Never Say Goodbye Read online

  “Okay, listen clearly Olivia, because I’m only going to say this once,” Brynn says and I know it can’t be good because she never calls me Olivia.

  “What’s up B?”

  “We’re going home for Thanksgiving and when we come back you’re going to be out of this damn moping mode that you’re in, do you hear me?” she states like I don’t have a choice.

  “I hear you B,” I mumble back.

  “No Liv, I mean it. Enough is enough, I get you’re doing great in school, but you need to have a social life too. I want my happy, fun loving best friend back and I will do whatever means necessary to get her back,” she says looking me dead in the eyes.

  “Umm Brynn, I’m right here,” I state matter of fact.

  “No Liv, you’re a shell of a person and have been this way for weeks. I’ll give you Thanksgiving break, but then that’s it, I’m done. I will break you of this stupid heartbreak and make you whole again,” she says confidently.

  “Thanks B, I love you and thanks for being my best friend,” I say with a small smile.

  “I love you to Liv and I want you to be happy,” she says as she hugs me.

  “I know, and I will be, I promise.”

  “Good.”

  We go home for Thanksgiving break. It’s great to be home and see my family. Gosh, how I miss them. I don’t have to worry about Ryan coming home, because well he can’t, he has football over the holidays so there’s one plus thing on my side. I’m not sure how I’d feel if I saw him right now. Would I melt back into him or would I be angry with him? I know it’s hard to have a relationship with the distance, but I gave it a try because he asked me to and then he called it quits so quickly. I can’t help but wonder if it’s because he would rather be living the single life in college. If so, at least be honest with me about it. Ugh, I hate the not knowing crap.

  Going home for Thanksgivings is great, but it goes by way too fast. Seeing my parents and hanging out is fun, but Brynn and I are heading back to school before we know it.

  “Do you think this looks okay over here?” Brynn asks as she’s hanging Christmas decorations all around our dorm room.

  “Yeah it looks good right there,” I say. Our room looks like Christmas vomited all over. I won’t say anything because I know how much B loves her holidays and decorations. She’s always been big on decorations, so I just go with it. It’s festive anyway. After what feels like hours, we are finally all decorated and ready for the Christmas season, at least in our room we are.

  “What are your plans tonight Brynn?” I ask curiously. I’m out of my selfish funk and attend our sorority events, but that’s really it. Brynn tries to get me to go to some of our schools sporting events though I’m just not into it right now. Obviously, that’s crazy because I love me some sports. I plan on going to the basketball games soon, so she shuts up. She’s happy because she’s still going strong with Chad and he plays on the team. So it’s a win-win situation.

  “Oh, Chad’s basketball buddies are all going to a club tonight, you should totally come with me Liv, we can have so much fun,” she says excitedly.

  “Sure, that sounds like fun,” I tell her.

  “Seriously Liv?” she looks at me in complete shock.

  “What?” I ask.

  “You’re really going to come with me this time?” she asks eagerly.

  “Yeah sure, it’s not like I have any other plans,” I state.

  “Woohoo, my best friend is officially 100 percent back. Oh we are definitely celebrating tonight,” she practically squeals. All I can do is laugh at my best friend.

  We end up running behind schedule trying to get ready for the club because Brynn declares she has to pick out my outfit. I swear I try on 50 outfits until she finally settles on one. We end up meeting Chad at the club. We take a cab so we don’t have to worry about driving, because we’ll be drinking tonight. Brynn also scored me a fake id; I didn’t bother asking how or where she got it. Something’s are just left better unknown. The bar, called The Shakes is lit up on the outside and looks like a decent size club. We make our way inside and the place is packed. There are several different floors which all appear to be pretty crowded with a mix of milling college students and the locals that favorite the club on weekends.

  “I’m texting Chad to find out where he’s at,” she says as we make our way up to the bar to order some drinks.

  While Brynn’s texting I order her usual, which is cranberry and vodka while I order me a Miller Lite. I’m not a big fan of mixed drinks so I just stick with a simple beer. I get our drinks and hand hers over when she informs me she knows where he’s at. We make our way through the throng of people and head upstairs to the second floor.

  “Hey babe,” she says to Chad as he comes and embraces her in a hug and kisses her.

  “Hey Liv, how are you?” he asks with a smile.

  “I’m good Chad, how about yourself?”

  “I’m better now that this one’s here,” he says as he kisses my best friend again. I feel like this is going to be a long evening, especially if they plan to make out all night.

  We make our way back to the tables that are set-up and already full of basketball players along with some drunken girls that have joined them. Chad introduces me to some of the guys and I make small talk with a few of them. I must say some of these guys are hot. Clearly Brynn sees me checking them out.

  “See one you like best friend? I can totally hook you up,” she says with a huge smile.

  “I’m good B, just admiring the view,” I say laughing.

  “Well, if you change your mind just let me know and I will be on that shit for you.”

  “I don’t doubt that for one second,” I say as we both start giggling.

  We end up having a few shots and a couple more drinks before Brynn decides it’s time to dance.

  “Oh come on Livie it’s time to shake it up,” she says, making a pun of the club name as she grabs my hand and starts pulling me in the direction of the dance floor. Chad is sitting with his friends, but I can see he’s clearly watching my best friend on the dance floor.

  “Hey Brynn, you have an audience,” I say nodding in the direction of Chad.

  “Oh Liv, if he wants a show I’ll give him one,” she says as she pulls me towards her and starts dancing sexually with me to get him all riled up. This is my best friend and this is what she does, but I love her so I go along with her show. As the songs change, we continue to match the pace and soon I realize we have a bigger audience than just Chad. Soon the whistling and shouts are coming our way, we just live it up and continue dancing seductively for all who want to watch. Eventually, my throat is parched and I pull my best friend off the dance floor so we can get another drink.

  “Damn that was fun. Liv, we need to do this more often, I miss this,” she says to me as we walk towards the bar. I order our drinks and then we make our way back to Chad.

  “Damn girls, got the entire bar hard as hell,” Chad says laughing. Then he proceeds to kiss my best friend yet again.

  “He’s not kidding, you ladies sure know how to put on a show,” Chad’s friend Rob says.

  “We’re just having fun,” Brynn tells them.

  “Well if that’s just fun, please feel free to continue to do that anytime anyplace. You just let me know and I’ll be there,” he says with a huge goofy grin on his face.

  “Watch it Rob, she’s taken,” Chad tells him as he wraps his arm around Brynn’s shoulders.

  “I may be taken but my best friend here isn’t,” B says to the group of guys around us.

  “Is that so?” Rob asks stepping up to me. I just smile at him and try to give my best friend an evil eye. I’m not looking for a boyfriend or a one night stand either. I just want to have fun.

  “Well if you’re looking for something, then I think I may be your man Liv,” Rob says.

  “Thanks Rob, but I’m not looking for anything right now,” I say and then excuse myself and head over towards the tables. My fe
et are killing me and I need to give them a rest.

  “He’s cute right Liv?” Brynn asks as she sits down beside me.

  “Yeah he’s cute, I’m just not looking for anyone right now B.”

  “I know Liv. Don’t worry you’ll find your prince charming in time,” she tells me as she stares at Chad.

  “I’m not worried Brynn, I’m just fine with being single for right now. I need to focus on other things than boys all the time,” I say with a smile.

  “Ha-ha please, we’re girls we always have a focus on boys that will never change,” she says laughing. She’s right, boys are addicting. We end up hanging out with Chad’s friends, dancing some more, and laughing a lot before heading back to our dorm for the night.

  Chapter Six

  The next two months fly by and things are going great. School’s going good and so am I. We cut Christmas break at home short, so we can come back to campus. Brynn wants to see Chad. He’s a great guy and I couldn’t be happier for my best friend. He definitely treats her like a princess, which I’m grateful for, because Brynn deserves it.

  Chad’s busy with practice so I keep Brynn occupied with partying and sorority events. I’ve been in full party mode since we’ve come back from Christmas break and I can see that Brynn’s thrilled. I haven’t made it to any basketball games because it conflicts with other things in my schedule, but I promise Brynn I will be going to the after party tonight.

  “Hey sexy bitch you ready yet?” she says through the phone.

  “Yes Brynn, I’m ready. Which house am I to meet you at tonight?” I ask looking at the clock.

  “Oh none, we’re going to swing by pick you up so be down here in like two minutes,” she says and then hangs up the phone.

  I make my way down the stairs and see Chad’s car parked in the lot. I hop into the backseat and we drive to the house, which is only a few blocks away.

  “You know we could have walked right?” I state from the backseat.

  “Oh, Chad’s parking his car at his house and then we’re walking down the street to the party, and you were on the way woman. Plus it’s freaking cold outside.” Brynn says from the passenger seat.

  “Oh okay, well thanks Chad.”

  “Sure thing Liv,” he says as he drives us to his house. Chad lives on campus but in a house with three other guys on his basketball team. I’ve never been in his house, but it looks nice from the outside. We park the car and he throws his gym bag in the house and then we make the small walk to the party.

  “Damn it is cold tonight.” I say shivering.

  “What do you expect in January Liv” Brynn says laughing at me.

  We make our way inside the house and it’s actually rather low key considering the team just won tonight. “I figured this place would be packed,” I say as we head towards the kitchen for drinks.

  “Oh yea, it’s just the team and some friends. We try to keep it under wraps,” Chad says surprisingly.

  “Oh well that makes sense,” I say happily.

  “Yeah, it’s nice to have room to walk around, plus you can actually hear your conversations,” Brynn says as she laughs.

  We get our drinks and make our way into the living room and have a seat on the sofa watching a few people dance on the make shift dance floor.

  “Oh my goodness Liv, there’s a guy that would be perfect for you on Chad’s team,” she practically beams.

  “What?” I say laughing.

  “Liv trust me, he’s freaking gorgeous like mega gorgeous and from what I gather he’s pretty laid back, not a douche like some of the other guys. He is totally your type,” she says staring at me in excitement.

  I start laughing, “Brynn what is my type?” I haven’t dated many guys in my past and Ryan, well he was different.

  “Trust me Liv, he is definitely your type,” she says with a laugh.

  “Okay sure, if you say so,” I say laughing.

  “Liv…I’m your best friend, I know these things,” she states the obvious.

  “Well point him out then,” I say looking around at the hot guys all over the place. I start giggling like a high school teeny bopper and seeing my look Brynn starts laughing right with me, clearly seeing my dilemma. How on earth would I ever be able to figure him out, there’s too many hot guys here.

  “I’m not sure if he’s here tonight,” Brynn states with a small frown, “he doesn’t party much.”

  “Oh” is all I can say. What do you say back to that? I’m rather surprised, because the majority of the basketball team party’s hard core, so to hear someone who doesn’t is a bit refreshing.

  “I’ll check with Chad and see if he’s coming tonight,” she says excitedly.

  “Okay if not, no worries, I’m sure I’ll see Mr. Mega Gorgeous sooner or later,” I say laughing.

  “Oh you laugh now, but you just wait missy. He’s sex on a freaking stick. You will fucking wet your panties just by looking at him. I’m telling you Liv, he’s that freaking scrumptious,” she says, practically drooling at the mouth.

  “Then why didn’t you go for him instead of Chad, Brynn?” I ask curiously.

  “Honestly…I was already with Chad when I met the sexy beast or I probably would have. He’s that hot Liv. I can’t wait until you see him,” she says all giddy.

  “Okay, well I’ll be the judge of that when I meet him for myself,” I say with a smile. Brynn just laughs.

  The rest of the evening goes well. We hang out meet a few more of the basketball players including a few of their girlfriends. They seem nice, well some of them anyway.

  “Holy shit Liv, there he is LOOK!” she practically yells at me. I look at the door and watch the back of a supposedly glorious sexy man.

  “Shit you weren’t kidding, he’s hot from the back,” I say laughing.

  “I told you Liv,” she says laughing.

  He’s around 6’3,” has short dirty blonde hair and he’s muscular, like sexy muscles not the overly huge muscles; you can definitely tell he works out.

  “Brynn stop staring,” I say as I smack her on the arm.

  “Sorry, shit, I think I just creamed my panties,” she whispers.

  “Are you serious! You have a boyfriend Brynn!” I snap at her looking completely shocked.

  “What, I can’t help it, he’s mouth-watering. I’m in a freaking relationship Liv, I’m not dead,” she states.

  “Well, why don’t we ask Chad what he thinks about your panties being soaked because of another guy,” I say with a smug smile on my face.

  “Oh stop, don’t take the fun out of it. You know your panties are wet too so don’t even talk,” she says with a wicked smile. Oh my best friend is up to no good I can feel it coming. “So do you want to meet him?” she asks as she starts to stand.

  “No, I’m just fine,” I say as I pull on her arm so she sits back down.

  “Damn it Liv, I want to meet him,” she says pouting.

  “Oh so you want to use me so you can meet Mr. Mysterious?” I say with a laugh.

  “No…Well okay maybe, so what.” She says with a small pout.

  “B, if you want to meet him just have Chad introduce you, they’re teammates for heaven’s sake,” I state easily enough.

  “Oh yeah cause that will go over real well right Liv?” she says with an I told you so look. I just laugh at her and her pouting face.

  “Hey babe why the sad face?” Chad asks Brynn as he walks over and kisses her on the cheek.

  “Oh nothing, Liv thinks she’s funny that’s all,” she says slyly.

  “Okay, do you ladies need another drink?” Chad asks sweetly.

  “Yes please. Thanks Chad,” I say as he walks towards the kitchen to get us drinks.

  I look at Brynn and she’s staring at Mr. Tall, Dark, and Sexy’s backside. “Brynn stop staring, Chad is going to notice if you don’t stop,” I say as I slap her leg.

  “I’m sorry I know it’s wrong, but damn look at the way those jeans fit his ass,” she says in awe.


  I have to admit she has a point. From the back, which is all we can see of him right now, his jeans are a light wash and they’re hanging dangerously low on his hips and they do hug his ass quite nicely. “He does have a hot ass Brynn, but stop staring,” I say laughing.

  “He has an ass you can hold on too while he’s fucking the shit out of you Liv…damn,” she says almost drooling.

  “Oh my gosh Brynn stop, I can’t take it anymore you need to stop,” I can’t stop laughing. The girls got a point, but shit we don’t even know him. Hell, I haven’t even seen the front of him yet. It’s probably rude to have these thoughts of a complete stranger, but damn his ass is mighty fine. I wonder what it would look like underneath those clothes.

  “What are you thinking best friend of mine?” Brynn asks looking at me curiously.

  “What the fuck do you think I’m thinking B? Only the thoughts you just put into my head,” I say through a giggle. Chad returns, handing us our drinks and talks to us for a few more minutes before heading off to talk to more of his teammates.

  “Where’d he go?” Brynn asks.

  “Who?” I ask confused.

  “Are you serious right now Liv….Mr.McHottie who else?” she states it like I should have known.

  “Umm, I don’t know maybe your boyfriend who just walked away two minutes ago B,” I say looking at her dumbfounded.

  “Oh stop, you know you want to see the front of him now. If his package is anywhere near as hot as his ass, we are in so much trouble,” she says all serious.

  Laughing, that’s what happens to me, a full belly of laughter “Brynn please stop, my stomach hurts, I can’t laugh anymore please stop.”

  “Liv, I’m just stating a fact. Whatever girl gets him is one lucky little bitch,” she says with a serious face.

  “I’m sure he has a new one each day Brynn. Guys like that usually do,” I say truthfully.

  “No, Chad says he doesn’t fuck anything that walks like most of the other guys. Damn Liv, that makes him even sexier if that’s even possible,” she says looking defeated.