Planning on Forever

by Ashley Wilcox

  “Hey, bitches!” Amanda yells out the front door as we walk up the driveway.

  “Hey,” I reply, laughing at her. Her craziness still makes me laugh after knowing her all these years.

  “I just made a fresh batch of daiquiris, I love this thing,” she says, pointing to her mom's smoothie machine as we walk in the house.

  Taking a sip, I realize they aren’t like the virgin ones she made us last time.

  “I think we should establish who is driving,” I point out, knowing that it won’t take long before I start feeling the effects of these drinks.

  “Jesse's home for the weekend. He can drive us. We just have to get a taxi home.”

  Jesse is Amanda's older brother. He and his wife live downstate. “So we’re good ladies...cheers!” she says, clicking our glasses together.

  After three more daiquiris, things start to get a little fuzzy and I suggest we should probably get going to the party, otherwise I’m going to be passed out on the ground soon. Although my tolerance for alcohol is getting better, it still isn't that high.

  We all pile into Jesse's car. Nicole sits in the front to give directions and Amanda and I are in the back. Apparently, the house is on the lake near Collin's house; we actually have to drive right by it to get to the party. Seeing Collin’s house is a little bittersweet. I have some wonderful memories that I’ll forever cherish from that house, but it is also the same place I found out that Collin cheated on me. Unfortunately, that is a memory...nightmare that I’ll never forget. Although I have marked it as one of the worst days of my life, I now have to agree that it is also one of the best days. If that day had never happened, then I may have never met Nolan.

  Life without Nolan isn’t something I can even imagine. My life is so much better with him in it.

  We pull in front of what looks like a mansion. I never even knew this house existed.

  “Whose house is this, Nicole?”

  “His name is Bryce. His dad owns the marina.”

  “I think I'm gonna have to meet this Bryce kid,” Amanda says, winking.

  “You guys would probably make a good couple, he is just as crazy as you are,” Nicole says laughing.

  Walking up the driveway, I can’t believe the crowd. There is a bunch of people outside playing beer pong on the lawn, and even more hanging out on the front porch. Once we walk through the front door, the crowd of people grows even thicker. I don’t even think their school is this big? We bump into a few of Nicole’s friends on our way to the make shift bar. She introduces us, but keeps walking. The center island in the kitchen, that is acting as a bar, has a large punch bowl of some kind of red drink and then there are a row of coolers lined up in front of it filled with beer. I’ve heard stories about drinking the punch; how someone usually spikes it with some kind of drug to get girls loose and willing.

  Bottom line–don’t drink the punch.

  “Don’t worry, Bryce always has wine coolers in the fridge,” Nicole says, knowing the cardinal rule for the punch, and that I don’t like beer. “I’ll get you a couple.”

  Once we are satisfied with our drink choices, we head out the back door and onto a deck, where we find a group of people playing a card game. Nicole seems to know most of them, and they ask us if we want to play. Nicole introduces Amanda and I to everyone, as we sit in the vacant chairs.

  “Do you know how to play Asshole?” Nicole whispers in my ear.

  “Um, no.” I actually have never heard of it.

  “We can explain it to you,” a friendly girl sitting next me to says. “It’s super easy to learn, but be careful. You can get super drunk, super fast.”

  Surprisingly the game is really easy to learn, the girl wasn’t kidding; you can get very drunk, very fast. At some point, I’ve switched from wine coolers to beer, and I’m noticing that my words aren’t coming out exactly how I’d like them to.

  I think it’s safe to say that I’m drunk.

  “Okay, I’ve had enough of this. I wanna dance!” Amanda announces, standing up from her chair.

  “You just wanna find Bryce,” Nicole points out.

  “Hell yeah, I do! But I also wanna dance.”

  Standing up, there is no questioning my drunken state. I have to hold on to the chair for a second before moving because my head is definitely spinning a little, and my legs feel like jello.

  Apparently I’m a funny drunk because Nicole and Amanda are laughing at my attempts to gather myself.

  “You okay, light weight?” Nicole jokes, holding my arm for extra support.

  “Oh, shut it. I’m not that drunk. I just got a little light headed is all.”

  “Keep tellin’ yourself that,” she says, escorting me in the house.

  By the time we get inside where the music is blaring, and the people are dancing, I’ve regained full control over my body.

  “Ugh, there’s too many people here to dance. This is annoying,” Amanda pouts. There really isn’t any room to dance; it’s more like bumping into each other, rather than dancing.

  “So let’s go downtown!” I say, a light bulb going off in my head. We can go to Nolan's sister’s club. Amanda can get her fix of dancing, and I can see Nolan. Win, win situation.

  “I'm down if you are,” Nicole says, facing Amanda.

  “Let's go, chicas!” Amanda shouts, jumping up and down.

  Since Nicole seems the most sober, she calls for a taxi. By the time we make it through the mob of people and out the front door, it is already waiting outside. Once we hand him the directions, we head downtown.

  – COLLIN –

  Summer and I have made it our regular thing to hanging out during the day. We do a lot of fishing, and yesterday, we actually took my dad’s boat out on the lake with the guys. We also finally found something that Summer can’t do. Water ski. Although I find it adorable how frustrated she gets, not being able to get up on the skis, we decide to switch to tubing so she can have a little more fun.

  I can’t explain how amazing it is to be able to enjoy hanging out with a beautiful girl and the guys at the same time. Summer fits perfectly into our trio.

  So far, my relationship with Summer has been more of a flirtatious friendship. We have yet to even kiss. Well, I’ve kissed her cheek and forehead, but nothing as serious as the lips. It’s just nice to have someone to be able to really talk to.

  And have I mentioned she’s hot, too?

  But in all seriousness, she has become a close friend of mine. We’ve discuss the whole Alexa situation. Instead of being judgmental about it, she actually understands how hard it can be to get over your first love.

  We discuss her family; I find out that her mother died when she was young, and her dad was diagnosed with cancer last year. He’s in an inpatient facility undergoing treatment. There is no denying how much she cares for her father. Before he was admitted into the treatment center, she was his primary caregiver. However, it was becoming a bit overwhelming with her work and school schedule so her father insisted that he be admitted to give her some relief. Although she didn’t agree with the decision at the time, she fulfilled her father’s wishes by doing so. She visits him daily. She asks me if I’ll go with her tomorrow to meet him and I agree with no hesitation. I’d love to shake the hand of the man that raised this unbelievable girl.

  Tonight, the guys and I plan to hang out at the bar. Being that it’s a Saturday, Summer has to work, and I’m sure it will be busy. Although I don’t technically work at the bar, I’ve made it a regular thing of coming in the nights that Summer works and help with bussing and cleaning tables. I get to spend some extra time with Summer, and by helping her keep the bar clean, she gets out earlier at night.

  Upon our arrival, we notice that not only is there no one working the door, but there are no bouncers to be seen. From the looks of it, Summer is the only person working. Once I make my way to the bar, I can see that Summer is overwhelmed with stress; she looks like she’s going to burst out in tears at any second. She practically sprint
s to the end of the bar when she spots me.

  “Babe, what's wrong? Where is everyone?” I ask, reaching for her hand.

  “Oh my god, Collin. It’s already been the night from hell! Troy called in cause he's really sick and my other bouncer just cut his finger opening something, and is probably going to need stitches, so he left for urgent care. So, I’m by myself, and it’s busy as all hell! I’m freaking out!” She answers so fast that I can barely keep up.

  “Okay, just take a deep breath. Matt can work the door, and Travis and I can help you in here. You just take care of the bar. It’s not a big deal,” I assure her.

  “Really? You’re the best! You just made my night. I could kiss you right now, I’m so happy!”

  “Well, I wouldn’t complain if you did.” There’s no way I could let that one go. She left the door wide open with that one.

  “Ha! Let’s see how your first night as a bouncer goes, and then I’ll consider my offer,” she says, tossing me three shirts with the word “Security” written across the front.

  After giving Summer a wink, I walk away to find the guys and inform them of our change of plans. Being the great guys they are, and not to mention how much they love Summer, they were completely fine with helping her out tonight.

  Matt takes a stool out to the front and mans the doors as Travis and I walk around the inside making sure all is well. Travis seems to like using his authority to his advantage with the girls, and after a little while, it appears I’m doing more patrolling and Travis is doing more mingling. I check in on Summer, just to make sure that she doesn’t need any help behind the bar. After responding with “Great” every time, she pecks my cheek in appreciation. With that said, I’ve been making my check-ins a little more frequent. How can I resist her perfect, little lips on my cheek each time? I can’t, is the answer.

  There’s no denying that I’m beginning to see Summer as more than a friend. She makes my heart beat a little quicker whenever I’m around her, and I notice that Alexa barely crosses my mind anymore. Am I finally over Alexa, and falling for Summer? I don’t know, but I’m sure as hell having a good time finding out.

  – ALEXA –

  Pulling up to the club, we notice the parking lot is packed with cars, and the line to get in wraps around the building. Luckily, one of Nolan’s cousin’s husbands, that I met at game night, is the bouncer. I hope he recognizes me so we can skip the line.

  We have the taxi driver drop us off at the back of the building, to avoid having to drive through the swarm of people. After paying, we make our way up to the club. However, when we get close, I stop dead in my tracks.

  I blink to make sure what I am seeing is really happening.

  Nolan is walking out the back door of his apartment with his arm wrapped around a woman's neck, her arms wrapped snug around his waist. My jaws drops seeing them laughing together. I can hear him tell her, “I’m so happy you came to see me. It’s so nice to see you.” Then he kisses her temple and opens his passenger door for her.

  My eyes filling with tears, I instantly fall to the ground; I feel dead inside. How could he do this to me? I thought we had something special? No, we haven’t discussed us being exclusive, but hello, I think it’s pretty obvious.

  Well, so I thought.

  “Oh shit, honey. I’m so sorry. Let’s get outta here,” Nicole says, helping me up off the ground.

  “Whatta prick! You’re better off without that asshole, Lex. I agree, let’s go,” Amanda adds, taking my arm.

  I can’t believe this is happening to me, again. What am I doing wrong? Why do guys keep cheating on me? Not wanting to go home yet, and definitely not wanting to go inside the club and see his sister, we decide to walk down the street to find a new place.

  I have no clue where we are or how far we’ve walked, but we start to hear music coming from a bar just ahead of us. Once we get closer, I notice Matt sitting in the front wearing a security shirt. I had no clue he worked down here, but there’s also a lot about Matt that I don’t know. Either way, I’m sure he’ll let us in. He stands up when he sees us coming, greeting me with a huge hug.

  “Matt!” I slur, a little louder than probably necessary.

  “I uh, see you ladies are having a good night,” he says with an arched eyebrow.

  “It's actually been a real shitty night,” I tell him, trying to fight back the tears.

  “Can you let us in, please, please, please?” Amanda begs.

  “Um, hold that thought,” he says with a smile, pulling out his cellphone to text someone.

  The next thing I know, I see Collin walk out the door and I can no longer hold back the tears. Seeing that I’m a sloppy mess, he runs over to me, pulling me into his embrace.

  “Oh Collin, I’m so happy to see you right now,” I cry into his shoulder.

  – COLLIN –

  Matt texts me that Alexa is outside with her friends and is in rough shape. He doesn’t know what to do with them.

  When I walk out the door, Alexa is standing there; a drunken mess and on the verge of tears. Without thinking, I run to her and hold her in my arms to comfort her. Even though we aren’t together anymore, I still love her and it still kills me to see her hurt.

  “Lex, look at me…what happened?” I ask, lifting her face up to look at me. It takes her a minute to stop crying and to catch her breath.

  “We went to surprise my boyfriend…well, I thought he was my boyfriend...” Hold up, she has a boyfriend? We’ve only been broken up for like a month and she already has a boyfriend? Forgetting that detail for a minute, I continue to listen to her. “...at the club that he works at...and saw him walking out the back door...all over some girl.”

  “God, Lex. I’m so sorry you had to see that. Let’s get you home,” I say, rubbing her back. Turning to Matt sitting next to me, I ask if he can keep an eye on her for a second while I go tell Summer what’s going on. I feel bad leaving, but I can't just leave Alexa out here like this.

  “Who's Summer?” Alexa asks, overhearing me talking to Matt. “Do you have a girlfriend? You don't have to leave her for me.” She starts to cry again.

  “Just stay here, I’ll be right back. Don't move,” I tell her before walking back into the bar. On a mission, I walk right behind the bar to Summer.

  “I really hate to do this, but I’ve gotta go,” I say, grabbing her hand.

  “Is everything okay?” she asks, looking concerned.

  “It's Alexa, she caught her boyfriend cheating on her and she is a drunken mess outside. I'm gonna bring her home. Matt and Travis will stay here to help you,” I tell her, squeezing her hand.

  “Okay…” She looks apprehensive.

  “I'm just taking her home, that's all.”

  “Look, Collin, I don't do drama, so if you say you're just bringing her home, then I believe you,” Summer says with a serious look. Cupping her face with my hand, I smile in appreciation. The girl amazes me more and more every day.

  “Thank you,” I say, kissing her on the lips. “Call me when you get home.” I squeeze her hand before walking away.

  I quickly call a cab for Nicole and Amanda and hurry back out front. When I get there, Alexa is sitting, leaned up against the building with her head on her knees, still faintly crying. Once I get Nicole and Amanda safely in the cab, I practically carry Alexa to my car. Knowing there is no way I can bring her home in this shape, I stop at a little coffee shop a few blocks away to get her some food and water.

  “Thanks for doing this, Collin,” she whispers, before getting out of the car.

  “I'm always going to be here for you, you know that, right?” I tell her, patting her leg.

  We sit in one of the bistro chairs outside on the patio. I get us a both coffee, and a water for her as well. We sit there for a couple of minutes in silence until her phone chimes with a message.

  She looks it and yells. “Are you freaking’ kidding me?” She starts crying again. I take the phone from her hand and read the message on the screen.
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  “Missing you, hope you're having fun.”

  “Is this from him?” I ask, holding up the cellphone. I can’t believe this guy has the balls to write this to her right after he cheats on her. What a douchbag. She nods her head yes, takes the phone back from me, and begins typing.

  “What did you say?” I ask, after she puts it down. It's a little weird seeing this side of her, because when she found out about Nicole and me, she ran off and wouldn't let me near her.

  “I told him to go fuck himself.”

  I almost choke on my coffee when I hear her say that. I’ve never heard Alexa talk like that, but I’m so proud of her. Within seconds her phone rings. We both look down; it is lit up, with the name Nolan displayed across it. “You don't have to answer that,” I say looking at her.

  She picks up the phone, “Hello?”

  – ALEXA –

  “Doll, what is going on?”

  Are you kidding me? He's playing dumb? At least when I called Collin out on it, he told me the truth. I've been down this cheating road before. I’m not an idiot, especially when I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.

  They may have been slightly blurry eyes, but I know what I saw.

  “Don't doll me. I freaking saw you with that girl, Nolan!”

  I feel the tears filling in my eyes again; I’m doing all I can to hold them in. I don't want him to hear me upset. Obviously, I don’t mean as much to him as he does to me. He doesn't deserve to hear my tears.

  “What are you talking about? There's no other girl, Alexa! You’re my heart!”

  God, I wish that were true. I wish I was his heart. There’s no holding back the tears anymore, hearing his voice is breaking my heart, so I look at Collin for moral support. I'm sure Collin can hear every word that Nolan is saying since he is yelling just as loud as I am. Reaching for my hand, he whispers “You don't have to do this. You don't have to talk to him.”