Love Me Always (I Hate You...I Think)

by Davis, Anna

  "We'll have two of the specials, Raul," Harper smirked winking at me. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

  "Right away," Raul sauntered off and Harper took a sip of the wine. Picking up my glass, I smelled it. It smelled sweet. I took a sip. It didn't taste sweet. It was like cough syrup.

  "Like it?"

  I nodded weakly but sat my glass down. "So where did we leave off? I believe you said Oliver was in a gang and you fell in love with him..."

  Taking a deep breath, I told him everything Kimmy had told me since I woke up. I don't know why. A part of me knew I shouldn't but it was nice to talk to someone.

  "And, so I left. I told him I needed space. But, Leon told me today that Oliver isn't doing too well," I frowned picking at my meal. Raul had brought it a while ago. It wasn't all that great. For an expensive restaurant, the food or maybe this meal wasn't what I thought it would be.

  "But, Jason went to jail right?" Harper questioned looking at me intensely.

  I nodded. "Yes."

  "Oliver seems to care about you a lot."

  "Yeah, he does," I muttered. Blushing I looked at Harper.

  "I'm sorry I shouldn't be talking about him. I mean we are on a date together."

  He smiled, "I think I can handle it."

  "Well tell me about you," I told him changing the subject.

  "What would you like to know?"

  "You said you go to college. What are you studying?"

  He chuckled, "Business, like my father."

  "What is he like?"

  "My father?" Harper asked his eyes darkening.

  I nodded.

  "Why?" Harper questioned giving me a hard look.

  I frowned, "Well my dad died when I was little," I shrugged.

  Harper stared at me for a long moment, "He's tough but he loves me," he stated.

  I left it alone.

  "So your dad died when you were young. What about your mom?" "She died a few months ago. I don't remember," I told him pushing my food around my plate again.

  "So Oliver really is all you have?"

  "Yeah, I guess so. He doesn't have family either from what I was told."

  "He doesn't."

  I shifted uncomfortably. I wish this date were over already.

  "Hey?" Harper reached across the table touching my hand. Startled I looked up. "I'm sorry I snapped at you about my dad. Just not many people have nice things to say about him."

  "Well I don't know him."

  "I know," he nodded. "Why don't we get out of here? I can see I've made you uncomfortable. This isn't really your kind of date is it?" he grinned.

  Blushing I looked away how could I tell him I hated it? "How about I take you somewhere more special? Somewhere exciting? I saw the other night you like excitement and adrenaline. Perhaps you are not what I thought you were Everlyn Fox."

  I stared blankly at him. Had I told him my full name? How did he know? Maybe through Oliver?

  After he paid the bill, he dropped two hundred dollars on the table and wrapped his arm around my waist.

  "I'm sorry you wasted so much on me Harper. I-"

  "No, it's ok. Beautiful women deserve the world."

  I didn't know whether to be flattered or annoyed.

  “Do you like racing Ever?” Harper questioned as we settled into the car. “What kind of racing?” I questioned. He’s not going to take me to some ridiculous horse races or something I hope.

  “The illegal kind,” he laughed.

  “Like street racing? What Oliver and his gang do at tournaments?”

  “Exactly.”

  “I don’t know,” I told him honestly. I don’t know what I like anymore.

  “How would you like to learn?”

  I stared at him blankly, “You want to teach me to race?”

  He smirked saying nothing as he pulled out onto the main road.

  “I don’t have a license.”

  Harper’s smirk fell away, “You don’t?” he pulled his eyebrows together, “Why not?”

  “My mom never taught me.”

  “Did Oliver never show you either?” “I don’t think so. I think Kimmy would have mentioned it. I mostly walk to where I need to go.”

  “Then no only am I go to teach you to drive. I’ll teach you to race.”

  ~Give Me A Sign~

  Harper cringed as the car shook violently and came to a jerking stop.

  “I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed hiding my face.

  This is the third time I have stalled out the car in under a minute.

  “Just try it again. Ease off clutch and press gas.” I did as he said, it jerked but didn’t die. We were creeping down the road slowly. Harper had taken me out to an old abandoned airstrip. He said that it was now used for many of the racing tournaments for this area.

  “Ok now you hear that noise?” he questioned. The car was groaning, “It’s letting you know you need to shift. Press down on the clutch and pull the shifter straight down.”

  I did as he said and the car stopped groaning. “Good job,” he approved laughing as I did a mini fist pump letting go of the stirring wheel then in terror clutched it again.

  Harper and I spend a couple of hours practicing my driving. Once I got the hang of it, it wasn’t half bad.

  “You’re really good at this,” he told me as we got out and were switching spots.

  “Thanks for teaching me,” I told him his gaze held my eyes and I turned away embarrassed. Cupping my cheek, he turned my face to look up at him. Slowly he lowered his mouth to mine. I quickly turned my face away and he kissed my cheek. His lips lingered there and I blushed feverishly. It was wrong, so very wrong. I couldn’t like Harper. I felt as if I was betraying Oliver by even letting his lips touch my cheek.

  The ride home was quiet and awkward, even more so that he didn't try to make inane conversation. I didn't see myself going on another date with him for the simple fact that he had made things so awkward with his attempt to kiss me.

  He pulled into the parking lot of my apartment, then got out, and came around opening my car door for me.

  "I'll walk you up to your door." "Thanks," I mumbled heading to the elevator with him in tow. He encircled his hand in mine. I looked down at our interlocked fingers annoyed, but didn't say anything. A few more seconds and I wouldn't talk to him ever again.

  Once we got to my door, I unlocked it and turned to him.

  "Well...umm thank you for tonight." "Next time I'll take you somewhere more interesting. I can tell you’re not the fancy dinner type. If it’s all the same I’m not into that either," he chuckled taking a loose strand of my hair and pushed it behind me ear.

  Harper leaned into me suddenly pressing his lips against mine. I was shocked as a blurry memory danced in the back of my mind. The image was fuzzy. Harper took my shock as a good thing and deepened the kiss. The memory exploded and played like a movie scene.

  ~~~ I was at the warehouse in the bathroom. Opening the door to leave, I found Oliver was standing there waiting for me. He was swaying a bit or maybe it was me. I felt drunk and out of it. Without thinking, I grabbed the collar of his shirt and shoved him back against the wall. Our lips found each other’s instantly.

  My mind was fuzzy and there was a part of me saying this wasn't right. Something is wrong. Grabbing a handful of his hair, I deepened the kiss sliding my tongue in his mouth. He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

  He carried me down the hall not breaking the kiss. Pushing open a door, he stumbled in a few steps and we ended up in a heap in the floor. His hips pushed into my pelvis and I tugged his shirt over his head. His lips left mine for a moment then came back and he began kissing my throat and shoulder. Everywhere he kissed sent tingles through me. I ran my hands over his perfect abs. Grabbing my hands he pinned them down on either side of my head.

  ~~~ I blinked open my eyes to find that it wasn't Oliver hovering over me but Harper. He had my wrists pinned to either side of my head. I lay against the floor in my apart
ment with him holding me down kissing at my neck. His bare chest was pressed against mine and his body was unreasonably hot.

  Gasping in horror, I tried to throw him off. "Harper, get off me!"

  "What?" he asked confused sitting up. "Get off," I ordered shoving him backwards. I scooted back hitting the couch. Grabbing my shirt, I held it against me.

  "What are you doing?" he questioned annoyed.

  "This is wrong. I'm sorry please just leave," I told him. My body was shaking uncontrollably.

  "But, you were into it?" he said leaning in to kiss me again. I turned my head away.

  "It was a mistake-"

  He grabbed my chin and captured my mouth again.

  Instantly another memory came to the forefront of my mind.

  ~~~ Oliver was standing in the doorway of my kitchen and nodded at me to go to my bedroom. Blushing I lead him in. Once we were inside, he closed the door. In one quick motion, he turned and wrapped his arms around me pulling me into his chest. His lips found mine; it was lustful but also gentle. He held me to him his fingers curling in my hair; his other hand was on my waist.

  ~~~

  I shoved Harper away. "Dammit," he cursed. Shoving off the ground, he headed for the door. Jerking it open, he stormed out slamming it behind him. My legs were shaking as I stood up. Stumbling to the door, I locked it then slid back to the floor. Jerking out my cell phone, I called Jake.

  "Yellow," he greeted.

  "Jake," I breathed.

  "Ever? What's wrong?" he demanded all playfulness gone.

  "Can you come get me? I want Oliver," I hiccupped.

  "Where are you?"

  "Home," I muttered wiping my face.

  "I'll be right over." It wasn't long before Jake was knocking on my door. I had yet to move from my spot, my phone still clutched in my hands.

  Getting to my feet, I smoothed out my shirt and opened the door to find Jake standing there alone.

  He engulfed me in a hug. "You got a memory?"

  "How did you know?" I whispered against his shoulder. "You are all breathless when that happens," he chuckled. "That or you got hit in the chest with a brick."

  I couldn't help but laugh. "You're so weird, Jake."

  "Just so you know Oliver is sick," he replied seriously.

  "I know." Pulling back, I ran my fingers through my hair, at some point it had come out of the ponytail and was a mess.

  "You look nice. Did you go out somewhere?" Jake questioned with his eyebrow raised.

  "It's not important. I just want Oliver."

  Smiling softly he grabbed my hand and we headed down stairs. For the rest of the ride I was in a daze. Jake kept glancing at me with a worried expression but I was too busy thinking about Oliver and the memories I had got back.

  Both times Harper kissed me the memories had come back in full force. What if for some insane reason he was somehow the key to this all? I didn't like Harper. Especially after tonight, I couldn't stand him, but what if he was what I needed to remember. Would he talk to me again after I rejected him? I had to try. If it meant me getting back what I have lost, I have too.

  All the lights were on in the house when we pulled up. Taylor met us at the door and tackled me.

  "Ever!" she exclaimed. "At least let her get in the house people," Jet called out as Logan bounded into the hall lifting me up and squeezing me tightly.

  Finally, I was passed down the line of massive hugs and found myself in front of Jet wrapping my arms around him I kissed his cheek. I had not realized how much I truly missed them. My family.

  "Where is Oliver?" I asked. "Upstairs in his room, Tyler is up there watching him. We've been taking shifts," Jake told me his arms wrapped around Taylor's waist. I smiled at them. She was glowing with him holding her.

  "Ever?" Kimmy questioned. I turned around to find her standing in the doorway of the living room. Without saying a word, I threw my arms around her and hugged her. She was right about Harper but I couldn't tell her that. Not if I needed to keep seeing him. I couldn't tell any of them that I was going to use him to get my memories back. They would only scold me.

  "I love you," she told me.

  "I love you too sis," I told her pulling back. Her little belly was starting to show.

  I rubbed it and she scrunched up her face.

  "So cute," I told her in a baby voice.

  "Ever," she huffed. I grinned at her knowing I was annoying her.

  "Hey?" Looking up I seen Tyler at the top of the stairs.

  "You’re supposed to be watching Oliver," Alex shook his head. "Well I heard my baby sister was here," Tyler rolled his eyes coming down the stairs. He hugged me but wouldn't let go.

  "Tyler?"

  "Stop leaving so much. I don't like it. Oliver goes crazy and I don't get to see you," he muttered.

  "Aww, Ty."

  He finally let me go with a small smile. He looked tired.

  "Well, I'm taking care of him now. You go get some sleep," I shooed him upstairs.

  "Yes, mom," he laughed.

  "So you're staying here tonight?" Logan asked wide-eyed.

  Alex snorted. "He's been dying for you to cook him food."

  "Yeah, I cook but he's always wishing it was you cooking," Taylor shook her head. "He has no filter and doesn't know when that is impolite," Jake whacked Logan over the head.

  "How about I cook breakfast in the morning?"

  Sweet," Logan fist pumped.

  Shaking my head, I noticed a two people were missing.

  "Where's Angie?"

  "Sleeping upstairs," Jet blushed.

  I raised my eyebrow.

  "Yeah. Them two are sleep together now," Jake smirked. Jet flipped him off.

  "And, Leon's still on his date with Lauren?" "Is that where he's at?" Logan frowned. "He wouldn't tell me."

  "Why so sad?" I laughed.

  "Him and Tyler are the only ones without girlfriends."

  "That's kind of sad. Two sweetest ones of the group," I said pretending to be disappointed.

  "Hey!" Jet, Jake, and Alex spoke in unison.

  "She has a point," Kimmy laughed.

  "Well you better get up there to Oliver. No telling what he's into now," Taylor shook her head.

  "Well good night guys." There were various good nights as I headed up the stairs to Oliver's room. His door was shut. I pushed it open and looked inside. Oliver was lying on his side a trash can next to the bed. A chair was in the corner, I guess where the guys were sitting to watch him.

  Oliver was sound asleep. I didn't want to wake him but it looked like the sheets needed to be changed. I swear boys. I couldn't blame the girls for not wanting to help take care of him if he was being angry though.

  Slowly I walked to his side and touched his arm. He jerked away his eyes shooting open.

  "What?" he growled into the darkness.

  "Oliver," I said gently.

  "Ever?" he asked confused.

  "Yeah, it's me."

  He groaned. "I told them not to tell you." "I've known for a while, Leon said give you some space till you weren't all angry and stuff but I wanted to come see you."

  "Really?"

  I laughed, "Yes. Now we need to get you cleaned up. Come on."

  I helped him sit up. "I need a shower but none of the guys wanted any part of that."

  "I'll help you. Can you not stand up on your own?"

  "I can I just feel fucked up. Part of me thinks you’re a hallucination."

  "You've been hallucinating?" I gaped. "Yeah, I got a hold of some bad drugs. I think it had a mixture of stuff in there. When I get a hold of the asshole who gave it to me."

  He gagged and grabbed the bucket spilling his guts.

  "Stop talking and let me get you into the bath."

  "Bath?" he grumbled.

  "Yes, it'll help. While you are in there I'm going to clean up your room." Once he was in the bathroom, I ran the water for him and helped him get undressed. I was blushing the whole time and refused to look at
him. He sank into the tub and relaxed. Going back into his room, I changed the trash can and pulled the sheets off.

  "Clean sheets are in my dresser," he called. Once I remade his bed and cleaned up all the trash and everything, I headed back into the bathroom to find Oliver passed out. His head was leaning against his arm. His skin was pale and clammy. He looked like hell. Touching his forehead, he had a fever. Gently I grabbed a washcloth and ran it over his face.

  "I missed you," he whispered.

  "I missed you too."

  "But, you don't know who I am," he muttered, his voice full of pain.

  "I got two memories back tonight," I told him running my fingers through his hair.

  His eyes opened. "It was just of us kissing," I blushed. "Nothing life changing but...I knew I needed to be here with you."

  He lifted his hand capturing mine and he pulled me closer. "I am so not kissing you right now Oliver. You have been throwing up that is gross," I made a face.

  He laughed. "Sorry, maybe later." Using the washcloth, I wiped his face then kissed his cheek. He chuckled softly. Sighing I looked at him. Our eyes met and I felt as if this was exactly where I needed to be, where I should have been all along.

  “Please don’t ever do this again,” I whispered. He looked on the verge of death and it made my eyes water.

  “I’m sorry Bun,” he told me rubbing his thumb over my cheek.

  ~This Moment~

  ~Harper~ Weasley smacked me upside the head. Holding back a flinch, I just stood there not meeting my father's eyes.

  We stood in his office inside our hillside home. Outside the back windows, I could see out over the city my father owned. Outside the office doors, I knew my father's men were listening. It was there hobby. What stupid shit has Harper done to piss his father off now?

  "I don't give a damn that she changed her mind. You go back and make things right. Do you know how long I've been fighting to get Oliver back? And, you-," Weasley spat, "You just had to fuck it up. I give you one simple task but that's too hard for you to do, isn't it?"

  I said nothing. I knew if I spoke, it would be worse. "Look at me when I'm talking to you boy," Weasley grabbed my hair and jerked my head up. I looked up scowling at him.