Always Us (Always and Forever 2)

Not only does the promise of that hope renew mine, it binds me to Trey even more. A love with hope like ours is such power.

“You always pull me through.” Doing what he asks, I forgive myself. I let go of the resentment and hate that I hold toward myself. Forgiving myself for hiding this from Trey.

“I love you, baby,” I whisper back. With that we finish speaking, only talking with our bodies.

Crossing my arms around his neck, my hands find his hair and tangle themselves there while I use all my thigh strength to push up from the bed, riding him slowly and thoroughly. His hands use my hips to speed up the pace and for three hours straight we made love on and off again, no dirty words, no kinky ways, just a man and a woman healing.

“I like the pink roses with the white tulips for the bouquet. What do you think, L?”

“Yes, then we can line the pathway to the aisle in the pink roses!” Lana exclaims; she’s been the most excited about finding flowers for the wedding. Trey and I decided a small wedding was best. No extended friends or family, just our small tight-knit group.

Last night was such an emotional, yet intoxicating night that I need some comic relief for a hot second with my favorite foul-mouthed brunette—besides my brother. Speaking of, I need to call him. I would love to spend some alone time with Kingston to talk and catch up. I feel with everything going on lately, we haven’t been as close as we used to be and that is something I’m not gonna let happen—even after my wedding.

“Mom, what do you think?” I look to the sofa next to me and smile down at Kathy. I love how much time we’ve spent together due to planning my wedding. I like to think it’s given her the perfect distraction from losing Pops, maybe a new sense of purpose.

“Perfect

and elegant, just like you.” I smirk, thankful for her constant kind words. I chose to leave my mom out of this part, she hates roses and I love them. Arguing with her all day isn’t something I felt like doing, especially after the debacle at the wedding dress shop.

“Thanks, Mom. Okay, we’ll take these. I’m going to run and get some coffee, want anything?”

Lana speaks first, jumping up and down, a bit too overly excited. “Yes, I want a chai tea—hot—and a doughnut.”

Doughnut, Lana doesn’t eat doughnuts. Weird.

“I’m good, sweetie. Thanks though,” Kathy answers.

“Okay. I’ll be back. If you want to meet me at the dress shop down the street for my fitting, I’ll just meet you there.” They agree to do so, letting me go on my way. Walking out onto the busy street, the fresh air feels reviving, the added smell of coffee from across the way screaming to all my senses.

Luckily, the line is small and I don’t have to wait forever for them to take my order. After paying, I find a seat and wait for them to call my name. Checking my phone, I smile at the picture of Trey and me in California on the beach. We both look so happy, I’m on my back in the white sand, him on top of me, kissing his cheek while he smiles at the camera to the side of us. He looks so happy, his smile white and his grin spread wide. His fresh tan making him look tall, dark, and handsome. Take me back to that place?

“I have a chai tea, chocolate doughnut, and a black coffee with low fat milk, for Shayla.” I go to stand when a familiar face gains my attention. I squint my eyes to double-check I’m not seeing things. Sure as daylight, it’s Gwen, with a younger man, a much younger man, holding her hand and whispering in her ear.

At first I’m repulsed, he’s pretty good-looking and Gwen isn’t hideous, but she’s not that good-looking to bag a hottie like this twenty-something-year-old. She doesn’t notice me at first. After collecting my order, I head to her table. Little does she know that tonight I’m telling Trey about her little threat. After last night, I decided to never keep secrets from him, knowing darn well that he will always love and support me—he will always believe me above all else.

“Gwen?” Her scared eyes look up and immediately she disentangles herself from him, looking guilty.

“What’re you doing here?” she asks with a nervous twitch in her voice.

“Getting coffee, it is a coffee joint,” I retort sarcastically.

“Besides the obvious, Shayla?” she spits back.

“This is Shayla? The one who’s been getting in the way?” the brunette man sitting next to Gwen says, looking me over before turning his attention to her.

“Not now, David.”

David—it has a name and what the hell does he mean, getting in their way? My eyes widen and I choke on a laugh, I don’t know what the hell she’s up to, but when I get home this shit ends tonight. I’m done with her, and I need Trey to know all about her and her untrusting behavior. I bend over the table, placing my items in front of me.

“What the hell is he talking about, Gwen?” I ask, giving back as much attitude and disdain as she is. I keep imagining throwing my hot coffee in her face. I’m not a violent person, but this woman can make me see red easily.

“None of your business, and I thought we agreed that I wouldn’t let your secret out if you didn’t butt in?” Slamming my fist on the table, ready to call her out for being so stupid, Trey knows about the PCOS, she has nothing on me anymore. But I stop, growing smart. If I tell her, she’ll hide herself better, keep her secret further hidden. Keeping my current upper hand, I swallow back my pride and play pretend.

“You’re right. You’re so right. I did. I’ll leave you two be.” Running my tongue over my teeth, I grab my things, ready to make a hasty exit. I need to get this shopping done so I can get back to Trey. Gwen eyes me over, suspiciously, the man next to her looking back and forth between us. After a few seconds, the troll speaks again.

“Good, now run along and go back to the hole you came out of.” Her insult doesn’t even affect me like it used to. Scum can’t make you feel like scum when they invented the word.

“Oh, gladly. Best of luck, Gwen.” With a wink and a mental fuck you, I leave with my entire plan already mapped out.