Struggle to Forever: a friends to lovers duet

by Lilliana Anderson

  “It’s important,” I said, stepping out of her reach and grabbing my phone. Trina’s name lit up the screen. “Trina needs me.”

  Monica rolled her eyes and scoffed. “What about my needs? I need you inside me. Why can’t she wait for a change?”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, hitting accept as I left the room. “What happened?”

  “Come and get me, David. I need to get out of here. Please come and get me.” Trina’s frantic words had me rushing for the front door.

  “Are you OK?” Shit. I shouldn’t have left her with him.

  “I’m OK. Just come and get me.”

  “I’m on my way.” I pulled my car door open as we disconnected.

  “Are you seriously taking off on me?” Monica called after me.

  I froze with one foot in my car. “I’m sorry, Mon. This is how it is.”

  “You’re fucked up, Dave. You’ve still got a fucking hard on from my hand, and you're running to another girl.”

  “What do you want me to say here? You knew the stakes.”

  “Yeah. And I thought I could do it, but I can’t. I thought I was OK being the girl you screwed while you loved someone else. But I want more from you.”

  “I don’t have anything more to give you,” I told her, genuinely feeling sorry we’d reached this point. I liked her. It was just never going anywhere.

  “Then don’t come back, David. Find yourself another girl. I’m not doing this anymore.”

  I nodded once. “OK.”

  When it was obvious I wasn’t saying more than that, she burst into tears and ran back in the house, her shoulders shaking from her sobs. I felt like shit seeing her cry and not doing anything about it, but I needed to go to Trina. I needed to make sure she was OK.

  She was my number one.

  I pulled up outside her units ten minutes after her phone call and found her waiting for me on the side of the road.

  “Are you hurt,” I said straight away, getting out of the car to check her for damage. It was dark, but she seemed fine.

  “I’m not hurt.”

  “Then get in the car. Where’s your bag? Actually, forget your bag. We’ll get you new stuff. Come on.” I pulled the passenger door open then placed my hand on her back to guide her. But she didn’t move.

  “I overreacted,” she said.

  “What?”

  “I’m not leaving. I got crazy angry, packed my things and stormed out. But we’ve both calmed down now, and I’m going to stay. I’m sorry I made you come here. I was being dramatic.”

  “Seriously? The guy insinuated I was only trying to get inside your pants and banned me from your house, was a complete arsehole and you’re being dramatic?”

  “I know it sounds ridiculous, but I’ll smooth it over. He’s just stressed at work. It’s making him all angry about stupid stuff lately.”

  “Trina,” I sighed. “I don’t like the sound of this. Why don’t you just come and spend the night at my place? Talk to him in the morning when he’s calm.”

  “No, it’s fine. I’m going back inside, OK? I’m sorry I worried you.” She kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “If you ever try to tell me you fell and hit your head on a door, I’ll beat the fuck out of him myself.”

  She laughed at that. “He’d never hurt me. He loves me.”

  Sixteen

  Trina swore that everything was perfect after that night, blaming the fight on jealousy and teething problems after moving in together so soon. “You and I have always known how unusual it is for a straight guy and girl to be best friends without sex becoming involved. You have to give him time to understand that friendship is all there is between us.”

  “So tell him I’m gay. I don’t care. I’m not letting him chase me out of your life.”

  “You’re not gay, David. He knows you aren’t.”

  “Tell him I was in denial and I’m gay now.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Lying won’t fix this. Time will. He understands what you mean to me. We’ve been best friends since we were nine years old, if I want to hang out with you in a house I help pay rent for, I’m going to do that.”

  “So, I’m not banned?”

  “Of course not. He understands.”

  I really wasn’t sure if she was telling me the truth. Especially since each time she invited me over was when Christopher was at work. But, I chose to overlook it. I wasn’t interested in being around him, anyway.

  Friday afternoons quickly became our habit. Christopher worked late, so I’d go to Trina’s, we’d eat pizza and watch a movie then I was out of there before the douche came home. It seemed to be the best way to have some quality time without the discomfort of Christopher and me in the same room.

  “Pay attention.” Trina giggled as she pushed me on the side of the head to stop my fake snoring.

  “Why are you making me sit through this girly movie?” I complained. The on-screen couple whispered urgently as they struggled with their attraction yet again. “Just fuck and get it over with already.”

  “Because it was my turn to pick. You made me sit through that horrible action movie that didn’t even have a plot last week. Consider us even.”

  “Fine,” I grumbled. “But I’ll need more beer to get through this. You want one?”

  Shaking her head, she lifted her legs from my lap so I could stand. I headed over to the fridge and took my sweet time. I wasn’t a huge fan of these girly movies, but I put up with them from time to time for the sake of my friendship.

  Just as I twisted the cap off my beer, a key jangled in the door, a click indicating it was open. “Shit,” I muttered, knowing this wouldn’t be good.

  I locked eyes with Trina. She was white as a ghost, telling me what I’d always known—Christopher didn’t know I was there.

  “Stay,” she whispered, jumping to her feet to cut him off before he spotted me. My stomach twisted. I felt like a dirty secret. But not just that. The nervous way Trina reacted—wide eyes, shaking hands—had me unsettled. She swallowed hard.

  “You’re e-early,” she stuttered, her worried gaze flicking towards where I stood in the kitchen.

  Fuck.

  Christopher didn’t even answer. His face darkened as he followed her line of sight and spotted me. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  “G’day, mate,” I said, flashing a false smile as I sensed the shit was about to hit the fan in a big way.

  He locked eyes with me in challenge.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” he bellowed. For a big guy, he was surprisingly fast. I literally had zero chance to respond before he was in front of me, planting the full force of his fist into the side of my face. The beer slipped from my hand and smashed on the tiled floor. Pain exploded through my sinuses and behind my eyes. Red and yellow lights, flashed across my vision. I rocked back on my heels. And slowly fell. Holy fuck.

  “No,” Trina screamed, covering her mouth in horror as she witnessed me land on the floor. “What are you doing, Christopher? Get away from him!”

  Her protests were futile. As I scrambled to get up, Christopher grabbed the back of my shirt and dragged me to the door, throwing me unceremoniously into the hallway.

  “Stay the fuck away for good this time,” he boomed, before slamming the door and flicking the lock.

  “Fuck you!” I kicked at the door in frustration. I didn’t even get a hit in to defend myself. What an absolute cunt. I gingerly touched the side of my face as it streamed blood from a cut on my cheek.

  From the other side of the door, the yelling continued. “You lying bitch.”

  “No. I didn’t. Nothing happened.” The urgency in Trina’s cries had me trying the door handle and ramming my shoulder against the door.

  “Stop,” she whimpered.

  My heart leapt into my throat. What the fuck is he doing to her? I could hear her protests, the strain in her voice. I backed up and rammed the door harder.

  Unable to get through the door, I banged my
fists, trying to get his attention away from her. I pressed my mouth against the seal and yelled. “Face me, you coward.”

  Ice filled my veins as a scream rang out, followed by a loud crash and the horrible tinkling sound broken glass made when it rained on the floor. No.

  “Trina!” I screeched, punching at the door with all I had. It cracked and splintered beneath my knuckles, giving me a spark of hope. I stepped back and kicked out, denting and cracking the door further. Swearing and grunting as I ripped back the wooden panelling, I made a hole big enough to fit my arm.

  “I’m coming.” I shoved my arm through the jagged hole, splintered wood catching and tearing at my skin as I fumbled for the lock.

  All I could hear was Christopher snarling, calling Trina names. But I couldn’t hear anything coming from her. Not even a whimper. With my heart in my throat, I moved against the wall quickly but quietly until they came into view. Holy fuck.

  Blood. It coated her face and her clothes as Christopher loomed over her, tearing her shirt to expose her bare skin. “I’ll show you who you belong to,” he grunted, his hands moving to her jeans. “Fucking slut.”

  No, you fucking won’t.

  Thinking fast, I sprinted for the kitchen and grabbed the heavy based frying pan from the stove and rushed him from behind. So caught up in his fury, he didn’t even hear me coming. One good hit to the side of his head and he slumped to the ground, unconscious. I honestly wouldn’t care if he was dead.

  Pushing his body to the side, I did my best to cover Trina’s dignity before lifting her up gently. “We need to get you out of here.” Barely breathing, she was bleeding profusely from multiple wounds, her face already swelling, making her almost unrecognisable.

  Ignoring my instinct to stomp Christopher’s face in, I got her out there as fast as I could. The adrenalin spurring me on, making her seem weightless in my arms.

  I drove her to the hospital at emergency speed, dumping my car to the side of the entrance, knowing full well there was a possibility of getting towed, but not caring as I rushed her inside.

  “Oh god, Trina. Open your eyes. Please be OK.” Her body felt limp and unresponsive. Frantically, I looked around, ignoring the shocked gasps as waiting patients took in the sight of us, both covered in blood.

  “Somebody, help me!”

  Epilogue

  I lift my head with a start when a hand touches my shoulder, jolting me from my trip down memory lane and my begging prayers for Trina’s safety. I cannot live in a world without her in it.

  “Mrs Mahoney,” I gasp.

  She smiles. “When are you going to call me Carol?”

  “Probably never. Have you seen Trina? Is she OK?”

  “She’s awake.” She sighs. “But I don’t know if she’s ever going to be OK.”

  I close my eyes, hating that I allowed myself to be thrown out of there. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t get back in.”

  “Hush,” she says, taking my hand in hers. “You saved her.”

  “Can I see her?”

  She nods. “Come with me.”

  I follow Mrs Mahoney along the corridor until we get to Trina’s room. It has four beds in it, but Trina is the only one inside.

  “She's still pretty groggy,” she warns, pulling the curtain aside.

  I step through and get my first glimpse of Trina’s prone form. “Trina,” I choke out, tears burning my eyes as I sweep my gaze over her swollen, bruised and bandaged face and body.

  “You look like shit,” she croaks out, offering the shadow of a smile.

  “Well, you look gorgeous, baby girl,” I whisper as I take a seat next to her, hooking my fingers between hers.

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” Mrs Mahoney murmurs before retreating.

  It’s then I release a sob. “I am so, so sorry, Trina. I never should have let this happen to you. I tried to get back in there as soon as I could. But—”

  “Shhh.” She places her hand against my check. “You weren’t to know. None of us knew.”

  “I should have known,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her palm. “I should have fought to get you out of there sooner. I should have rallied to stop you from moving in.”

  “David.” I close my eyes and hold her hand against my lips. I feel so powerless. “Please don’t blame yourself.”

  I shake my head. How can I not?

  When I get my shit together, I let go of her hand and sit up straighter. “The police came while I was in the waiting room,” I say, clearing my throat.

  “What did you tell them?” Her voice sounds so weak. I hate that she was cut down so easily.

  “What I saw.”

  “Are they going to arrest him?”

  “Probably. They’ll want to talk to you before they charge him.”

  “OK,” she says, closing her one functioning eye. The other is swollen shut, an angry purple colour.

  “How do you feel?” I ask.

  “About as good as you look.” She laughs before grimacing in pain.

  “I meant, did you want me to go so you can sleep?”

  “No.” She grabs my hand with both of hers and holds it against her chest. “I want you to stay.”

  “Do you need me to do anything for you?”

  Her good eye opens into a slit. “Just don’t say I told you so.”

  “Never, baby girl,” I whisper, reaching up to gently stroke the hair on top of her head before I press a soft kiss on her forehead. “Never.”

  She closes her eyes and hums contentedly as I continue to caress her hair. “Thank you for saving me,” she whispers.

  “Any time.” I keep stroking her hair until she drifts off to sleep. Jesus. I release an emotional sob, covering my eyes with my free hand as it hits me how close I was to losing her. If I’d left in a huff, if I’d walked away, she could be dead right now. Broken, violated and dead.

  Christopher needs to die for this.

  He hurt the woman I love.

  As I look over her beaten body, I realise I’ve been kidding myself. I’ve always loved her. Since that first urge to pull on her pigtails in primary school, I’ve been enamoured with her. Boyfriend material or not, I can’t deny it any longer. I can’t watch her get used up by some bastard who doesn’t love her the way she needs to be loved. I am the right guy for her. Deep down, she knows it, and I know it too. I can’t let my fear win.

  I can’t go through this again.

  I can’t lose her again.

  “I love you, Trina,” I whisper as she sleeps, vowing that when she’s healed and ready to move on from this, I’ll tell her.

  I love her.

  I’ve always loved her…

  Keep reading for the next in the Beautiful Series - Forever

  Everything happens for a reason.

  So they say, anyway. But, after ruining the best relationship I ever had, I’m struggling to see a reason behind it. Instead, I loathe the man I’ve become. I’m a coward. Somewhere along the way, I stopped living my own life in favour of living for my father instead. What he wants for me, and what I want for myself are two different things. And if I don’t do something drastic, I’ll lose my balls forever.

  I need a new direction.

  Boarding a plane to London, I have only one thing on my mind: change. I need to get away from my life, my family and my past to figure out what kind of man I want to be. I’m not looking for a relationship, but when I meet fellow Aussie, Paige, something inside tells me to grab on with both hands.

  Paige doesn’t make things easy with her high walls and closed off heart. I find that the closer I get, the more she pushes back and clams up. But it see the struggle there too, she wants me just as much as I want her. If only she’d let me in...

  The last time I fell for a girl, I made a terrible decision and ruined it. This time, I’m my own man. I won’t be walking away.

  Elliot needs to fight harder than ever to win Paige's heart in this gripping romantic drama featuring new and extended scenes from books A Beaut
iful Forever and Phoenix, republished as Forever: Beautiful Series, Two.

  Forever

  Foreword

  I went into Forever thinking it wouldn’t be as much work to rewrite as Struggle was. And boy, was I wrong. I got to absorb myself in the lives of Paige and Elliot and flesh out their story in a way that I feel does their hardships justice.

  It’s been great going through these books with the knowledge of future couples in my mind, because I can drop crumbs for you that lead into the next book. One thing I’ve had to smile about though is the mention of Brad. If you’ve read the series before, you’ll know him from Taste. But I didn’t realise I had a tattooed guy called Brad mentioned in both Struggle and Forever. He obviously made his way into my subconscious without me realising.

  I’ve made big changes and little changes in the following pages, and I feel that it fits the series better now. When I wrote it the first time, Forever was supposed to be the final book. But there was a call for more, so I provided happily.

  Enjoy!

  Prologue

  Elliot

  Encouraging the sweaty, grunting man in front of me to tuck his knees closer to his chest as he does mountain climbers, I distractedly scan the people and the scenery in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. I do it every time I bring a client here, always searching even though it’s been almost two years.

  But then I finally see her. Her movement is unmistakable as she runs in a rhythmic pace along the path in front of me. The two years I spent trying to get over her fall away like I didn’t even live them. I’m taken right back to where I was, wanting her, wishing I could touch her.

  Holding my breath, I watch her run, her ponytail swinging from side to side as her feet hit the concrete. God, she’s beautiful. When she turns her head in my direction, a gripping pain creeps over my chest, constricting my airways as recognition steals over her face.