Page 84 of Forever Yours

Happy to have that settled.

Fallon kicked his feet up on the seat row in front of us. “You and Jules seem to be in a good place.”

I swiped my hair away from my face. The wavy curls tended to droop when the humidity was high. The day had started out sunny, but the clouds had rolled in, and it had been overcast for much of the afternoon. You could smell the rain coming; the air carried the scent of ozone and musty dirt. A line of thunderstorms was forecasted to move through this evening, something I was looking forward to watching, or better yet, experiencing. Jessi got me hooked at camp. Whenever it would thunderstorm, she’d drag me out in it, and we would go crazy. Dance. Stomp in muddy puddles. Scream at the thunder as it rolled over our heads.

“We’re doing better. Had a good talk, even better make-up sex,” I replied, feeling the effects of our sex marathon every time I moved. Even my balls were sore. Still couldn’t look at the tattoo. It would take baby steps to get me there.

“Good to hear. Ryder said Jay went cold turkey. Hadn’t had a drink since you left.”

I hadn’t spoken to either Jayson or Ryder. I wasn’t ready to face them yet. Having Julien back was overwhelming enough, and I wanted to exist in our little bubble for a bit longer. Completely selfish, but I didn’t care.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Wouldn’t bet on it lasting though. Jayson had existed at the bottom of a liquor bottle for over four months. I didn’t know if he knew how to exist without Liz unless he was stone-cold drunk.

“Heard he was at the fight circle Saturday night.”

That again? It must’ve been something a lot of people did around there because that was the second time someone had brought it up.

“If it keeps him from drinking himself into an early grave, I’m all for it. He’s not going to get hurt, is he?”

My passive way of asking him to make sure nothing bad happened to him at the fights.

Fallon turned his head toward me in disgust. “You really going there?”

I met his glare with a determined one of my own. “I am.”

“Fuck, El. Yeah, fine. I’ll make sure everyone knows not to fuck him up too much.”

“Thank you.”

He scoffed. “Fuck off.”

I leaned over and rested my head on his shoulder, really rubbing it in. “You’re the best.”

His bark of laughter made me smile.

“When’s your last class tomorrow?”

I mentally scrolled through my schedule for Tuesdays.

“Last class is at two, but I’m working until six.”

My face didn’t look that bad, and I could cover my chest with a swim shirt.

“How about Wednesday?”

I took out my phone and snapped a few pictures of Julien running with the ball. He looked phenomenal out there. Every time I saw him play, pride swelled inside my chest like an overfilled balloon.

“Work until six Tuesday through Friday and in the mornings on Saturday. Why?”

“When the fuck am I supposed to teach you shit if you’re busy all the damn time. You know I’ll give you money if you need it. You don’t have to work.”

I sat forward in my seat and turned to look at him. “I love you to death for wanting to do it, but you know what my answer is.” I clasped his knee. “Thank you for offering. Thank you for everything. I don’t deserve your friendship, but I am so fucking lucky to have it.”

He sniffed and wrinkled his nose.

“Fuck off with that shit,” he said but covered my hand with his and held tight for a few seconds before letting go.

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