Page 71 of Give Me Forever Love

“Shrug again, K. Do it again and act like this isn’t as serious as it is.”

“Oh, I’m aware of how serious this is. But I don’t think you do. Claire and Austin are my family. The only people I have…”

“What?” I don’t even think before I toss the fucking bottle at the wall. Glass shatters, satisfying me to the bone.

I move around the counter quickly. She backs up against the fridge and I slam my hands on it beside her ears.

“Do you know how hard this was for me? Do you have any idea how much I havechangedforyou? This was never supposed to happen. I gave up my way of life for you. Everything.”

“You gave it up, so you didn’t have to sit in prison.”

My heart stops punching and drops his arms.

My eyes bounce around her face. “That’s what you think?” I whisper.

“That’s what I know,” she spits. She pushes me away and I step back. “I’m going to bed. Don’t follow me.”

She runs up the stairs and I stay put. I’m so fucking hurt right now, I don’t know what to do. My face tingles, my heart hangs his head, and before I think more into it, I grab my keys and walk out the door.

_____________

The night air brushes over my skin, cooling me down, but not enough to reach the inside. I’m hurt and pissed. She thinks I gave up Red to stay out of prison. I laugh to myself as I climb inside my car, slamming the door and starting the engine. It’s been months. So many months, and we are still here.

We’re still pushing each other and making the other one crazy. She’s so fucking wrong it’s sick. I change gears, passing through Atlanta traffic, riding around aimlessly. I head through Little Five Points, passing Mugs & Books. I go through Krog Street Tunnel, fleeting by graffiti and people walking on the sides.

I roll past Oakland Cemetery and head back downtown, hitting Decatur Street before I hit SkyView Atlanta. The Ferris wheel glows in the night, spinning. I turn and reach the parking deck I took K to so long ago when I told her about my mom getting jumped on and overdosing. I park the car and head to the elevator.

Pushing the button, I lean back against the wall with my hands in my pockets. I was nervous then, showing her something that meant something to me. I’ve had a lot of shit happen since we met, but she’s always felt like my sky rise, with nothing but views of Atlanta and the stars above. She replaced this place.

I used to come here to think and clear my head. I didn’t have to when I found her, but now here I am. Clearing my head about the one person I thought was my world.

Her saying Claire and Austin were the only family she had—fuck, that cut me. The doors open and I step out, looking around and seeing I’m thankfully alone, I head to my old spot and sit down on the red brick. I look up at the sky, happy to see some stars if only a few.

How much my life has changed since the last time I was here. Mary has come so far. She’s doing it, man. She’s being the person I always believed she could be. My brother doesn’t talk to me much. We said our apologies after our big blowup in his apartment, but our relationship has been rocky at best, and that itself fucks with me. I love that kid. I need to try harder.

Pops and Emily are living the life they always wanted but were too afraid and stubborn to grab. Monnie’s restaurant is doing like it always has. Successful because of the man. Lou is closer to Kat now than me, and while I feel left out, I’m also so damn glad my family has accepted her as their own.

She deserves that, but she hurt me tonight.

I think of her as my one and only.

She’s the axle my world spins on, but am I hers?

I sit for a while until I decide to get up and head out. I need a drink and I can’t get that here.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Bryce

Once back in my car, I find myself going to Red.

I park on the side of the street, looking over at the line. I climb out in my jeans and T-shirt, but I don’t care how I look. I walk up to the man with a list in his hand. He used to work for me.

He looks up as I come closer. “Mr. Grant,” he greets.

I nod. “Care if I have a drink?”

“I’ve been told you’re always welcome here. Come in.”

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