Her Forever

Sadie

Lela and I walked back to our little booth at the corner of the club. Ethan was there watching the drinks while having some beautiful blonde sitting on his lap. She was whispering something in his ear, and he looked up at her and grabbed her in a passionate k**s.

I hope someday I will have something like that. I’d love to have someone wrap me up and take care of me. If only I could actually find a special someone. However, the PDA around here is quite interesting.

Nathan is a great guy, but I know he isn’t for me. He probably sees me as the “flavor of the week.” I’ve heard of his reputation around the diner—tons of one-night stands and angry women cursing Nathan’s name.

He is a great friend, and I’ll always trust him as a friend, though. It is probably best to let him know I will not fall for him. I’ve had no feelings of passion for him. None of the sparks or tingles like my aunt used to talk about.

Ethan looked up and smiled. “Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to my ma- I mean girlfriend, Raylina,” he smiled from ear to ear. She looked equally enthused and put her head on his shoulder.

Lela started jumping up and down, saying “congratulations” over and over. They just met tonight and they are already serious? Before we left the cabin, he said he was single. I’m guessing he just works fast.

I sat down and drank some of my fruity drink, which was about gone. My buzz and confidence had dwindled quickly after sitting down. Lela was talking with Ethan and Raylina, and I looked around the club.

Hoards of men and women talking, dancing, playing pool, and a lot of them making out. This town really had no problems with their passion.

Lela got closer to me and said, “Why don’t you go find a man to slow dance with you? Every hour, they do at least one or two slow dances?” she raised and lowered her eyebrows at me.

“I need more drinks to do that!” I laughed and quickly took two more shots. I was going to need all the liquid courage I could get. I would only ask someone unless I was interested, so I knew my chances weren’t that high to find anyone anyway, and Lela knew it.

Luck was on my side this night because I saw a man that made my heart skip a beat for the first time in my life.

He was sitting at the bar, leaning over the table with his elbow propped up, holding a glass of amber colored liquor to his mouth. His muscles could be seen through his tight black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his mid-forearm. Tattoos covered every inch of his hands and up to his neck.

I wonder why there were no women with him? Surely everyone could see his attractiveness. He also looks so sad, so depressed. That alone drew me in. I wanted to comfort this man I don’t even know.

His hair was dark and had a hard part on the left side of his head. It was gelled back; you could almost see the comb marks left. His sharp jawline and masculine features stood out to me like a blossoming tree in the middle of winter. If only I could see his eyes.

Lela was busy talking away while I stood up. I’m doing something out of my normal personality and actually taking the lead on something. I’ve never been this bold, to go talk to a man, but I was drawn to him for some reason, just like in my dream with that mystery man.

He continued to sit at the bar, unmoving, and taking sips from his drink. I could almost hear the ice give way in his glass as I approached. I haven’t even thought of what I was going to say. My legs were doing the walking, and I had no way to slow them down.

A large fan was sitting near, and it continued to blow towards him and me. I shuttered at the coolness of it.

I held on to the bottom of my skirt, and I saw that there were several male eyes on me I recognized from the diner. As I finally got the courage to speak up. I open my mouth to speak, and I heard the most hateful voice come from this god-like man.

Without even looking at me and continuing to stare at his glass of liquor as he spoke, “Slut, get away from me and close your w***e mouth before someone sticks something in it.”

The men that were around him dropped their mouths, sending pitying looks my way. My heart was crushed. This alone would forever keep my nose in a book. I didn’t want to even bother trying something this daring again. I wonder if this is what it felt like for Tobias.

My world came crashing down in an instant. I have had no one speak to me that way to belittle me so. I would like to say I had a strong backbone but coming from a man that I felt like I had a connection with, of course, it hurt. What little pride I had was being buried in the dirt.

With no hesitation, I turned on my heel and ran to Rebecca. I swore to myself I would not cry until I got to the safety of my own home. I won’t let everyone in this small town know I am some pathetic embarrassment.

Rebecca’s face paled as I grabbed and hugged her. She saw the tears threatening to leave my eyes. “Sadie,” she whispered in my ear, “what’s wrong? You look like you are about to cry!”

“Please, just take me home.” I sniffed. Nathan looked angry and frustrated. He was probably mad that I wanted to go home.

“Who made you cry?” he growled. He growled! Like an animal! Some people around us gave us a look and stopped dancing. I looked at him in confusion and disarray. I’m honestly scared now; does he have a demon in him or something?

“I don’t want to talk about it; I will go get an Uber.” I tried to rush out the door, but Nathan grabbed my arm.

“No, Rebecca and I will take you home.” He pulled me in for a hug, and I let him. I was so embarrassed I wanted just to dig myself a hole and be covered up and forgotten. Don’t even put a headstone on that grave because I don’t want to be remembered.

The car was silent as I sat there staring out the window. Lela stayed at the club with Marco and Ethan, since they could take her home when she wanted.

I jumped out of Nathan’s SUV and they both followed me inside. The stairs to my room seemed like an endless mountain as I climbed them. The shouts from downstairs faded as I slid under the covers with my dress and all.

The mascara I had meticulously put on was now smudged. The pillowcase was slowly becoming black and cream-colored from my foundation. I wept into the pillow as my heart broke into a million pieces.

Why was I even crying? I didn’t even know this man. I don’t know his name or what his deal was, but calling me those horrible names hurt my very soul. What kind of person would yell at someone like that? Not once had anyone spoke words like that to me, heck no one spoke to me at all for the longest time growing up and with all the new attention around me in this town, I think my mental barrier just broke.

Rebecca slowly opened the door and brought in a glass of water. She sat at the end of the bed and patted my feet that were under the cotton covers. Lela whispered, “can we talk about what happened?”

The sobs eased up, and I looked at her. I sat up and nodded, and she grabbed an entire roll of toilet paper since I didn’t have any tissues. I never cry; it’s just not me! I usually shrug stuff off; I’ve learned to be a little tough being a waitress. People have bad days, I get it.

But this was more.

Quietly I told her my story, “There was this guy at the bar; I found him so dashingly handsome and rugged all at the same time.” I clenched my chest. “I was so drawn to him,” I took a large breath. “For some crazy reason, I felt like I should go talk to him; he seemed so sad and depressed. He kept staring at his glass and watched the ice tumble in it.”

Rebecca kept staring at me in awe as I continued to explain. “I never saw his eyes, but everything about him was so alluring, captivating. Lela said some slow songs were coming up, so I thought I might ask him to dance. No other girls were around him, so I thought I would try.” I paused. “When I got up to him, he called me a slut and a w***e and told me to leave. He didn’t even look at me. I never even asked him anything.” I started crying again.

I have never felt so hurt. Just one sentence, and that man ruined me, and he doesn’t even know who I was. Let alone a ton of people saw me get rejected, and I’m sure it will be the talk of the diner next week.

“Sadie, I’m so sorry. I did not know.” Rebecca just held me in her arms and rocked me back and forth. The first real comfort other than my aunt I felt with her. I hope I can continue to trust her and Lela.

I’ve wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I certainly did that tonight. I’m experiencing life like I wanted, but didn’t know it would hurt this much.

Rebecca stayed with me for the night. I didn’t ask, and she didn’t tell. She just did. Nathan finally left after much pushing from Rebecca. I did not need any guys around me at the moment, especially worrying about Nathan and his feelings.

We stayed in the same bed; Rebecca refused to leave my side. She said having someone there helps ease a broken heart. I don’t think my heart is broken, but she is taking all of this pretty seriously. I’m guessing it is because it was my first crush, a crush that lasted maybe 45 seconds.

Lela was sleeping. I could hear her snores, but I couldn’t drift off. I stared up at the rafters in my bedroom, and for a moment I forgot it was my birthday. I didn’t get a deep red rose this morning like I usually did.

The move must thrown off whoever has been leaving them. Maybe it was Tobias or a secret admirer from my old town.

After a few more minutes of tears flowing and a ruined pillow, I decided that tomorrow was a reset. A new day, and try to forget this day completely.

Nathan

When I saw Sadie run up the stairs to her cabin, I was about to lose it. She was so small and innocent, and some bastard made her cry. Sadie wouldn’t speak in the car. I know she was holding back her tears. She hides her feelings so well.

I just want to hold her damnit.

Rebecca went after her and calmed her down enough to see what made her cry. My wolf was itching to go upstairs and just be with her.

I know she isn’t my mate; my wolf even told me so. However, both of us wanted her. It wasn’t l**t or desire; she was just perfect. There was an aura around her. She made us feel calm, collected.

Her hair, her eyes and even the calmness that she would bring to me and my wolf. It was as if I was well-rested when I was with her. I wanted her all to myself.

Rebecca let me listen through the mind-link, and my heart clenched. She had possibly found her mate. This hurt me to the core; Xander was howling, listening to her cry. Bonds are strong, and she was only human. I couldn’t imagine how she would have felt if she were a wolf.

This hurts my plans to take it slow with her. She may have found her mate and I am going to have to work fast to keep her as mine. What if her mate changes his mind and comes after her, or maybe he didn’t realize it was her at all? The club has so many smells, and he didn’t even look at her in the eyes.

The thought of him coming after Sadie infuriates me.

My knuckles go white, and my nails almost pierce my skin as I clench them in a fist.

“You should go, Nathan. Now is not the time.” Rebecca linked me.

“Fine, keep her safe. I’ll be back in the morning.” I replied and ran out into the woods. It was time for my wolf to let loose and be free.