Page 1 of Always. Forever.

Prologue

Rylee - 20 years old

Nomorehibernating.Withofficially finishing my degree to become an accountant, I can say goodbye to late-night-study sessions. It’s time to get into the big world and find a job that makes those years that turned me into a hermit worth it. That’s tomorrow, though, tonight, I’m out with the girls for a long overdue, well-needed girls’ night.

“You never know, you might get some dick tonight. God knows you need it. I’m sure you’re a born-again virgin.”

“Toni,” I hiss. I look to the rearview mirror to see if the taxi driver heard my best friend.Thankfully, he is watching the road and not us. He’s not smirking either, so I’m hoping he didn’t—or he is just used to hearing worse. Working for the Baltimore taxi service, I imagine he’s heard crazy things from peoples’ mouths.

Toni has no filter, especially when she’s been drinking. I’m not a prude by any means, but I’m not drunk enough to be talking about how bad I need dick, out loud.

“What? It’s true, Ry, we need to get you some meat, ASAP.”

I roll my eyes and gaze out the window. The nightlife of Baltimore isn’t something I see a lot, but it never ceases to amaze me when I do. Office buildings are dark, people long gone for the weekend, while the clubs and bars are just getting started. One day I’ll work in a building like these. I hope, anyway.

Toni tries this every time we go out to get me some “meat,” but I’m never feeling it, and tonight is no different. The last thing I want to worry about is dick. I want to have a good night with my girls, go home, and hope the hangover isn’t too bad tomorrow. I haven’t had a boyfriend, or any intimacy, in three years now. Even then, it was a pump-pump-squirt scenario. I don’t even think he lasted two minutes.

Since then, I’ve been focusing on my coursework and passing all my classes. I always said once I successfully did that, then maybe I would think about dating. Toni knows a one-night stand is not a part of that plan. I’m not against them for others. I root for my girls’ hook-ups all the time, it’s just not for me. No real reason other than I lack the confidence I think you need for something like that. Getting naked for random guys sounds like my own personal hell. My weight is like a yo-yo, and it’s left me hesitant about who I undress in front of.

Unlike my best friend. She’s drop-dead gorgeous and perfect in every way. Her platinum blonde hair with thin streaks of pink matches her personality to a T. The pink streaks highlight her crazy side. She also has a very healthy sexual appetite she loves to tell me every detail about. Even goes as far as sharing any dick picture she receives with me. I’d rather she didn’t, but she says it’s a part of our best friend membership and it’s her job to make sure I remember what dick looks like.

Most of my sexual knowledge comes from her, honestly. Unlike me, she doesn’t want a long-term serious boyfriend. She likes going with the flow and blowing wherever the wind takes her. Sometimes, I wish I could be like that, but we are the perfect pair, which is why we have been best friends since being kids. We met in kindergarten, and she has been stuck by my side ever since. Whenever our parents picked schools for us to attend, we had to make sure we were at the same one, we even had vacations together. She’s the Dory to my Marlin—she is one of the most forgetful people I have ever met, but I’d be lost without her. When I need help, I never have to tell her with what because she doesn’t care, the answer is always yes. She’s like that with everyone. Honestly, anyone with Toni in their life is extremely lucky.

Turning toward her, she’s posing for the selfie mode on her phone. No doubt taking a new dating profile picture.

“Like what you see?” she says with a wink.

I throw my head back on a laugh, then, in that moment, there’s a flash.

“Omg, look at this picture of you. You’re so beautiful and happy, Ry. It’s so good to have you back, my baby. I’ve missed my bestie.” She glances at me with her wide golden-brown eyes.

I glimpse at the picture and genuinely smile. I do look happy. No more black bags under my eyes. I’m glowing. I smile at the screen and then wrap my arm around Toni, pull her to me, and whisper, “Because I got a best friend like you, that’s why.”

“I love you, Ry,” she whispers, her voice muffled by my chest.

“I love you too, Ton.” Then give her an extra squeeze before I let her go.

“I’ll cut you if you have ruined my hair.” She scowls after pulling away and immediately pulls up her phone to ensure I didn’t.

God, I’ve missed this girl.

A neon-red sign spelling Freedom comes into view and the cab stops. I glance in Toni’s direction, and she’s already slapping money down and stepping out of the cab. I follow her. The icy air brushes over my exposed skin, sending a shiver up my body—November in Baltimore is freezing. As we walk in, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Having not been out for a while, and using fake IDs, I’m a bit anxious, but I can already tell this place has a good vibe. Everyone is happy, girls dancing away on the dance floor.

The bar is up high, which I love—that must be great for people-watching. The music pumps through my body, giving me the best hit of adrenaline. We’ve not been inside more than five minutes, not even long enough for me to toss back a single drink, when Toni is scoping out potentials for me like I didn’t tell her this was a girls’ night only.

“What about him, Ry? He is defo your type,” she says while staring at the poor guy. I don’t bother looking.

“Ton, leave it. I just want some drinks and a girls’ night with you guys. Please.”

She meets my eyes, grimacing and letting out a long breath that causes her shoulders to slump.

“Okay, Ry, sorry. I just wanted you to have fun, but I get it. What’s more fun than a night with your girls, hmm?”

Raising my hand to give her a high-five, she slaps it, and we giggle while we walk up the stairs to the bar. Tash, Jayleigh, and Rosa are already there sipping on their drinks. As we get closer, my stomach drops at Tash’s devilish smirk.

“Shots!” she shouts loud enough to be heard over the booming music.I can already feel the hangover.

Three shots of tequila followed by two vodka colas, and I’m most definitely feeling tipsy. “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” by Destiny’s Child is blaring through the speakers, and we’re all dancing and singing like no one is watching, and I’m having the best time. I needed this night out to feel alive, being stuck in, constantly studying, not socializing and going out, makes you feel isolated and dead inside sometimes.

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