Forever the One (Always and Forever 3)

“Jeff enough! That’s enough!” Lana’s mom pushes him toward the house, Jeff takes those few steps and spews insults my way but I don’t pay attention, my eyes are transfixed on my firecracker. She looks fucking angry, so angry I’m convinced she’ll kill me herself.

“He hit you first? That’s your argument, Kingston? What are we, six years old again?” she asks me. Reaching out to pull her in, she takes a step back and with every step she takes back I take a step forward.

“Seven years old, actually,” I say back with a smirk, hoping my sense of humor will lighten the mood. Her rage boils. Great, that made it worse. I’ll be in the fucking doghouse for God knows how long now.

“That’s my father. Comparing you to Joel or not does not give you the right to hit him,” Lana says, her voice eerily calm. I hate that I can’t reach out and touch her. Physical touch has always been our cornerstone, it’s all we have when our personal issues get in the way. I want to pull her into me and hold her until she forgives me, but she is giving me nothing, which I fucking deserve.

“Babe, you’re right and I’m sorry. But your father has been looking for any way to fucking pull me into that fight.”

“He’s scared. I told you that and you promised you would play nice. But no, he says one thing and you lose it like King Kong. He almost lost me that day Kingston!”

“Yeah and so did I! I saved you, remember? But you don’t see him giving me credit for that!” I yell, throwing my hands up in the air.

“So what—saving my life was just so you could get some kind of praise?”

“That’s not what I meant, Lana. Quite finding ways to fight with me, damn it. I saved you because I love you.” I’m in her face and she doesn’t flinch or back down, she just stays firm in place. I may be upset however, I take pride over the fact that she’s becoming strong and not backing down in the face of fear.

“You crossed the line, that’s my father. He’s the most important man in my life.” Talk about a fucking shot to the chest.

“Yeah, I see that. I guess the man who saved your life and fought like hell to love you, you know the father to our child, doesn’t have room in that heart of yours. Comparing me to the man who nearly took you away from me warrants me to walk away. Hope you’re happy, Lana.” Turning, I give in and walk away from her, needing space to clear my head.

Two steps forward is now ten steps back. I walk in the house and luckily her parents aren’t anywhere to be seen, I’m assuming they are hiding out in their room. Taking the stairs two at a time I pack my duffle bag leaving behind a couple of items. I just need to get out.

Jogging down the stairs I hear the back door and her parents’ bedroom door open at the same time. Hastening my steps I leave slamming the front door. I feel Lana’s eyes on me, that connection still there. Throwing my bag in the back of the car, I close the trunk and look up at the window. There she stands sobbing, her beautiful face covered in mascara, making my chest ache. I’m walking away from my girl, what other choice do I have?

Becky stands to the side of her holding her shaking form and behind her is Jeff, staring me down as I drive away. That smug fucker is giving me a run for my money. Shit, I don’t blame him. I want to be angry at him for defending L and being extra cautious with her, but I can’t because I’m the same way.

I check into the hotel at a quarter to six. Going through the motions, replaying the fight in my head, seeing Lana crying as I walk away, it’s all too mind numbing. I need a fucking drink. Opening the minibar I smile when I see bottles of scotch like I requested, got to love swanky hotels.

Kingston left me and worst of all—I let him. Tonight spiraled out of control way too quickly, I couldn’t grip it and hold on if I tried. He left two hours ago and I’ve been sitting in my room wallowing. I stared at my phone like it was a lifeline and all I had to do was click call and he would be my reviver.

My parents gave me the space I demanded, I didn’t want to be near my father. I’m so angry at him for betraying me. I must be an idiot to think he would play nice like he said he would. Same with Kingston. God the two men I love are fighting when they are exactly the same damn way. Stubborn and smug.

I can hear my parents’ voices carrying from the other room. Standing I move to the door and place my ear against it trying to hear better.

“Jeff, why are you so convinced he’s no good for her?”, my mother asks.

“Lana is sweet, so fucking naive when it comes to love and Kingston is...Becky do you see the way he looks at her? It’s scary.” She chuckles. “It’s not funny.”

“Yeah, it actually is. My parents said the same thing about you. I still see you looking at me like that.” I see Kingston in my head now, looking at me and I know that look. He looks at me like I’m his purpose and I do the same. I’m unhealthily obsessed with Kingston and I don’t care if they know it.

“I look at you like that because I love you and you’re my world,” my dad cuts back in.

“What, because he has a past like we all do and Lana is only twenty-two, that means they can’t love like that? Jeff, we got pregnant with Lana when I was sixteen.”

“We’re different,” he says and I hear him slam his glass down.

“Hardly. You hate that she found a man that can protect and love her the way you thought only you could. No one can take your place, Jeff. He can love her like that and more. He’s her person and if you don’t want to lose her for good, then you need to accept what is and apologize.” I grab the necklace around my neck and drop my forehead to the door. I love my mother for defending Kingston, for being the greatest mother a girl could ask for.

I hear a few more soft murmurs then the sound of the stairs creaking. Stepping back to my bed, I sit down. Opening the door, my dad fills the doorway, my mom’s tiny frame standing behind him.

“Can I come in?” he asks with reservation.

“It’s your house dad, I can’t tell you no.” He chuckles.

“I see you’re still the smart-ass I raised,” he says, taking a seat next to me. I just nod, my fingers playing with the zipper on Kingston’s hoodie. He left it here and I couldn’t help but put it on. I miss him already. “Anyway, I can’t convince you to fall in love with someone else?”

“Dad.”