Everlasting

by Kassidy Carter

  “Emily, you are going to kill the poor lady before we even get a chance to find you a dress. Why do you have so many of them I thought you found the one you wanted?” I stand by the lady and take some of Emily’s dresses.

  Emily gives me a huge hug, squishing the dresses against us. “I am so happy you are here. I don’t want to commit to the dress before I try on some more. I have so many dresses I want to try. I just want to make sure everything is perfect.” She says with a shrug.

  I laugh at her and hug her back. “Did you leave anything on the racks?”

  She lets go of me and smiles. “. I just want to look jaw dropping great for Matt.”

  I boost the dresses that I am holding up. “You always look great Em. You have nothing to worry about. He is crazy in love with you.”

  The bridal consultant cleared her throat, telling us that the room is ready. We smile at her and Emily heads in. I look around the shop, taking in all the details of the beautiful items that are around. I can’t help but feel sad at that moment. How bad I want to have a person love me as much as Matt loves Emily. Instead, I get guys like Keegan, who love only themselves. Of course, it is my fault that I’ve picked those kind of guys. With a lot of self-loathing, I find a seat and sit down. It’s amazing how a happy place like a bridal store can suck the happiness right out of a person, and make them feel lonely.

  My shitty attitude doesn’t last long. Emily walks out of the dressing room in a very stunning dress. It’s a lace, mermaid style. It doesn't have much beading on it but shows off her body. And the back dips low. It is classy but sexy. Something I know my brother will love. She wanted to make Matt's jaw drop and if she chooses this dress, his jaw will drop. I let out a whistle and walk over to her.

  “I love this dress!”

  “You think? I don't know. I love it, but maybe it’s a little too much.”

  “No, don't be dumb Em. I bet you will try the others on and not like them as much as this one. This dress screams you all over it.”

  “You really think this one is the one.”

  I smile and grab her hands. “Yes I do.” I feel a tear run down my cheek and pull her into another hug. “I am so happy you and Matt found each other. You are like a sister to me. You are always there for me. You never think bad about me and put up with my crap with Keegan.” I hug her tight.

  “Don't cry Payton. You’re going to make me cry. I will always be here for you no matter what.”

  The bridal consultant hands us both a Kleenex as we break apart. I dab my eyes as Em goes back into the room. She wants to try on a few more dresses; just to be sure the first dress is the one. I want to tell her it’s a waste of time. But I understand that this is a big decision.

  Two hours later we leave the bridal shop. Emily picked the first dress like I knew she would. We were even able to try on a few bridesmaids dresses, to get a feel for what Em is looking for. We spend the rest of the day shopping around town and stopping to eat lunch. During lunch, we talk about a book we both want to read and decide our last stop will be the bookstore.

  “I hope this book is as good as everyone says it is. I hate when everyone else loves a book, and I think it sucks. It makes me feel like I am weird.” I say to Em. She understands my weirdness and my love for books. She agrees with me that hating a book others love makes you feel odd. We start to cross the street, making it half way still talking about the book. Emily laughing at me because I am venting about not wanting this book to be a disappointment.

  “What are we going to do with you?” She says laughing harder. We get to the bookstore and I break apart from her to go look for the book. She wants to look at wedding planning books while we are here; I just want to look at books. She knows once I am in a bookstore there is no getting me out. We could be here for hours.

  I walk over to the section I want and see the book right away. I take two of them, one for Em, and one for myself. I walk around, waiting for Emily and open the book and start to read it, not paying attention to where I am going. I run into something solid. Losing my footing and falling back on my butt. “Damn,” I mutter, thinking I ran into a display case. That is until I hear someone laughing and then see a hand reaching down to help me up.

  “Thank you.” I look up and see it is Hunter. I take his hand and he pulls me up.

  “I keep telling you that you need to watch around you,” he says with an amused look.

  “Sorry. I was reading, and I think you purposely walked in front of me.”

  He gives me a shit eating smile as he leans down and whispers in my ear. “Maybe I wanted to feel you against me.”

  I step back from him. I can feel the heat in my cheeks and know I am turning all kinds of red. I can’t let him get to me. I am upset with him from kissing me in the woods and then acting like nothing happened.

  “What if I don’t want to touch you?”

  He steps close to me and I step back. We do this dance until I end up with my back against a bookshelf. He looks to see if anyone is around. He smiles when he sees no one. He leans down and kisses me lightly on the lips, placing his hands on my hips to hold me in place. He kisses me deeper, slowly nipping my lower lip as he does. This kiss is different than the one in the woods. The one in the woods was rushed and wild. This one is slow and caring, almost like he wants me to know how he feels like he is trying to pour his feelings right into me. I kiss him back, placing my hands on his sides bringing him in closer to me, kissing him deeper. Forgetting we are in a bookstore, he finally pulls away from me, keeping his forehead on mine.

  “You make me feel things I don’t want to feel.”

  I look up at him, just as something catches my eye up on the top level. I move my head to get a better look. It looks like Keegan, looking right at us. I can feel the panic start to surface. Without thinking I squeeze Hunter’s side, trying to calm myself down.

  “Payton are you alright?” He touches my face, causing me to look away from where I see Keegan.

  I try to say something but can’t.

  “Payton, you’re shaking. What’s wrong?” he tilts my face up to look at him, calming me down instantly.

  “I think I saw Keegan.”

  ***

  Hunter

  I turn quickly to look where she was looking just a moment ago, but see no one there. I look back at her; I can see how scared she is and it kills me to see that look on her face. She is still shaking. I grab her hands to calm her down and show her that I am here for her. I want to go look for him, but I don't want to leave her alone. I fight with myself another few seconds about what to do and decide it’s time for us to leave. I see Emily heading towards us. I can tell she is surprised to see me here, but I shrug it off, not caring what she thinks at the moment.

  “Emily you guys have to go. Payton thinks she saw Keegan a few minutes ago.”

  Her look goes from surprise to worry as she looks at Payton. “We will go to my house and stay there for a while.” She says making the decision quickly.

  “Is Matt home?” I ask, not wanting them to be in the house alone.

  “No, he is at work till later tonight.”

  “Damn. Okay, you guys can follow me to my house. I would rather you guys stay with me until I can find out if it was Keegan in here.”

  “Hunter, you don't need to help me with this. I can handle it on my own.” Payton says looking at Em, then at me.

  I pull her away from Emily just so we are out of earshot.

  “Payton, I am helping you with this. You don't need to deal with Keegan alone. You know how scared you just were.” I give her a frustrated look when she doesn’t answer. “You were terrified within seconds, to the point of shaking.”

  “Fine. Can we at least just go to my apartment?” She blows out a frustrated sigh.

  “That’s fine. We will go to your house. Emily will stay with us until Matt is home. That way I know that crazy son of a bitch doesn't go after her to get to you.”

  She leans up and kisses my cheek lightly. �
�Thank you,” she whispers and walks back over to Emily, telling her what is going on. I don’t have a good feeling about this. I really can’t wait until this problem is dealt with.

  As we are leaving the bookstore, I can tell Payton is trying to be tough and not show the fear I saw just a few minutes ago. The girls walk over to their cars that were parked across the street. I get into my car and follow them to her apartment. When we arrive I tell the girls to wait; I will go in first and make sure that the apartment is clear. I know Matt changed the locks but you can never be too careful. After seeing that everything is clear I go back to the door and tell them it safe.

  “We decided we are having a girl's night tonight Hunter. You don't need to stay all night with us. Em is going to sleep over.” Payton says as she walks into her apartment.

  “I will stay for a little while, just to make sure that nothing happens. You can make us dinner and we can watch a movie then we will go from there.” I don’t want to leave them alone, but I know I have to. Payton wants me to and I know she won’t be alone.

  I watch her face light up. Her smile is one of those smiles that automatically makes you want to smile back. I swear it could light up a room. “You want to stay and watch movies with us? Even if we pick an ultra-sappy chick flick?”

  “I would love to watch a chick flick. I don't care how sappy it is. In fact, the sappier, the better.” What can I say, I have a soft heart and I am man enough to admit I like watching them. I used to watch them with my mom all the time.

  Emily and Payton go into the kitchen and start to make dinner. While they are cooking, I double check all of her windows, making sure they are locked right and that no one can easily open them from the outside. I also take out my knife I leave on my belt clip and put it on the side table by her bed. I will have to remember to tell her about it before I leave.

  During dinner, we don't really talk about anything too exciting to me but that could be because I am a guy and wedding details don't really get me excited. It doesn't stop them from talking about it though. Emily even asked me a few questions about what I thought about stuff. I think she did it to make me feel uncomfortable. If there is one thing Emily likes to do, it is make me look like a fool. That’s what happens when you know someone your whole life.

  Once we finish eating Emily goes into the living room to pick out a movie. Leaving me to go help Payton in the kitchen with the dishes. I put away the leftovers while she is washing the dishes. Once I finish with putting the stuff away I turn and watch the back of her. Admiring her body, as it sways slightly as she moves while washing the dishes. I walk over to her, putting my arms on both sides of her, leaning against the counter caging her in with her back pressed up against my chest. I hear a little sigh escape her as she leans her head back against me.

  “I feel safe with you Hunter. I never did with Keegan, not even when we first started dating. I always felt like something was off with him.”

  “He was more than a little off Payton. I hope you know you deserve better than him.”

  “You mean better like you?” she asks and turns herself in my arms and looks up at me.

  “Payton, I am not better. I will protect you, and I won’t ever hurt you, but you deserve better than me too.” I look down at her. I hate the look she is giving me. Her sad eyes trying to understand why I think the things I do.

  “You are too hard on yourself Hunter. I think I can decide if you are good for me or not. I am telling you I feel safe with you. I feel something for you. I think it’s more than friendship.”

  I don't say anything to her. I want to tell her I feel the same way, but I can’t. My chest is beginning to tighten so I back away from her and start to dry the dishes. She goes to say something, but Emily walks in before she can. We all finish cleaning the kitchen and then head into the living room. I sit on the couch and Payton sits on the other side. She doesn't say anything to me during the movie. She doesn’t even look over at me. I just keep to my side of the couch not paying attention to the movie at all. I can’t. I am too busy thinking about our conversation in the kitchen and how sad she looks right now. Before I know it the movie is over. So I get up and tell them that I am heading out. Payton gets up and follows me out. She steps out of her apartment into the hall, closing the door behind her.

  “Thank you again, Hunter for staying with us tonight. What you said before about you not being good enough, I still think you are wrong. You are a good guy.” She gives me a hug and goes back into her apartment before I can say anything.

  I walk out of the apartment building wanting to stay and make sure they are safe. Payton is one person I will always want to help keep safe. Keep her innocent from the violence that is out there. Ever since I watched, my mom’s ex-husband beat the shit out of her when I was a kid. Knowing I was too small and I could not do anything to help her, other than call the cops. That was the day I decided I wanted to be a cop. Since then I vowed I would protect people and bring the jackasses down that think they can hurt people or break the law. When Payton opened the door that night, all I could see was my mom. The protectiveness took over and now I can’t get enough of her. I know she will be my downfall. The one thing that will ruin me; and I will take it as it comes. I know it will come at the time when she sees she is better off without me.

  Chapter 8

  Payton

  I was in the middle of a great dream until I was shaken awake by Emily freaking out. Thinking about it in my sleep I was annoyed at her for waking me up. Until I thought what if Keegan was in here and hurt her. I sat straight up at that thought and looked at her.

  “Emily, what the hell do you want?” I mumble out in a sleepy voice.

  She was going crazy, yelling about something. I look at my clock and see that it is seven in the morning; way too early to be up already. After Hunter had left, we put in another movie, not really watching it because she was too busy talking about how cute Hunter and I are. I had to keep telling her nothing is going on between us; I even told her everything that happened in the kitchen. As much as I liked him, it won’t happen. She told me to be careful and not to rush into things if they do happen. I know she is right. I need to take things slow and that’s why most of me wants to put a halt to my feelings for Hunter. I need this mess with Keegan to be done and over with as soon as possible. Then maybe I can see if there is anything with Hunter. I would need to convince him that he is good enough for me first. It makes me sad that he thinks so little of himself. I know his home life growing up was hard; he saw some horrible things happen to his mom. I know he uses his job as an excuse to fight off having a relationship; he is afraid that he will be just like his father, but he could never turn out like his dad.

  “Is Keegan here?” I ask in a panic, my eyes darting around the room, trying to take it all in.

  “No, he isn't here. If he were, you would have been woken up to me kicking his ass.” She says with a look of confidence.

  “Then why the hell are you waking me up so early yelling?” I yawn and stretch. Laying back down.

  She grabs my arms and pulls me back up into a sitting position. She then tries to drag me off the bed. “No, you need to get up. I have to show you something.” She is panicking, this can’t be good.

  Letting her pull me fully off the bed and into the bathroom, I become even more confused and look at her, raising my eyebrow. Before I can say anything, she walks to the sink and picks something up and brings it to me. I look at it and look at her and smile, forgetting how tired I am and all the drama that my life is filled with right now, and focus on her.

  “Oh my god!” I shriek and look at the pregnancy test again, making sure I am seeing the positive sign. Yup, it’s there. I shriek again and pull her in for a hug. She is crying again when I pull away from her.

  “Why are you crying? I thought you would be happy?”

  “I am happy. We wanted to wait a few more years though. Matt's going to be so mad.” She is crazy if she thinks Matt will be mad.

 
“He won’t be Em, he loves you… I bet he is going to be so excited. He’s always wanted children.” I grab her hand and walk her out to the living room. She smiles again with less worry this time.

  “I hope you’re right. What about the wedding? People are going to think we got married because of the baby.”

  “Bullshit, they won’t and if they do fuck them. You know what’s true and what’s not.” I give her another smile. “You know, we could move the wedding up.”

  I let her think about it for a minute and go into the kitchen to make us something to eat. I grab her water and make some coffee for myself; thinking about how Emily is going to be a great mom. She has always loved kids and helping them. Watching her with her younger siblings is always fun. I have no doubt she will be an amazing mom. Just as I know, Matt will make an awesome Dad. Matt and James helped raise me since my dad was always at work, trying to make sure we had a roof over our heads and food in the house. They both did an awesome job. Matt will love this baby no matter what.

  Emily walks into the kitchen just as I am finishing up cooking breakfast. “I have an idea. You are right, we could move up the wedding to next month. We could also use Hunter’s backyard for the reception and ceremony.” She takes her plate and sits down at the table. Shoveling food in before I can even sit down. She always has loved food.

  “I am guessing you want me to ask Hunter if we can use his back yard.”

  “Well, you are sleeping with him,” she says with a snicker.

  I roll my eyes. “We are not sleeping together and nothing is going to happen with us. But yes, if you want I will talk to him about it.”