Page 122 of 4-Ever

“It’s true, he’s nuts about him. Ugh, all these couples in love,” Lennie muttered as he opened the back door. “Crazy rockstars.”

“Hey, we’re so not that.”

“Not anymore,” Ronin chuckled. “Okay, maybe sometimes. But not like before.”

“Yeah, we’re settled now,” I argued. “Grown up and shit.”

Lennie scoffed. “Really? Is that why you paid that stripper at Dawson’s bachelor party to pull me up on stage? While I was on duty?”

“You weren’t on duty,” I replied with a dirty chuckle and slid inside the car. “Admit it, you enjoyed yourself.”

The group went wild that night when poor Len lost his shirt, and nearly his pants. The guy had a ripped body that everyone in the crowd appreciated.

“I’d rather face a drunken mob at a concert than that.” Lennie’s face flushed, and he shook his head. “I can’t dance for shit. It was the most awkward five minutes of my life.”

“Are you kidding?” Petyr chuckled. “The audience loved you. I’d never seen so much cash thrown on stage.”

Ronin nodded and slid in beside me. “He’s right, Len. Maybe you could work the pole on your off hours?”

Lennie gave Ronin a choice finger and then slammed the door.

Ronin and I shared a laugh. Despite all the growing we’d done, deep down, we were still the same bratty teenagers who liked to play loud music and joke around.

I was pretty sure that Holls and Dawson’s wedding today would be the same—full of laughter and music, an all-night party that would be the talk of the town. The event was being held at their home, which was a short drive from our place.

Lennie pulled out of the driveway and headed west.

Wait. We were going in the wrong direction and my curiosity engaged.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“I told you, just a quick stop before we pick up Dee and Van.”

“For what?”

“You’ll see,” Ronin replied.

I swallowed down my remaining questions. I loved Ronin and I trusted him without pause. So, wherever he was leading me, I’d follow.

We drove by sprawling ranches and suburban dreams, every passing mile busier than the last, as we headed into the city. When we reached Brooklyn Street, I realized that this was the route we took to get to our recording studio. But why would we need to stop off there before the wedding?

We didn’t. There was no reason.

Suddenly, my heart beat out a frantic rhythm, so fast and hard I could feel it pulse in every part of me. Ronin’s hand was damp as he gripped mine tighter.

And when I turned and stared into his summer blues, I knew.

Ronin

Faise knew me so well, I swear, he often knew what I was going to do before I did it.

I’d been planning this for months. Working on it in secret. Which wasn’t easy when we spent nearly every day together. And night.

Lennie pulled up to park on the busy city street, and Petyr opened the door for us.

My boyfriend didn’t utter a word. Not a question, not a comment.

When I looked in Faise’s amber eyes, it was like being home. No matter what happened in life, he was that to me. Always had been. Always would be.

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