Forever Mine – Katrina Marie
FOREVER MINE
KATRINA MARIE
I’m late. My brother is going to kill me. I zip through traffic as fast as I can while still being safe. To be fair, if he wanted me there by a specific time, he should have told me to be there an hour earlier. Then I wouldn't be rushing through Austin to get to his house.
The only thing I miss about living in a small town is no traffic. A tractor driving down the road, or a cow being loose, are the only things that bring cars to a dead stop back home. The place we're going for the weekend is barely above that.
I'm excited, though. I had a blast photographing Stella's wedding.
Her house is stunning, and we're all staying there.
My camera bag sits buckled in the seatbelt.
Justin makes fun of me for taking the extra precaution, but that thing is my baby.
It's how I earn a living, and I'll be damned if it gets messed up because I have to slam on my brakes trying to get through this city.
Two miles until my exit, and I slide over into the right lane.
A honk meets my ears, and a car zooms by me on the other side, giving me the finger.
There wasn't a car when I got over. That's the other thing I miss about small-town life.
People wave when you pass them. They don't give you the one-finger salute.
Taking the exit, I slow down so I'm not honked at again. Where is all this small-town melancholy coming from? I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Now, I long for it more than I thought I would.
Finally, the street to my brother's house is in sight. I glance at the clock to see how late I am. Only thirty minutes. That's actually good timing for me.
I park at the curb, scramble to get out of my car, and head toward the door. It swings open before I lift my hand to knock.
"Would it kill you to be on time?"
"What a nice way to welcome your sister to your house." I push past him and head straight for the living room. Audrey is sitting on the couch, shaking her head. "Hey Audrey, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Oh, you're fine." She laughs. "I don't know why he thought we'd leave on time. Or why he picked this time to head to Asheville. He knows what this highway is like right now."
"That ain't no lie," I mutter.
Justin storms into the living room. "Seriously, Corinne. Do you treat your clients with this level of respect?"
"Hold up," I face him and put my hand in the air. Stopping him from saying anything. "At work, I'm a professional. I mark gigs an hour before I need to be there, so I have plenty of time to set up. This isn't a job. So, calm the hell down before you blow a gasket."
He takes a deep breath and lets it out. "You're right, I'm sorry." He opens his arms and takes two steps toward me. Ready to make up.
"It's all good." I take a step toward my brother and wrap him in a hug.
Audrey puts her arms around both of us and laughs. "Group hug!" She squeezes tight before letting go, and we all pull apart. "Now, let's get the car loaded. Cori, where are your bags?"
"In the car," I point toward the door. "But um, there's a lot."
"We're only going to be gone for a weekend. What could you possibly be bringing?"
"I want to take some photos while we're there. Stella's place is gorgeous, and you never know when inspiration is going to hit." I wave Justin’s frustration away as I walk to the door. "Besides, it's not like it can't sit in the back seat with me. There's plenty of room."
The room goes silent, and I have a feeling I'm about to hear something I don't want to hear.
"About that—" Justin trails off.
Pulling the door open, I attempt stepping outside. But I run into something solid. I look up. This can't be happening. "What's he doing here?"
"Well, hello to you, too." Carter grins at me, and I want to smack the smug smile off his face.
CARTER
I knew she wouldn’t be excited to see me. Not after the way things ended with us, which wasn’t exactly my fault. Not completely.
“Seriously, Justin,” Corinne turns toward her step-brother, “what is he doing here?”
“I’m here for the trip, Rin.” I shake my head as if she’s being ridiculous. “Why else would I be standing here?”
Justin tries to answer, but she doesn’t give him the chance. “Absolutely not. There’s no way in hell I’m going on this trip with him. It’s supposed to be a stress-free weekend getaway. How is that supposed to happen when your wingman is out causing trouble?”
Wingman? I can’t be one of those when he’s practically married. If anything, he’s mine. “Why am I classified as a troublemaker?”
Three sets of eyes fall on me, eyebrows lifted in question. Audrey finally speaks up. “No offense, Carter, but you tend to go ham when we go out. And where we’re going isn’t exactly used to that. Everyone knows everyone in this town.”
“Are you saying I’m going to embarrass you and your cousins?” I should be offended, but she’s not completely wrong. I can get out of hand. Justin usually pulls me back when I’ve gone too far, but he’s not around as much. Then it was Corinne. Until I pissed her off.
So maybe it was partly my fault, and I don’t blame her. But, geez, I don’t think it warrants the frosty tone everyone is giving me.
“Yes,” Corinne answers. “Maybe I’ll take my own car. I won’t have to worry about my camera being thrown around in the back.”
I almost offer to stay behind after all, but Justin comes to the rescue. “That’s dumb. We can all ride in one car. I’m sure the two of you can get along during the four-hour drive.”
“Doubtful,” Corinne mutters, “but fine. I’ll go grab my stuff out of my car. Do I need to move it in the driveway?”
“Most likely,” her brother says. “Especially if you don’t want it dinged up.”
“I can help.” I follow her out of the house.
But she raises a hand, keeping me at bay.
That’s all the answer I need. I wasn’t even supposed to come on this trip.
I worked my way into it so I could see Corinne and try to patch things up between us.
Maybe even win her back. She’s kept her distance since we broke up, and this will be the first time I’m around her for any length of time.
It looks like I have my work cut out for me. She won’t make this easy.
Thank God Justin has an SUV. The ride in a car would be almost unbearable.
Not because of the size, but from the vibe coming from Corinne.
She has gone as far as putting her camera bag in the seat between us, leaving me with very little room to spread my legs.
My only saving grace is Audrey is sitting in front of me.
Had it been Justin, I would be miserable.
Audrey offered to sit in the back, but I couldn’t make her do that.
Besides, if that were the case, I wouldn’t be this close to Corinne.
“We’re making a bathroom and food stop,” Justin says as he takes the next exit. He pulls into a parking spot and kills the engine.
He and Audrey get out of the car, but Corinne makes no move to exit. Okay, that’s weird. She loves food from this particular gas station. “Do you want anything?”
She shakes her head and doesn’t say a word. The silent treatment is already getting old, and we’re not even close to being done with this weekend. “You have to talk to me eventually.”
She turns toward the window, acting as if I don’t exist. I honestly don’t know why I bother at this point. At this rate, she’s never going to give me a chance to make up my past mistakes to her. Sighing, I open the door and get out of the car.
Entering the store, I go straight to the food counter. They have sausage sandwiches wrapped in foil packing under heat lamps. I grab two before heading off to find some chocolate and get a couple of drinks.
I beat both Audrey and Justin to the car, though they aren’t far behind me. Once I’m settled in the backseat, I pull my purchases out of the bag. I place a sandwich, chocolate bar, and a root beer on top of the camera bag. My peace offering to the woman on the other side.
It takes her a few moments to look down, but when she sees the items between us, a small smile tugs at her lips. It’s not monumental, but it’s progress. I’ll take that any day of the week.
CORINNE
After four long hours, Stella's house finally comes into view. It's a welcome sight after being stuck in the backseat with Carter.
Not that he's been annoying or anything. It's being this close to him and knowing I can't have him. I can't be with him the way I want. Or, well, wanted. That ship sailed long ago.
My brother slows down and puts the car in park. There is no hesitation as I open the door and hop out. Dramatic? Maybe. But I've never been a great car rider, and I haven't outgrown it.
"Dang, girl, where's the fire?" Tiffany laughs as she comes down the porch steps. Out of Audrey and her cousins, I think Tiffany is the person I connect with most.
"Just ready to be out of the car," I grin. "It's been forever. How have you been?"
"Good, just trying to keep Stella from going overboard on the wedding planning. Also, looking for a house down here."
"What? You're moving?" Audrey never mentioned this to me.
"Yeah. Spencer and I kind of fell in love with this town when we were trapped in that snowstorm," she shrugs, "and if I'm being honest, I miss the whole small-town vibe."
She isn't the only one. I've been feeling the pull to a small town again.
I hated it growing up, but I'm just not cut out for the speed of life in the city.
I think I enjoy being city adjacent. "Awesome.
Since we're all in the same place this weekend, you want to get some engagement photos with Spencer? I brought my camera."
"I'd love to. We've been trying to work out a time to get them done, but both of our schedules have been nuts."
"Good deal. I should probably grab my bags."
"I don't think you'll need to. It seems like Carter is doing a good job of getting it all on his own." She cocks her head to the side like a confused puppy. "I didn't even know he was coming."