Page 50 of Forget Me Not

He, Gabby, Demi, and I have been spending the night bingeing the newest episodes of whatever Theo’s reality show of the week is. I honestly already forgot the name of it. The three of them decided somewhere during the second episode they were going to take a shot every time one of the girls said, “Fuck.” I didn’t participate, thinking there should be at least one coherent person between the four of us. And thank goodness I didn’t because the three of them are completely shit-faced.

We just finished the last episode about half an hour ago and it’s already one in the morning. Theo and Gabby decided they were sleeping here before they started drinking so at least I don’t have to worry about that. All four of us are now sitting on the floor surrounding the coffee table while Theo complains to us about his latest fling. Well, that’s what he was doing.

“Details about what?” I play dumb, hoping Theo is drunk enough that his attention span isn’t clear.

“About Doomsday’s brother, duh. I want all the details, specifically about the sex. Is it mind-blowing? Tell me everything.” I hoped wrong.

“Tell him nothing. I do not want to hear the words sex and my brother used in the same sentence. Ever.” Demi gags. “Lo can do whatever she wants with him, but I refuse to hear about it.”

“Actually, I’m with Theo on this one. I’d kind of like to know,” Gabby chimes in.

“Traitor,” Demi gasps.

“Everything is great, fantastic, mind-blowing, and whatever other synonyms you can think of. I’d rather not watch Demi puke everywhere, so that’s all you’re getting, okay?” I respond.

“See. This is why she’s my best friend.” Demi smiles an overly drunk smile, grabbing on to my arm and leaning her head onto my shoulder.

“You’re such a buzzkill, Tink.” Theo rolls his eyes. He takes a sip of the water bottle I forced him to start drinking after he almost fell trying to get to the bathroom.

“Shut up, Alvin,” Demi and I say at the same time. We look at each other briefly before bursting out in laughter, Gabby joining.

“Whatever, you bitches. I’m tired and I need my beauty sleep. Doomsday, I’m sleeping with you in your bed.” Theo stands, walking to her room.

“Ugh. But you snore.” Demi chases after him, leaving me and Gabby still laughing at their expenses.

“I’m good here on the couch,” Gabby says, grabbing the blanket Theo was using from the floor and moving to lie across the couch with it.

“Are you sure, Gab? I don’t mind sharing my bed with you, it’s really no big deal.”

“I’m sure. Trust me, after living with Kyson I think I could sleep just about anywhere.” She yawns.

“I’m sorry, Gabs. Is he still bothering you?”

“All he does is bother me.” She yawns, her eyes closing of their own volition. “I think I bother him too, though,” she mumbles so quietly I’m not sure she even knows she said it out loud.

“Gabby?” I get nothing in response. She’s fast asleep within seconds.

I turn off all the apartment lights and head to bed. I lie there, exhausted from the night. Sitting around, spending time with my best friends is exactly what I needed. I smiled and laughed and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel guilty about it. I felt genuinely happy. I feel alive. And even as I close my eyes, I know I want to keep this feeling.

“So, I heard you and your girlfriend got into a screaming match at Carl’s the other night.” I recognize Kayla’s voice loud and clear as I approach Kaden’s room in the tattoo shop. I slow my steps, stopping about a foot away from the door, not wanting my presence to be known just yet.

“You heard wrong.” Kade’s voice is firm. Annoyed.

“Hmm.” I hear her heels click against the floor and it takes everything in me to stay still. “So, the two of you are still together?”

“Yes, Kayla. We’re still together. Now, I already told you, if you’re looking for ink, talk to Asher or King. Not me. And if you’re looking for anything else, you can get the fuck out of here and go find it.”

“I just want to talk to you, Kade. I know you miss me, and I know there was an argument at Carl’s. Plus, I don’t see your little plaything here now.”

“Now you do.” I walk into the room. “And my name is Logan.” I saunter over to Kade, swiftly kissing his lips. “Hey.”

“Hey, baby girl.” He smiles up at me. He leans back in his stool, crossing his legs out in front of him, clearly content at my entrance as I turn back to Kayla.

“Do you need anything else?” I ask, my voice sweet as can be. She stares at me silently, her eyes narrowed, chewing on her bottom lip.

“He’ll never marry you. You do know that, right? He’ll never give you the perfect family you want. He’s too screwed up. Just take it from someone who’s been there, you’re wasting your time.”

“Who says I care about any of that?” I ask her. “And if we’re being honest, I’m probably a little bit too attracted to the screwed-up part of him. But hey, I guess I’m pretty fucked up too, so maybe we just fit each other.” I shrug while laughing. Kade chuckles under his breath while Kayla looks outright horrified.

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