Forbidden

"He Liked Ace"

I glanced at him worriedly.

"About?"

"Kane lied."

I scrunched my face up, "Lied about what?"

He sighed and looked out the windshield.

"He didn't like you. He liked Ace."

I opened and closed my mouth. Probably resembling a fish, while attempting to process the new information given to me.

"Wait. So you're telling me that he never liked me at all? He liked Ace? My ex boyfriend? What?"

He turned to look at me, concern clear in his eyes, "I was in the locker room, changing, and then I heard Kole talking to him. It started out as normal. You know, usually something about basketball, or a game they want to get for Xbox. Then Kole mentioned that he was with you today, and Kane turned quiet."

I nodded, wanting him to continue on.

"Kane mentioned that Ace was back in town and that they were going to go out tonight. Then all of a sudden, I heard someone being slammed into the lockers and I stepped out of the shower to go check it out. But before I could take three steps, Kole said something."

I waited for him to continue, but he didn't.

"Nick."

He took a deep breath, "Kole said 'Haven't you fooled around enough behind Brin's back?'"

I froze.

Kane and Ace. My best friend and my ex.

There was a pain in my chest, as if an elephant was sitting on it, and it was hard to breathe. I felt betrayed and stupid. How could I have not known?

"Brinley," he softly said while reaching for my hand.

"I-I-"

"Shh, you don't have to say anything."

We sat in the car for a couple of minutes before I remembered something.

"Nick, there's something I need to tell you."

He looked at me questioningly.

"Ace said he was at Colorado. So did Kane when I saw him for the first time after I was discharged. He was the only one who didn't visit me. D-does that mean anything? What if-what if they-" I was interrupted by Nick shaking his head.

"Not right now, little one. Act normal, mom's coming out to check on us."

I did as he said and we both released each other's hand.

A few seconds later, mom peeked her head out the front door and motioned for us to come in.

We both slowly got out of the car and headed inside. As soon as we were in, we both stopped at the front door with our mouths open.

"So what do you guys think?" Mom chirped.

We didn't utter a single word.

Right there, in the middle of the living room, was a giant teddy bear. The furnitures were moved around so that the bear fit inside.

I stepped forward, "Mom..."

"Isn't it lovely? Lawrence surprised me with it!"

Nick coughed, "Dad? Dad got that?"

Mom nodded her head excitedly.

"Mom, where are you going to put that thing?"

She looked at me and realization crossed her face. She blinked. And blinked again. And that's when she realized that the humongous bear had no place in our home.

She cried out and ran upstairs to find dad.

Nick and I looked at each other and laughed.

Yupp, our family is really crazy.

~

"Hey, Brin!" a very familiar voice said to me.

I turned around and regretted my choice.

I came face to face with Kane's smiling face.

I tried to smile, however, I'm sure it ended up as a grimace.

"Listen, I need a favor."

I looked at him questioningly, "What is it?"

"I need you to come with me somewhere after school. You cool with that?"

For some unknown reason, I had agreed to it. I have a feeling that I would be regretting my decision in the future.