Finding Forever

Chapter 4

"I'll let you get dressed," she says, watching me. She's ensuring I'm okay and not about to bail because I'm still upset over my mom. "We are leaving in fifteen minutes, so hurry up."

We walk to Ryan, Jayce, and Kale's apartment with their newest roommate, Liam. It's only a few blocks away, but the walk seems much longer than usual tonight. Probably because my mind is still a tad foggy from my earlier telephone conversation with my mom and also because I'm carrying a case of beer. Our weekly poker tradition tasks the winner from the previous week to supply the beer for the following weekend from part of their winnings. And since I was the winner last week, I am the beer supplier this time.

We walk up two flights of stairs and hook a right on a covered walkway overlooking the ocean. When we reach their apartment door, I smile at the perverted door knocker – a naked man with huge balls - and Maisie raps twice at the door with it. That hideous thing was my housewarming gift to Ryan when the guys moved into an apartment together our sophomore year. He loves the shock value from people who see it for the first time. I think it's hilarious and the most appropriate knocker to sum up their household.

I hear male voices, and the warm evening air whips around us on the stoop. Finally, I hear footsteps in front of the door, which swings open.

Ryan appears with a fresh new haircut and a clean-shaven face. He's shirtless, and his jeans hang low on his hips, revealing the black waistband of his boxers.

"Hey, Jonesy and Maisie are finally here," he shouts over his shoulder.

"Why are you half-naked?" I ask.

But before he says anything, I get my answer. Alodie pops up behind him with a smile and slips on her heels. "Hey, girlies," she kisses his cheek and slides past him. She's wearing a flimsy greenish-coloured dress, her lips are swollen, and her hair is messy like she's just had sex.

"Oh, hi, Alodie. You're back." Maisie greets her on behalf of both of us. "Are you just heading out?"

"Yeah, my plane got in late last night. I promised one of my girlfriends from class I'd go out with her for her birthday...but of course, I had to stop in for a quickie – "Ryan laughs at her Freudian slip, and she giggles. "Oops, I meant to stop in quick to see Ryan."

I don't know why her presence suddenly irritates me, but it does. Ryan stands there, clearly proud of himself. What a cocky asshole. Was stopping by to fuck him necessary before she went out clubbing with her friends? She couldn't wait till later when no one was around.

"I'll text you later, okay?" she says, kissing him. "Have fun tonight."

"You too," he says to her backside. Once she is out of sight, he smiles down at me, puts his hand on my head and ruffles my hair. When I whack his hand away, he laughs.

"God, Ryan, move out of the way already," Maisie pushes past him. "And please. Put some clothes on."

Ryan laughs, and Maisie enters the living room, where the other guys gather. He takes the case of beer out of my hands and places it down on the entryway table.

"You bought my favourite beer; how nice of you." I can hear the playfulness in his voice.

"Corona is my favourite beer, actually," I remind him.

He waits, thinking. "I don't think so."

"Yeah, it is. You're a copycat." His eyes smile, studying me. "Just like how you are wearing skinny jeans right now, shaved your beard and got yourself a haircut. You want to be a borderline hipster now, too."

"You've always been pretty high on yourself, but this accusation takes the cake." He says with a little smile.

God, he's such a dick. But the twinkle in his eyes tells me he loves how I challenge him and that he's completely aware I'm the one who introduced him to Corona. He only drank Bud Light before he met me.