Forever Never

by Lucy Score

He turned to face her. Hands on his hips, staring at his boots. “You know the reasons.” “Tell me.” He raised his gaze to her, and she saw icy fire in those eyes. “You’re too young. You dated my brother. I married your best friend. And your mom is my boss.”

clear. “That’s what you’re walking away from today. This is your last chance, Brick. Life is too short for me to wait for you. So be sure that walking away is what you really want.” He swiped a hand over his beard. But the mask never slipped. He picked up his hat from the table. “I’ll see you next time you call me for something.” She shook her head. “No, you won’t. Because I won’t call you next time. Or ever again.” His eyes blazed, boring into her. “Yeah, you will. And I’ll be there.”

They lapsed into silence. Her heart thumped steadily against his palm, and her skin gradually began to warm under his touch. The snow fell harder now. Fat flakes floating from the sky, blotting out the horizon as Cleetus picked his way down the road. “I swear to Christ, if you ever leave your house without your inhaler again, I’m going to lock you up.” “If my recollection serves, I didn’t call you. This isn’t your problem.” She sounded stronger at least, but of course it was because she was fighting him. “You didn’t call, but I came anyway. That’s the way this works. You will always be my problem.” For some goddamn