Only One Forever (Only One 8)

“And every single year, you wear only half the shit you bring,” I point out, and she rolls her eyes, walking to the door when her phone beeps. “I bet you one hundred dollars you won’t wear half the stuff.”

“Now I’m going to wear everything twice just to spite you.” She puts on her sunglasses. “I’m going to change three times a day.”

I shake my head, knowing that even if I argue with her, she’s going to win because I always let her win. Why? Because the last time I won a fight with her, she tormented me for six months. She would leave doll heads all around the house for me to find, and she knows how I hate them. Grabbing my glasses, I put them on as I walk out, rolling out the suitcases for the driver to load in the car.

It takes us five minutes to get into the car. She sits on her side, and all I can smell is her perfume. I put my head back, closing my eyes, and when the car stops, I open my eyes and can see the commotion already. The big charter plane is parked, and there are fifteen porters running with luggage carts and trying to load up the bags. “Here we go,” I say, opening the door, and I look around. The black truck pulls up next to us, and when the back door opens, I can’t help the smile that fills my face. “Dad.” I walk to him, and he takes me in his arms. Almost like when I was younger, except I’m taller than him, and I wrap my arms around his neck.

“Hey,” he says, slapping my arm and then letting me go so he can squeeze my neck. “You look like shit,” he says.

“Oh, look, it smiles,” Alex chides, coming next to me and pushing me to the side. “He’s been a grouch since he got up this morning.” She smiles at my father and reaches up to kiss his cheek. “Thankfully, I don’t have to sit with him on the plane.” She turns and walks over to my mother, who she hugs and laughs with, kissing her on her cheek. My brother, Christopher, comes out of the back seat with his earbuds on.

“Hey, squirt,” I say to him, hugging him and kissing his head.

“I’m going to be seventeen,” he reminds me, pushing my shoulder. He goes over and bends to kiss Alex, who looks over at me, shocked at how tall he got.

“Do you remember what you did at seventeen?” my father says to me, and I shake my head and laugh because it was probably stupid, and I must have paid dearly for it.

Michael gets there next and comes out of the truck with Jamieson, who claps his hands when he sees me. I’m about to grab him when Alex scoops him up, and he just smiles at her. Julia comes out with Bianca, while Jillian gets out and hands Bailey to Michael.

Another truck gets there, and the back door opens, and I stand here shocked. Chase gets out, but he’s not the Chase we saw last year. This one has been hitting the gym and not the hairdresser. “Who the fuck invited Thor?” Michael shouts. Chase throws his head back and laughs, his man bun on the top of his head and the beard trimmed. “Where is your hammer?”

“I don’t know where he keeps his hammer,” Julia says from beside us now. “But I volunteer as tribune.”

Alex rolls her lips. “It’s tribute,” she says, trying not to laugh.

“He can call me whatever he wants to call me,” Julia gushes, and Michael pretends to vomit.

“If I wake up and hear sex noises and it’s Chase,” he says, and she just shakes her head.

“I know how to keep quiet,” she reassures him, kissing Bianca’s head. “Is Auntie going to get her rocks off?”

“Why have you never invited him over?” She looks over at Julia.

“He’s been doing Doctors Without Borders,” Alex says. “Apparently, it’s right next to a gym.”

“Nah,” Michael butts in. “His ex-girlfriend said he was too skinny and wasn’t attracted to him.”

“Oh my God,” Julia says. “He got sexy to tell her to fuck off.” She puts her hands to her chest. “I think I’m in love.”

“Let’s get on the plane,” Jillian suggests, pulling Julia with her.

I look around and see everyone slowly arriving. Hugs and kisses are passed around, and I stand next to Alex and Michael. “Why does it feel like we aren’t the cool ones anymore?” Michael asks, and I just look at him.

“Dude, you fell asleep yesterday at six fifteen.” I laugh, and Alex just smiles.

“I think it’s time to pass the torch,” she says. “Time for the other generation to get drunk on the beach.” I put my arm around her shoulder.