Forever Together (Forever Love #2)

by Jade Whitfield

  "I'm sorry. You're just being so dramatic."

  "Dramatic? My balls are dying here. Jim, you need to call 911."

  "Let me get this straight son. You've taken a hit to the… erm… crown jewels?"

  I nod, the sweat running down my fore head.

  "Oh Dad, come on, it can’t be that bad." Cindy’s comment gets her two dirty looks.

  "Come on Brady, let’s get you up off the ground. Walk it off." He grabs my arms and pulls me while I grab at the car. It’s getting a little better but I still feel like I’m gonna fucking cry. "Trust me, this has happened more than a few times. When you have kids you'll know. Whether it’s a soccer being kicked at you, a frisbee being thrown at you or a damn child wanting to play wrestle."

  "I think kids are off the table."

  "Have a little walk, it'll help. You feeling better?"

  "A little."

  "Men! No wonder you can’t give birth; you probably wouldn’t cope with it."

  "Cindy Martin, hush. Ignore her son, they don’t understand." No truer words have ever been spoken.

  "Thanks Jim, I think I’m good now." I blow out a breath. I still feel like my dicks gonna be outta commission for a while but at least I can breathe now.

  "No worries son. Just rest. I better get back to Deena, we'll go ahead. Can you drive?"

  "Yeah, I'm good. Thanks."

  He walks off, leaving me and a very amused Cindy behind.

  "You're a mean woman." I point at her, stretching my back at the same time. "Laughing at my injuries like that."

  "I’m sorry. Are you ok?"

  "Why? You gonna kiss it better?" I smirk earning me an d eye roll. "Hey, you can’t blame a guy for trying." I shrug.

  I don’t miss the small smile on her face as she slams the door. What can I say? Even at the worst of times I’ve got charm.

  Chapter 12

  Cindy

  I felt like Cinderella, however stupid that might sound. The moment I saw Brady waiting at the bottom of the stairs, surrounded by my family in his smart white button up shirt I know for a fact he wouldn’t usually be caught dead in, and black slacks that I just knew would show off his butt, I felt like a princess.

  It wasn’t the brand new dress I was wearing even though it made me feel amazing. It wasn’t even the beautiful gold shoes Liv had given me out of her extensive collection. No, it was the way Brady looked at me as if I was the center of his universe.

  No matter how much Brady could hurt me. No matter how he could break my heart into a million little pieces, he was also the only person in the world who could make me feel as good, as special as I did right then. Nobody can make me feel as desirable with just a look, as smart with just a word or as perfect with just a touch as he can.

  I guess that’s why my mind is in so much turmoil. Because there’s no way in hell I'll ever find what I have with Brady again. I know for a fact that I won’t be one of those people who get a little older and suddenly decide that what they had was puppy love. This is the real deal. If I could only get over my fear of being hurt again, I would go full throttle into it, give it my all and see what happens. That’s for the girls who know what they want and have a go get ‘em attitude though, not me.

  "Whatcha sighing about Cinders?" The small hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

  "Uh, what?"

  "You're sighing." He answers, lifting the fog away.

  "No I'm not." I rush out, completely on edge. This is how it’s been all day. Every time I start to think, Brady comes near me and muddles all my thoughts up. "Do you know where my parents have gone?" I ask with a frown, just to change the subject.

  "Uh huh." He nods to something behind me and I turn around. This time I don’t need to hide that I sigh.

  There's my Mom, standing with a glass of champagne in each hand, talking the ear off a waiter.

  "You think she'll ever get invited to one of these again if she throws up on one of the waiters?"

  "If she's lucky she won’t. It’s like the fucking Royal wedding. Who the fuck has violins at a damn barbecue anyway?"

  Obviously Brady’s still pissed about the string quartet on the patio by the house. He’s been mumbling about them since we got here, talking about their so-called “penguin suits” and “snobby ass smiles”. I mean, what is a snobby smile? Is it even a real thing?

  "The music’s pretty nice." I shrug.

  "It’s a stick and a string rubbing together. Hardly fucking rocket science." He scoffs, necking another glass of champagne. "And the pool is gone!"

  "It’s not gone, it’s covered." Yeah, that’s another sore point. I think Brady was planning on throwing his stepdad in it since he cursed a blue streak on seeing it was covered in some kind of glass dance floor, the rippling water underneath still visible though and it looks amazing.

  That’s another thing my Mom was fascinated by. I almost thought she was gonna get down on her hands and knees and inspect it. I don’t think she considers Luke’s fish tank wall as impressive now.

  Brady’s Mom definitely deserves props for pulling this off though. I don’t think I've ever been to or even seen a barbecue as fancy as this one. Actually, I’m not entirely sure this even classes as a barbecue. It’s definitely not like the ones I went to growing up.

  Hell, the ones my parents had usually consisted of my Dad wearing a tatty old apron and standing by the grill half the day waving a spatula about. Of course everyone usually got a half burnt, half undercooked hotdog thrown at them which was quickly thrown over the neighbor’s yard when nobody was looking.

  This is on a whole other planet compared to that though. There's no hotdogs being thrown at us, instead, there are waiters waving trays in front of people’s faces.

  "You know, if we get the hell out of here now we could make it to Savannah in time for the show to start. We might even get a good spot." Brady looks at me hopeful ly , and I roll my eyes in return .

  As good an idea as that sounds, I’m already confused enough without being trapped in a car for an hour with no escape from my biggest threat. Yep, I've been swinging between thinking of Brady as some knight in shining armor coming to rescue me from my tower AKA Bailey's bunk bed, and a devil that’s gonna steal the rest of my heart and then abandon it. Like I said, I’m confused.

  "What about my family? We couldn’t just leave them."

  "They'll be fine. Hell, your Mom is already ten sheets to the wind, I doubt she'll even notice."

  "You’re terrible." I shake my head.

  "You know damn well you love it."

  I don’t answer him, not that there is an answer to that. What do I say really? "Oh Brady I really do love you but you’re gonna screw me over again so I’d prefer it if you kept your comments to yourself." No, avoidance is my best bet at for the moment.

  "Oh shit." I hear Brady mumble. What the hell’s wrong with him?

  I turn just in time to see the very beautiful Rachel Cooper making a beeline towards us. Ah, I almost forgot the strained relationship between Brady and his Mom. To be honest, I'd have thought the ice would have thawed a little by now seeing as he's older but as I've said before, Brady doesn’t forget.

  Her light blond hair falls just past her shoulders, sleek, straight and impossibly shiny. I wonder what hair products she uses. Whatever they are, I obviously need them in my life, judging by the state of my already slightly frizzed hair compared to her silky tresses.

  She looks as immaculate as always in the powder blue sheath dress, her only accessory being the huge sparkling diamond solitaire on her ring finger. She may be getting nearer but I would probably be able to see that rock from miles away. It catches the light every so often, letting off a star like glint. If jewelry was my thing, I'd probably be salivating but there’s only one thing in the world other than my Mom's apple pie and the hunk of muscle sitting next to me that could get me in such a tizzy. Just on that thought, my eyes drift down to her feet encased in a pair of Louis Vuitton eyeline pumps. Yep, now I’m drooling. />
  "Whatcha looking at Cinders?" I feel a nudge in my side and shake the envy away.

  "Shoes." I sigh and I catch the roll of Brady’s eyes from the corner of mine.

  "Cindy dear!" I jump out my seat and smile widely at the matching one on her face, all white straight teeth showing off.

  "Mrs. Cooper." I smile, sticking my cheek out for the inevitable air kiss.

  "Now, since when is it Mrs. Cooper? You know to call me Rachel honey." It was a worry but I figured now Brady and I weren’t together it wouldn’t be right to greet her so personally. She's still my elder after all and I was brought up with manners. "It’s so good to see you dear. I haven’t seen you since Thanksgiving and that was what? Eight? Nine months ago?"

  "Thank you, and I know. You're looking lovely. I love your shoes." Oh how I love her shoes.

  "I knew you would. I know how you love your shoes."

  "How is that every-fucking-body knows about this shoe thing but me?" I hear Brady mumble behind me.

  I ignore him, not offended in the slightest that after being together years, Brady didn’t know my weakness for pretty shoes. After all, shoes weren’t really a subject we spent hours discussing.

  "You've done a great job today." I gesture around me. "It’s really beautiful out here."

  "Oh, that’s what party planners are for. Are your parents here? I haven’t seen them for so long. I saw your sister; Avery is it? I almost thought it was you for a second, you look so alike."

  "I’m pretty sure my Mom is raving over your decorations. She's got a thing for luxury." I roll my own eyes now.

  "Haven’t we all? I'll keep an eye out, I’m sure I'll come across them eventually, there are so many people here. Well I better get to mingling. Hopefully we'll get to have a proper chat later." She affectionately pats my arm and goes to turn away before halting. "Maybe the next time we see each other my son will have finally put a ring on your finger." She raises an eyebrow towards Brady before shooting me a wink and tottering away.

  I’m not experienced with relationships. Brady's been my one and only. I mean, I fell in the pool in the eighth grade and Andy Matthews stole a kiss while giving me mouth to mouth but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count as a commitment or anything. Still, even with my limited knowledge on what the protocol is after a break up, it seems kinda strange that Brady’s mom would be mentioning an engagement.

  Before I can think about it too deeply, my eyes are drawn to the dark haired little girl rushing towards us, her tear stained face red and blotchy. Her eyes, completely panic stricken , are focused on us and I push forward towards her, the look in her eyes tells me this isn’t the usual Bailey drama.

  "Bailey?" I squat on reaching her, pushing the wisps of dark hair stuck to her wet face behind her ears. "What’s up?"

  "Hey kiddo, you ok?" I hear Brady’s deep voice rumble behind me.

  "I-I’m sorry." Her little face crumples up and she throws herself at me, burying her face in my neck and sobbing.

  I turn slightly to face Brady. I have no idea what to do. I run my hands over her hair in attempt to soothe her, faintly hearing the sound of metal hitting glass in the background. The tinkling is the only sound, the murmurs of conversation dying down. For a minute, I think that they’re all focused on me and Bailey. The sound of Bob's voice puts my mind at rest though.

  "Hello, everyone, I’m so happy that you were able to make our annual fourth of July barbecue..."

  Loud cheering erupts but I zone that and Bob's speech out, solely focused on my heartbroken baby sister. Brady squats down next to us, concern etching his features and puts a hand on the small of my back.

  "Damn what’s up with her?" He looks completely freaked out. I glance around me hoping to catch sight of someone from my family just so I don’t have to deal with this. Looks like I’m on my own with this, apart from Brady of course.

  "Bailey, Bailey you need to tell us what's wrong." I push her slightly away, holding onto her shoulders.

  "B-Brian." She squeals, her entire face scrunching up.

  "What’s up with Brian?" Brady asks, before looking around him. "Wait, where the fuck is he?"

  "Y-you said a bad word!" She points at him and he falls back slightly to avoid the finger jabbing at him. Looks like big tough Brady's scared of a six-year-old.

  "Ok, Bailey, Brady’s sorry. Now what were you saying about Brian?" I grab her hand and push it down in front of her while she practically shoots fire from her dark eyes.

  "He ran away!" her bottom lip quivers and her hands fidget in front of her.

  I panic a little, imagining a tiny thing like Brian lost in the crowd of people with their high heels and expensive dress shoes. He'll be flattened in minutes!

  "Ah, I wouldn’t worry about it kiddo. It’s a big yard and Brian can’t get out. We'll go look for him, yeah?" I look at Brady in confusion. His voice is completely calm, his usual over over drama tic persona tic is nowhere in sight. I’m a bag of nerves, imagining all kinds of scenarios involving a lost little Brian. The way he looks at Bailey though, as if he’s telling he with his eyes that everything’s going to be ok, well that just about melts my ovaries. This is a whole other side of Brady and I definitely like it. "He's probably eating cake under a table somewhere. Greedy basta-"

  "You see? It’s not that bad, you'll find him." I interrupt, saving Brady from another poke.

  Bailey nods her head looking around while quietly sniffling. I watch her face to see if she’s really ok and notice the exact moment her eyes completely light up, widening impossibly.

  "BRIAN!" She screams and even though I saw her open her mouth and should have expected it, I still jump. She shoots a finger out and points towards the patio.

  Both Brady and I crane our necks to see where she's pointing to. My eyes zone in on the small little ball of fluff sniffing the floor with the leather leash dragging behind him. he’s at the front edge of the gathered crowd but nobody seems to notice him. Bob stands just feet away, completely oblivious and still talking about stuff I have no clue about.

  Before I even realize it, Bailey zooms past me, her long black hair whipping me in the face as she races towards Brian who's trotting his way towards Bob, his nose still attached to the floor.

  I look at Brady in relief, those few moments of panic long gone. I was beginning to think I'd somehow have to find Brady a new dog if we never found him.

  "Oh fuck." Brady snickers. "Things are about to get a hell of a lot more fucking interesting at this party."

  I frown and turn to see what’s amusing him. Holy crap! My eyes widen and I suck in a breath. Brian’s right by Bobs leg now with one of his back legs cocked up. It definitely doesn’t take a genius to see what’s gonna happen next. The crowd starts to murmur and quietly laugh while a clueless Bob carries on speaking.

  "Oh my God." I shoot up to my feet and cover my mouth, unable to take my eyes from the scene in front of me. The scene being Brian peeing up Bob's very expensive slacks in front of about a hundred people.

  "Thank you fucking God." Brady laughs behind me. "I wish I had a video camera."

  Bailey rushes to Brian, scooping him into her arms while Bob, I’m guessing finally realizes his leg feels kinda wet. He looks down at the dark haired little girl hugging the dog and then at his trousers, finally putting the pieces together. Everyone at this point is in hysterics, Brady especially. He's holding onto his sides with tears in his eyes as he laughs his ass off.

  I rush towards Bailey, not able to meet eyes with Bob who's nervously chuckling. I guess this is one of those times that you either laugh or cry. If it was me, I'd be balling my eyes out and running as fast as my feet could take me.

  "Come here, Bailey." I say, gently pulling her off the floor, Brian still in her arms.

  I'd love to know how I somehow got lumbered with Bailey duty. As much as I love my baby sister, she’s not the easiest. Bob's soiled pants and the chuckling crowd are proof of that.

  "Best. Day. Ever." Brady says, shooting B
ob a smile.

  "I thought I told you to keep that... dog on a leash Brady." Bob grinds out, a rigid smile on his face.

  "What can I say? Those damn leashes are so slippery. Don’t worry, Bob," He slaps him on the back, a little hard if you ask me. "You can always go change. I'd take a shower too, you sure he only got your leg?"

  I roll my eyes, taking Bailey's hand in mine. Bob steps up to the freestanding microphone again.

  "I don’t think the dog liked my speech." He says with a smile and voice perfected for the crowd. Only the ticking of his jaw shows how truly pissed he is.

  "I’m sorry Brady." Bailey says, her face buried in Brian’s soft fur.

  "Don’t worry about it kiddo. Come on, I think you deserve some ice cream. And you Brian, I’m gonna get you the biggest damn bone you've ever seen." His smile is wide and I don’t miss the wink he throws Bob's way.

  "Ice cream! You hear that Brian? You can have some of my ice cream because you don’t want no nasty bones." She scrunches her face up in disgust.

  "Brian’s a man. H h e’s gotta have man food." Brady clenches his fists and growls causing Bailey to let out an adorable giggle.

  I follow behind them completely entranced, my stomach doing somersaults at the sight.

  ***

  "The names Tucker, like fucker but with a T." The look on the very well dressed man’s face at Tucker’s introduction has me covering my mouth to stifle not just my laughter, but the mouthful of champagne threatening to make an escape.

  "Um… That’s a very unusual name." He answers with wide eyes, looking around the table to see if anyone else is as surprised as him. Of course all of us, excluding Li v , grew up with Tucker's ways. His I-don’t-give-a-fuck persona isn’t anything new to us.

  "Uh huh. Ma always says that you can never trust someone who’s got a last name as a first name. She wanted the world to be prepared." Tucker nods, looking Mr. Well-dressed right in the eyes.

  "Well, what a good idea. Anyway, I think I see my wife waving me over. Nice to meet you fu... I mean Tucker. Oh Margery!" He waves towards a group of people, none of which are even looking at him. "Coming dear!" He scuttles off as fast as his shoes, that probably cost about five thousand dollars, can take him.