Page 4 of Until Forever

“If you mean the young man you were talking to earlier, he had to leave. But he asked me to give you this,” the woman answers.

“He left?”

The confusion in her voice is loud and clear, and it destroys me. I have to do this. I have to leave so she can grow without me.

“I have something important to tell him.”

Those are the last words I hear as I rush to my bike. I throw my helmet on, not bothering to secure it, and speed off into the night. Tears prick the backs of my eyes, but I will them away. It’s for the best. She’ll be better without me holding her down.

A rush of adrenaline fills me, and I black out, a failed attempt to push thoughts of Latoya from my mind. It hurts to think about her, to think about what I’m leaving behind. I’m no good for her, and she’ll realize it soon enough. Then I’ll be all alone, a hideous broken man, just like my pops.

I have to do this. I have to forget about Latoya and shut off my heart.

Time flies, and I don’t relax until I’m nearing the county line. It’s not until I see the farewell sign that I relax. But the moment is short-lived as flashing blue lights dance off my side mirrors.

“Fuck,” I curse and pull over.

I drop the kickstand, remove my helmet, and dig in my pocket for my license and registration. My heart pounds in rhythm with the officer’s shoes against the pavement. This isn’t anything new, a seemingly regular occurrence for me. The cops hate me; even when I’ve done nothing wrong, they taunt me.

Not waiting for the cop to speak, I remove my helmet and hold out my documents. He takes them, and from the corner of my eye, I notice him surveying my profile. He doesn’t even look at my information while he slumps next to me.

“Where are you going, son?”

I freeze. I’d know that voice anywhere. It’s been ages since I’ve heard it, years since my father lost his job at Asher Mayson’s construction company.

“Jasper?” Nico Mayson calls my name as more of a question.

I sigh and slowly peek in his direction. “Mr. Mayson.”

“It’s been a long time.” He hands me back my paperwork.

I accept it. “Yeah, it has.”

“You okay?”

I smirk and shake my head. He’s always been good at reading me, even when I’ve said nothing.

“You realize how fast you were going?”

I nod. “I just want to get out of this town, that’s all. Wasn’t trying to cause any trouble.”

“Where are you headed?”

I shrug.

“Still bad, huh?”

I scoff. “Naw, everything’s peachy. Can I go?”

Nico is silent for a beat. “You should stop by the house. We miss having you around.”

I grip my helmet to my chest. “Thanks, but I’m good.”

“We still care about you, kid.”

I don’t respond.

Nico pats my shoulder. “Be safe. You’re family, and if you need us, we’re only a call away.”

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