Page 4 of Forever Always

“It’s itchy. And hot.”

I looked down at him, frowning. “How about we take your jacket off, Ri? As soon as Pastor John finishes with his speech, you can get changed, okay?”

“I guess.” I took his jacket from him and then looked up at Mr. Chase, who was watching us carefully. I looked away.

“Have you boys eaten?”

“I got Riley cereal before we left. Aunt Tessa said there’s food after.”

Mr. Chase nodded. “Good, make sure you take care of yourself too, Beckett.”

He walked away, leaving Ri and me alone again.

They found Dad eventually, but he was too drunk to be left alone with us, or so Aunt Tessa said, so she stayed the night. It didn’t matter to me either way. She hadn’t been there all those nights Mom was too sick to get out of bed and I got Riley dinner, gave him a bath, and got him to sleep. She was never there in the mornings when I’d made both of us lunch and walked Riley to the bus stop for kindergarten. But whatever. If she wanted to be here tonight, I wasn’t gonna stop her.

I helped Riley into his Batman pajamas and then helped him brush his teeth before bringing him to his bed. I was so tired and just wanted sleep.

“Beckett?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you stay, please?”

I swallowed. I kind of wanted my own bed, but I’d never tell Riley no. Especially not today.

“Scoot over.”

He grinned at me and rolled himself over so he was nearly hanging off the bed. I slid in next to him and then pulled him close so he wouldn’t fall off.

My eyes started to feel really, really heavy and I couldn’t keep them open. That was when Riley twisted around to look at me.

“Beckett?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t leave me, alright?”

I forced my eyes open. “I already told you I’d stay tonight.”

He shook his head, his too big eyes nearly bugging out of his head.

“No! I mean forever. Don’t leave me.”

Even I knew I shouldn’t promise that. Everyone left eventually. But I couldn’t tell him that. It was true enough anyway. I’d never leave him on purpose. Not ever.

“Okay, Ri. I won’t leave you. It’s you and me forever.”

He smiled, looking happy for the first time in days. “Always?”

I squeezed him tight. “Always.”

CHAPTER 1

RILEY

NOW

“I’m sorry, your card was declined.”

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