Love You Always

The bartender swings by, dropping our drinks off. The bar is nice with a small dance floor off to the side. It’s not overly loud in here, so we can still hang out and talk without screaming at one another. It’s the best of both worlds. What would make it even better is if Kent was with me, but he and I aren't together outside of the walls of the bedroom.

It suddenly hits me that with everything we’ve done together, I’ve neglected to ask him if he’s dating anyone else. We’ve spent hours talking every night. How did I not think to ask that? It’s probably because the idea of him dating someone else makes me feel ill. Plus, with the way he touches me, it doesn’t seem possible that he has anyone else.

“Do you think he hasn't slept with me because he thinks it’s going too far with his best friend's little sister?” That has been rolling around in my head for the past few days.

“Like you guys can get off but not cross that line so your brother won’t get so mad?”

I shrug. “What if this is all just a little fun to him and he knows taking it to that next level is too far?” I suggest. Kent might be bossy and smug, but he is also a good man. I don’t think he would push for sex. He has to know I’m a virgin, I would think. I’ve never said the words but I’m sure he can tell.

“I get what you’re saying, but I keep coming back to that hickey on your neck. He says he’s a smart man. If that’s the case, then that shit wasn’t by accident.”

I reach up and touch the spot. “You think he did it on purpose?”

“Yeah, and from how you laid out everything, it sounds like he gave it to you when he realized you were going out tonight. I think he claimed your ass.”

“How are you ladies doing tonight?” A man slides up beside Kristen. He’s not bad looking. He is familiar, though. I’m guessing we go to the same school.

“Kim.” I jump when someone slides up next to me, knowing my name. Then I see who it is. I inwardly groan.

“Hi, Sam.” Out of all the bars in the city, how is it possible that we ended up at the same one as him? “What are you up to?” I ask, feeling awkward because he’s staring down at me, not saying a word. Kristen is laughing at something the guy next to her said.

“I heard you guys talking about coming here. Thought I’d pop in and buy you a drink.” He gives me a cocky smile. I guess today I’m getting slimy nice Sam. I’d rather he do the whole asshole thing like he has been doing lately. At least I know how to deal with that.

“I’m good.” I lift my drink, taking a sip. I don’t want anything from him.

“Then I’ll get the next one.” He leans in closer. The smell of his cologne is so strong that I almost gag.

“I’m sorry, Sam, but this is a girl’s night and—”

He cuts me off. “And you don’t date. You’ve been saying that shit for years now. This playing hard to get shit is getting old.”

“I’m not playing anything.” Of course he is trying to tell himself that on some level I must want him so I’m playing some game with him. His eyes drop to my neck, and I know he sees the hickey. His nose flares. I try and lean back. Where Kent’s angry face turns me on, Sam’s creeps me the hell out.

“Is that what I’m missing?” He reaches out, touching my neck, and I jerk back. “You don’t date. You just fuck. You could have told me that a long time ago.”

Before I can stop him, he’s got his hand wrapped around the back of my neck. “Stop it, Sam. I want you to leave me the hell alone.” His grip on me tightens instead of releasing. I can still hear Kristen giggling and talking to the other man. So I know she’s not seeing any of this go down.

“You like it rough too. You’re full of all kinds of surprises.” He leans down, trying to put his mouth on mine. I push against his chest, trying to get him the hell away from me.

“I said stop.”

He doesn't.

“What the hell!” I hear Kristen shout as Sam is ripped away from me and tossed to the side like a rag doll. He hits the ground hard, knocking over a table and a few chairs in the process. When I look up, my eyes meet the ones that I’ve become so familiar with.

Kent stands above Sam. The look on his face tells me that he’s not angry but livid.