Forever the One (Always and Forever 3)

“Well, we can’t stop her and I’m sure this is just a phase. If she wants to see me without ridiculing me and my marriage to Trey, then I’m more than happy to oblige.” We’re all shocked by her reaction.

“Damn, I thought there was gonna be a war. Good thing I raised you two hellions right.” He pats my back and rubs Shay’s knee, where she’s sitting on Trey’s lap.

“What about you dad? You gonna be okay?” I’m my father’s son. Tom loves my mother even after the tornado she set off in his heart. Taking her back after her affairs, fighting to get her to call off the divorce, falling to his knees whenever she gave him an inch to beg for her back. Lana would never cheat and she’s no narcissist, but I would do anything to make her mine, just like my dad would. Two big ass alphas, stuck in love.

His eyes stay on his beer, not coming back up for a brief moment. We all watch as we wait for his response.

“Yes. I still love your mother, I do, but I can’t spend forever loving or wanting someone who doesn’t want me back.”

Truth.

Can I really wait forever for Lana to love or want me back? Deep bar conversations don’t do good things for the fearful mind.

“You deserve better daddy, you’ll find it too, I bet.” Shayla swoops in to save the day, while I sit there obsessing and wallowing in self-pity.

Like clockwork, Lana must know I’m thinking about her. I feel the vibration of my phone in my pocket. Reaching into my worn-out denim jeans I pull out my cell and open the new text I have waiting.

Lana: Hey. I didn’t hear from you today, what are you up to? :D

Excusing myself from the bar, I decide to call her instead.

“Hey,” she answers and I smile at the soft tremble in her low, sultry voice. She sounds like she just woke up.

“Did you just wake up?”

“Yeah, I had some morning sickness all day and I needed to take a quick nap after work. What are you doing?” I step out onto the busy sidewalk, cars honking in the background and bar goers having a great time, setting the scene for a typical Friday night in Seattle. One of the reasons I love this city is the nightlife, every night feels like a weekend.

“I’m out at the bar with my dad, Trey and Shay.”

“Oh, never mind then.” Her sleepy voice is no longer present, she sounds...annoyed.

“What Lana?” I question, matching her frustration. I’m not in the mood for games tonight, especially since I’m already on edge over my little epiphany back there.

“Have fun tonight. Don’t bring anyone too skanky home. Who knows what kind of nasty stuff they have.” I chuckle in amusement, wow, nice.

“I’m gonna ignore that comment,” I sneer.

“It’s the truth.”

“You’re playing with fire, Lana. Careful,” I warn. The heat rolling across my back is tingling up my spine, making my hair stand on edge, only amplifying my aggravation with each second.

“Wow. Well, sorry that I know you get a little horny when you drink. Just looking out for you.” She sounds jealous and for the first time, surprisingly, I don’t like it, it’s infuriating.

“Yes it does. You don’t miss a thing, do you?” I give it back to her, she wants to be sarcastic and territorial, I’ll fucking bite. I hear her huff. The fact that I didn’t say flat out that I wouldn’t fuck anyone else is bothering the shit out of her, just like she is bothering the shit out of me. I would never cheat on her but I’m a smug fucking bastard and I’m gonna give back what she’s dishing out.

“There’s tons of women here, good looking ones too,” I give some bait, ready to rile her up. I face away from the window, facing the street so my crew can’t see me. Lana takes a deep breath through the phone, her irritation erupting.

“You didn’t have to say that. That’s hurtful.”

I ignore her, I’m on a fucking mission. “There’s some blondes, a couple brunettes, all dull witted and vain looking.”

“You’re such an asshole, I don’t know why I bother.” We’re going to fight again, not easing my determined streak. I can’t seem to be anything other than cocky, while she can’t be anything other than insecure.

“Want to know what’s not here?” She chokes out an appalled laugh. I smirk.

“No, Kingston, I don’t want to hear anymore.”

“Oh really, you might like what I have to say,” I entice her with my arrogant response.