Never say forever (Never series Book 1) (21 page)

“
What are you smiling for?” Larissa said.

“
Why are you so worried about me smiling? It’s better than crying which is what you thought I would do,” I tease.

“
The movie isn’t over yet.”

With that she turned back to the movie and started watching. If I had another pillow I’d smack her right upside her head. Once again, I’m glued to the movie and we are approaching the end. Sure enough, Larissa was right. I am bawling my eyes out. I don’t think I have ever cried during this movie but for some reason I can’t stop the tears. Larissa gloats at how right she was.

“
I know I know. You were right. That was so sad. Do you think that is going to be me and Aiden? I would die to have someone that invested in our love. I would literally cry my eyes out the rest of my life out of pure happiness. I hate endings. Why can’t they just have a happy ending? Why does it have to be sad? Do you think me and Aiden will have a happily ever after?” I ask.

“
Whoa! Slow down. I knew you would be emotional. You and Aiden are perfect for each other. Don’t think crazy thoughts. Maybe we should watch a comedy or something and lighten up your mood,” she advised.

Before I could answer, my phone rings.

“
Hello?”

It’s Aiden.

“
Hey sweetie, what’s wrong? You sound like you’re crying. Is everything okay?”

Gosh, I love him. He is always concerned for me and looks out for me. I can tell how much he loves me.

“
Yeah, I’m fine. Just lying around watching a movie.”

“
Are you watching one of those sappy romance chick flicks?”

I could hear him smile through the phone. I just want to see his smile.

“
No,” I quickly say. I know he knows that I’m lying because he just laughed at that.

“
Well I’m sorry I couldn’t make movie night. I have to finish up this project in the next few months. I have been working hard. I will try to get this done as soon as possible so we can have our time back. I miss you!”

I hate when he keeps bringing up the project. I want to know what it is and he’s antagonizing me with this.

“
What did you say you were working on again?” I try to ask slyly.

He laughed hard at that one. “You think your slick. Nice one, but you’re not getting it out of me.”

Darn. I tried. It’s killing me not knowing everything. We said our goodbyes and hung up. Larissa thought it would be a good idea to watch the hangover. Good thing she was picking movies because my tears turned into fits of laughter.

We watched movies all day until she had to go home. Even though I was lazy today, it was a great day. I got to hang around my best friend all day. I hope we can still do this in the future even when the baby comes along. We will just have to make more kid-friendly choices.

***

Aiden

This past month has been crazy busy. My time has revolved around football and completing my project. I have very limited time to get this complete if I want this done by my deadline. I have the perfect time to present it, I just have to make sure there is no stalling. As much as it pains me to be away from Serena so much, I know that the end result will be worth it.

I even got Ben to help out. I filled him in on the secret but I made sure he wouldn’t say a word to Abby because we all know what a social butterfly she is. She can’t keep a secret, especially when she is excited.

I called Serena to check up on her today and she seemed like she was crying. I was a little panicked at first because I don’t want her to get second thoughts about all this but I realized that this is just the pregnancy hormones. I have to get used to this if I am going to make it through this pregnancy and still stay sane.

Everything so far is working the way I planned it. I can’t wait to see the look on Serena’s face when I’m finished. My dad also knows about this and he’s helping any way he can. Other than Ben and my dad, not a single soul knows what my intentions are.

I couldn’t be happier to have my dad so supportive of everything that is going on and my decisions. I couldn’t ask for a better Dad. I just wish my mother was around to share this joy. She couldn’t make it long enough to see her first grandchild since God had other plans for her.

Football has been great. It has really been kicking my ass but it feels great to be back in the game. Jeremy is one step closer to being knocked down a peg, and that makes me smile. I may be taking over his spot sooner than expected.

From what I’ve heard, Jeremy should have actually graduated last year but when he was a freshman, he decided that he was going to be a rebel and ditch school on a daily basis. His actions caused his grades to falter and in return he had to repeat freshman year. The only reason he got it together was for football. He was told he cannot play with those low grades. He straightened up and has been flying by with passing C’s. I overheard one of the other teammates getting on his case about picking up his grades or he will be off the team and will not get the quarterback position again because I am next in line.

Between football and the project, I am beat by the end of the day. By the time I get home I am in bed, passed out. It’s been a long time since I have slept so well. We can blame that on the exhaustion or we can blame that on happiness. Either or works for me.

I finish up working on the project for the day. I walk out the house and Ben is leaning against my car waiting for me. I figured he would have been gone by now. I walk up to him.

“
Hey man, thanks for the help.”

“
Anytime man. You going home now or you wanna chill for a little while?”

One of the good things about Ben helping me out is the time that we get to spend together. We get to catch up. It feels like it did before I moved, when we always spent time together.

“
Yeah I have a little time. I’m tired so I can’t make it a late night,” I tell him as I am checking my phone for any texts or messages.

“
It’s cool. I just don’t want to get back home yet. A little delay is always good.”

That’s strange. I hope something isn’t going on with him and Abby. He always wants to get home to her.

“
Is everything okay? You and Abby aren’t breaking up are you?”

I am concerned over this because I know how much he loves her. They have been together for a long time. I would hate to see something wedge them apart.

“
Please don’t tell anyone, even Serena. She doesn’t want anyone to know,” he starts. I sure hope everything is okay.

“
Go on, you know you always have my word. I won’t say anything,” I promised.

“
Abby and I have been trying to have a baby for over a year now. She wants one real bad and she keeps taking tests and either its negative or a false positive. She doesn’t want anyone to know because she keeps getting her hopes up and everything comes crashing down. She keeps pregnancy tests in the closet and if anyone ever sees them she always tells them they’re in case she has a scare, because she has had quite a few scares. In reality, she tests herself every month waiting for the double pink line. She feels embarrassed every time. It gets her hopes up all the time. Anytime she has been pregnant and it was a true positive, she would miscarry. She called me and said that she was taking a test because she’s late. As much as I want to be there, I also don’t want to see the look of disappointment when it’s negative. I also don’t want to see her get over-excited and then watch her world tumble down right in front of my eyes. I’ve been seeing it for so long and it’s eating away at me. It hurts to see her in pain. I always feel that this is my fault, that I’m inadequate and the one thing she really wants, I can’t give her,” he sulks as he’s telling me this.

This was a shocker. He hasn’t told me any of this, but then again why would he? If they have been trying for over a year that would have been around the time my mother died. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to tell me something happy during a time of grieving. When I moved, I kind of fell off the radar for a few months, so I can’t really blame him.

“
Wow, I had no idea. First off, I’m sorry. Secondly, this isn’t your fault. If she keeps having miscarriages, maybe something is medically wrong with her that she needs to correct. You guys just turned twenty-one, you have a ton of time to have a baby. I would have waited that long but accidents happen and sometimes they are miracles. I think a miracle would happen for you guys. I think you need time. I think you guys should explore everything, get checked out, see if there is an underlying problem that you guys aren’t aware of. I understand about not wanting to see her torn down from all this but even though it hurts like hell, you should be there. If I was a girl and had to go through that, I would want someone there. I wouldn’t want to feel alone.”

I really hope he takes what I say to heart. We have always had heart to heart conversations and we both have helped each other out on numerous occasions.

“
I know. I’m just scared of what’s to come and if something is wrong. I don’t want to hear the doctor tell me there’s something wrong with my perfect girlfriend. I do need to get to her but I’m glad I talked you. It’s been awhile, brother. Good to have you back.”

He hugs me and pats me on the back.

“
I’m always here, man. Just a call or a drive away.”

We say our goodbyes and I head out to the car. I saw a text message from Serena.

Serena: I was eating a huge bowl of ice cream and I thought of you. Love you hunny!

I laughed hard at that one. She’s using this pregnancy to eat whatever she wants. Now that she is actually keeping it down. I am so glad that I don’t have to see her sick anymore. Her text just reminds me of how badly I miss her. I’ve barely seen her all week. This is killing me, but I always remind
myself that this will all be worth it in the end. I want to make her dreams come true. I know we are young, but I know this is true and I feel it in my gut that we will be together for the long haul.

I decide to call her instead of texting her back since I am driving.
It doesn’t take very long for her to answer.

“
Hi,” she answers cheerily. Earlier she was crying and now she’s happy. Pregnancy really does a number on your emotions.

“
Hi Baby Girl. I didn’t want to text you because I’m driving. I’m on my way home now. How was your day? You sound awfully cheerful after I just heard you crying.”

“
Well I watched a funny movie which got me out of my slump. Where are you at? I thought you were home?” she asks.

I know what she’s doing. She’s fishing for a clue as to what the project is. She thinks she can get this out of me but I am firm on keeping this a secret. I can’t ruin the fun or the moment. She will be surprised.

“
I told you I was working on the project today.”

“
Oh, yeah. Where is the project at? Egypt?” she joked.

Here she goes fishing again.

“
Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. You will know when it’s finished.”

I can hear her sigh in disappointment though the phone. She probably doesn’t think I can hear it but I do.

“
Okay. When do I get to see you? I miss you!” she whines.

“
I’ll make it a point to stop by tomorrow before I head back to the project. I’ll come by and we can get some dinner. Sound okay?”

“
Yes, as long as I get to see you. I feel very Aiden deprived. Do you really want to deprive a pregnant girl?”

She teased. I love when she makes comments like that to make me laugh.