Here's to Forever Read Free Page B

you that much.”
    “Liar,” he says quickly. “You don’t just keep me around for my good looks. You so love me, dude. We all know this already. What we don’t know is why you haven’t told Tucker. Or did you use your weird ‘I see you’ bullshit to communicate it long-distance or telepathically or some creepy shit like that?”
    “You’re just jealous we don’t have a special saying.”
    “Obviously,” he responds in mock seriousness. “But really, why not tell him? This is big.”
    “It’s only big if she says yes.”
    “That’s what she said. Nailed it!” Gaige shouts.
    “Why? Why do I think going out in public with you is a good idea?”
    “You don’t. Now, back to Tucker.”
    I give a noncommittal shrug. “I don’t know. He’s on the road and I know he needs this time to separate himself from his life here. Plus, this is something I only recently started thinking about.”
    He creases his brows briefly before his face settles again. “Tanner,” is all he says.
    Gaige may be overly sarcastic and sometimes come off as an arrogant asshole, but he’s the most observant person I’ve ever met. He just seems to know things and can read situations in seconds. And like usual, he’s right on the money.
    “Yes and no. I mean, it’s not only because of that but also because I love her, ya know? She’s just it for me. Why wait?”
    “Can I say something?”
    “If you’re gonna be a dick, no. If you’re going to say sweet things to me to try and get into my pants, it’s still a no. I’m taken, Gaige.”
    “Well then I’m all out of things to say.”
    I snort. “Come on, you fuckin’ weirdo. Let’s go do this shit.”

    A bust.
    That’s what our trip to the mall was. Everything was too shiny, not perfect enough, or just plain ugly. Nothing felt…right.
    “We suck at this shit, man,” I complain to Gaige as we’re walking back out the sliding doors.
    “No, you suck. I know exactly what you need to get Rae.”
    I furrow my brow. “How the hell do you know what to get her when I’m the one dating her?”
    “Because I’m the handsome, quiet, observant one that only engages in conversation when I can add in my unique sarcastic charm. I tend to pay attention and notice shit that others don’t. Duh.”
    “How did I ever miss that,” I deadpan. “So what is it that I apparently need to get her?”
    “Simple. You need modest. No huge rock, no fancy setting. An elegant, simple band is perfect.”
    It doesn’t take me long to know he’s right. I kind of hate how he knew that and I didn’t, but I’m also thankful one of us is smart.
    “Can I confess something?” I say over the roof of my car.
    Gaige points down to the door. “Want to unlock it? I think I felt a raindrop, and I can’t mess up my hair.”
    On an eye roll, I unlock the car and we climb inside.
    “I’ve been visiting Rae’s dad.”
    “And signing your death wish,” Gaige replies quickly.
    I don’t get even a little upset at his words, because I know he’s right. Rae’s going to be beyond pissed when she finds out. As wrong as it is, there’s a small part of me that hopes to use our upcoming engagement as a distraction. It’s not why I’m proposing, but I still hope it helps to fend her off a little. She can be a little unforgiving when she’s angry.
    Hence her not speaking to her father since she discovered the nightmares that have haunted her all these years weren’t just nightmares; they were memories. Granted, it’s a legit reason to stop talking to someone, especially since that was something very real and very tragic. But she hasn’t even tried to see it from his point of view at all. And I guess she wouldn’t because she’s never been a father. She doesn’t understand what it’s like to want to protect your daughter with absolutely everything you have—no matter what it costs.
    “I know she’s gonna be pissed. I just hope she can see why I’ve been visiting him.”
    “And why’s