FOREVER SERIES: COMPLETE BOX SET

by Lynn, Sandi

  “Maybe after a couple more displays, we should get going,” Diana said to Jacob as she ran her hand through his hair.

  “Mom, no, and stop with the hair.”

  “Maybe your mom’s right, bro. You’re looking kind of tired,” I said.

  He began coughing. “Okay, maybe I am ready to leave now.” He coughed some more.

  Diana took hold of his hand and we walked out of the museum and to where the car was waiting for us at the curb. When we got back to the hotel, Diana thanked me and said that she was going to take Jacob up to the room and let him rest while she took a shower. I told her to order room service for the night and meet me at the restaurant in the hotel for breakfast in the morning. Jacob and I high fived and Diana smiled.

  As I took the elevator up, I pulled my phone from my pocket and decided to send a text message to Ellie.

  “Hey, sexy. I need you tonight. How about we get drunk and have wild sex?”

  “Sounds good, hot stuff. Let’s meet at Stingray’s around eight.”

  “Make sure you wear something sexy for me.”

  “I always do,” she replied.

  As soon as I stepped into the room, I took my clothes off and got in the shower. I had a few hours before I had to meet Ellie, so after I showered, I took a nap. I dreamt of Hailey. We were at the beach in the Hamptons playing volleyball and eating burgers. When I woke, I was soaked. Fuck, I thought to myself as I sat on the edge of the bed with my face in my hands. I got up and got dressed. This was nothing that a lot of alcohol and a hot sexy woman couldn’t fix. As I was fixing my hair in the mirror, Ellie sent me a naked picture of herself. I smiled as I looked at her perfectly round tits. I couldn’t wait to get those babies in my mouth. I was getting hard and I felt the need to jack off to her picture. But then I decided I could wait until later when I could have her all to myself. I sent her a text message back.

  “I can’t wait to fuck you deep and hard.”

  “Looking forward to it. I have some toys for us to play with.”

  Oh God. When I read that, my cock that had just started to go limp, shot straight up again. As I smiled and set my phone down, there was a knock on the door. I walked over and opened it.

  “Dad!”

  “Hello, son. Going somewhere?” he asked as he made his way into the room.

  “Umm, actually, yes.”

  “Great, I’ll join you,” he said as he set his bag on the bed.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Seeing what you’re up to.”

  “You flew all the way to Chicago to see what I was up to?”

  “Yep,” he replied as he nodded his head.

  “Dad, come on.”

  He sighed as he sat down in the chair. “Listen, your mom was worried about you. So to please her, I told her I’d fly out here and check up on you.”

  “If she was so worried then why didn’t she come herself?” I asked.

  “Because she had plans with Peyton that she couldn’t cancel. Think of it this way, we’ll have some father-son bonding time.” He smiled.

  I grabbed my phone and sent Ellie a text message.

  “Sorry, babe. I have to cancel our plans. My dad just showed up.”

  “Bring your sexy daddy with you. It’ll be fun.”

  “Very funny. We’ll hook up the next time I’m back in Chicago.”

  “Okay, hot stuff, but I’ll miss you tonight. I was really looking forward to trying out those toys.”

  “Next time, babe.”

  I sighed and set my phone down.

  “Let me guess, you just canceled your plans with either Sarah, Tru, Bella, Ellie or Riley.”

  I cocked my head and knitted my brows.

  “Well, which lovely girl was it, son?” he asked.

  “Ellie.”

  He smiled. Not his warm, loving smile. His “I know her type” smile.

  “You didn’t have to cancel on my account, Collin.”

  “Yes, Dad, I did. I’m starving. Let’s go grab some dinner.”

  He chuckled as he got up and we walked out of the room. We went to Joe’s Seafood. One of our favorite restaurants we usually ate at when we’re in Chicago. When we sat down, we both ordered a scotch while looking over the menu. He leaned back in his chair and shot me that look. The look of him trying to figure me out and I was in no mood for a lecture. I smiled at him as the waitress brought our drinks and took our dinner order. I pulled my phone and sent a text message to Julia.

  “Did you know that dad is here in Chicago and we’re having dinner right now instead of me clubbing it up with Ellie?”

  “LOL. I’m glad he’s there. That way I know you’ll stay out of trouble.”

  “Thanks, sis. I appreciate your support.”

  “Enjoy your father/son bonding time, little brother.”

  I sighed as I put my phone away and looked at my dad.

  Chapter 5

  I opened my eyes and couldn’t believe how bad my neck was killing me. My dad took my bed and told me that I could sleep on the pullout since he was the one paying for the room. I went to go to the bathroom, and he was in the shower. Shit. I grabbed my phone from the table to check my messages; there was a text message from my mom.

  “I hope you had a fun night with your dad. I wish I could’ve come with him. I had plans with Peyton that I couldn’t cancel. I know he felt bad for making you go there to drop off the plans and he was worried about you. I’ll see you later, sweetheart. I love you.”

  I stood there and stared at the message. So, he was the one that was worried, not my mom. He lied to me, but I knew there was no way he’d admit it. He walked out of the bathroom and looked at me.

  “Did you sleep well, son?” he asked.

  I gave him a smile because I knew how much he loved me and Julia.

  “Yeah, Dad. I slept great.”

  “Good. How about some breakfast?”

  “I’m meeting Diana and Jacob downstairs for breakfast. Please join us. Also, I cancelled their flight home and had the airline refund their ticket. They’ll be traveling home with us on our plane. If that’s okay? It’s sort of what I already had planned.”

  “Of course it’s okay, and I can’t wait to meet both of them.”

  He went in the bedroom to get dressed and I stepped into the shower. When we went downstairs to the restaurant, Diana and Jacob were already sitting at a table. When they saw us walking towards the table, Diana stood up and shook my father’s hand.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Black.” She smiled.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Diana. This must be Jacob,” he said as he placed his hand on Jacob’s head.

  We sat down and ordered breakfast. Diana was in a panic and said that her flight was cancelled, and they were on standby for another flight out of Chicago.

  “No need to be on standby, you’ll fly home on my private plane.” My dad smiled.

  “Mr. Black, I couldn’t. Collin has already done so much for us. Really, we can wait.”

  “Nonsense. You’re flying home with us on my plane.”

  I looked over at Diana. “You can’t argue with him. He wins every time. Except when my mom is involved, then she wins.”

  “Collin—”

  “Don’t even try to deny it, Dad,” I interrupted, and he chuckled.

  The four of us had a great breakfast and when I glanced at my watch, I noticed it was time to check out. As the bellhop went to our rooms and collected our bags, my dad had his car waiting for us at the curb.

  The four of us stepped onto the plane and Jacob was in awe over it.

  “WOW! This is so cool!” he exclaimed then began to cough.

  My dad looked at me and then at Jacob. “Pick any seat you want to sit in and as soon as we’re up in the air, Collin will show you where the video games are.”

  “You have video games on your plane? How awesome! Mom, did you hear that?”

  “I sure did, sweetie.” She smiled.

  We all took our seat
s and as soon as we were up in the air, my dad and Diana unbuckled their seatbelts and sat down at the round table, while I showed Jacob the video games.

  “Where did you used to work, Diana?” my dad asked.

  “Rogers Media Corp. I was the administrative secretary to Glenn Williams, the Vice President.”

  After setting up the video game system for Jacob, I walked over and joined them at the table. My dad leaned back in his chair and brought his hand up to his chin.

  “I heard they were going under a while back,” my dad said.

  “Yeah, it happened so fast. One day I went to work, and they let everyone go except a few people.”

  Jacob began coughing as he played his game and my dad kept looking at him. “What part of New York are you from?” he asked her.

  “Brooklyn,” she said. “My husband and I moved there right after we were married.

  “I’m sorry to hear about your husband. Collin told me he passed away.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Black,” she said as she looked down.

  “My secretary, Valerie, is retiring and I’m currently interviewing for her position. So far, I haven’t been impressed with anyone until now. How would you like to come work at Black Enterprises as my secretary? You’ll get fully paid health benefits and a very good salary. I can guarantee you’ll be making double than what you did at Rogers Media Corp.”

  “Mr. Black, are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m very sure. Come by the office tomorrow morning around nine and I’ll have Valerie show you around.” He smiled.

  “Oh my gosh, Mr. Black, I can’t even begin to thank you enough!” she said as she stood up and hugged my dad. You have no idea how much this means.”

  I looked at my dad as Diana walked over to tell Jacob. “Thanks, Dad. You’re pretty awesome.” I smiled.

  “No, son, thank you. You’re the one who found and helped her. If you wouldn’t have, I still wouldn’t have a secretary.” He winked.

  * * *

  As soon as the elevator doors opened, I threw my bags on the floor. My mom came from the direction of the kitchen with her arms out to me.

  “Welcome home, Collin. How was your trip?” she asked as she hugged me.

  “It was fine, Mom. It’s good to be back home.”

  She walked over to my dad and gave him a passionate kiss; a long kiss that wouldn’t stop.

  “Ugh, will you two knock it off already or take it upstairs.”

  “Trust me, son, we are right now.” My dad winked.

  I rolled my eyes, grabbed my bags and went to my room. I heard my mom giggling behind me. I threw my bag on the bed and pulled out my phone noticing a text message from Aiden.

  “Hey, bro, are you back in town yet? We have some serious partying to do tonight at Tina Brian’s house. Everyone is going to be there.”

  “Hey, I just got back. What time is the party?”

  “Eight o’clock.”

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  Score. That party was exactly what I needed. Tina was a good friend; we occasionally hooked up and enjoyed each other’s company. She wasn’t my type though. Don’t get me wrong, she was a very nice and sexy girl, but there wasn’t that spark there that Hailey and I had. A spark I never thought would go away. I sat down on my bed and pulled out a picture of me and Hailey that I hid in my nightstand. Memories of our greatest times together flooded my mind and hurt me like hell. I picked up my phone and pulled up her name. Fuck it! I sent her a text message.

  “Hi, how are you?”

  “Hey, Collin. I’m good. How are you?”

  I wished I could tell her that I was good too, but I couldn’t lie to her.

  “Not good, Hailey. I miss you like hell.”

  “Don’t start with that again. You need to move on, Collin.”

  Move on? Was she fucking serious?

  “Have you moved on, Hailey?”

  “Yes, I have. I’m sorry if it hurts you but I’ve met someone.”

  My stomach felt sick when I read that, and my heart began to ache something fierce.

  “Good for you. I won’t ever bother you again.”

  “I’m sorry, but I believe we weren’t meant to be.”

  How could she be such a heartless bitch? It was as if one morning she woke up a completely different person. I didn’t even know who she was anymore. She was not the girl I fell in love with all those years ago. I didn’t respond to her last message. If she believed we weren’t meant to be and she found someone else, then so be it. I wouldn’t lie and say I’m not completely devastated, because I am; all over again. Her words hurt me more than I ever imagined they would. If she wanted me to move on, then that’s what I’ll do, but I could promise that I’d never allow myself to hurt like this again.

  I placed my hand on the doorknob and as I turned it and opened the door, I was startled when I saw Julia standing there.

  “Welcome back.” She smiled as she hugged me.

  “Jesus, Julia, you scared me.”

  “Sorry, but you’re the one who opened the door. I was just getting ready to knock. Where’s mom and dad?”

  “Where do you think?” I said as I walked out of my room, shut the door and looked down the hall.

  “Oh,” she said as she followed me down the stairs.

  I went into the kitchen and Julia sat down at the table. “How are you feeling?” I asked.

  “I’m feeling okay. How are you?”

  “I’m great, Julia!” I smiled.

  “Yeah, okay. That’s not going to work on me.”

  I rolled my eyes as I poured some juice for us in a glass and sat down across from her. I slid the glass across the table. “Juice?” I asked.

  “Thank you. Now tell me what’s going on?”

  “Nothing is going on. Why do you keep insisting something is?”

  She put her elbows on the table as she slid the glass of juice back to me. “Because, I know you, and I know the look on your face when something happens. You can’t fool me.”

  I sighed. “Fine. I sent a text to Hailey and she told me to move on and that she’s met someone.”

  “Aw, Collin, I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry about what?” my dad asked as he strolled into the kitchen with a big smile on his face.

  I looked at Julia and discreetly shook my head. “Oh, nothing, Dad. I was just telling him that I was sorry about Jacob’s illness.”

  “Ah, yes. It’s a terrible thing. It’s good to see you, princess.” He smiled as he kissed her head. “Are you two almost ready to go to dinner?”

  I looked at him in confusion. “Dinner? I have plans tonight, Dad,” I said.

  “Tell that to your mother, son.”

  “Tell me what?” my mom asked as she walked into the kitchen. “Collin has something he’d like to tell you.” My dad smiled as he raised his eyebrow at me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Damn it. I could never say no when it came to her.

  “Nothing’s wrong, Mom. I was just telling Dad that I can’t wait for all of us to go and have a nice dinner. It’s been a while.”

  “Oh good. I was afraid you had already had plans for tonight.” She smiled.

  “Well, I do, but not until later. Is Jake coming with us?” I asked Julia.

  “No, he had to go help his dad with something at the dealership.”

  I looked at my watch. “Great, let’s go; I’m starving.” I smiled trying to hurry them up so I can go the party after. I didn’t want to be too late.

  “Are you in some sort of a hurry, son?” my dad smirked.

  “Uh, no. I’m just really hungry.” I grinned as we walked onto the elevator.

  Chapter 6

  I kissed Julia and my mom goodbye before leaving the restaurant. Since my dad brought the Range Rover, I had to take a cab to Tina’s house.

  “It’s about time, man.” Aiden smiled as we high fived.

  “Sorry. I had to have dinner with my family. You know how my parents are about family d
inners.”

  “Yeah, I sure do. Come on, let’s get our drink on and party!” He screeched.

  We walked inside and straight to the kitchen where Tina and a few of our friends were gathered around the table doing lemon drops.

  “Collin, get your sweet ass over here and do some shots with us!” Tina exclaimed.

  I needed to forget about Hailey once and for all. Okay, I probably wouldn’t forget about her for good, but at least for tonight I would after I got rip roaring drunk. I picked up a lemon drop and held it up.

  “Fuck relationships!” I said as I threw the shot down the back of my throat.

  “Yeah, and here’s to fucking a lot of different women!” Aiden smiled as he picked up another shot.

  As I stood at the table drinking one shot after another, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and Yasmin stood there and stared at me.

  “Why haven’t you called me or answered any of my text messages?” she asked with an attitude.

  “Why would I call you?” I replied.

  She grabbed my wrist and led me out to the backyard to a spot where it was quiet. “What do you mean, Collin? After we had sex you said it was the best you ever had and that you really liked me.”

  Shit. I was totally wasted that night. I sighed as I looked into her green eyes. “Yasmin, sex with you was great, and I think you’re a really sweet girl, but it was only about the sex. You knew that.”

  “No I didn’t know that!” she yelled. “I don’t do one-night stands you bastard! You told me how beautiful I was, and I thought I meant something to you,” she said as tears started to stream down her face.

  I didn’t need to stand there and listen to her whine. I needed a beer, and as I began to walk away, she grabbed my arm. “Fuck you, Collin Black! You’re nothing but a cold-hearted, emotionless bastard and I hope you get what you deserve. I really thought you were different from the other guys.”

  I stared at her as she cried. Yeah, I felt bad, but I couldn’t do nothing about it.

  “I’m sorry, Yasmin, but you thought wrong,” I said as I shook my head and walked away. I went back inside the house as I left her sobbing outside. I grabbed a beer from the cooler and downed it as fast as I could.