So of course, it didn’t take long for everyone else to find out, basically because Flynn carried on about some bullshit that this group of friends have kept enough secrets from each other, so it was his duty to inform them all. It has nothing to do with Flynn being the gossip in the group.

Our group chat with the girls was on overload, but it also felt kind of nice. Although I have my sisters and love them dearly, it’s different than having a group of girlfriends. Since university, there has only been Felisha and me, and that was perfect, but this is a different kind of closeness. We all share a common bond in being with one of the guys, even if it’s temporary for me, and then Cherie is the exception, who is single and happy to be.

I had an interesting conversation with Forrest yesterday as we were lying on the couch just talking and listening to music, something I never imagined myself doing with a man. I know I’m setting myself up for hurt when this is over, because I’m already finding things I’m going to miss, and that will be one of them.

When my phone started going crazy with messages from the girls, he took it from me and told me there was something he needed me to know because he didn’t want me blindsided later.

He continued to explain what happened between him and Cherie. Not that anything ever really did happen but that he thought he wanted it to. It hurt to hear a little, but the more we talked it through, I could see what was happening. His personality and how he has lived his life protecting those he is close to.

Which is why I know I need to walk away from this when the time is right, because I don’t want to be another one of those people that he feels is his responsibility.

But I also know that the next time I see Cherie, I need to talk to her. Not that I don’t trust him, but more to make sure that she isn’t hiding any feelings for him. I’m the queen of not letting people see the real me, and I know she is too. So, it’s important that we talk it through.

Forrest agreed with me to keep whatever this is between us to just his parents and our friends. I know he wanted me to say I would tell my family too, but that feels too much for me. They know me as the emotional ice queen and accept me anyway, so I don’t want to confuse them when they see me letting Forrest touch me. Plus, I would then need to explain how we are living in his apartment, and that is part of this story that I don’t want to share with them.