“
A little?” Keesh makes a face at her drink.
Ben smiles at her. “In a week, for the third time, Alex is gonna be leaving to college. We talk and text, and I hear about him from the little one here, but it’s still hard.” He seems a little choked up. Why do I have a knot in my gut right now? This so-called toast sounds like it’s leading up to something big. Something big and not good.
“
This year, it’s going to be even more difficult for me to say goodbye to my best friend,” he pauses, taking a deep breath, “because I’m going to be saying goodbye to all of you too.” A tear slips down his cheek as he holds up his chin.
Alex pushes his way around me so he can stand next to Ben. “What do you mean? You’re saying goodbye too?”
He holds up his shot. “To bootcamp.” He puts the cup to his lips and tips his head back swallowing the thick cinnamon flavored liquid.
None of us take our shot. We all sit there in stunned silence staring at him.
“
To bootcamp? What they fuck are you talking about, Ben?” Alex puts his hand on his best friend’s shoulder.
He looks at Alex and then turns to face all of us. “I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and I’m reporting to bootcamp at Camp Pendleton in five days. I know how some of us can get a little emotional,” he looks down at me, “so I wanted to wait to tell you. I didn’t want to give you a lot of time to dwell on it before I left. And honestly, I thought it would be easier for me too.”
Dominic stands and throws back his shot. He holds out his hand to Ben. “Let me be the first to thank you for your service to our country. Good luck, bro.” They shake hands before giving each other a back-slapping hug.
The rest of the crew follows suit, taking their shots, and offering their support to Ben.
He looks down at Alex, who is now sitting next to me with his head in his hands. “I knew this would be the hardest for both of you. But I had to do what I had to do. My grandfather was in the Vietnam war and I always admired him for enlisting. He wasn’t drafted. He chose to go. I’m at a point in my life where I need some change and opportunity. Enlisting seemed like my best option. Plus, I get the opportunity to serve as a member of the finest killing organization in human history. And that sounds pretty fucking bad ass, don’t you think?”
Alex laughs through his own tears as he stands again. “Hey, if this is what you thought was best for you, then I support you all the way. I’m gonna miss my brother, but I’m proud of you.” They hug it out, holding on and murmuring things we can’t hear. The girls and I wipe tears from our faces as we watch two best friends share a moment.
“
Okay, knock it off already. It’s my turn.” They break it up and Alex switches places with me. “I’m gonna drink this for you.” I swallow the nastiness trying not to taste it but I can still fill the burn down the length of my body. “You’re killing me, you know that?” I place my hands on his chest, looking up at him and he encircles me in his arms. “I really don’t know what I’m gonna do without you. You’re more than a friend to me. You’re like a big brother who takes care of me.” I can’t help the tears that flow from my eyes. We had a rough start but he’s been my rock for the last two years whenever I needed someone. And now, he’s leaving too. “I’m really happy for you. And I’m proud of you. But I’m just a little sad too.”
Ben kisses the top of my head and hugs me tight. He steps away after a minute. “Josh, you got Meg duty now. Make sure you take care of her for me.”
“
Got it, sir,” he says, saluting him. My friends chuckle.
“
You guys suck.” I move toward Alex. He pulls me into his lap and holds me.
“
Thank you for your all support. I really appreciate it.” Ben says making sure to look at each of us. “But that was a total buzz kill so I think we need another shot, and a lot more beers. Let’s get drunk.”
Farewell
The ride home is quiet as I nod in and out of sleep. Alex and Dominic take turns driving. And Ben and Josh share the driving of their car. After a long ass night of excessive drinking and passing out, we all need sleep.
I was surprised when the guys held to their plan and went on a hike this morning. I thought for sure they’d all say forget about it. Maybe after Ben’s announcement they thought they needed some guy time. When they came back, Travis looked ass cheek white. They said he threw up last night’s dinner several times along the trail. And he smelled like it too. Andi took care of him. I don’t know how she did it. If my boyfriend got wasted and his scent was foul enough to scare away vultures, I wouldn’t go anywhere near him.
On Thursday morning, we all gather at Ben’s house to say our goodbyes before his parents drive him to San Diego. We all promise to write. The boys promise to send him nudie magazines. Steph swears she’ll send him homemade cookies. My heart feels like it’s going to pound right out of my chest as I give him one last hug goodbye. I don’t cry though. Not until I’m in Alex’s car and driving away. Only then do I let the tears flow. And boy, do they.
It’s Friday morning. Alex is leaving and for once, I’m not freaking out. Maybe it’s because I used all my tears yesterday. Maybe it’s because I know Alex will be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And any break or holiday for that matter. I know I’ll talk to him. Text. Skype. Any and all of those things. Anytime I want. With Ben leaving and being completely out of reach, I just can’t allow myself to be devastated over Alex driving up the coast to go to school when he can come home any time he chooses.
I reach up and slide my hands behind Alex’s neck as he wraps his around my waist.
“
I’ll miss you,” I tell him.
“
I’ll miss you too.”
“
Study hard. Kick ass so you’ll finish on time.”
He smiles. “Same to you. Enjoy your senior year. Have lots of fun.” I raise my brows at him. “Not too much fun.” He jokes.
“
Have all the fun you want, babe. Just remember, our someday will come.”
“
I look forward to that day.” He lifts me up so my face is level with his, my feet dangling in the air. He brushes his soft lips to mine with sweet gentle kisses. “And then it’ll no longer be someday.”
“
And then what will it be, Alex?”
His words are warm against my neck when he says, “Always. And. Forever.”
Acknowledgments
First of all, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to Andrea Soule for her endless support, and most of all, for writing the blurbs for all my books and making sure I didn’t let Alex act like a total ass (which was where I was going and she wouldn’t let me). I’m in awe of her witty choice of words for both my blurbs and her book reviews. If you’re not following her reviews on Goodreads, you should. Beware: You’ll find yourself with a giant to-read list but you’ll love them all.
I’d also like to say thank you to Cindy Sherwood (www.secondsetofeyes.com), copy editor extraordinaire. I told her she’s like my favorite bottle of shampoo. She’s made Double Time all silky and shiny.
My beautiful cover would not have been possible without the stunning
Jurnee Mroczek
, who is absolutely adorable in the Double Threat tee (designed by
Daniel Van Beek
), and stellar photographer,
David Marrota
. Thank you both for allowing me to use this perfect photo.
Finally, I’d like to thank my family for always being my cheerleaders and picking up the slack while I’m strapped to my computer. I love you.
About the Author
Julie is enjoying her summer off from teaching. She plans to spend her time catching up on TV shows, lurking around Twitter, and of course, writing.
She has another adult romance that will release this summer. It’s currently titled More Than A Friend Request, but that could change. She will also be working on the final installment of the Double Threat series and hopes to have it out in the fall. Who knows? It could come sooner if she’s really ambitious.
Fans of the Double Threat series will also enjoy Julie’s stand alone YA novel
You Act So White
. And for the adult readers, Julie has written Against The Wall, a romance that follows the teachers of Carver High. Both are available now.
Visit Julie on
Facebook
(Double Threat Novels),
Twitter
(@juliepbooks), and her official website:
juliepbooks.com
.
Visit
BN.com
,
Amazon.com
,
Smashwords.com
, and
Goodreads.com
to leave a book review or comment. Julie loves to hear feedback from her readers.
Credits
California
© 2012 Julie Prestsater
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of a reviewer using brief passages.
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, and real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover Models: Jurnee Mroczek
Photography: David Marrota
Visit Julie on the Web at
www.juliepbooks.com
.
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