REED & STORM
FOREVER
“Do you remember what I said to you that day I carved our names into the wood?” I asked. Storm lifted her head and turned towards me. She was so fucking beautiful.
“You said that you would always love me.”
I smiled tenderly and cupped her cheek. “And I didn’t lie.” The shelter was where I had first told her I loved her. And I wanted it to be the place where I asked her to marry me. I didn’t care that it was probably too soon after the incident with Jasper. But in my eyes, Storm had never been engaged to that prick, not really.
Teacup placed her hand over mine but pulled back slightly, watching me. “Even after all this time and the mess I’ve made of things? All those occasions I was horrible to you when we were teenagers, fucking you around. Behaving so selfishly and shitty in front of the others?”
“The mess you made? You fucking protected me, Storm. Gave upeverythingfor me. That’s the most selfless thing I have ever heard of. Yes, when we were first fooling around, you were a selfish, stuck-up nightmare at times. But it wasn’t like I was your white knight in those days. I was a dick, too. I flirted with other girls under your nose, bossed you around, and acted like an arrogant ass most of the time. I also came on too strong and didn’t give you the space you needed. I was a needy, greedy asshole. You shared so much of your worries with me, and I didn’t do the same. Didn’t give you the respect you deserved. I kept details of my past from you as I was terrified you wouldn’t understand. Thatwas wrong of me.
But as you said, we wereteenagers, fucking kids, sneaking around behind everyone’s backs. We both made mistakes, Storm.”
“I know, but I’m still sorry,” she sighed, her shoulders dropping. I twisted on the bench to face her.
“But I never slept with Tate Parker. You do believe that, don’t you?”
She scanned my face and gave a little nod. “Yes. I think so. And you know nothing ever happened with Hudson and me.”
I nodded, taking her hands in mine and squeezing them. “We were jealous idiots. And now we have the chance to change that and put things right. No more hiding shit from each other. Let’s start again, Storm.”
“Start again?” she hiccupped, a lone tear running down her cheek. Fuck I hated seeing her cry.
I wiped it away with my thumb.
“Yes, in a real relationship, one that the entire world can see.”
Storm pushed slowly to her feet and took a few steps away before turning back to peer down at me.
Rubbing her nose with her fingers, she gave me a yearning look. Her expression was happy and sad at the same time.
STORM
My heart was racing as I ran my gaze over Reed’s perfect features. “A real relationship? I’m not even sure what that looks like. But tell me, Reed, tell meeverythingyou want? No holes barred,” I implored him, still feeling like I could lose him again at any moment.
Reed’s gaze heated as he stood, towering over me. “Now that’s a leading question.”
“Reed,” I warned, and he grinned. It was not the time for jokes.
“Sorry, old habits die hard,” he admitted, stepping forward. His expression turned watchful. The intensity in his eyes drew me in as he explained, “I want it all, Storm.Everything. The whole nine yards. The house, the kids, fuck me, even a dog and a goldfish.
I have a bucket list of things I want to experience, and I want you by my side. Yes, we’re different people, but we share so many similarities. We just fit, Teacup, like two minds thinking as one.
I know it won't be a smooth ride, but it’s those bumps that help us find out who we are. I know exactly who I am now, and I know what I want. And you’re it, baby girl. You and me against the fucking world, my darling.”
I took a step back, and he followed, intent written into everycrease on his face. “So, you’re saying you want it all?”
“Yep, the whole package. The ups and the downs; the real beautiful ugly.”
“But I’m a selfish stuck-up nightmare, remember?”
My back hit the side of the closed wooden hotdog stall, and Reed caged me against the surface. “Yes, but you’re my selfish, stuck-up nightmare,” he replied, kissing the tip of my nose.
Placing a hand on his chest, I pointed out breathlessly. “But we fight all the time.”
His lip curled as he placed a hand on either side of my head. He smelt so good I could hardly think straight. “And we have the most fun making up. We are meant to be, Storm, and I’m a firm believer in fate. We belong together, like two sides of the same coin. And is it always going to be easy, no, but isn’t that what life’s all about? Challenges. And you know I thrive on a challenge, sweet girl. Webothdo. It’s time to forget about the past and focus on our future.”
