Forever and Ever (Complete #1-7)

by E. L. Todd

  “She did not kick my ass,” I said with a growl.

  “Whatever,” he said. “I doubt Chan would be happy if you didn’t show up. And since he’s your boss, I wouldn’t piss him off.” He closed his locker then shouldered his backpack. “Think about it.” He walked out and left me alone in the locker room.

  I stared at my locker then punched it so hard I left a dent in it.

  I wore slacks, a collared shirt, and a tie because the restaurant we were attending was fancy. Birthdays had come and gone for me, and Chan never acknowledged them. Alex had been at the studio for just a few weeks, and she got a company-paid party? What the hell?

  Before I walked inside, I sighed and tried to relax. I wouldn’t have to sit near Alex, and I wouldn’t even have to talk to her. If I did, I would bite her head off. But I still dreaded walking inside. After I calmed down enough, I walked in and found our table.

  Near the end of the table was a pile of gifts. Purple, pink, and yellow wrapping paper covered the presents everyone had bought her. When I stared at them, I realized I hadn’t brought her anything. Hopefully no one would notice.

  I took a seat at the end near Gerald. “Hey.”

  “Hey.”

  Alex sat at the opposite end, on Chan’s right.

  I ground my teeth and tried to ignore her.

  “Thank you so much for coming, everyone,” Alex said. “It means a lot to me.”

  “Do you not have any other friends?” I blurted.

  Only Gerald heard me, and he gave me a dark glare. “Don’t be mean to her. It’s her birthday.”

  “You’re acting like she’s eight. If a pink cake comes out carried by a clown, I’ll scream.”

  He shook his head then read the menu.

  “Now look who’s late.” Alex stared at me from her chair.

  I knew the comment was directed at me. I turned to her and coolly said, “What goes around comes around.”

  She wore a gray dress with a black blazer over it. A gold necklace hung from her throat, and her nails were painted with white tips. Her brown hair was curled and styled, reaching down her chest. She looked at me with her blue eyes for a moment before she turned away, leaving the conversation hanging.

  I turned my attention back to Gerald, wanting the dinner to end already.

  “We’re so happy to have you at the studio with us,” Joe said. “You’ve really lightened up the place.”

  I rolled my eyes because I couldn’t stop myself.

  “And I love what you’ve done to the desk,” Chan said. “Everything is actually organized for once.”

  “This is so stupid,” I said to Gerald. “You guys only like her because she’s cute. So lame.”

  “What was that?” Alex was looking at me.

  Gerald smirked at me, pleased I’d been caught whispering.

  “I wasn’t talking to you,” I snapped.

  “You think I’m cute?” she challenged.

  I knew exactly what I wanted to say. I think you’re worthless and have to rely on what’s between your legs to get ahead in the world. That’s what I think. But I held it back. I strongly disliked her, but it was her birthday and I couldn’t be an ass to her. “You misheard me.” I barely got the words out of my throat. I rested my elbows on the table and looked away.

  The table fell silent at my words. The tension was palpable.

  “I feel sorry for you,” Alex said. “You’re making an idiot out of yourself and you don’t even realize it.”

  My hands had formed fists and I was barely hanging on. She let her jaw unhinge and she said whatever came to mind. I knew I would lose the argument the second I participated in it. It was better to just let it boil over. Snapping at her in front of my colleagues was a stupid idea.

  “Seriously, you need to loosen up,” she said. “Just let it go.”

  “Let it go?” I asked incredulously. “You just waltzed in here and started acting like you’re better than everyone.”

  “It’s not my fault I’m a better fighter and instructor than you are.”

  My eyes widened in anger. “Someone’s cocky.”

  “Someone’s honest,” she snapped.

  Chan sighed while he watched us bicker back and forth. “Let’s just calm down and try to have a nice meal together.”

  “Then duct-tape her mouth shut,” I said quietly.

  Alex stared me down for a full minute, her eyes drilling into my face. “I’m sick of this. You want to settle this the way we started it?”

  I locked my gaze with hers.

  “I challenge you to a match. The loser owes the winner an apology—in front of everyone.”

  That sounded good to me. “I won’t go easy on you this time.”

  “You didn’t last time either.”

  Gerald gasped. “Oooh…”

  “You’re on,” I said.

  Alex turned back to Chan and fell into a quiet conversation.

  I waved down the waiter and ordered myself a double. I’d need one to get through the night.

  At the end of the night, Gerald helped Alex put all her gifts in the trunk of her car. I didn’t offer any help since I despised her. If it were anyone else, even Deana, I would have. But not for Alex.

  After every gift was crammed inside, Gerald walked back to his car then took off. Alex got inside her Honda then looked at me. A scowl was on her face, a look she reserved for me alone.

  I ignored her then got into my truck. I just wanted to go home and watch TV, something to get my mind off the horrible night. I put the key in then turned the ignition. The motor wouldn’t turn over at all. I did it again, but nothing happened. The truck was totally dead.

  What the hell? It wasn’t even that old. I got out and popped the hood. After investigating for a few minutes, I realized the battery was dead. When I arrived at the restaurant, I must have forgotten to turn off my headlights during my blind rage. I would have to jump-start it. But who would jump me?

  “Having car trouble?” Alex’s deep and feminine voice came into my ear.

  I turned to her, not amused. “No, I just like hanging out in parking lots.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest then eyed my engine.

  “Go away,” I said. “I don’t need your help.”

  “Your battery is dead.”

  I turned to her, surprised. “How did you know that?”

  Her eyes narrowed in annoyance. “I can tell.” She walked to the driver’s seat then tried to turn it on. “The motor won’t even turn. You must have left your lights on.”

  This girl was really getting under my skin.

  She gave me her familiar scowl. “Yes, women know stuff about cars too.”

  “Well, I figured that out on my own. Thanks.”

  “Well, you won’t be able to jump it on your own…” She leaned against the side of the car and stared me down. Her long legs were noticeable under her dress because it only reached her thighs. Black pumps were on her feet, making her a little taller than normal. Her chest was prominent in the dress, and even her blazer couldn’t hide that. A silver watch was on her wrist, and her eyes were dark with makeup. She looked like a bombshell, a knockout. But her beauty only pissed me off. She manipulated the men around her with her appearance. That was the only reason why Chan gave her the job. It irritated me every time I thought about it.

  “I’ll call my friend to give me a jump. Thanks, but no thanks.”

  “But I’m right here…” She nodded to her car. “Just a few feet away.”

  I knew what she was doing. She was enjoying every second of my ordeal. She was gloating, loving the fact that I was stranded. My misery heightened her happiness. “I don’t want your help,” I snapped.

  “You’re a sad man.” She shook her head slightly. “I keep trying to get along with you, but you won’t budge.”

  “Get along with me?” I asked incredulously. “That’s what you call it?”

  “You’re that mad I beat you in a spar?” she asked incredulously. “
Seriously? Get over yourself.” She rolled her eyes.

  “It’s not about that,” I hissed. “It’s the fact that you’re manipulating everyone around you. You mislead people and lie. You know I let you win. Don’t act like you’re oblivious to that fact. I was a perfect gentleman to you. You’re lucky I didn’t give you everything I had unless you wanted more broken legs.”

  “Manipulating?” she asked with a laugh. “Being nice and pleasant to be around is not manipulating. Maybe you should give it a try sometime. And no, you didn’t go easy on me. I won because I’m better than you. I’m stronger, faster, and have more experience. Don’t pull that crap.”

  I hated arguing with her. My blood pressure went up and so did my desire to strangle her. “Get lost.”

  “Just let me help you, prick.”

  “I’m not a prick.”

  “You should look up the definition. You obviously don’t know what that word means.”

  I gripped my truck and tried not to scream. “You think just because you’re hot shit you can get whatever you want? You make all the other guys fall in love with you, but that shit isn’t going to work on me.”

  “Hot shit?” she asked. “So, you think I’m hot?” She shifted her weight and smiled.

  “No. You just think you’re hot.”

  “No, not really. I’ve been a tomboy my whole life and I was constantly teased for it. If I had my way, I’d wear a baseball cap and a t-shirt every day of the year.”

  “Nice story,” I said sarcastically.

  She sauntered close to me then stopped when she was just a breath away. “Theo, are you attracted to me?” Her perfume wafted into my nose, and I inhaled her scent. When she was close to me, I could see the sparkle of her eyes under the streetlamps. Even in heels, she was much shorter than I was. Her legs were toned and muscular, showing her strength from training.

  For a second, I forgot my train of thought.

  “Because if you are, you can just tell me…” She watched my lips then my eyes.

  She was manipulating me, and I just fell for it. I stepped away and tried to look indifferent. “You aren’t my type.”

  If she was hurt, she hid it. “What’s your type?”

  “Any girl but you.”

  She sighed then rolled her eyes. “I’m going to pull my car around and we’ll jump it.”

  “I said I don’t want your help,” I snapped.

  “Too bad,” she said as she walked away. “It’s what friends do.”

  “We aren’t friends!”

  She ignored me. She got into her car then pulled around and faced my truck.

  I seriously hated this girl.

  Alex got out then popped the trunk. “I got cables. You need them?”

  “No.” I pulled out mine from the bed of the truck.

  She grabbed her attachments then hooked them up to her battery properly.

  God, she was annoying. I hooked up mine then she started her car. Her engine ran then donated the energy to mine.

  “Good thing I was here.” She stood beside her car and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Yeah, what would I have done without you?” I said sarcastically.

  She stared at me for a long time, her eyes taking me in. “All jokes aside, what’s your problem with me? Seriously?”

  “I already told you.”

  “But it doesn’t make any sense. You dislike me just because other people like me? Are you the Grinch?”

  “That’s why I don’t like you.” I pointed at her. “Shit like that.”

  “You mean my sarcasm?” she asked. “Sorry if I have a sense of humor. Maybe you should try one sometime. You might actually make some friends.”

  “I don’t want any friends.”

  “Someone’s heart is small…”

  I glared at her viciously.

  She sighed. “Would it help if I apologized?”

  “Apologize for what?”

  “Exactly! What did I do to you?”

  “You are lying to everyone we work with, telling them I couldn’t take you in a match. You really think I would be the lead master if I weren’t the best? You only won because I can’t hurt a woman. I’d rather break my own arm than lay a hand on you. You’re taking advantage of my chivalry and my compassion. Then you’re spreading rumors about it to anyone who will listen, including my students. That’s just low.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “Me beating you doesn’t mean you let me.” The fire started to rise in her eyes. “I hate men like you. You need women to be less powerful than you, your inferiors, in order to feel good about yourself. Since that’s the case, you’re right. We’ll never get along. Because I’m not going to be less successful just to make you feel better about your ego.”

  I held up my hand. “Whoa, hold on. I don’t have a problem with strong women. I’m not sexist.”

  “You act like it.”

  “I just didn’t like you because you were rude the second you walked in.”

  “Because you were being sexist,” she hissed.

  “I was not!” I wanted to grip my skull and pull all my hair out. “If you want people to know you’re a girl on paper, then write your full name, not Alex, the male version of your name, you idiot! Get off my back. I made a mistake. It could happen to anyone.

  “You’re only doing this to me because we butted heads in the beginning. And that’s so pathetic. You’re the one who won’t let it go. I know I didn’t make the best first impression, but it was an accident. You’re being so petty about it. When I realized you were a serious candidate, I was impressed by your strength and accomplishment, not deterred. I’m not sexist. I’m not.”

  She rolled her eyes and marched off. “Whatever. I’m sick of being the bigger person between us. If you want to keep acting like this, fine. Then I suggest you look for another job because I’m going to be around for a long time.”

  “Maybe I will,” I challenged.

  “Good riddance.” She got into her car then slammed the door shut.

  I took off my cables then turned away, refusing to look at her.

  She rolled down the window before she took off. “You’re welcome, asshole.”

  97

  Conrad

  When Beatrice got off work, she joined me at my table in the library.

  I played it cool. “How was work?”

  “Good. How was your day?”

  “It was alright. I got a B on one of my papers…a little ticked about that.”

  She gave me a bright smile. “Well, it’s better than a C.”

  “But not as good as an A.”

  She pulled out her earbuds and searched for music on her device.

  “What do you listen to?” I asked.

  “A little of everything,” she said. “But I don’t care for rap.”

  That wasn’t surprising. “None of that boys-in-the-hood stuff?”

  She chuckled. “Not my thing.”

  “What’s your favorite band?”

  Beatrice thought for a moment. She played with a strand of silky hair while she pondered my question. Her eyes stood out from the eyeliner she wore, and her purple cardigan made her chest look voluptuous. Every time I looked at her, my thoughts became perverted. “The Beatles.”

  I expected many different responses, but that wasn’t one of them. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah, I know they’re really old, but they changed music history. Even now, I still like to listen to them.”

  “Wow.”

  “What?” she asked. She stared at me with her green eyes, making me melt.

  “That’s just really cool. You have good taste in music.”

  “And movies,” she added with a smile.

  “Definitely.”

  She finally picked her music selection and left one earbud in her ear. The other was free.

  I grabbed the other earbud and inserted it into my ear. She was listening to the Doors. “You are one of a kind, sunshine.”

  “Is that my nic
kname?” she asked.

  “If that’s okay.”

  “I think I like it.”

  “I like it too.” I turned back to my computer and worked on my essay. We shared the earbuds while we studied in comfortable silence. Two hours passed and my eyes started to burn from staring at my computer too long. “I need a break.” I closed my laptop.

  “Me too.” She closed her textbook then stuffed it into her bag.

  “Want to get some coffee?”

  “Sure.” She said it without any hesitation.

  Even though she’d rejected my offer for a date, it was nice knowing she wanted to spend time with me. She would say no to any other guy. In a way, I was special. I was closer to keeping her than any other guy on the planet. So, I was making progress.

  “Want to carpool?” I asked when we got to my truck.

  “Okay.”

  I opened the passenger door then waited for her to get inside. “Watch your step.”

  She gave me a look of approval before she got inside.

  After I came around to the driver’s side, I hit the road and headed to the nearest Starbucks. “Drive-thru?”

  “I don’t care.”

  I ordered our drinks then got back on the road.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “Somewhere with a view.”

  She eyed me but didn’t say anything.

  When I found a field a few miles out of the city, I pulled over then killed the engine. “Can I see your music device?”

  She pulled it out without questioning me.

  “I want to see what else you got on here.” I hit the shuffle button then put an earbud in my ear. Then I handed her the other.

  She smiled then inserted it in her ear. Her knees were pulled to her chest while she sipped her coffee.

  The cord wasn’t long enough for us to sit on the opposite sides of the truck, so I moved to the center seat and drank my black coffee. She didn’t flinch at my proximity. The trust she had for me was higher than it’d ever been. She didn’t assume I was trying to make a move.

  The next song came on. “Are you fucking kidding me?”