Sidelined (Game On 3)

“I hate when you think I can't make decisions on my own. I'm not an idiot.”

“I know you're not an idiot. But you get carried away sometimes. I don't want you taking on something you thought of on a whim.”

“So what if it is a whim? Some of the best ideas I've had happened that way.”

Including letting you into my life when everything in me screamed to run away because I didn't think I deserved you.

“Some of your ideas haven't been so great.” He gave a small chuckle. “Like those God awful shoes you thought were cute until you got them home. Those ones with cartoon dogs all over them?”

A giggle escaped me. What can I say? They looked real cute in the store window. When I got them home I realised how truly gross they were. They had actual fluff on them. Obviously not real dog fur, but fluff which made them three dimensional. Man, they were a waste of money. Nobody even wanted them when I offered them for free.

Jude slipped his arm underneath me and lifted me up towards him. “I'm sorry. If you want to talk about the make-up thing, we can.”

His eyes were full of apology. How could I stay mad at him? But he’d already knocked the shine off the idea, albeit unknowingly. I knew him better than that. He'd have done anything for me. For once I needed him to do it without questioning me.

The next day, we all trekked back to Freya’s place to help with the unpacking. Jesse even came over, even though he couldn’t help much. He was tasked with entertaining anyone who stopped to grab a drink, and breaking up the boxes we’d emptied. We separated into different rooms to pile boxes in the right places, and Will was cool with us getting some of his stuff out and asking for directions about where to put it.

“Can you believe this is happening?” Will asked, wrapping his arms around Freya. I peered around the box I’d just unpacked to watch them.

“No,” Freya answered, grinning. “It’s been a long time coming!”

“Well there’ll be no more waiting now.” Will paused to kiss her. “From now on I’ll be here all the time. You’re stuck with me.”

Freya made a face, supposedly of mock horror; she was way too happy to pull it off.

Another ripple of envy rushed over me. I didn’t usually do envy. Not ever, yet recently it had happened twice. I hated the anger jealousy created inside me.

“What shall we do later when everyone’s gone?” Will asked, pressing his forehead against Freya’s. “You wanna go out for dinner? Someplace romantic?”

Freya shook her head, somehow managing to not break contact. “Takeout, wine a movie, and-”

“Oh, excuse me.” I stood up, waving my hands in the air. “Before you start with the dirty talk, may I remind you, I am here.”

Their heads turned in my direction and we all laughed. “Sorry.” Freya kissed Will again then somewhat reluctantly moved away from him. “We’d better get back to work or there’ll be no time for-”

“Seriously!” I said. “Save the make out session for later.”

Freya high-fived me as she stepped out of the kitchen and went back to the bedroom where she and Leah were sorting out Will’s clothes.

“You guys!” I giggled.

“Nauseating, aren’t we?”

“Adorable. You’re both adorable.”

He groaned. “Bree, you’re killing me! I used to hate this sappy crap.”

“And now you’re living together it’ll get worse.”

“Right? Only a matter of time before I propose.”

I knew he was kidding, sort of, but my grin widened anyway. Okay, so Leah wasn’t getting married but maybe Will and Freya would soon!

“Take that smirk off your face.” Will laughed. “It won’t be for a while. We gotta see how living together works out first.”

“Sure. But you’ve thought about proposing?”

Will nodded in confirmation, his eyes losing their teasing quality. “What do you think? Am I good enough for her? A suitable husband for one of your best friends?”