Never say forever (Never series Book 1)

by Taylor, Courtney A.

  She smiles at me and then pulls me to the bed.

  I lie down next to her and pull her as close as I can so I can feel both of our hearts beating as one. I could lie in this bed cuddled with her all day and night and never tire of it. This feeling is amazing. I fall asleep with my arms wrapped around the one that stole my heart.

  Chapter 16

  Serena

  One Month Later

  I rise out of our extremely comfortable big bed. Aiden is on his morning run already. I would love to join him but since I am now six months pregnant, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have now popped some more. I have a bigger belly, which is starting to make it more difficult to do certain things. I can manage most, but once I sit down, I don’t want to move.

  I have the same routine every morning. I rise from bed and I know I really shouldn’t eat my breakfast in my bedroom, but I do. I sit down at my window while eating my oatmeal and reflect on my life as I watch the beauty of the waterfall Aiden built for me. I never realized the calming effect it has on me until I had it in my own backyard. I can think about anything in the world and I will stay calm as long as I have that. It’s even better than I had imagined when I first thought I would love to have this. I never imagined it to be like this.

  Today, I am eating my oatmeal as usual and thinking about everything this past month. It’s crazy how a month can fly by. It feels like it was yesterday when Aiden showed me this house but it has been a month. The first night was amazing. I woke up wrapped up in his arms, feeling the warmth of the love he has to offer. That was the first night we spent together. I assumed he hadn’t told my mother about the house ahead of time because I would have probably found out and Aiden’s surprise would have been ruined.

  I called my mom that night and told her everything. I’m not really sure what I was expecting but it didn’t matter. If she didn’t like it, oh well. I had a new home and I was seventeen. I could freely move out of my parent’s home. I told her everything and she didn’t want me to leave at first. Once she realized how happy I am she became excited. I wasn’t really expecting that response. I expected her to maybe put up more of a fight because her last child is leaving. Now she will be alone. She did get a little teary-eyed but she did tell me that she was happy that Aiden was stepping up and being a true father. I think she may have been a little bit jealous because of everything that happened between my parents. What I have with Aiden, I don’t think she had that with my father. I don’t really know much about when they first met because she doesn’t talk about it, so I don’t know if he was anything like Aiden is right now, and that sometimes scares me.

  I have no doubts in my mind that Aiden will be anything like my father but there’s always that voice in your head that tries to smother your brain with crazy thoughts. The night of my big surprise was the first night Aiden and I spent in our new home. It was a new change that I am still getting used to. Aiden is very attentive to my needs. Anything I need, he is at my beck and call. I sometimes feel sorry for him, for dealing with me and my hormones. Pretty soon, this will be over and we can share our joy and love over our new baby girl.

  Aiden doesn’t know this but I go into the baby’s room everyday just contemplating everything. I sit in the rocking chair and imagine what it’s going to be like when our baby is here and rocking her to sleep. I imagine having to come in here for the late night feeding. I will not enjoy getting up in the middle of the night but I will enjoy seeing my baby, so it makes it all worthwhile. I look around the house at all the love displayed on the pictures hung throughout the house, my heart expands. Just a year ago, I never knew what love was and now I feel so overflowed with it. It’s crazy how things can happen in a blink of an eye.

  I finish my bowl of oatmeal and look out at the waterfall and reflect on our first time at the waterfalls. Everything about that night was magical. I will always think of that night every time I look at the waterfalls. I can now feel Aiden’s presence. I turn around and he is standing at the doorframe leaning against it. I love looking at him. I hope our baby looks like him and has his integrity and motivation. He accomplishes anything he sets his mind to.

  He smiles that bright shiny dimpled smile I fell in love with.

  “Admiring the waterfalls again?”

  I blush, “I seriously can’t get enough of it. It’s like we are back at our secret place every day. We don’t even have to go anywhere and it’s magical, just like our place. It’s absolutely amazing. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that you made this.”

  He walks over to me and bends down so he is right in front of me, face to face, his blue eyes to my violet eyes.

  “I had the opportunity to do it and I seized it because I know it’s something you really wanted. Besides this place wouldn’t feel like home without it.”

  “You’re right about that. I just love waking up and having this to look at. Even though it’s not the same as our place, it still brings up the most amazing memories of us.”

  I turn my head back to the window and look out. I feel him rise and lean over to kiss my forehead. I turn my head and he kisses my lips instead. I could drown in his kisses.

  “My last game is tonight. You feeling up to being my cheerleader tonight?” he teases.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t miss your last game.”

  A week after we moved into the house, he got the quarterback position because Jeremy had failed one of his classes so he is unable to play until he picks his grades up. Good thing because I didn’t want to see him play. I just want to see Aiden play.

  “You in the stands will make me win this game. You’re the only cheerleader I need at this game.”

  He smiles and kisses me. We make our way to school. We only have a month left until school is out. Good thing for that because I don’t know how much longer I will be able to walk class to class without sitting down. This baby is literally sucking the life right out of me. I deal with it though because I love this baby more than anything.

  ***

  After school, I walk to the football field to watch Aiden’s last game. I sit in the stands and about a half hour later, the stands are completely filled. I have never seen so many people at a football game before. Maybe it’s because it’s the last one in the championship, that’s probably it.

  I watch the team practice and I can see Aiden in his uniform. I bite my lip as I watch him because he looks really good in his uniform. I watch as he tosses and catches the ball. They practice running as well.

  The game finally begins and I watch what I can. I’m really not into football so I know absolutely nothing about it. I just keep my eyes on Aiden and when I see this side of the bench roar with praise and clap, I know Aiden is doing well. I know I sound stupid not knowing what’s going on but come on, I’m a girl, and I’m definitely not a tomboy. I can fake it pretty well though.

  As I am sitting here on the bench, I can hear some girls whispering and laughing. I don’t have to turn around to know that they are talking about me. I try to ignore them as best as I can until I hear something about Aiden. I still can’t make out what is being said, but I do hear one of them call me a knocked up whore. I fight the tears that sting my eyes. I shouldn’t be getting upset over some stupid girl but I can’t help it. I fight the tears pretty well because none fall from my eyes.

  I focus my attention on the game because I can’t sit here and listen to these girls. I watch them running around for about an hour and a half before halftime. They are winning right now 14-6. I see Aiden walk to the sidelines and drink a whole bottle of water in, what looked like, one gulp. Even though I’m not that close, I can still see the sweat pouring down his face.

  He notices me and walks up once he catches his breathe. I know he’s on limited time so I meet him halfway. I walk up to hug him and he backs up.

  “Believe me, you don’t want to hug me. I am a sweaty mess.”

  He holds his hands up as if to show me he’s contagious or something.

  “But
you’re my sweaty mess.”

  I walk up and hug him anyways. I can feel him resisting the urge to wrap his arms around me. I know he doesn’t want to get sweat all over me. He is very sweet for that, but I could care less. He quickly kisses me and heads back down to meet with his team for their pep talk before the second half starts.

  After about ten minutes, the whistle blows and they begin the second half. By the third quarter they are losing 20-14. They enter the fourth quarter still losing but about forty-five seconds before the game was over, Aiden had the ball and threw it far to another player on the team. That player ran like hell and scored the touchdown that tied the game but if they kicked the field goal they would win. I watched as they brought out the kicker. It took a few minutes but I saw him walk back and then run at the ball and kick it. My whole head followed the ball and I heard over the loudspeaker, “...And the kick is good. The wildcats are the championship winner!”

  Everyone in the stands cheered and I jump out of my seat and start screaming along with them.

  I am clapping my hands so hard and my eyes start to water from the pride I feel for Aiden. He did it, I knew he could. I watch on the stands as they all raise Aiden into the air as if he is some kind of hero. He really is their hero. He threw the ball that scored at the last minute which won them this game. I am excited for him. I know there will likely be an after party and as much as I don’t want to go, I will be alongside him because that’s what he wants from me. He always wants me right alongside him.

  I wait about half an hour and he walks out in his regular clothes, clean from the shower and he has a huge smile on his face as he holds out the trophy. He walks up to me and picks me up and spins me as he lands an earth shattering kiss on me. I can’t stop the smile from spreading. I am in ultimate bliss at this moment.

  “I knew you could do it.” I am still smiling.

  “That’s because you were in the stands, my good luck charm, my breath, my everything.”

  My heart just fluttered. He should know not to say these kind of things to a pregnant girl unless he wants to see her cry. I start getting teary eyes and he wipes it away.

  “No crying for my pretty girl, today. Today is all smiles.”

  “They are tears of joy, I promise.”

  “Let’s get out of here. We have a victory to celebrate.”

  He grabs my hand and I follow him through the enormous crowd to the car. I am happy he got his victory today. Times like these, I wish I had my sister here to celebrate my happiness with. I almost feel a little empty inside. My heart feels full when I am with Aiden because he has made my heart beat for the first time but there will always be a section of my heart that is empty because Cadence isn’t here. My heart will never be full until I have her in my life again.

  ***

  Aiden

  This night has been amazing so far. We won the championship and I got to see my girl cheering me on. What more could I ask for? The game was amazing. We won in the last thirty seconds of play. I didn’t even bother playing around with my teammates afterward; I went straight up to kiss my girl. The guys can wait. We have an after party, my girl however comes first.

  After I kiss my girl, we make our way to the car, heading to the after party. The party is at Luke’s house. He is another player on the team, which he has a big enough house to have this and from what I’ve been told, no adult supervision. That can only mean one thing; this party will have booze and lots of it.

  I really don’t want to go to this because I know how uncomfortable Serena will be, but I have to, we just won and I am a major part of this team. She doesn’t like most people at the party and she can’t drink, not to mention she is also six months pregnant. Her bump is getting bigger now, I love seeing it grow because I know my baby is in there growing. It makes everything seem so surreal, kind of too good to be true. I wouldn’t trade this for the world.

  As I pull out of the parking spot, ready to drive to the party, I glance over at Serena. I can tell by the look on her face that she doesn’t want to go. I will just have to make sure we don’t stay long. I have to at least make an appearance even if it is only for an hour. As I am driving down the road I reach over and wrap my hand around hers hoping to console her.

  She looks up and smiles, but I see behind her façade. I know that smile is not genuine. I need to make this party quick and painless so I can see the real smile that brightens up her face. I lean down and kiss her softly.

  “We’re not staying long. Just an hour. I promise.”

  She nods her head and reaches for the door handle. I get out of the car and walk over to her. I place my hand at the small of her back and we walk into the party together. This wasn’t anything I was expecting. There has to be two-hundred plus people here. I didn’t expect this big of a party all because of a football game. The big crowd seems to make Serena even more uncomfortable.

  We make our way to the back and I spot Larissa. Thank you Lord! That’s all that comes to mind because with Larissa here, she may be okay. She may not be as unhappy to be here. Larissa walks over to us and hugs Serena. I am sitting with them and all of a sudden I feel a clap on the back. I turn around quickly and am pleasantly surprised.

  “Aiden my man, long time!”

  Wow, my old childhood friend, Drew. I haven’t seen him in four years since he moved out of state. I wonder what brings him in this neck of the woods. “Drew, what’s up? I haven’t seen you in four years. Did you move back?”

  “Yeah, there was some trouble at home and with my dad. I now live back at home with my mom. I’ve been looking for you but everyone said you moved away last year. I finally ran into Ben at the gas station and he said he’s talked to you recently. He said you’re over on this side of town. I know a few people around here so I got invited to the party. I was hoping you would show up.”

  I walked away from Serena and Larissa. They seem like they are having fun, and I want to catch up with Drew.

  “Wow, this is crazy. I never thought I’d ever see you again.”

  I mean that fully because his parents divorced four years ago and his father for some reason won him in the custody battle and he moved him a few states over. We kept in contact for about a year but then communication faded and I haven’t heard from him in three years. I don’t even know if he has heard about my mother.

  “Yeah so what’s been happening with you lately? How’s your mom and dad?”

  Well that just confirmed it. He doesn’t know. I figured Ben wouldn’t tell him because it’s not his story to tell. I can respect him for that but I’m shocked no one else told him.

  “Well…A lot has changed. My mom actually passed away about a year and a half ago and I now have a house and a baby on the way.”

  It’s a lot to take in so I know that I am going to get a look of shock from him. This isn’t something he was expecting when he saw me again. I was right. His mouth dropped open.

  “I’m so sorry about your mom, Aiden. I always liked her. A baby? Wow man, you grew up. Congrats. I know it’s crazy, I don’t think I’ve ever said sorry for your loss and congrats in the same sentence.”

  I laugh at that. I know he’s trying to take some of the negativity away so there are no gloomy moments.

  “Yeah, my girl is over there. You can’t miss her, she’s probably the only pregnant girl at this party.” I point over to Serena.

  He looks over. “She’s pretty. Looks like you caught yourself a keeper. Congrats man. I don’t know how many times I’m going to tell you but it looks like you got your head on straight. You know what you want.”

  I look over at Serena and watch her face light up as she smiles and laughs at something Larissa said. I’m happy she is actually having somewhat of a good time.

  “Yeah, she is amazing.”

  That’s all I need to say. I don’t need to describe her, amazing just says it all.

  We sit here for a while just catching up on old times, old stories, and what’s been going on since he’s been gon
e. I hear a commotion and I turn my head and see Larissa punching some girl from school. I can’t even tell who it is. I talk for a half hour and this place goes bonkers. What the hell just happened? My only thought is to look for Serena, I don’t see her around. If something happened to her, I swear these people aren’t going to see Mr. Nice Guy anymore. Hell is about to break loose. I don’t even get into the middle of the fight. Fuck this! I need to find my girl.

  I start walking throughout the house, knocking on doors. No one seems to be responding. These rooms are probably empty, but I knock anyways. I don’t want to walk in on some orgy going on. I finally make it to a room and knock. No one answer but I hear sobs and it sounds like Serena. I open the door, hoping I’m not walking in on someone else. This is apparently a bathroom and Serena is sitting on the floor with her back against the wall sobbing into her hands.

  I close the door behind me and quickly kneel down to where she’s at. I pull her hands away and I can see the bloodshot eyes, puffy from crying and mascara smeared on her face. I feel so bad, I hate seeing her like this. I need to get to the bottom of this.