All I really wanted to do tonight was chill, so me, my brother, and my best friend all decided to kick back at our favorite dive bar, Sanctuary.
The small bar held tons of memories and as my brother returned with a tray loaded with beers and shots, my focus shifted from the past back to the present.
"Alright, guys, first shots of the night!"
As my brother Spencer set the tray down and set out all the drinks, my best friend Elijah leaned back and stretched a bit in his high-top chair.
"Yo, this time tomorrow, you're gonna be Mr. Lori Kincaid!"
He chuckled a bit before grabbing his shot glass and raising it in the air.
"To true love."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head chuckling a bit before grabbing my shot. My brother did the same and after clinking all of our glasses together, we all took our shots.
As the whiskey entered my system, I exhaled, feeling the burning after effect.
"Still can't believe you're getting married tomorrow, man. Honestly, if it wasn't Tay, I never thought you'd end up getting mar--"
He stopped midword, noticing the icy look in my eyes as I inhaled sharply through my nose.
"Jay, man. I ain't even mean it like that. You know I--"
I put my hand up for a second as I began shaking my head, replacing my cold stare with a small, sad smile.
"It's all good, dude. Forreal. Not everything is supposed to come true, I guess. Yo, I'm gonna go outside for a smoke."
After grabbing my phone off the table I stood up.
"Why don't you guys set up the back table and we can play a little Cut Throat?"
I nodded over at the far pool table, before grabbing my leather jacket from the back of my chair.
"I'll be back in a few."
Neither Spencer nor Elijah said another word as I left the table and headed for the back exit.
Stepping out into the cool night air made me hold my jacket together before I zipped it up, holding in as much heat I could.
After lighting a cigarette, I fished in my back pocket for my phone, and against the better judgment of my head, my heart won their battle and I began scrolling through an old file filled with pictures of me and Taylor.
I stopped at one, feeling a rush in my heart.
It was my first soccer game of our senior year in high school. Taylor had on my away-jersey with my number painted on her face.
I was sweaty after the game, and with my arms wrapped around her from behind, I had my face buried in the crook of her neck.
She had a wild smile on her face and as I leaned my head against the bar's brick wall, memories of Taylor and I filled my head.
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School had ended about fifteen minutes ago, and after changing into a tank top and shorts, I was heading for the soccer field for practice.
I was taking the shortcut through the outside lunch area when I saw her.
Taylor Mitchell had been at Roosevelt High for almost three weeks and in that time, she had managed to completely shift my attention.
This would be the third day in a row that I was late for practice, but I didn't care; once I found out she hung out back here after school with her friend Kiana, I knew this would be my new route to practice.
No other girl was like Taylor; there was just something different about her that made me wanna be around her all the time. We had hung out a few times and gone to a couple of parties together, and all I wanted was to make her my girlfriend.
She didn't see me sneak up behind her but jumped a little when I straddled the bench she was sitting on.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer as I whispered against her ear.
"Hey, Princess."
She giggled a little and shoved me back.
"Cut it out Jare-Bear! You know I'm ticklish."
I smirked a little at the nickname she had given me last week.
I thought it was corny as shit at first, but I ended up loving how it sounded coming off her lips; I'm glad the name stuck.
"You know you finna be late?"
I smirked at Kiana's comment, noticing the way she was eyeing me.
"Yeah... she's worth it, though."
I gave Taylor a quick kiss on the cheek before scooting back and hopping off the beach.
"See you tomorrow, Princess."
I began a light jog out of the lunch area, smirking a little to myself as I heard Kiana talking to Taylor.
