Until Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

smile.
    “Maybe…”
    He cuddled close to me then rested his hand on my hip. “I’ll stay with you as long as I’m welcomed.”
    “Then you’ll never leave.”
    He rubbed his nose against mine. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

5
    Mike
    “How do you like your new office?” I asked.
    She eyed the dark wood and the fancy computer. A window faced the neighboring skyscraper and lots of light flooded in. “Not bad.”
    Luckily, the marketing department was on my floor so I wouldn’t accidently run into What’s-Her-Name. Now I could just walk down the hall when I needed to speak to Laura. “Not bad? It’s better than riding a pole.”
    “How would you know?” she teased. “Have you ever tried?”
    I smirked. “I’m willing to try new things. So, you quit, right?”
    “I’m going to work there for a little while just in case I end up hating this job.”
    “You won’t,” I said firmly.
    “Just because you can pull off a suit doesn’t mean I can.”
    “Where are you stripping?” I asked .
    “The Black Flamingo.”
    “Going to be there tonight?” I asked.
    “Why?” s he had a playful grin on her face. “You want a lap dance?”
    “I wouldn’t mind one or two.” I winked at her.
    She studied me for a moment. “Mike, what happened?”
    My playful mood disappeared. “Nothing.”
    “Then why are you different? You’re just like the man I met a year ago.”
    “Maybe you found the secret to time travel.” I adjusted my tie then leaned over her desk. “So, you going to be there?”
    “Yep.”
    “My boys and I will swing by.” I headed back to the door.
    “What happened to Cassandra?”
    I stopped but didn’t turn around. “Who?”
     
    I couldn’t believe my parents were actually divorced. My dad was officially a single man, and my mom was a free bird. How could we stay a family if we were separated like this? My dad said it wasn’t my fault, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it was. It just felt weird knowing my parents weren’t together anymore. Eventually, I’ll have a step-mom and step-dad. It was a hard realization.
    Everyone seemed to notice I wasn’t the man I spent so long becoming. I reverted to my old ways because I’d been right all along. Love wasn’t real. It was for people who were too afraid to be alone. People mistook love for infatuation. Whatever I thought I had with Cassandra was bogus. She didn’t love me. If she did, she wouldn’t have hurt me like that. When I thought we were back together, all that pain had been dissolved. But when I realized the truth, the horrible agony surged back, but it was a million times worse than it ever was. Maybe I couldn’t handle the shock so I looked for an escape. It didn’t matter. This was who I was now. And I wouldn’t go back.
    The guys and I headed to the strip club after work. They were excited to go, more excited than I was, actually.
    “Got a hundred in ones,” Kirk said as he patted the pocket of his jacket.
    “We’re gonna make it rain,” Cameron said. He clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m glad you changed your mind, buddy.”
    I shrugged. “I guess I realized how much of a pussy I was being.”
    Cameron laughed. “I told you over and over, bro.”
    We arrived at the joint and walked inside. As soon as we walked through, the smell of booze, sweat, and men wafted to my nostrils. It reminded me of my time in college and when I moved to the big city. I’d been in every strip club in the city, except this one.
    The girls danced on the stage, spinning around poles while their goodies hung out. The music was loud, and the cigar smoke rose in tendrils toward the ceiling. We grabbed our seats then ordered drinks from the busty waitress.
    The lights dimmed and the announcer came over the intercom. “And now we have our star attraction, Red Rose.” The audience clapped and the guys whistled. I sat back and waited for the show to begin.
    Wearing a thin dress and heels, a blonde slithered to the stage then grabbed