Forever Devoted (Crazed Devotion Book 2)

by C. A. Harms

  Brayden’s POV

  “What do you think,” Liz asked holding up two different shirts, “the blue or the red?”

  Young boys, guys in general and shopping did not mix. She should know these things right? Khloe knew how much I hated department stores and the crowds people moving in and out of overpriced stores. Granted she still made me go and took every chance she could to embarrass me too, but she knew.

  I look up from my phone and cock an eyebrow at Liz, and she waits just a split second before giving me back an equally annoyed look.

  “Blue,” I say just to pacify her and she narrows her eyes I sure knowing exactly what my thoughts were. It was weird but the more time I spent with liz, the more I’d come to realize she was so much like my sister.

  Exhibit A.

  “Hey Brayden didn't you say you needed more boxers,” I look around hoping there are no girls in sight before I turn to Liz. There she is holding up a package of what looked like superhero underwear. “What you like X-Men don’t you? Or was it Batman.”

  She pierced her lips and my cheeks reddened.

  “Lower the boxers,” I say, “and lower your voice.”

  “Why?” She says even louder and I swear her voice echoed throughout the store. “Everyone wears underwear Brayden, well most people. You aren't one of those commando types are you?”

  Kill me now, I think when I hear a sniper and look to my left to see a cute blond girl laughing with her even cuter friend. “Liz,” I say in warning and watch as she holds them higher as if inspecting the label or something.

  I wanted to run.

  When the two girls walk away I step closer, jerk the package from Liz’s hands and toss them onto the shelf as if they were on fire. “I don’t need boxers and even if I did, I wouldn’t wear super hero ones.”

  By the devious smile on her face I knew she already knew this information. She played me, much like Khloe would have had I been ignoring her during a shopping trip too.

  I shake my head in defeat. “Fine,” I say, “I get it. I’ll do this whole shopping thing if you promise to stop giving you shit about shopping.” She gave me the same disciplinary look Ben gives me whenever I cuss. “Crap,” I correct rolling my eyes.

  She seemed pleased, offering me a nod as she moved on, picking up shirt after shirt and then holding it out for me. I smiled, well I forced a smile and oohed and ahhed dramatically but instead of getting ignored, she played along. I knew if Khloe could choose the people for me to live with it would be Ben and Liz, she loved them. They also didn't give in to me when I felt I needed to try a little harder to get my way. They were stern, yet they were cool. Not only was Ben my guardian, but he was now my best friend. Liz too, she was a pretty cool chic.

  I used to think I was cursed, first my father was a piece of shit, then our mother chose freedom to live how she wanted over loving her own children. Then I lost Khloe.

  I still think at times my luck couldn't get any worse, but then I look at Ben and Liz, and realize maybe I wasn’t cursed.

  ***

  “Where is she?” Ben whispered as he peeks in the door.

  “In the shower,” I tell him without looking away from my video game.

  I heard him moving around behind me, just before he thrust something out in his hands at my side. “What do you think?”

  I hit pause and look at what he’s holding, unable to hold back my smile.

  “You doing it now?” I ask.

  “I’m thinking about it,” Ben says staring at the ring in his hand. “Liz doesn't need anything fancy, I just think here at home is the best place to propose.”

  “She is cool like that,” I say, “most girls would want hearts and flowers. They’d want mushy talk and all that garbage.”

  “One day you’ll get it little man,” Ben says as it tucks the ring back in the box. “It’s about the approach. If you share your feelings with a woman, your true feelings, they won’t care if its in closet, or in the center of a restaurant while a ton of strangers witness your confession.”

  “Gross,” I say looking at him with my nose wrinkled up.

  “You think it’s gross now, but one day you’ll change your mind.”

  Before I have the chance to argue he stands up and moves toward the bedroom.

  Three months ago Ben was awarded full custody of me. This decision he’s made to ask Elizabeth means I gain her too. Though I think I’ve had her too from the beginning this sort of makes things official.

  I wait silently in the living room, listening for her reaction and when I hear it I can’t help but smile. She squeals, laughs and all that is followed by Ben’s deep chuckle.

  I had my family, and though Khloe wasn’t her physically, she was still here with me. She always would be, because I would never forget the one person that made sure I had a chance to be something great.

  She was my angel.

  Sneak Peek

  Eternally Yours

  Wade’s POV

  Elle: Sometimes I wonder what’s the point. Why try because it’s all gonna end one day anyway. I know I shouldn't think that way but it’s so hard.

  Me: I know at times it seems like that, I’ve felt it too. But there is a point Elle to all of this. We all have a purpose and it’s up to each of us to find that purpose.

  Sometimes it broke my heart to be so far away from Elle. It was hard to know she was sad and being unable to hold her was the worse.

  Okay so I lied, the worst part is that I wanted so much more than what we were and she was still so closed off and sheltered. I think somehow she feels guilt for having a life to life when Luke lost his. I also know that he wouldn’t want her to feel that way.

  I spent months observing the two of them. They would Skype and email, they would talk for hours on the phone and I’ll admit, I was jealous. I wanted someone that I could be that comfortable with.

  Circumstances I would give anything to change have brought us tot he now, and it’s me she now leans. I never meant fall for her, it was meant to be nothing more than a friend supporting another.

  Damn did that backfire.

  Elle: Sorry I’m being a downer again.

  I opted out of the text and called her instead.

  “You calling to tell me to smile,” she said as she answered the call.

  “Yeah,” I say smiling myself, “and to tell you that you can be a downer whenever you feel you need too, I’m here.” I wanted to say so much more but bit my tongue instead. I knew telling her I was falling in love with her was the worst thing I could say.

  Whoever said it was easy for a guy and a girl to be friends and keep intimate feelings at bay , never tried being friend with Elle.

  “Thanks Wade,” she says pulling me out of my thoughts. “I don’t think I would have made it through the last nine months without your friendship. You truly are the best friend a girl could ask for.”

  There is what, that dreaded word, friends.

  I had no idea how in the hell I planned to keep up this charade.

  Friend yes, but I wanted more.

  COMING 2018