Always You

SAVANNAH

It has been a hell of a long two days, but it is finally Friday.

I walk into the flat and take my shoes off.

I walk over to the fridge and pull out a bottle of beer.

I have been keeping my head down, but I did notice Elijah in the café opposite the store yesterday, but I made sure he never saw me.

I stayed out of sight in the back, only coming out when needed, which was not a lot.

I sighed and took a sip of the beer. It was refreshing.

I look at the little black dress. I was determined to wear it for tonight’s girls’ night.

I wonder if I should cancel.

Since the breakup with Danny, everything has been hard, even though I never wanted to be with him. Everyone took his side over mine.

I never said I cheated, but is it classed as cheating when you like someone else?

Well, I won’t say like, more loved my whole life.

Since school, I have loved Elijah, but I never placed it as feelings until a few years back at Megan and Alex’s wedding.

Everyone thought we were good together. Well, until his date showed up. I never had a date. I thought I would tell him how I truly felt about him if we were alone, but I never got the chance.

I walk over to the bedroom area of the tiny flat and sigh. I best get ready.

I take my clothes off and walk straight into the shower. I have a quick one. I know time is getting on, but I’m not rushing to get there.

Meg is usually late anyway, and not only that, she probably has a taxi with the guys, so I will try to be fifteen minutes late to make sure I don’t run into Alex and Elijah.

Once I’m out, I quickly wrap a towel around me and head straight back into the bedroom. I quickly get dried and place my lace black thong on.

The black dress has a slit down the back, so I don’t need a bra. I am practically going naked.

I step into the dress but look at myself in the mirror. Over the past six months, I have been stressed out due to the store and what people said about me.

I have lost loads of weight over time. I try to cover it up, especially when I know I’m meeting Meg. I haven’t told her anything that happened as I know she would tell Alex.

I know she will say something or worry about me.

I can’t help but sigh again.

The problem is everyone has assumptions about the whole cheating scandal, but not once has one person sat down with me to ask my opinion or what happened, especially at the start of the entire thing.

I know why Alex hates cheaters as his father cheated on his mother when he was a teenager; he left him and his mother when his mother found out.

His father never came back to see him.

The guys did ask, but they were drunk when they asked me, and I wasn’t going to tell them so they could forget what I told them.

I shake my head and pull the dress straps up onto my shoulders.

I quickly curl my hair and look at the time. 5:45 p.m.

Once I finish curling my hair, I apply some makeup but do not put a lot on. I never wear a lot as I never need it.

I move out of the way and step into my six-inch heels. I am only five foot two, so I need to wear them when I go out. I am a short-ass when I don’t wear them.

I check myself out before I grab my bag. I place my money, phone, and keys into the bag. I don’t feel confident at the moment, so I think I will let Meg tell me. Maybe she can lie to me.

I quickly go to the door and open it. I head down the store stairs.

I open the door to the store and head out. I turn to lock up and place the keys back into my bag.

Jolly’s is only around the corner from my store, and it is in the middle of where the guys own their gym. I try to avoid walking near there so I don’t see either of them.

As I get to the corner, I stop in my tracks and quickly step back out of sight, hiding behind a wall. I close my eyes.

They had to be here.

There in front of Jolly’s is a taxi. Meg is getting out, but Alex and Elijah are there too. I look over my shoulder and notice both men stepping out of the cab.

Meg looks stunning as usual in a silver dress and heels. Her blonde hair is all straight and in a high pony. Alex is wearing light jeans and a blue shirt.

I only see them, but the door to the back opens, and out steps Elijah.

My heart beats faster at the sight of him.

He looks damn hot wearing dark jeans and a black shirt. He is gorgeous, and every woman wants to be with him.

I move back as I try to control my breathing. I know I should wait, but I have nothing to hide even though no one has asked me anything.

I take a deep breath and straighten myself up.

I can do this, I say to myself.

I move from behind the wall and walk over to the two guys like I always have. I need to do this—not just for me, but also for Meg. I need my friends back.

I will put all the cards on the table; I hope no one asks about what happened when I’m drunk and falling all over the place.

I know Alex will throw some snide jabs at me, but I need to be a big girl and do this.

I take another deep breath in and out as I walk closer to them.

All three of them are talking, and the taxi driver is out talking to them too.

Meg is the first one to see me. Her eyes light up, and she shrieks, “SAV!” She looks me up and down, but she pulls me into a hug.

I keep the smile plastered on my face since I left the corner even though it might look strained, but I need to show and prove I’m happy.

I look up to see the two guys staring at us as Meg backs away from me. Her hands rest on my arm as she looks me over.

“Sav, you look stunning,” she says as she examines every inch of me.

She turns to the guys. “Alex, does Sav look amazing?” she asks.

I turn to look at the guys. Both men are standing there with their mouths wide open. Alex closes his mouth but clears his throat.

“Yeah, she does,” he says and smiles at me. “Sav, it’s so nice to see you.”

I smile and nod. I don’t say anything as I think my voice will give too much away to them.

I turn to look at Elijah and catch him checking me out. He looks me up from my feet, all the way to my face.

I feel my core ignite when his chocolate-brown eyes land on my face.

He smiles.

“Sav, you look fantastic,” he says in a husky voice.

“So, are you leaving to go to that new place, or are you staying?” asks Meg.

I look at all three of them. I’m not involved in this.

“I’m going to go inside; I need to drink,” I say, leaving them to the decision.

I turn to go in, but I’m suddenly stopped by a large hand on my arm. I look over my shoulder to see Elijah standing right there.

“Sav, please don’t go,” he says. “How about we have one of our nights out like in the good old days?”

Elijah smiles at me. I stare back, not able to answer.

It would be nice to spend time with all three of them again, like in the old times, but I need to put a few ground rules in place. I don’t want to be talking about anything that will put a damper on the night.

I look at him, then at Meg and Alex. I can see Meg pleading with me with her eyes.

“I think that will be a good idea, but,” I say as I turn to face them, “once we are in here, we do not bring up the past. I mean about what happened.”

I turn to look at Alex, who has his eyes glued to my face. Meg nudges him, and he grunts.

“Okay, that will be fine with me,” he says with a smile. “The past should be buried, and we all should move on.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” I say to him as I give him a genuine smile.

“YES,” screeches Meg. “The gang is all back together.”

Elijah laughs while both Alex and I smirk at her.

I turn around with Meg following right behind me.

This night is going to be interesting.