Forever, Love

It's been twenty-seven days since I graduated from Oakwood University. It's been twenty-six days since I last kissed Justin Wordsworth. Justin is my forever love. We've been engaged for two long years. It's been an impatient journey on my part. And a slow commitment on his.

Kyle Colby, my best friend, introduced me to Justin three years ago during our Sophomore University Honor's Banquet. I sometimes think Kyle regrets Justin and I became a couple in the first place. It's not my fault that Justin's lips taste so good. At the banquet, we kept talking and flirting; two hours after meeting him, we were making out in the back of his pick-up truck. We've been a hot item ever since.

Being in love is a beautiful adventure, full of endless pathways and doors. For me, my life is just about to unfold with my upcoming wedding to Justin Wordsworth. Ah, Justin, the reason all the girls swoon, and all the boys grow envious.

Kyle and Justin were roommates for three years at university. I was always interested in meeting him, but for some reason, Kyle decided to become my bodyguard and kept most of the boys away. I love Kyle for his efforts to protect me, but something in him has been different lately.

"Maddie, do you want to get some coffee?" Kyle asks as he pulls a wallet out of his jeans. He's wearing his usual grey tight hoodie that tightens around his back and arm muscles. I won't pretend I haven't noticed his workout routines. He doesn't have a girlfriend, and he's been motivated to get ripped to attract them. But unfortunately, he's turned them all down to pursue his dream of joining the army.

"Sure, Kyle coffee sounds awesome. But all this wedding planning has me feeling burned out. How come all the other girls don't get burned out from all this ridiculous shopping and planning."

"So, stop planning and let Jessica take care of it. She's still your maid of honor, right?"

"Yeah, she is. I forgot to ask are you bringing a hot plus one to my wedding. You can bring anyone you want."

Kyle hands the barista a debit card and gives me a large coffee. The contents are so warm. It takes the chill in my body away.

Kyle's hand brushes against mine. I feel a slight redness rise to my cheeks. Kyle doesn't say anything and takes a sip of his coffee.

"Are you bringing a date to my wedding?"

"No. I told you I don't date." His shoe scuffs the floor, and his fist tightens. He used to tell me about his crushes, but our conversations have shifted, and he doesn't talk about his love interests.

"Is there a secret man in your life that you want to bring to the wedding?" I ask.

"What are you asking me exactly, Maddie?"

"Kyle, are you bi? It's totally cool with me if you are. You can bring anyone to my wedding."

"No, I don't like men like that. I like women very much. The girl I like is..."

He stops talking, and his face is full of redness. He hasn't spoken to me like this in a long time. I almost forget that it's been three years since Jessica dumped him on our annual hiking trip to the Oakwood Forest.

"So, you do like someone? Who is it? You should ask her out."

"I can't. She's in love with someone else. Can we drop this?"

Our eyes meet, and I catch Kyle staring at my lips when they do. The realization causes butterflies to emerge in my stomach. There's a deep tension between Kyle and me. It's always been there, but for some reason, at this moment, all I can do is stare back at his lips.

Kyle raises his hand like he's going to touch my face. Apart of me wishes he would. The unspoken tension between us has bothered me for years, and that tight, squeezing feeling between my legs when he stares at me won't go away.