it.” Then the soft buzz followed. I jerked at the first hit of the needle into my skin. For a fraction of moments, I felt I just freed from my cage—I felt wild. It still hurt, though, but it wasn’t closer to the pain I inflicted. I closed my eyes as they stung with unshed tears.

“He’s a good guy, you know.”

My eyes flew open to his words. “Who are you talking about?”

“Forrest. He may not talk too much, but trust me, he has a huge heart.”

“How do you know him?”

“His Uncle Alan took me in, taught me how to tattoo when he found out I know how to draw.”

“I see.”

“Forrest is a man of a few words. The type of person who acts than talks. He’s a little rough around the edges but the best guy I’ve ever known.”

“I started to get that. It was my first time to share a meal with him, though. We met a few times on weekends with our friends, but we never talked. You should have seen his reaction at the diner.”

He laughed. “Oh, I can imagine, Megan.”

“Sometimes, he scared me, intimidated me, and intrigued me at the same time. For a long time, I wanted to know him better. I just don’t have a gut. I feel like something is holding us back.”

“He doesn’t share too much. Just don’t push him. Let him open up when he feels like to open up but believe me, I trust him with all my life.”

I wished I could trust him too, but I doubted if he would trust me in return.

“Milo?” I froze at Forrest’s deep voice behind the door, followed by a soft knock.

“I have a customer.”

“Is Megan with you?” I bit my lip harder as he mentioned my name. It was like warm honey pouring down my skin, running down my abdomen, sipping through my thighs—not now. I shook away those naughty thoughts.

“You’re disturbing us, man. We’re busy.” I could feel the amusement in Milo’s voice.

“Just fucking answer me.” His angry voice wracked me. “Is she in there?”

“Oh, shit! He’s pissed. That’s his different variations of fuck off.” Milo laughed softly. “Come in, man, but you might not gonna like what you—”

The door swung open and hit the wall, making me startled. I couldn’t find a word to say. It just, my heart was in galloped. My skin tingled everywhere. I liked and hated this feeling at the same time. His presence made the room smaller for the three of us.

I never felt ashamed of myself being half-naked, but with Forrest around, my insecurities got over me, and all I wanted was to ball and cover myself.

“Relax. Believe when I say he’s the ambassador of goodwill.”

With my eyes closed, I could feel the burning stare Forrest was throwing at me. So I answered nonchalantly, “Maybe the anesthesia is wearing off.”

“You’re tense. Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll be done before you even realize it.”

The chair screeched in front of me. And I didn’t have to open my eyes to see who was in there. I could even smell him in the distance.

“I thought you left,” he stated, almost a whisper.

“I thought you too.” I swallowed hard.

“I was with Alan. Why do you wanna get a tattoo?”

“Why did you?” I opened an eye, and I found him staring at me, and I couldn’t just look away. It felt like he was pulling me into his world the longer I stared at him. Instead of getting scared, it was weird that I liked it and wanted more. “I like the design you got on your arms.”

He blinked instead of answering and looked at Milo.

“I feel like I should go over my fear. I’m scared of needles.”

“Why now?”

“I thought Milo is the best.”

Milo chuckled. “I did most of his tattoos, especially the one—”

Forrest cleared his throat or, more likely, groaned, cutting off Milo.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m good at keeping secrets.”

His gaze shifted to me for good seconds, and I never broke it until he did so. He crossed his strong tattooed arms over his broad chest, throwing Milo a chilly stare. I wondered what was on his mind right now. I wished I was like my mom, who could read people’s behavior and emotions. I wanted to break through his outer layer on why it seemed like the world was always weighing on his shoulder.

“Shouldn’t you be at work?”

His question had my gut twisted. “I was fired.”

“Why?” Milo asked.

“A little privacy, Milo.”

“Sorry, man,” Milo muttered.

“My ex-boss was a shameless piece of an ass. He misread me and thought I wanted to bang with anyone has a dick.”

Forrest groaned when Milo laughed. “Filter, Megan.”

I rolled my eyes. My smile was self-deprecating. “Why? Doesn’t everyone look at me like a slut?”

His head snapped at me with a glare. “For god’s sake, woman. What’s gotten into your head?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know me, Forrest. You probably thought—”

“Thought what?” he bellowed.

“Hey, calm down, man,” Milo interjected. “I need to concentrate. Her tat has tiny details, and I can’t do that of you are snarling over there.”

Forrest huffed before he jerked to stand up and storm out of the room, leaving only a loud bang as he slammed the door shut behind him.

“Damn, that was cold.”

“Great,” I muttered bitterly. “We won’t talk to me again. Ever.”

“He has huge respect over women, Megan. Don’t be too hard on yourself. He’ll get over it and apologize. Just have a little faith in him.” The buzzing stopped.

“Is it done?”

“Yes. Let me put on a clean bandage. You just have to keep it clean and dry. I will give you an antibacterial cream. And don’t scratch it, okay?”

“Thanks.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“If it’s about Forrest. Don’t bother.” I stood up from the bed and fixed my shirt.

“Nope. It’s about the date on your tat.”

“Don’t be nosy.”

“Fine. Nice to meet you, Megan.” He extended his hand for a handshake.

I shook it and smiled. “Me, too, Milo.”

“Let me walk you out to your car.” He led me the way outside the shop toward where I parked my car. “You have my number. If you feel to get another tat, just give me a ring.”

As soon as Milo left, disappointment swept over me. I checked my phone. I still didn’t have a message from anyone.

My life had turned to a complete black and white.

***

I woke up from the constant ringing of my doorbell. That couldn’t be Camila, Bianca, or Blaine. When I checked the clock, it was past eight at night, and they were all busy with their family. Well, normal people could still be awake at this time, but not me. I’d nowhere to go, no one to talk to, so I decided to sleep all day since I had already sent my resumes to all the companies who posted online for job hiring.

Yawning, I dragged my sleepy ass toward the door when the doorbell rang again. “Jeez! Just a minute!”

My sleepiness was thrown out of the window the moment I saw who had the gut to be on my doorstep.

“You’re not lost, are you?” I grabbed the two boxes of pizza before he could offer. I opened the top box and picked a slice. “My favorite. Thanks.” I took a huge bite and walked to the couch.

I placed the boxes on the coffee table, but I was still alone. When I turned around, Forrest was still on the same spot, seemingly surprised.

I shook my head and smiled. “You’re not a vampire that needs an invitation before you can enter my house, are you? And I am certainly not a witch, Forrest.” I gestured my hand. “Come in, please?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Of course, you don’t, you gorgy! He sauntered inside and wandered his magnificent eyes around.

“See something that meets your taste? I am sure your apartment doesn’t look like this. Have a seat. Let me get us something to drink.” I strode toward the kitchen and grabbed two sodas from the fridge and two bottled water.

When I came back, he was already sitting on the sofa. His jacket was already folded on the armrest. “Milo forgot to give you your cream.”

“Oh, yeah.” He might have done it on purpose. ”I was tired of going to the pharmacy.” Or most likely, I drained all my strength thinking of what did I do wrong when you just bolted out of the tattoo shop, dumb.

He fished out from his jacket pocket and offered the small box for me.

“Thanks. You don’t have to do that. I am sure you didn’t go to your customers when they forgot to—”

“No, I don’t.” Oh, wow! That was fast. Good job, Forrest. Honesty is certainly the best policy.

“And certainly not bringing two boxes of pizza on their door, right?” I put on a faux innocent look.

I swore his eyes glittered, but he remained stoic as he stared at me in silence, jaw clenched as if he was trying hard not to talk.

“Do you want me to take a plate for you?”

“No.” He took a slice of pizza and ate silently.

The room turned dead silent. All I could hear were our breathing and the rustling of our movements as we ate our dinner. And I suddenly didn’t know what to say or act. The fact that Forrest was in the living room of my freaking apartment was still a shock to me.

I wasn’t ready for this sudden turn of events. It was beyond my expectation that one night he would come knocking on my door with pizza, sharing his dinner with me because we were not close. What was this? A huge question popped into my head that I wished I knew the answer to.

He opened a soda and placed it in front of me, then he opened and sipped the other. He took another slice. Before he could eat it, he stopped and gave me a quizzical look. Of course, I was staring at him all over again. I wouldn’t get tired of it.

I gave him a terse smile. “Thanks for the pizza. Let me guess. This gesture is a peace offering.”

“We didn’t fight, did we? But I was an asshole this morning.”

“Apology accepted.”

“Thank you.”

After I cleaned up the table, Forrest remained in his seat, and I was scared that he might leave right away. Since he was already here, I wasn’t ready for him to leave just yet.

“Can we watch a movie?”I smiled impishly. “I mean, if you’re not busy.”

“I’m off today.”

“And you don’t have anywhere to go?”

“No.”

I sat back and turned the TV on. “Great. What do you wanna watch?”

“Whatever you want.”

“You don’t mind watching Rom-com or chick-flicks with me?” I raised a brow, and he just shrugged.

“Great.” I felt a little too excited and patted the empty space beside me. I knew it wasn’t a good idea, but I knew Forrest had strong self-control than mine. And I am not his type. Yeah, it was written on the stone a long time ago.

I wasn’t expecting that he would sit beside me, though, but again he surprised me, and he was even sitting closer next to me that our skin would touch if we moved a little bit. I chose a romantic comedy on N*****x based on the best-selling novel.

“Would you mind if I ask?”

If I have a boyfriend? I cleared my throat. Get a grip, Megan. ”Shoot.”

“How did you meet your friends?” Wow, that’s odd!

“I met them during our sophomore in college. I was a part-time cashier in a supermarket near the campus. This douchebag walked in as if he owned the entire city. I saw Bianca flinched. Cam was with her at that time. I’ve known his rep on the campus because I slept with him. I found out Bianca was one of his victims. So, I stole his phone and posted his—”

“Don’t continue.”

“Why?” I stared at him, and he seemed pissed.

“Whatever you did, he deserved it.”

“That’s my man.”