Forever Together (Forever Love #2) (31 page)

I knew it when I was three feet high that this was the girl I was gonna marry, when I was just a little dude dressed like Spiderman and she was a girl that wanted to be a princess. I knew it when I took her on that first date and watched her slurp her milkshake, blushing the entire fucking time. I’ve known it every day of
my
life that Cindy Martin was my one. I fucked up a couple of times along the way but I never stopped knowing or believing that she was my forever.              

And shit I have officially turned into a chick. I’m gonna be growing a pussy and a pair of tits at this rate.              

Oh who am I kidding? With my woman looking like that I couldn’t give two flying fucks.

“How you feeling?” She asks, biting on that luscious bottom lip.

“I’m good. Are you ok? You hurt at all?”

“I’m great, I’m just happy you’re ok. Your hand looked really bad. Does it hurt?”

“Nah not really. The doc gave me some meds though.”

“I like your cast.” She giggles and bows her head.

“Yeah Tucker and Noah are idiots. Bright side is it’s gonna really piss Blondie off having this in her wedding photos.” Looks like this is a day for silver linings.

“Maybe not. Tree fell down in Elm Street, went right through the roof of the church. The place where they were gonna have the reception is pretty beaten up to. I don’t think they’re gonna be
getting
married this week.”

“Shit is Liv ok?”

They’ve spent months planning this shindig. She was turning crazy with it at one point until Mrs. P took over. Not to mention it must have cost a bomb.

“She took it surprisingly well. Mrs. Preston on the other hand not so much. There were tears, a lot of tears and a lot of screaming. Liv’s Dad took her home. She should be ok though.”

“That’s good. Hey at least she can do what she wants now. I don’t think the wedding was really her thing.”

“Yeah, I think that’s why she took it so well”

We both stay silent after that. Cinders looks everywhere and anywhere around the sterile room. The sneakers she has on her feet squeak on the linoleum floor. It’s fucking painful how awkward it is.

“What about us?” I ask, breaking the silence. Her head pops up and I can see her take a breath.

“We need to talk. A lot.” Again, her lip gets caught in between her teeth. “But I think we’re gonna be ok. Everything you said in that bathroom, it’s what I’ve been wanting to hear for years. And sure I guess some people would think it’s too little too late, but I’m not ready to give up on us yet. Things are going to be different though. We’re both different people to how we were before. I don’t know, I guess what I’m trying to say is that it hurt to be without you Brady. Most days I felt like I couldn’t get out of bed, I couldn’t eat. I just wanted you. But I survived so I know I can live without you. It would hurt like hell but I could do it.”

“Say what you really feel.” I chuckle nervously.

“I’m sorry, this is coming out completely wrong. I can live without you Brady. It probably wouldn’t be a full life and I'd be a mess but I could. I don’t want to though. I don’t want to move on. I don’t want closure. I don’t want to ever get over you because you’re my other half too.”

My heart rises with every word and I swallow the bile that I was about two seconds away from throwing up. She still wants me. She still loves me.

“Come here.” I beckon her over and stand up from the rock hard hospital bed.

She takes three slow
wide
steps towards me and as soon as I can reach her I take hold of the hand at her side and yank her. Her chest hit’s mine and my shoulder pulls.

“Fuck that hurt.” I wheeze.

“I’m sorry are you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Now kiss me woman, I’m injured.”

I plaster that panty melting smile the women love on my face and don’t miss the way her eyes dash from my lips to my eyes. Looks like someone wants to play hard to get. I tip her chin up and slowly take her perfectly pink pouty lips. She tastes like coffee and one hundred percent Cindy. Best taste in the world.

“I love you.” She says against my lips and for a minute I’m expecting someone to run in and interrupt. Hell, it happened last time.

“I love you too, my little dark haired beauty and I’m never gonna stop showing you.”

Epilogue

6 weeks later

Brady

“You ready?” Cindy asks, looking at me with the sweetest smile on her face.

“This is damn crazy. I’m not doing this.” I shake my head and step back. Nuh uh, no fucking way. I don’t know what possessed me to think this was a good idea. Oh yeah I do, it was Cinders and her hippy shit about closure and talking it out. Bullshit.

“Oh no you don’t.” She pulls on my arm and I pretend that she’s not weak as fuck and let her lead me back. “We made a deal. You and…” She waves at the grey stone in front of us. “Are gonna talk.”

“It’s weird though.” I groan. “He can’t even answer me back. I’m just gonna be a fucking weirdo talking to a rock.”

“Just try it. Now, I'll be over there to give you two some privacy, ok?”

I nod my head and she stands on her tiptoes in the black sneakers she’s got on to give me a kiss on the cheek. That’s it? That’s all I get? Before I can grab her and get me some sugar, she skips away, her ass wiggling in those tight as fuck jeans she’s got on. Damn, I am a lucky man even if she is a little tease.

I slowly drag my eyes away from Cindy’s mouthwatering butt and back to the square grey stone in front of me. I take a deep breath to steel myself for the craziness that is about to happen and crouch down, stretching my hand out and running my fingers over the gold letters engraved into it.

Darren Myles

Born March 15
th
1977

Died November 8
th
1999

Leaving behind a devoted wife and beautiful son who will cherish his memory until the end of time.

“Sorry about the surname thing. That was Mom's idea to have Bob adopt me but just so you know, I woulda way preferred Myles.” I say, just to get it on the table. It’s a sore subject between me and my Mom, but apparently it’s something my Dad wanted if my Mom ever remarried so I guess it’s ok. To be honest, a lot of things are ok between me and my Mom now.

The past 6 weeks have given us a chance to talk our shit out. There’s a long way to go but I don’t see her as a bitch anymore. Well, not as much anyway. Even Bob doesn’t seem
like
as
that
much of a dick as he usually is but that might be because I’m not constantly calling him a bastard and I actually talk to him once in a while.

“I guess it’s been a while, huh? I’m sorry about that too. Shit’s been busy and I didn’t really know what to say.” I sit my butt down on the ground, the dry yellow grass hard and lumpy under me. I figure this might be a long conversation though so might as well get comfortable. “So Noah, you don’t know him…  though I guess you could since you're up there, all seeing and shit now. He’s getting married today. Got himself a feisty little blonde that gives me no end of fucking grief. He’s got his hands full with that one. She’s perfect for him though. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people so fucking in love. It makes me sick most of the time
but
.
I guess that’s how me and my Cinders are
too
though
.”

I smile at the thought of my dark haired beauty, standing over the other side of the cemetery wiping a cloth over a stranger’s headstone before moving onto the next one. That’s my woman though, caring and sweet even to people she’s never even met.

“Ah Cinders, you’d love her. She looks like a damn angel, acts like one too. I’m not gonna lie, I fucked up with her badly but she forgave my dumb ass. I don’t know what I’m gonna do when she heads back to LA.” That thought sombers me. I pull out the light blue box from the pocket of my grey sweatpants and open it up, staring at it for a few seconds before turning it around. “Check this out. I’ve been carting it around for the last two weeks. Nice huh? Cost me an arm and a leg and it’ll probably take me a hundred years to pay this shit off, but totally worth it. I’m gonna finally make her officially mine. Got it all planned out for tonight. She ain’t leaving this town without this
two
2
carat beauty on her finger. No fucker will try shit with her then.” I’m a genius. I know so. “So I just wanted to check in, make sure you know that I haven’t forgot about you. I know I’m a dick for not coming often but it’s kinda awkward I guess. I mean, I don’t even know if you can hear me. Noah does this with his Dad though, says it feels like he’s actually talking to him. I know my Mom comes up here. She said she puts flowers down once a week. I ain’t got no flowers since I
figure
reckon
we’re men and don’t need to do th
at
is
shit. When I told her that, she said you woulda said the same thing.” I laugh at the thought of how alike I am to someone I can’t even remember. “I guess what I really came up here to say was that even though we don’t have the same surname no more and you didn’t really get to see me growing up, you’re still my Dad. I just figured that when a guy is about to propose it’s you they come to talk shit out with.” I nod my head and shove the box back into my pocket before Cindy looks over and sees it. “I’ll be back soon. I won’t leave it so long next time though. I bet it gets kinda lonely up here for you.”

I run my hand over the cold headstone
and rub the smear away from my fingers
before standing up.

“See ya soon Dad.” I pat it twice before reluctantly walking away, looking back twice. I definitely won’t leave it so long next time.

Cinders is tidying up some other plots when I come up behind her and wrap my hands round her waist. She lets out a little squeak that’s cute as fuck and turns around in my arms.

“Feel better?” She asks.

“Yeah,” I frown. “I guess I sort of do.”

“Told ya so.” She sings with a face splitting smirk on her face.

I swear
,
since that storm she’s gotten feistier. I love it but the girl sure has got some sass going on now. I don’t know if it’s because she’s more sure of herself or because she’s been spending too much time with Liv. Personally, I’m thinking it’s the latter.

They’ve been on Mission get Liv and Noah down the aisle since the storm wrecked the whole town. Luckily, nobody got hurt other than my dumb ass but at least that stupid cast came off two days ago. Of course if they hadn’t have taken it off, I was ready to get the saw out and take it off my damn self. I was sick of the fucked up looks people kept giving me.

Yeah, anyway six weeks since hurricane dipshit went all loco, the girls have been crazy. It was like some CIA shit. Mrs. P was banned from all wedding planning which went down about as well as a lead balloon. That woman lost her damn mind when they told her she couldn’t do shit. Who woulda thought such a small woman could have such a nasty ass mouth? I think she even shocked herself.

This time, Liv and Noah are gonna have the wedding they want. The girls have been working round the clock to make it happen while me and my boys have been watching and drinking beer. I like to think the support we’ve been giving is more spiritual, you know - like positive thoughts and shit. Who knew so much fucking work went into a wedding anyway? I was tired as hell just watching the girls running around like headless chickens, panicking about flower arrangements and table settings and shit.

“Finished.” Cindy huffs, throwing the dirty cloth into the trashcan by the gate.

She grabs my hand and presses a hard kiss to my mouth. I quickly hold the back of her head and give her some of the same treatment. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her. I'll be ninety-years-old with a cane and a hearing aid and still prowling round the house looking for her ass to get me some loving.

She ducks her head when we pull apart, a blush spread
ing
s
up her neck and face.

“We’ve got a wedding to get to.” She says breathlessly with her eyes shining.

“They’ll wait.” I grab her legs and throw her over my shoulder before heading towards my newly repaired truck.

“Brady!” She squeals, hitting my back. “Brady! We haven’t got time.”

“I told you, they’ll wait.” I laugh.

After a few more hits that barely even sting, I place her on her feet, holding her steady until she can regain her balance.

“They’re gonna wonder where we are, we said we would only be half an hour.”

“Fine.” I sigh. “Just so you know though, as soon as Noah and Blondie are man and wife, your ass is mine. I don’t care if we gotta use one of the fucking dinner tables.”

“Ok.” She rolls her eyes. See what I mean about the damn sass?

***

I got ninety-nine problems and a bitch is most definitely one of them. A bitch called Noah that is.

“Stop pacing.” I pull on the ends of my shortened hair because apparently according to Blondie, I can’t fulfill my best man duties looking like a “Shaggy dog.”

“I’m not pacing.” Noah growls, spinning on his heel for the hundredth time and retracing his steps back to the other side of the white tent.

“Yeah you fucking are and you’re making Brian nervous.”

I stroke the head of the little guy
,
sitting at my feet. He looks sharp as hell in his little jacket and bow tie. He’s my assistant best man which just about sends Tucker into a fucking meltdown every time I mention it.

“Brady, I’m gonna kick your ass if you don’t shut the hell up.”

“Alright.” I shrug. “I just don’t get what you're so damn nervous about. The guests are all in their seats and the girls are on their way. What’s the issue?”

“What if she chickens out?” He sighs, looking at me with panicked eyes. Great, I gotta deal with a groom that’s got cold feet now.

“After the shit she’s gone through to get this show on the road? Nah, Blondie wants to marry you. Why
,
?
I don’t know but for some fucking reason she loves you. What’s brought this on?”

“I watched the first half of Runaway Bride last night. Fucked me up.” Wait, what?

“Ok, I’m not gonna say shit because you’re getting married in like ten minutes but we are totally discussing that another time.” I snort. Runaway Bride? What a sap!

Tucker comes walking through the open door of the big ass white tent, one of three dotted on the field. This one is the one we got ready in. One of the others has all the tables in for the reception and the third has some huge dance floor that my Mom rented them as a wedding present.

              “Ok, I feel violated.” The ass holds his hands up in the air looking pissed
as hell
the hell off
. “Your Grandma just pinched my ass dude. That is not ok.”

“Oh fuck I don’t need to hear this shit right now, Tuck!”

I laugh my ass off imagining Noah’s snooty ass grandma making a beeline for Tucker.

“She’s got experience at least.” I chuckle, holding onto Brian to stop him falling off my shaking lap.

“It’s not fucking funny. And you’re a cop, you should be taking it seriously. I wanna make a complaint. I got sexually harassed by a hundred-year-old.”

“Calm down Tucker. She’s just playing.”

“She called me… She called me peachy” He shudders.

Now Noah’s seeing the funny side, his shoulders bouncing up and down. The tears are falling from my eyes as Tucker carries on yelling some shit about assault and not being “an old broads bitch”.

“Thanks a lot man.” Noah sighs. “I needed a good laugh.”

“It’s not a joke. This is serious. I could have been attacked. I saw all the oldies looking at me like I was their dinner. One of them actually took their teeth out!”

“Oh Christ, I can’t breathe.” I wheeze.

“Fuck you all.”

“Is that all you came in here for princess?” Noah asks with raised eyebrows.

“No actually, I was coming to tell you the girls are here but you can fuck yourself now.” He flounces out the room like a diva as Noah goes deathly pale.

“Ok let’s not panic, they’re here now. She didn’t chicken out.” I push Brian from my lap and stand up.

“I’m getting married. I think I’m gonna be sick.” He collapses into one of the white wooden chairs and rubs his hands up and down his face. What is this? The day for drama queens?

“Now
,
pull yourself together dickhead. You love Liv remember. She’s your forever love, whatever the fuck that means. Now stop thinking of the wedding shit and start thinking of the wedding night. If that’s not enough reason to get married, I don’t know what the hell is.”

“You're right. Not about the wedding night, that’s just stupid. But I love Liv, she’s everything to me. She’s my whole world.” He starts smiling. “And I’m gonna marry her.”

“Damn right you are. Now get your ass out there.” I point to the open doorway and straighten the jacket to my tux out.

I pick Brian up from under his belly and walk out behind officer douchebag to take my place at the end of the aisle.