Always Us (Always and Forever 2)

“I know, trust me, I want you two to work it out.” Reaching out, she does her best to comfort me, squeezing my arm.

“He’s been a jerk to Trey at work,” I inform her.

“How so?” We move to take the items back on the floor.

“Well, like yesterday, he totally snapped at Trey in front of a client. I guess Trey had an idea and suggested it and Kingston pretty much told him it was stupid and to stay quiet and let him take care of things.” Lana rolls her eyes.

“See, your brother can be such a jerk sometimes.”

“I know. But I still feel guilty.”

“You and I both. Every since he said what he did about kids ruining everything, I have been even more on edge. I feel guilty, but how do I tell him now?” I totally spaced about that in my selfish pity party.

“Lana, you need to tell him soon, regardless of what he said. Maybe it will be different for you two?” I cringe. Not sure if that’s true.

“Yeah right. He listed everything in the book about how kids at our age is irresponsible and how he would be sick to his stomach if he knew he would be a parent at his age.”

Ouch. Okay, that had to hurt her.

“Wow…I really don’t know what to say, but tell him soon. We’ll deal with the aftermath together, just know that,” I promise, hugging her and returning the comfort.

“I know. Okay, we only have thirty minutes until close and we need to get back out there and close up.” We stay silent while we get everything done, my mind somewhere else.

Instead of driving straight home, I drive around town in circles, debating what to do. My nerves aren’t settled and I can’t seem to get them under control. I’m torn between going home and crying more or driving until I get so brain-dead from overthinking everything that I have no choice but to go home and fall asleep.

My phone ringing catches my attention. Looking at the dash, Trey’s name comes up. I’m sitting at a red light, downtown, driving aimlessly like I have for the past hour, I’m sure he has himself worried.

“Hello,” I answer.

“What’s going on in that pretty mind, woman?” I tilt my head and focus on the license plate on the car in front of me.

“What do you mean? How do you know I’m thinking anything?” Now he’s a mind reader.

“I’ve been watching you drive around the same six blocks for the past hour, Mama.”

Wait what? How did he know? Is he tracking my iPhone? I take a look around and right as the light turns green, I look in my rearview mirror and see him behind me. Watching me, a small, sad smile on his lips.

“How did you find me?”

“I will always find you.”

I smile, my heart warming for the first time today. It beats one extra beat when he says this. I drive until I get to an empty parking lot. Pulling into a spot, he ends the call and climbs out. Shutting off my car, he opens my door before I get a chance and helps me out.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Placing me against the car, he braces each of his hands to the side of my shoulders on the car, towering over me.

“I hate this… I hate fighting with my brother.” Just like every night this weekend, I start to cry. I would think I had no tears left to cry, that the well had run dry, but it didn’t.

“I know, I’m sorry, beautiful, but you need to relax, it isn’t healthy for the baby.” His hand leaves my car and splays over my belly. It brings a tingling warmth to me, while his woodsy aftershave invades my senses.

“I know.” I let the tears fall, and with each one that escapes, he hurries to wipe them away with the rough pad of his thumb.

“Hey, don’t cry. You know what that does to me.”

“It’s the hormones, I’m sorry.” That is partially true, I’ve been all over the place with my emotions. The separation between my brother and me doesn’t help.

“I think I should get you home and then I’m going to talk to your brother. Let me fix this.” Looking up into his eyes, I smirk. I debate on arguing with him, but I truly want nothing more than to resolve this—I want my brother back. Knowing dang well if I got my hormonal butt in there with my stubborn, hotheaded brother, it would be worse than a soap opera.

“Please. I need it.” I pause and he nods without a second thought. “I love you so much, Trey.” I step up on my tiptoes to show my thanks for him swooping in like a hero to save the day. Trey and I are having a small, intimate wedding on the beach in just a week and a half and there’s no way I’m having a wedding without Kingston. No way.