Page 9 of Give Me Forever Love

He’s spoken to my lawyer.

Jesus.

He walks closer, gray smoke drifting from his mouth. “You want to do this,” he says. “I know you care about that girl.”

My lungs freeze up when he mentions K. Would he do something to hurt her if I don’t agree to this? And how could I stop him? Like he said, he works for men who can make things happen.

“Don’t worry. She’s safe. I ain’t in the business of hurting women. I just know you don’t want to be sent off. You don’t want to put that on her. If the girl loves you, she’ll stay faithful, but what kind of life is that for her?”

He clasps his hand over my shoulder and gives it a small squeeze before placing the brown wrapper between his lips. Looking at me sideways, he says, “I like you, Bryce. I don’t like many people. This will benefit us both.” And without another word, he exits the room. I scrub down my face and look up at the ceiling.

Fuck.

Chapter Four

Kathrine

I watch as the sky ignites with fire. I’m curled up on the lounge chair with a bottle of bourbon to comfort me. My mind drifts, twisting through thoughts of Bryce and what happened Friday night. How everything went to shit and there was nothing any of us could do about it. My phone vibrates and I look down at the lit up screen.

Happy Fourth. We love you.

Along with the text is a photo of my two best friends, smiling happily, cheek to cheek. I stare at it a little too long, happy, jealous, sad, confused. Claire glows from her pregnancy, and Austin looks more content with his life than I’ve ever seen.

I put my phone down after I reply with anI love y’all, too.They wanted me to come over and watch the fireworks, but I feel like being alone.

I bring the bottle to my lips. Well, not completely alone. I have this. I grip the thick glass in my hand when another notification pops up on my phone.

I pick it up and feel the tiniest smirk spread from the video.

It’s Mills.

My dad.

He’s got a sparkler and a few people around him.

“Happy Fourth, Kathrine. Hope you’re having a good one,” he says with a smile. “Love ya, kid.”

Over the months we’ve grown closer, and Mills has told me he loves me a few times. He said blood or no blood, he’s always thought of me as his daughter even way back during my diner days.

He’s damn happy I’m his, and he tells everyone he meets. I’ve heard him several times say,I’m on the phone with my kid.

It does crazy things to my heart. She grins and squeezes her shoulders together as she clasps her hands under her chin.

She’s proud he’s our dad.

“Everyone, tell my kid Happy Fourth of July!” Mills yells to the background of people.

“Happy Fourth, Mills’ kid!” they all yell.

He gives me a wink and the video ends. I hit reply.

Happy Fourth. Love ya.I take a photo just as a firework bursts in the sky and send it to him before putting my phone down.

All of my friends and family are enjoying their holiday, while the one person I want to be with is locked up, leaving me to drown in my heartache.

I lift my bottle

“Happy Fourth,” I say quietly just as the big bang ending begins. I lean my head back and watch, expressionless as the whole sky lights up.

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