Now and Forever Still

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Now and Forever Still Page 1

by A. M. Johnson




  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  DEDICATION

  PART ONE - A New Beginning

  Colby

  Cammie

  Colby

  PART TWO - Tea Time Pink and Fairy Dusted Screwed

  Seth

  Tiffany

  Seth

  PART THREE - Full House

  Todd

  Lily

  Todd

  Lily

  PART FOUR - A Happily Ever After

  Sawyer

  Elizabeth

  Sawyer

  Elizabeth

  A LETTER TO THE READER

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ALSO FROM BLUE TULIP PUBLISHING

  Now & Forever Still

  By A. M. Johnson

  (A Forever Still Novella)

  Blue Tulip Publishing

  www.bluetulippublishing.com

  Copyright © 2016 A.M. JOHNSON

  Except the original material written by the author, all songs, and song titles contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders. The author concedes to the trademarked status and trademark owners of the products mentioned in this fiction novel and recognizes that they have been used without permission. The use and publication of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events is entirely coincidental.

  NOW & FOREVER STILL

  Copyright © 2016 A.M. JOHNSON

  ISBN-13: 978-1-942246-98-5

  ISBN-10: 1-942246-98-6

  Cover Art by Jena Brignola

  DEDICATION

  To the ones that face themselves each day and think… I can’t do this… You can… and you will. The future is at your fingertips… seize it.

  For The Originals

  Anna, Lisa, Mg, Michelle, Lacey, Narine, Jellie, Jo, and Lucy

  Cycle Sisters for life.

  PART ONE

  A New Beginning

  Colby and Cammie

  “I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”

  Jane Austen

  COLBY

  THE FOOD WAS TAKING nine damn years to get to the table, and the loud din of voices started to grate on my nerves. Don’t get me wrong, it was a sideshow watching fucking Seth Montgomery smile more than a goddamn pageant queen. His chick was cool though; Tiffany seemed to be the right fit for him, so who was I to judge. He got married. When Todd said we were all meeting up at Rooster’s to celebrate Seth and Tiffany’s marriage, I had to admit, I thought he was messing with me.

  Cammie’s hand snaked around my upper thigh, demanding my full attention. The feel of her lips against my ear as she spoke, even after all these years, still got me hard. “Next August, baby, this better be you and me.” She pulled away and gave me a sugary smile. Fuck. I was in trouble.

  “I promise, Sweets.” I leaned in, and her scent was everywhere. Peaches. That smell, no matter if we were fighting or fucking, it made me crazy. My nose trailed along her exposed neckline, and my uneven breath made her smile — this time it was for real. She was wearing my favorite little black dress; it was sleeveless and her full tits were jacking me up. She did this to torture me. “You’ll be my wife next year… I promise.” My thumb brushed along her jawline, my fingers at the back of her neck. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, and the strawberry blonde waves cascaded down to just between her shoulders. God, she’s beautiful. I was such a piece of shit for not claiming this girl sooner.

  “So, next August?” Sawyer’s deep voice was skeptical; his smile was lopsided and filled with mirth. He knew me too well. Working with him was the best thing I’d ever chosen to do, but this motherfucker was always giving me a hard time.

  “Yeah, brother, next August. Be my best man?” I laughed and took a swig of my beer.

  “I’d be honored.” Sawyer smirked as Todd rolled his eyes.

  “Nice… you guys are dicks.” Todd laughed and shook his head. His girl looked really good tonight. Todd and Lily were finally starting to get some rest. Lyric was sleeping through the night according to Lily, so my brother wasn’t such a shit to be around.

  “Well, if it’s okay, Cammie, I’d love to help plan it. When is the exact date?” Elizabeth was always the planner. She was like the matriarch. Her “been there done that attitude” was my favorite thing about her.

  “We haven’t decided a date yet, just… August.” Cammie poked at her salad with her fork, and I felt like a complete asshole.

  You see, the thing was, I loved this girl. She was perfect; she didn’t take my shit and served up a good dish of her own sass as well. We completed each other. As cheesy as it sounded, this chick was made for me. But... in reality, I was fucking terrified. I watched her go through so many guys before we got together. I’d seen all the shit Todd and Seth had gone through. When Sawyer got hurt, Elizabeth almost shattered. It scared the fuck out of me to depend on another person like that. I’d always just been on my own. Cammie was my first real girl, and I was scared shitless that I could lose her. And being married to her… having her legally be my other half, was something I was looking forward to and dreading at the same time. Because then… it was done, that anticipation was gone, and she lived for that high, that feeling. If it was gone, what would keep her with me?

  “What about the thirteenth?” Tiffany’s smile had matched Seth’s all night, and I noticed they only let go of one another’s hand if absolutely necessary. “Thirteen worked for us.”

  Seth whispered something in her ear, and her cheeks turned pink. Her long, black lashes fanned down, and Seth smiled. I knew that smile. That kid was odd, and I could’ve only imagine what he just said to her. His eyes met mine. “August thirteenth could work. It’s about time you set a date, bro.”

  I swallowed down the irritation that was Seth Montgomery telling me about relationship shit. “What do you think, Sweets? August thirteenth?”

  Cammie’s blue eyes searched my face, and her lips spread slowly into a breathtaking smile. She had my number the day I pinned her to the floor and kissed her. “Really?” Her voice was small. How had I made her wait this long? I didn’t deserve her.

  “Really, baby.” Her long delicate fingers rested against her shaking lips, the diamond that sat on her ring finger was a reminder to do the right thing, to make this woman mine already for Christ’s sake. I spoke in a whisper so only she could hear. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a shit.”

  She nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “You have been.” Her laugh was watered down, but her smile was everything — it was big, so full of hope. My goddamn heart started to sprint.

  I glanced around the table and noticed everyone was lost with their own conversations. Elizabeth and Lily were talking kids. Todd and Sawyer were laughing about something, and Seth and Tiff were privately speaking in murmurs. Foreheads close, eyes on each other, hands… still linked. It was then I realized what a fucking idiot I was. My friends, my family, they were all moving on, doing their own thing, and I was just treading water. “Fuck it, Sweets. Let’s get married next month. Let’s do what you wanted to do in the first place.”

  “Vegas?” Cammie’s blue eyes were wide, her full, pink bottom lip between her teeth.

  I nodded, and she squealed. She actually sque
aled, and I narrowed my eyes as the table went quiet.

  “Did I hear Vegas?” Todd asked, giving me a smug smirk.

  “Hell yes.” Cammie’s tone was victorious.

  “Thank God.” Todd laughed. His remark pissed me off.

  “Like you have room to talk. When the fuck are you going to make an honest woman outta Lily?” I raised my eyebrow, and Todd’s jaw tightened.

  “Okay, settle down, Dixon.” Sawyer’s tone begged me to shut the fuck up.

  Elizabeth laughed. “Which one, sweetheart?”

  “Both of them.” He shook his head with a smartass grin before taking a long pull of his beer.

  Lily gave me a scowl. “We’re just fine, thank you very much.” Lily threw her fork at me, and it made a loud clang as it hit the floor. Shit, that girl had terrible aim.

  I chuckled. “Holy shit, bro, teach your girl how to throw.”

  Todd’s frown twitched as he fought his smile. “That was pretty bad, baby.”

  Lily swatted at his chest, and Cammie laughed.

  “I love you, Sweets.” My hands framed Cammie’s face, and I brought my lips to hers. The vanilla flavor of her lips mixed with her peach scent made me think of summer days and peach cobbler. Fuck, this girl got me going.

  She smiled, her lips still touching mine. “I love you too.” She pulled away enough to give me a wicked smirk and then leaned forward, speaking quietly in my ear. “Will you show me how a “real Dixon man” does it?” Her hot breath on my neck, her hand at my waist, her thumb dipping dangerously low below my belt. I hissed.

  “Don’t temp me, Cammie. You lose this game every time.” My hand skated up her thigh, pushing the fabric of her dress higher as my finger slipped under the hem of her panties. I had to bite my cheek to suppress my groan. “Fuck, Sweets.” She was wet, and I suddenly couldn’t give a shit if our food ever got here. Hell, I was ready to leave.

  “Not today. Today I won.” She nipped my earlobe quickly and pulled away. Cammie took my hand from between her legs and licked my finger — my eyes widened. The rest of the group was oblivious as they argued over which casino would be best. “Hungry, baby?” she asked sweetly, as if she hadn’t just done the hottest damn thing.

  My nostrils flared. This brazen female — this hot as fuck chick — in one month was going to finally be my wife. What on earth had I been waiting for?

  CAMMIE

  One Month Later

  THE REFLECTION IN THE mirror wasn’t me. It couldn’t be. I’d waited too long for this. At any moment, the image of me in ivory, my cheeks tinted with rose — it would blend into a fuzzy unfocused picture, and I would be startled awake by Colby singing at the top of his lungs in the shower like he did every morning. I raised my hand to the silk waves of my hair and scooped them to the right side over my shoulder. The strawberry blonde almost sparkled under the overly expensive chandelier. The plush cream carpet under my heeled feet felt too rich.

  “Cammie.” Elizabeth’s voice was stretched thin and her lips pulled into a gigantic smile. I watched her wipe away tears just under her lashes through the mirror.

  “Is this real?” I whispered.

  She nodded.

  She stood next to me and her petite, curvy frame fit perfectly next to mine. Her dark hair to my light. Her sweetness to my fire. We’d been best friends all our lives, and I was lucky to have her as my Matron of Honor.

  “Fuck, do you think this dress is too short?” I pulled at the hem with my fingers.

  Colby loved my long legs, and I wanted to showcase my best assets. We were in Vegas for crying out loud, but I still worried his mother wouldn’t approve.

  Lizzie pressed her lips together, fighting her smile. “Um… it’s Caesars Palace. I think you’re safe.” She giggled and I shoved her shoulder.

  “I’m serious, Mrs. Dixon already thinks I’m a whore.”

  “She does not.” Liz shook her head with a smirk.

  “She caught us having sex, Liz. Twice. In her house.”

  “The kitchen right?”

  “And her bathroom.” My brows dipped and Elizabeth laughed.

  “Oh my gosh, you couldn’t wait twenty minutes till you got home?”

  “It was Thanksgiving. We were there forever.” My lips spread into a wicked grin. “Besides, it makes it more… exciting.”

  She shook her head. “If you say so.” Elizabeth’s floor length black strapless dress fit her like a glove. She could make anything look elegant. “You nervous?”

  Nervous.

  Petrified.

  “I’m scared, Lizzie.”

  The woman looking back at me in the mirror was tall; her sleeveless ivory lace dress poured over her skin as if it was sewn onto her body. The bottom hem hit mid-thigh, and her legs spilled from its fabric. Her make-up was simple, her hair full, but her eyes — they were filled with fear.

  The warmth of Elizabeth’s hand encompassed mine, and I met her eyes in the reflective surface.

  “He loves you, Cam. He loves you very much. You guys act like newlyweds, and you’ve been together for years. That’s rare, you know. Even Sawyer and I have our moments, but the love I see in Colby’s eyes. It’s the same way Soy looks at me, and if you're anything like me, that has to make you feel pretty special.”

  My eyes threatened tears and I sniffled. I puffed out a watery laugh. “Why are you always right?” I asked.

  She shrugged and squeezed my hand. “I’ve been right since the day you stole my marker.”

  “It was my turn to use it,” I objected with a grin.

  “It’s time to let it go.” Her smile held more than humor; it held a wisdom, a knowledge I was still yet to learn.

  I nodded.

  She was right. It was time to let go. The past was gone, and everything I wanted was just a room away.

  COLBY

  “SO, THAT’S HOW THE Dixon boys do it. Glad I never went there.” Cammie’s laugh was sexy as hell.

  Her pert tits pushed against the fabric of her thin sweater, and I grinned.

  “Uh? You want some of this, Cammie?”

  I released Elizabeth from my hold. We’d been playing like we had as kids, but as I stood and rolled my shoulders, Cammie’s pouty lips spread into a flirty smile. So when she bit the corner of her bottom lip, I took that shit as an invitation. The sleeves of my white, long-sleeved Weber State Football shirt pushed easily up my arms as I trapped Cammie in my gaze. My brother, Todd, rattled off something stupid and headed upstairs. He’d been a moody asshole lately. But, as I darted toward her, and she shrieked, my adrenaline spiked, and I could give two shits about Todd or his disapproval. She let me chase her around the couch a few times, and I let her think she had the advantage. Lizzie’s giggles faded as I finally wrapped my hands around Cammie’s small waist and easily brought her to the ground.

  She was out of breath as I pinned her arms above her head and straddled her body. Her blue eyes darkened and her laughter died down as our breathing deepened into more than just the chase. My dick sprang to life as I watched her lips part. She smelled like fucking peaches, and I was dying to kiss her. I’d known this chick all my life. She was untouchable. One of Todd’s best friends. She was the girl every guy wanted, but for some reason she gave herself to all the fuckups. As my fingers tightened around the soft skin of her wrist and her eyes filled with need, I realized now was my chance.

  “This is how a real Dixon man does it.” My voice was confident as I lowered my lips to hers.

  Her mouth was warm and wet as the flavor of vanilla mixed with the peach scent of her skin, and I fucking melted into her. Her breath was fast and hot against my mouth as I released the hold on her wrists. My hands framed her face, and her arms wound around my neck as our kiss intensified. My hips rocked against her unconsciously — my body seeking hers— and a deep growl rumbled in my chest.

  “What the hell?” Todd’s angered tone was like a bucket of cold water.

  I pulled away quickly and looked into her eyes. Those eyes had
turned me into an animal, and a sly and knowing smile broke across her face.

  “Now that’s a kiss.” She rested her fingertips on her lips and she giggled. It was the sweetest damn giggle I’d ever heard.

  “You may kiss the—”

  The officiator didn’t have to tell me; I was already there. It was like day one; her sweet taste, it was melting me all over again. It did every time. Every. Damn. Time. She raked her hands through my hair and, as she deepened the kiss, my hands gripped her lace-covered waist. She was fucking gorgeous in her dress. Leave it to Cammie to pick the sexiest damn dress in the shop. When she walked down that aisle, it was like watching my own personal super model. I was lucky, more than lucky — I was blessed. A light moan escaped her as she pressed against me.

  Sawyer cleared his throat, and I heard Todd chuckle. Fuck them; I was kissing my wife, and if they didn’t like it, well…

  “Bro, your parents are front and center. Didn’t know you were into that.” Seth’s smartass remark made me smile.

  “You ready, Sweets?” My lips brushed against hers.

  “Yes.” She laced her fingers with mine as we turned to face everyone.

  It was just my parents and our friends. As per usual, Cammie’s parents were no shows in her life, but she’d never reveal how much it bothered her, at least not to the others.

  Sawyer’s large hand cupped my shoulder with a forceful grip. “Congrats, brother.” His smile was ear to ear.

  Todd was my blood brother, but, after he’d moved, Sawyer and I got real close. He’d taken me in, given me an awesome job, and made me his partner in Willow Wood Interiors. Soy was just as much my brother as Todd.

  “Thanks, man.” The joy I felt was evident in my own smile.

  There were hugs and tears, mostly from the girls, and maybe a few fell from my own eyes when I saw the pride in my mother’s stature as she hugged my wife. But the congratulations were short lived. Todd and his girlfriend Lily had brought my niece and nephew to Vegas with them, and I could tell Lily was eager to get them fed and in bed. Soy and Liz had plans to catch a show down the strip, and Seth and Tiff were going to babysit Sailor so they could have a date night.

 

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