43. Chapter 43

43

Heath

Why Marie and I are best friends is beyond me.

We are opposites in every fucking way. I knew it the first time I met her. She is too fucking bright for my taste. From her looks to her accessories and clothes, and her smile and energy. She's a walking sunshine throwing light into everyone's life, doesn't matter if you're a stranger or someone she knows.

I've always wondered why Sebastian loves her. She talks too much . Jumps too much . Gets excited too much . Smiles too much . Everything about her is too much. Nothing is mundane or bland when it comes to her.

Marie is like a paintbrush made of rainbow. She strokes it across your canvas and turns you into shades of colors. Perhaps, that's why Sebastian loves her. She paints him in colors he didn't know existed.

Marie presses a pink, short dress to her body and looks at me. "Does this look good?"

I give her a nod so we can get it over with.

She rolls her eyes. "Heath, you're supposed to give me a little more than that."

I scowl. "It looks fine."

Marie groans like a toddler. " Fine is not the word I'm aiming for."

With a bored expression, I lean against the nearest wall. "That's all you'll get from me, Blondie."

She pauses, thinks for a moment, then says, "Try giving me a synonym."

I roll my eyes. "I only have five minutes—"

"It's for Hope."

Just like that, she has my undivided attention, and she relishes it.

Her hazel eyes brighten up in delight. "Aww. That's so cute. You like her."

I glare at her. Marie knows how to get on my nerves. Besides, I feel like this is just the beginning. There's an eternity of teasing waiting for me from both Sebastian and Marie. They won't ever shut up about my first crush and the first girl I ever wanted.

For fuck's sake.

Pushing those thoughts away, I ask her, "Why are we getting a dress for her?"

Marie stares at me deadpan. "Are you serious?"

I arch an eyebrow.

She seems annoyed that I don't know the reason. I mean, Christmas isn't around the corner. Also, it's not Hope's birthday. It's in November.

Marie sighs. "I'm buying this for the fair. We're all going."

I fold my arms over my chest and fix her with a serious look. "I thought you wouldn't go this year."

At once, sadness soaks her bright light, and her face tightens in melancholy.

I hate myself for reminding her of that night.

What happened that night is what pushed Sebastian to go to rehab, he put the one person he loved in danger because of his mental issues and addiction. Marie also decided to join therapy and get better. It was an unfortunate event, but it resulted in both of them getting the help they desperately needed.

"I don't want to. Well… maybe you're right. I shouldn't go. It's stupid."

I feel like a dick for making her feel sad. It's never my intention to hurt her in any way. Yes, we bicker like siblings all the time, but I fucking care about her. I never want anything to hurt her, especially after I've seen her struggles and listened to her cry. Her sadness brings me pain.

She starts putting back the dresses on the rack when I approach her. I stop her by holding her wrist

"It's not fucking stupid," I say softly.

She shakes her head. "You're always right. After that night I shouldn't bother with going out this year. It's still too fresh—"

"And in the past. Let it fucking stay that way. New year means—"

"New memories." She smiles. "You told me that."

"Did I?"

"Yes, you did. You were drunk when you found me crying and talking depressing shit. I remember you saying that."

I sigh. "I don't think—"

Marie swats my arm. "You did."

"Sebastian is rubbing off on you."

She turns pink and a smile etches onto her face. "I mean—"

"Just forget I fucking said that," I grumble.

A laugh bubbles out of her, and her sunshine energy is back in full force, which makes me happy. I want her to always stay like this. Sadness doesn't suit her.

I cock my head toward the dresses. "Now let's find a dress, shall we?"

She grins and starts walking down the aisle. "Of course. We're buying it for your girl after all."

I follow her.

I'll kill Sebastian for bailing on me—because he had to work at the cafe—and forcing me to go shopping with Marie. Again.

I hate shopping. And shopping with Marie is unbearable. She drags me to hundreds of stores only to return empty-handed and indecisive. Also, I look like a complete idiot carrying her bags and following her.

"Heath, look at this." Marie shows me a blue dress. It's simple with a modest neckline and doesn't look that short. All I can imagine is Hope wearing it and making me lose my mind more than I already have.

"Get it," I demand.

Marie assesses it critically. "It's a local fair, not a club night. We should keep moving."

I snatch the dress and buy it, while she watches me with a mischievous grin.

When I return with the bag I say, "What?"

Marie sighs dreamily with a grin and fans her face with her hand. "Ah! I love phase one."

I frown hard. "What's phase one?"

"Falling in love."

"I'm not falling in love. I only like her."

"We'll see."

I'm half-tempted to swing the shopping bag in her face.

After ten minutes, we walk out of the shop. "Can we leave now?"

Marie gives me an exasperated look. "Of course not. We've not bought my outfit yet."

"You have plenty of—"

"Come on. We're running late."

After two hours we've got everything she needs. Marie hides the bags, so I have no idea what they're going to wear to the fair. She asked me to wait outside while she bought all the stuff.

I don't give two flying fucks what Marie wears, but I give all the fucks what Hope wears.

The element of surprise is killing me. I try to peek inside the bags, but Marie is so strong and attentive that she doesn't even let me touch them. She's ready for my every move.

Sebastian is a dick for teaching her everything. I lose every battle against the two of them because they're my best friends and know me too fucking well.

I drive her home and carry her bags inside with her. She's smart enough to not hand me the ones that contain stuff she bought for Hope. And she's not open to any bribe I'm willing to offer to her.

I set down the bags in the living room and glare at her. "Just so you know, you're not a good friend."

Marie smirks evilly as she sits on the sofa. "You'll eat your words when you see Hope."

"I won't." I will.

Whatever she wears, I know she'll take my breath away. I'll be beside her all night to keep the other guys away from her and if anyone whistles or catcalls at her, I'll punch them in the fucking face.

"Challenge accepted," Marie says confidently.

I smirk. "Be prepared to lose, Blondie."

"I never lose."

"That's not decided."

"It is."

"It isn't."

"It is."

"It isn't."

Fuck it. She can win.

Leaning my head back, I think about what Hope told me a few days ago. She gave me a hint. A man is hurting her, but she won't tell me who. My only assurance is that she said she'd call me if something happens. I should trust her to ask for my help, but I don't. She's never one to ask for help even when she's suffering.

Like me.

We both like to endure our struggles on our own, not wanting to bother the people around us.

I glance at Marie who's drinking pumpkin spiced latte, her favorite seasonal drink of Autumn. For every season she has a specific drink that she orders. A smile is on her face, and she looks happy and excited—her usual self. I can't fathom telling her about Hope and worrying her. She'll march down to her house and demand it to make it right for her. Since she was bullied, she knows what physical and emotional abuse can do to someone.

My fists curl in anger and I want to wrap Hope in my arms and just fucking protect her.

Knowing Marie, she'll move heavens and earth to be there for her. I'm surprised that she hasn't figured it out already. I mean Hope is shit at lying.

Marie catches me staring at her. "What are you frowning about?"

"I wonder how you drink that obnoxious fucking drink."

"It's delicious."

"And fucking sweet."

"That too." She shrugs nonchalantly.

Standing up, I grab my car keys and turn to her. "I'm gonna leave now."

Marie quickly comes up to me and gives me a short hug. She frees herself before I can do it for her.

Thanks for fuck's sake.

The only hugs I can tolerate are those I get from the pretty book nerd. She can steal as many as she wants, I don't mind at all. With everyone else, I want to detach myself as quickly as possible.

"See you at the fair."

I stride into the foyer, and she follows me like a younger sibling.

"I'm not going," I tell her. A fair is not my scene.

"Hope will be there."

I'm going.