If You Let Him Take Me From You || Woody McClain ||

Chapter Six

Woody

If it weren't for the sound of applause ringing throughout the room I was almost certain everyone would have been able to hear the sound of my jaw grinding in anger. I couldn't believe what had just taken place within feet of me. Jean proposing to Zora was the last thing I expected to happen tonight. Jean hadn't even mentioned that he was considering a proposal. Which I hated to admit had also left a bad taste in my mouth. I would think he'd tell me of all people. Just then he released Zora and turned to me. I quickly rearranged my face before holding my hand out to take his. "Congratulations man!" I feigned excitement. Briefly taking him into a brotherly hug as Gabrielle made her way around us to get a closer look at Zora's ring. From where I stood there wasn't much to see. Two karats tops. Zora deserved more. He knew it and so did I. I could feel my jaw began to tighten again.

"Thanks Wood." Jean said sincerely. I stared into his face and could tell that he was genuinely happy in this moment. A part of me felt bad that I wasn't able to share this moment with him for my own selfish reasons. "It was long over due." He admitted before smiling over his shoulder. Zora looked up as soon as his eyes landed on her and a toothy grin quickly spread across her face. I unconsciously cut my eyes at her. She noticed and her eyes quickly darted away. I looked on as she tried to play it off as the ladies continued to gush over her ring. Gabrielle softly looking over her shoulder caused me to drop my head and purposely pick up my drink from the table. Our eyes connected for a moment as I placed the slender red straw between my lips. I winked at her and she grinned before returning her attention to Zora. 

"Congratulations Bro!" Keith yelled stepping in between Jean and I before wrapping his arms around Jean's shoulders. I stepped back as Keith and the rest of the gang gathered around to give their support. Thankful for the distraction. I did my best to pretend I was keeping up with the conversation but god knows I wasn't. I nodded my head here and there and laughed with everyone when they laughed. All the while taking advantage of every opportunity to steal a glance of Zora. The more time that passed the more anxious I grew. It was like the more time that passed the more real this was all becoming. And the shit just wasn't sitting right with my soul. 

Granted I knew what we did was wrong. And I knew what we had been doing ever since that night was a step past wrong. That didn't make it feel any less amazing than it had always felt. Zora and I had this undeniable connection. It was more than just a physical attraction. Don't get me wrong, I could barely keep my hands off her. But the only thing better than touching her was feeling her. And I mean really feeling her. When we weren't tangled in each other's legs we were tangled in each other's heads. I loved the way she thought. I loved everything about it. 

She over thought every little thing. Down to every little detail. But I didn't find it annoying as some would. I just found myself intrigued by the things that would come out of her mouth. She made me think about things I had never thought about. She made me question things I had never questioned. And because of this she made me feel things I had never felt. Because of this she made me do things I would never do. Like fall in love with my bestfriends girl. 

And then it hit me all at once, if not ever before. I was in love with her. But she was in love with him. I stood there fading into the background as she gushed over her ring. Unable to hide my jealousy anymore than I had already managed. We had talked about everything but not this. We understood what we were getting ourselves into. We had even managed to come to some type of agreement that this could never be more than what it was. Just two people shamelessly enjoying each others company. That's all this was. Or at least that's what it had been. Two people blindly playing with fire. I guess it was only a matter of time before one of us got burned. 

"Woody what you think?" Keith quizzed suddenly catching my attention. I blinked a few times as I attempted to piece together the bits of conversation I had managed to hear.