Say It’s Forever (Fate #1)

Chapter 1

1

GARRETT

I take a sip of the warm beer I’ve been nursing for the past hour. I’m ready to get the fuck out of here, but I have another thirty minutes before I can. I always live up to my word, but the second the time is up, I’m fucking out.

“When you check your watch every two seconds, it hurts my feelings.” My brother holds his hand over his heart like he is truly wounded. He’s full of shit. Or maybe he’s not. I don’t know these days.

“A storm is coming. We should cut out early.” He shakes his head at me.

“Are you a fucking witch? Is the rain going to melt you?" Ace chuckles. “Can you live a little for once?”

“I’ve lived enough.” Before checking the time again, I take another sip of the beer. I hate the taste of this shit, but my brother still always gives me one when I get here.

I might only be pushing thirty, but I swear I feel as though I have lived a thousand lives already. I am semi-retired at this point. I paid my dues. Now I should get to live my life out in solace, alone. I only come out twice a month for the meetup with my brother because he all but demands it. If it weren't for him, I’d be content in my life of solitude. I also know, God rest her soul, that my mom would be pissed if I didn’t. We promised her that we would stay close. That we would always stick together no matter what. I would never break my word to my mother.

It’s always been the two of us together. Since my twin brother and I came into this world, our lives have run parallel to each other. We are like-minded in so many areas of our lives. We joined the Marines together, served on the Star Team, and then did some private work as well. Mercenary work. I never cared much for the title. We took on job after job when we left the Star Team, trying to fill our time and make as much money as possible. That was until one mission went to shit. That changed everything for me.

Since then, I've retired completely. My twin still goes on jobs. He’s tried to talk me into a few, but I’m good. I enjoy being alone out in my cabin. It’s quiet there. I can forget about the rest of the fucked-up world because it doesn’t matter how many missions you go on, how many fucked-up people you take out for the government, there is always another motherfucker right behind them. It never ends. They’re like cockroaches.

“Have you ever thought about getting a woman at least?” Ace nods to the dance floor. It’s filled with women that are half-dressed grinding against each other. I have no interest.

One thing I enjoy, now that I don’t have to hunker down in holes or share tight quarters, is having my space. I’m not inclined to have someone all over it. It racks my nerves. It’s why I bought a cabin in isolation. No one is there to bother me. I’m alone with my thoughts. I’m more than comfortable with that.

“Why don’t you go out there and get one for yourself?” My brother doesn't have much room to talk when it comes to the ladies. He is charming, and they flock to him. It has always been that way. We might be identical, but they don’t swarm me the way they do him. Thank fuck for that. I’m sure it has something to do with my pissed-off expression and mood. Most people in town know I’m not one for small talk or who cares to be bothered. They usually give me a wide berth when I come out.

For all the smack he talks, I’ve never seen Ace take anyone home either. I mean, it would be so damn easy for him since his place is above the bar. In saying that, I do only come to his bar twice a month. It’s my check-in so that he knows I’m still alive.

“Women don’t like when you disappear for a few days.” Ace lifts his beer, chugging it back. I suppose they don’t. I’m not sure why he opened this place. It seems like a big responsibility since he is still taking at least one job a month. You never know how long you might be gone.

“When are you going to stop taking jobs?”

“What else am I going to do?” He shrugs.

“You have this place,” I remind him.

“This just gives us some roots here.”

“Roots? Why the fuck do we need roots?” Ace has settled into town with ease, but he has always been good with people. Me, not so much.

“You picked this town,” he reminds me. I had. We’d stopped here once when we’d been on a road trip with Mom. I remember how much she loved it. The way her face lit up with happiness when we explored it. It reminds me of her.

We lost her not long after we graduated. It’s part of why we enlisted. We didn’t have much growing up, but Mom always did what she could. She made every trip special, no matter if it was us just driving and camping somewhere. She was the absolute best. I fucking hate that she isn’t here today. Now Ace and I have more money than we need, and we’ll never get the chance to take care of her.

“Well, now that you know I’m still alive, I’ll be on my way.” I love my brother, but it’s time for me to hit the road. He stands when I do, giving me a hug before I head out of the bar.

“Garrett,” I hear a female voice call out when I’m almost to my truck. I turn around to see Mindy making her way toward me as quickly as she can. She almost trips, her heels not doing her any favors on the gravel parking lot.

“Got somewhere to be,” I tell her, opening my truck door. Snow has already started to fall. A thin layer covering my windshield. It won’t be long until the roads get bad, and the last thing I want to be is stuck in town.

“Like here?” She lets out a giggle that sounds forced and juvenile. “You don’t go anywhere.”

With a small town, it doesn't take long for people to pick up on your habits. It had only taken me a couple of days to clock almost everyone in this town's routines, but that is my nature. I’m trained to watch and notice every single detail around me. That’s how you stay alive.

“Home,” I grunt, slamming my door. Mindy jumps back, her bright pink lips pursed. I know I’m being a dick, but I don’t care. She knows I’m not one for small talk. I have no fucking clue why she tries to talk to me when I’m always an asshole to her. I can‘t stand her. She’s a toucher, and it pisses me off.

I pull out of the parking lot, heading for home. I’m sure Bear is waiting for me. I have the cabin stocked up, so I won’t have to worry about shit no matter how long or bad the storm gets. In fact, one of the best parts of this town is the snow storms.

I just didn’t know this one would turn my whole world upside down.