Forever Yours (2 page)

“I can’t, I have… stuff to do.” I lie as I don’t feel like
jotting all over town with Elliot and Charlene –the perfect couple.
I met Elliot in grade school and we have been friends ever since. I
have an easier time bonding with guys than I do with girls, so most
of my friends are all male. Charlene is the one girlfriend that I
do have and I am surprised that we get on so well. She is care free
and like me, she doesn’t spend her days shopping at the mall. She
moved here a few months ago from Chicago, she is an only child
–just like me and she lives with her mom who is a single mother.
Charlene’s father has been in and out of her life for the last ten
years, but she has now learned not to depend on him. Elliot met
Charlene at the library and they hit it off straight away. Elliot
melted into her stunning looks and she caved at Elliot’s charm.
They complement each other in every way possible and they truly are
the perfect couple. The reason that I don’t feel like going out
tonight, is because I am shattered and all I want to do is curl up
in my bed with a good book. Ryan and the gang tend to let their
nights get out of hand –usually they end up passed out from
drinking so much and I have to clean up after them. So there is no
way that I feel like being their mop-up girl tonight.

“Come on, what’re you doing that’s so important?” Ryan says as
he frowns at me. I shake my head at him and then I lie some
more.

“Uncle George wants me home… its family night.” Ryan rolls his
eyes at me and he leans in and places a soft kiss onto my cheek. I
blush from his affection and I playfully push him away. He smiles
at me and then he nods as he agrees to my answer.

“Okay, okay,” I smile at him and then I push open the door and
I march out into the small restaurant. I glide over to the exit and
I exhale as I am so glad that it’s finally time for me to go home.
I push out of the doors of Wal-Mart and I instantly look up at the
sky –checking the weather. The rain is still pouring, but in a less
violent way than before. I take a deep breath as I step out into
the parking lot. I spot my beat up Chevy and I smile at it as I run
over and pull open the door. I sigh as I slip the key into the
ignition and then my world collapses when the engine doesn’t start.
I twist the key in the ignition, I quietly pray for the engine to
roar, but it doesn’t and I gently hit the steering wheel in
frustration. This is the third time this month that my truck has
refused to start and every time it happens, the more frustrated I
get. Uncle George has checked my truck a few times and he has even
replaced the battery, but it seems no matter what I do, my truck
just wants to torture me. Now I have to call my uncle and ask him
to come and collect me –something which I hate to do. My uncle and
his wife live a very simple life; they get up, go to work, come
home at night and have dinner, then they sink into the sofa with
the latest episode of Storage wars. They have the same routine, day
in and day out and I hate it when I have to disturb them by asking
for a ride. I saved my money until I had enough to get my own
truck, so that I didn’t have to bother my uncle, but my beat up
Chevy doesn’t want to allow me that luxury. Now I have to call him
and ruin his evening –great.

I search in my coat pocket until I find my phone. I quickly
dial the landline number, I hover my finger over the send button,
but I pause as I hear a gentle knock on my window. My heart nearly
stops when I see the guy from earlier, staring at me through the
glass . My cheeks flush hot at his appearance and I feel
embarrassed as I roll down the window. He stares into my eyes and I
can’t help but look to see what shade his eyes are. I smile as I
take in his blue eyes and now I am blushing harder at my reaction.
He slides his hands into his pockets as he clears his
throat.

“Are you having some car trouble?” He asks in a firm voice. I
nod at him as I reply.

“Yeah, my truck won’t start.” He gently cocks his head to one
side as he considers his next words. I nervously wait for him to
speak –with my face a deep shade of crimson. He gently runs his
tongue along his lower lip as he stares at me and now my face is
burning. He gently closes his eyes as he tries to hold back
whatever desire he has for me. His eyes jolt open and they are red
–again. I stare at him in confusion –does he wear contacts? Why do
his eyes change colour and why is he so –appealing? Everything
about him draws me in, his eyes, his lips, his golden hair and
chiselled jawline appeals to me and I have never looked at guy, the
way that I am looking at him right now. I gently exhale as he
begins to talk in his fluid accent.

“May I offer you a ride home?” I stare at him as I consider
his words. Then I shake my head as I politely refuse.

“No, it’s okay, I will call my uncle,” he narrows his eyes at
my answer.

“It’s no trouble,” I smile at him and then my mind begins to
flow in a million directions. Normally, I would never even consider
getting into a car with strange guy, but something about this guy
makes me feel safe. I really don’t want to call my uncle and
disturb him from his night in front of the TV, so maybe I should
accept this guy’s offer. “Rose, I understand your reasons for
hesitating, but I can assure you that I won’t harm you. I am just
offering you a ride home.” I bite my lower lip as I think –what
will I do? Do I call and disturb my uncle or do I take this
gorgeous guy up on his offer? My heart is racing and I need to make
a decision.

“Okay, a ride home would be nice,” he smiles at me and then he
opens the door of my truck. He reaches out for my hand and I
reluctantly place my hand in his –dreading his icy skin. I am
surprised when our hands collide, as his fingers have slightly
warmed and they are almost hot. He notices my relief that his hands
are warm, but he doesn’t say a word as he leads me over to his car.
I look at him in shock as I take in his fancy sports car. I look up
at him and I begin to quiz him.

“You drive a Porsche?” I say in a bright voice. He gently
smirks at me and then he opens the door of his red, Porsche 911
GT3. He gently takes my hand in his again as he places me into the
car. I melt into the black leather seats and then my door my slams
shut. In a flash, he is at the other door and he is sliding himself
into the driver’s seat. He starts the engine and he revs too loudly
as he pushes his foot down onto the gas pedal. The car speeds
forward and I have to grip onto the arm rest for safety. He notices
my reactions to his super-fast car and he begins to question me on
my actions.

“Am I driving too fast?” He says as he slows down to a normal
speed. I loosen my firm grip on the arm rest, as I look over at
him. I flash him an awkward smile and I feel stupid that I cannot
remember his name.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t remember your name.” He gently laughs
at my words and then he turns to face me. His eyes lock onto mine
and I begin to panic as he has taken his eyes completely away from
the road ahead.

“My name is Dalton Clark,” I shoot him a worried look and then
he realises that he has taken his attention away from the road. He
bites his lower lip as he turns his attention back to the streets
of Portland. He maintains his slower speed for a while and then he
asks me where I live. “So where am I taking you to?”

“Falmouth, you know the area?” He laughs and then he signals
right as he heads in the direction of my house.

We sit in silence –until Dalton breaks it.

“Tell me about yourself, Rose,” I gently clear my throat as I
try to respond to his question.

“I am nineteen; I live with my uncle George and his family. I
work at Subway –as you know and that’s pretty much it.” I say in a
soothing tone. Dalton turns to look at me and I meet his
stare.

“Why do you live with your uncle?” I nervously push my loose
hair away from my face, as I try to answer his prying
questions.

“My parents died when I was six and my uncle took me in. I owe
so much to him and his wife. Not many people would take on someone
else’s kid.” I am stunned by my honesty, as I have never opened up
to any one like this before, especially not to a
stranger.

“I’m sorry to hear that,”

“Don’t be, it was forever ago.” Dalton presses a smile from
his lips as he slams his foot onto the break. The car in front of
us has stopped suddenly and I have no idea how Dalton knew to stop
–his eyes were fixed on mine the whole time. I shake my head as I
have no words to describe him.

“My house is here, on the right.” I say as I point out my
house. Dalton stops his Porsche at the front of the small, white
house, with large bay windows. I notice my uncle’s car in the
driveway and then I can hear his dog barking as it runs towards the
gate. The dog is letting out deafening barks and my uncle is now
standing at the window –staring out at me, sitting in a Porsche
with a strange guy. I look at him through the window of the car and
I see that his curiosity is building. I turn to look at Dalton and
I urge myself to say my goodbyes, before my uncle George comes
marching out of the house.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say as I place my hand onto the door
handle. I open the door and I step out into the spitting rain. I
carefully close the door of his over expensive car and I am shocked
when I look into the car and notice that Dalton isn’t there. I
scowl in through the window, but I stop my glaring, as I feel a
cool hand on my back. I turn around and Dalton is looking down at
me. His eyes are burning through me and his lips are gently
trembling. I smile at him and then my smile fades, when I hear my
uncle shouting in my direction.

“Rose, what are you doing? Where is your truck?” I pull my
eyes away from Dalton and his stunning beauty and onto my
overweight uncle. He is marching along the pathway of the house and
he is marching in our direction. His face is thunderous, as he
approaches us. I lock my eyes on his and he frowns at me as he
takes in my appearance. I am standing in the rain with only a few
inches between me and this strange, stunning guy, who drives a
Porsche. I can tell that my uncle is fuming, as he looks at me, I
shake my head as I don’t want to cause him any more stress –he gets
enough of that from Rachel. I pull myself away from Dalton and I
walk over towards my uncle. I smile as I take in his looks; he is
dressed in a white T-shirt and loose baggy jeans that have more oil
stains on them than a deep fat fryer. His grey hair is messy and
his hands are also stained with oil. His cheeks are a deep shade of
red and I smile at him as I try to explain my behaviour.

“My truck wouldn’t start, so Dalton offered to give me a
ride.” My uncle stares at Dalton and then he shifts his eyes back
to me.

“And who is Dalton, exactly?” My face flushes hot and I know
that my uncle will lose his temper with me, when I tell him that I
have just met Dalton. I can feel my heart pound, but it slowly
decreases when Dalton lunges forward and reaches out for my uncle’s
hand.

“Hello, my name is Dalton Clark,” my uncle reaches out and
shakes his hand firmly.

“Thanks for taking Rose home,” my uncle says through his
gritted teeth. Dalton smiles at his reaction and then he nods in my
direction.

“Rose, may I have word with you?” My eyes bolt at his question
and I can feel George’s eyes burning through my back. But I am
intrigued by what Dalton has to say, therefore I nod and I take his
hand as he leads me back over to his car. He leans against the
paintwork and he gently folds his arms as he looks at me. “This may
sound crude, but I would love to take you out some time.” I cannot
believe my ears –he is asking me out on a date? The gorgeous guy,
who could have any girl that he wanted, wants to take me out, me,
boring Rose Peterson, with the messy hair and horrible fashion
sense. I shake my head at him as I feel that he is toying with
me.

“Seriously?” I say in a shocked tone.

“Yes, I would love you take you out, on a date.” I burst into
laughter, surly he cannot be serious. What would a guy like him see
in me? I shake my head again as I cannot take him
seriously.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t.” I say through my laughing fit.
Dalton narrows his eyes at me as he begins to question me on my
reasons for not wanting to date him.

“Why?” He snaps.

“C’mon, you can’t honestly stay that you want to take me
out?”

“Why do find that so hard to believe?”

“Look at me, I am a mess and you’re … perfect.” Dalton rolls
his eyes and then he leans in towards me. His breath is blowing on
my face and I am very aware of my uncle’s eyes on us. With that
thought, I try to back away from him, but he leans in closer,
forcing me stare into his eyes.

“I’m far from perfect and I will pick you up tomorrow, is
seven okay?” I frown at him.

“I just told you that I don’t want to go out with
you,”

“You said you couldn’t, not that you didn’t want to.” Dalton’s
face is now less than an inch away from mine and for second, I
could swear that I his eyes have flashed red –again. His lips are
quivering as he stares at me and now I can feel his hand sliding
onto my waist. I feel very uneasy around him, but at the same time,
I feel drawn to him. I almost like his rude and inappropriate
behaviour and I would be lying if I said that I didn’t want to go
out with him. “Now go and I will see you tomorrow,” he whispers in
my ear and then he pulls back from me. I stare at him as he jumps
into his car. He starts the engine and then he rolls down his
window, as he gently edges forward. His eyes lock onto mine and now
I am positive that they are red and not blue. He briefly winks at
me and then he slams his foot down onto the gas pedal and all I
have left of Dalton, is the shrieking from the tyres of his
Porsche.