FOREVER SERIES: COMPLETE BOX SET

by Lynn, Sandi

  “Sorry,” she said as I lay her down in bed.

  “You’re kind of cute when you’re drunk,” I said as I pulled the covers up and kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning, baby.”

  She closed her eyes and as I walked out of her room, I heard noises in the kitchen. I walked downstairs and saw my dad getting a bottle of water from the fridge.

  “Hey, son. Did you just get in?”

  “I’ve been home a while. I was upstairs with Amelia. She had a way too much to drink and she got sick.”

  He laughed. “Been there, done that. I’ll tell your mom to have the cocktail ready for her in the morning.”

  “Better her than me.” I smiled. “Night, Dad.”

  “Night, son.”

  I climbed into bed and heard a light knock on the door. “Collin,” I heard Julia whisper. “Are you awake?”

  “Yeah, come on in.”

  “I was just on my way downstairs for something to eat and I thought I heard you. Did you just get in?”

  “Doesn’t anyone in this house ever sleep?” I laughed.

  She walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed. “It’s so hard to sleep these days and so uncomfortable. I can’t help it if your nephew is hungry.”

  “You mean you’re hungry.” I winked at her.

  “So, I’m curious. Have you and Amelia had—”

  “No, Julia, we haven’t.” I interrupted.

  She smiled and patted my arm. “I’m proud of you. You aren’t rushing into anything. Good boy.”

  “You know it’s killing me, right?”

  “I know, but you’ll be happy you waited,” she said as she got up from the bed.

  “Yeah. I know I’ll be and so will she.”

  “Night, little brother.”

  “Night, big sister.”

  * * *

  The next morning, I got out of bed, checked on Amelia and went downstairs for breakfast. The kitchen smelled of bacon and eggs, two of Jake’s favorite breakfast foods.

  “Happy Birthday, man.” I smiled as we fist pumped.

  “Thanks, Collin. Where’s Amelia?”

  “She’s still asleep,” I replied as I poured a glass of orange juice.

  “I’m making her cocktail right now. Your dad told me about last night.”

  My dad walked in the kitchen with his arm around Amelia. “Ellery, someone needs that drink now,” he said.

  “It’s coming right up, babe.”

  I looked at Amelia and tried so hard not to laugh, but I couldn’t help it. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her.

  “You look like a hot mess.”

  She smacked me on the chest. “Thanks.”

  “Here you go, sweetie. Drink up.”

  I took the glass from my mom and handed it to Amelia. She sniffed it and then looked at me.

  “What is this?”

  “It’s my mom’s famous hangover cocktail. I’m not going to lie to you and tell you it tastes amazing because truthfully it sucks. But I promise you that you will feel better quickly.”

  My dad took his coffee and sat down at the table. “I’m officially welcoming you to the family, Amelia. When you get to drink one of those, you’re in.” He winked.

  “It’s okay, Amelia. It’s not that bad,” Julia said.

  “Are you kidding me? That tastes like shit,” Jake said.

  Amelia sat down at the table and started to sip it. I pursed my lips together and could feel her agony.

  “You have to chug it. Pretend it’s a shot or something. You can’t sip it. You have to chug it. Trust me.”

  She looked at me with fear in her eyes and then threw the drink back. She drank it all and as she set the glass on the table, she made the cutest face of disgust.

  “I know, baby. I know it’s awful, but it really does work,” I said.

  “Remember one thing, Amelia,” my dad said. “As long as you’re hung over in front of Ellery, you will always have to drink that.”

  “Connor, that’s not true,” my mom said.

  “Really, Elle?”

  “Yeah, Mom, really? Jake, Julia and I said at the same time.

  Amelia started to laugh and ate some dry toast. The rest of us enjoyed a great breakfast before we had to get ready for Jake’s party.

  * * *

  I heard a knock at the door, and I knew it was Jacob and Diana. I jumped up from my chair and answered it.

  “Hey, little man!” I smiled.

  “Hey, Collin.”

  I kissed Diana on the cheek and Amelia came walking into the foyer.

  “Diana, Jacob, I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Amelia. Amelia, Jacob and Diana.”

  “It’s so nice to finally meet the two of you. Collin talks about you all the time.”

  “The pleasure is mine, Amelia.” Diana smiled. “You’ve got yourself a great catch here. Collin is an angel.”

  “I don’t think I’d go that far, Diana.” My dad laughed as he walked in.

  It was good to see Jacob again. It had been a while. “How are you feeling?” I asked as I messed up his hair.

  “Knock it off, dude and I’m feeling fine.”

  “Fine enough to maybe do some surfing?”

  “SURFING? Are you serious?” he said.

  “Sure am. That’s if it’s okay with your mom.”

  “Mom, please. Please can I go? Please.” He begged.

  Diana looked at me with uncertainty. “I don’t know.”

  “Diana, please trust me on this.” I smiled. “He’s in good hands and Jake will be out there with us.”

  “Okay, but be very careful,” she said.

  “YES!” Jacob exclaimed.

  Let’s go get our bathing suits on and we’ll head down to the beach.” Amelia looked at me and smiled. “Come with us? Please?”

  “No. I’ll be more than happy to watch you from the sand.”

  I sighed and kissed her on her forehead. While Jacob and I went upstairs and changed into our bathing suits, Amelia grabbed a blanket, a few towels and headed down to the beach.

  “Come on, bro! Let’s get the surfboards from the garage.”

  “Be careful out there, Collin. You know how I worry,” my mom said.

  “Yep. Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll be fine,” I said as we raced through the kitchen.

  I took the surfboards from the wall in the garage and Jacob and I took them down to the beach. When we got there, Jake was already in the water and Julia was sitting on the blanket talking to Amelia.

  “The waves are looking good today,” I yelled out to Jake.

  “They’re awesome, dude. Hurry up and get out here.”

  I knelt down in front of Jacob and put my hand on his shoulder. “Listen to me, buddy. I want you to breathe in the ocean air, really take it in. Okay?”

  “Yeah, sure, Collin.”

  “Okay, let’s hit the water.”

  I gave Jacob a few tips and before too long, he was up on the surfboard. He fell a few times but so did me and Jake. Overall, he wasn’t bad. He took it slow and listened to everything I said. He was happy to be out in the water. Julia called for Jake and told him they had to get back up to the house and get changed for the party. Jacob and I stayed in the water a little longer.

  “Come on, buddy. We need to get back to shore. Jake’s party is going to be starting soon.”

  We paddled our way back land and as soon as we emerged from the water. Amelia ran over, handed Jacob a towel and took the surfboard from him. She walked over to me and kissed my cold lips.

  “You looked great out there.” She smiled.

  “Thanks, baby. Jacob did pretty well, and I think he had a good time.”

  The three of us sat down on the blanket and dried off for a few minutes before heading up to the house. “You feeling okay, bro?” I asked.

  “I feel great. Better than I ever have.” He smiled.

  I placed my hand on his head. “That’s great, buddy.”

  Amelia took my
hand and held it tight. She looked at me before leaning over to give me a kiss. “You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”

  “Stop it.” I smiled. “I think you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”

  Diana walked towards Jacob and he got up and ran to her. “Mom, it was so much fun. I can’t wait to do it again and guess what?”

  “What, sweetie?” She smiled.

  “I feel great. I don’t feel like I normally do.”

  “That’s wonderful, Jacob. Now let’s go get you out of this wet bathing suit and into some dry clothes. We’ll see you up at the house, Collin.”

  Amelia turned and brushed her lips against mine. “How did you know?”

  “Know what?” I asked.

  “That the saltwater would help open up Jacob’s airways.”

  “I’ve been doing a little research here and there. No big deal.”

  “It is a big deal. A very big deal,” she whispered as she once again kissed me and we both fell back into the sand.

  Chapter 23

  The guests had started to arrive, and the party was under way. My mom had a huge spread of food catered and enough alcohol to quench the thirst of an army. Family and friends were in attendance and finally my grandparents arrived. I introduced them to Amelia after my grandmother lectured me about how they don’t see me much. Denny wasn’t able to make it because he wasn’t feeling well again which had my dad really concerned. As Amelia and I filled our plates with food, I heard a voice behind me.

  “Hi, Collin.”

  I froze for a moment because of her voice. I took in a deep breath and turned around.

  “Hailey. What are you doing here?”

  “When my parents told me they were coming I just sort of tagged along. I need to talk to you.”

  I looked over at Amelia as she glared at Hailey. “Hailey, this is my girlfriend, Amelia.”

  “Girlfriend? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” “she said.

  “There are a lot of things you don’t know, Hailey. Now if you’ll excuse me, we’re going to go eat.”

  I took Amelia’s hand and led her outside to the table where Jacob and Diana were sitting. I noticed my mom and dad staring at us from the corner of the room.

  “That’s nice. You didn’t tell me that your ex-girlfriend was going to be here,” Amelia said with a slight attitude.

  “That’s because I didn’t know she was coming.”

  “I thought she was in Italy,” she said.

  “Your ex-girlfriend is here? Not cool, Collin,” Jacob chimed in.

  I shot him a look and he smiled. I could tell how upset Amelia was by the look in her eyes.

  “Did you know she was back?”

  “I just found out a couple of days ago. Who cares anyway? I surely don’t,” I said.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Amelia asked.

  “What did you want me to say? Hey, by the way, my ex is back in town.”

  “Yeah, something like that. Maybe I wouldn’t have been caught off guard.”

  “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Let’s just eat,” I sighed.

  Now I was angry. I was angry for Hailey showing up at my family’s party. Who the hell did she think she was after all this time? Not only did she piss me off, but she upset Amelia and I was afraid her being here was going to cause an argument. As I looked across the patio, I saw her talking to Julia. Peyton walked over to me and gave me a hug from behind.

  “I’m so sorry, Collin. I told her not to come but she wouldn’t listen,” she whispered in my ear.

  “It’s okay, Peyton. Don’t worry about it.”

  She gave me a squeeze and walked over to where my mom and dad were. I looked at Hailey and noticed she had a different look about her. Not physically, but emotionally. She looked unsure and sad. After everyone ate, we sang happy birthday to Jake and had cake. I tried to get Amelia to have some, but she wouldn’t. The happiness she displayed earlier was gone and now she was in a somber state.

  “Hey, do you think we can have that talk now?” Hailey asked as she walked up to me.

  I looked over at Amelia. “Go ahead. Go talk and get it over with so we can go on with our evening,” she said.

  “Amelia, do you want to go inside and play some x-box?” Jacob asked.

  “Sure, Jacob. I’d love to.”

  Before Amelia walked away, she gave me a kiss and told me that she’d be waiting for me. I didn’t want to talk to Hailey, but I didn’t have a choice.

  “Let’s make this quick, Hailey. What do you want to talk about?”

  “Can we at least go somewhere quiet? Like down to the beach.”

  I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Fine.”

  We walked down to the beach and Hailey sat down in the sand. I sat down next to her and asked her what she needed to talk about.

  “I’m pregnant,” she said as she looked down.

  My heart stopped for a split second and I didn’t know what to say. “Wow. Do your parents know?”

  “No, not yet. I don’t know how to tell them.”

  “What about the father? Does he know?”

  “Yeah, he knows, and he wasn’t happy. When I refused to get an abortion, he broke up with me.”

  “Nice guy,” I said.

  She reached over and placed her hand on mine. I immediately pulled my hand away from her.

  “Listen, Hailey. I’m sorry for what you’re going through, but I have a girlfriend whom I care for very deeply and she’s the priority in my life.”

  “I’m sorry, Collin. I’m so sorry for hurting you,” she began to cry.

  I stood up and when I started to walk away, I stopped and turned to her.

  “Sorry isn’t going to cut it this time, Hailey. You made your choice the minute you stepped on that plane.”

  I turned around and walked back to the house. I grabbed a beer from the fridge and told Amelia to meet me up in my room when her and Jacob finished their game. I went upstairs and sat on my bed with my back up against the headboard. As I took a drink of my beer, Amelia walked in and climbed on the bed next to me.

  “How’d it go?” she asked nervously.

  “She’s pregnant.”

  “The baby’s not—”

  “God, no!” I interrupted. Supposedly the guy she was with wasn’t happy about the baby and he wanted her to get an abortion and when she refused, he kicked her out.”

  “That’s terrible. How could someone be so cruel?”

  “I don’t know but it’s not my problem,” I said as I threw back my beer.

  She put her arm across my chest and snuggled close to me. I put my arm around her and gripped her shoulder firmly. Everything felt right with her. I was happy and no one was going to ruin that for me.

  * * *

  I woke up holding Amelia in my arms. We both fell asleep last night after we talked about Hailey. I carefully moved my arm and quietly rolled out of bed so I didn’t wake her. I stood there and stared at her as I pulled the sheet over her. I was falling in love with this girl and I wanted to tell her so badly, but I was scared. I walked downstairs and made a pot of coffee. As soon as the coffee was done brewing, Julia walked in.

  “Morning, Collin.”

  “Morning, Julia. You look bigger than you did yesterday.” I smiled as I poured her a cup of coffee.

  “Thanks and I feel it too. Did Hailey tell you?”

  “Yeah, she told me.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.

  “There’s nothing to talk about. It has nothing to do with me.”

  “It doesn’t bother you at all that she’s pregnant?”

  “Why the hell would it? She dumped me and told me to move on, so I did. I don’t have feelings for her at all. I’m happy with Amelia. She’s the girl I want. Hailey will have to deal with this baby on her own. It’s not my fault she got knocked up.”

  “Whoa. Tell me how you really feel.” She laughed.

  “I just did, and I don’
t want to talk about it anymore. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bring my girlfriend some coffee.”

  I made Amelia’s coffee exactly how she liked it; one-part cream and one-part sugar. I walked back up to the bedroom and when I opened the door, she was lying there staring at me. I smiled as I set the cups down on the nightstand.

  “Morning, beautiful.” I smiled as I leaned over and kissed her.

  “Morning, handsome. I can’t believe we both fell asleep last night.”

  “I brought you some coffee.”

  She sat up and I handed her the cup. “Thank you.” She smiled.

  I climbed back on the bed and she leaned her on my shoulder. “I don’t want to go back to the city. I love it here.”

  “I know. I do too, but you have school tomorrow and clinicals and I have work. We don’t have to head back until later, so we’ll do whatever you want to do today. It’s your choice,” I said as I kissed her head.

  “I want to go horseback riding.”

  “Seriously?” I asked.

  “Yes. That day we went was amazing and I would love to do it again.”

  “Then horseback riding it is.”

  “Great. If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a quick shower,” she said.

  “Go ahead. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  She kissed my lips and then got up from the bed. I grabbed her hand and pulled her back. She laughed as she fell on the bed. I leaned into her and kissed her again. This time, it was deep and passionate, and I didn’t want to let her go. I broke our kiss and she smiled at me.

  “I just felt the need to do that.” I smiled.

  “Feel free to do that anytime.”

  “I will. I promise. Now go get in the shower.”

  She got up and I lightly smacked her perfect ass. She giggled as she left the room.