Always You
Author
Roanna Hinks
Reads
4.7M
Chapters
59
Savannah and Elijah have been best friends since high school, but something deeper has always stirred between them. Now, Elijah, tired of his current girlfriend and running a gym with Savannah's ex, hears troubling rumors about Savannah. Everything changes when one night, Savannah ends up in a place they never expectedāhis bed. This gripping story of hidden feelings and tangled friendships will hook you in from the first chapter.
Age Rating: 18+
Chapter 1
SAVANNAH
The clock is ticking, loud and insistent. I stretch my neck, rubbing the tension from the base of it. My eyes flicker back to the clock, and Iām taken aback by the time.
Itās nearing 10 p.m.
I let out a heavy sigh.
Iād hoped to be done with work by now, but my job has never been predictable.
Iām a business owner. I run a small boutique that Iām incredibly fond of. I launched it a year ago. Itās a modest-sized maternity clothing store.
Its success might surprise you. The clothes are affordable, and I also stock essentials for new moms, like baby clothes, strollers, and even a few toys.
I always seek customer feedback, asking what theyād like to see in the store. I strive to keep everyone happy.
A few nights a week, I stay late to handle paperwork and order new inventory. Right now, Iām trying to wrap up some invoices.
I canāt help but sigh again, leaning back in my chair.
My gaze wanders across my desk, landing on a photograph of my three closest friends and me.
A smile tugs at my lips.
In the photo are Elijah, Megan, Alex, and me. Weāve been friends since high school and throughout college. The picture was taken at Megan and Alexās wedding.
I was Meganās maid of honor, and Elijah was Alexās best man.
Megan has been my best friend since junior high, and sheās one of the kindest people you could ever meet. She and Alex are high school sweethearts.
They started dating senior year and have been together ever since. Alex and Elijah are inseparable, just like Megan and me.
Elijah and I never dated, but Iāve always had a crush on him, and I probably still do. I always assumed he didnāt see me that way. Heās the most attractive guy youāll ever meet.
Heās always surrounded by girls and probably hasnāt been single for a day. Heās always got someone new.
I never confessed my feelings because he never gave me a reason to. Iād steal glances when no one was looking and occasionally stalk him on social media.
I kept my secret crush to myself, but I suspect Megan knows and just doesnāt say anything.
We all used to go out once a month. That was until I broke up with my ex six months ago. I know Elijah is currently dating a girl named Ruby, who seems to despise me.
I never let my feelings for him interfere, knowing nothing would ever happen between us.
Running your own business can lead to a cheating partner.
I was with Danny for three years. He was supportive when I started my business, but as I got busier with the store, Danny started to pull away.
I found him in bed with another woman, in the house we shared.
I remember coming home to the unmistakable sounds of sex. I wasnāt naive. I crept upstairs, and the bedroom door was slightly open.
When I peeked in, Danny was on the bed, and the woman was on top of him, moving rhythmically. I didnāt get a good look at her face, but I remember the butterfly tattoo on her lower back.
I stood there, absorbing the reality of the situation. The strange thing was, I didnāt cry or confront them. Iād been looking for an excuse to leave, and Iād found it.
I remember quietly descending the stairs and walking out the door. I got in my car and drove to the beach.
I spent most of the night there. I didnāt go back home. I waited until I knew Danny had left for work.
I packed up my car and moved into the small apartment above the store, which Iād originally intended to use as an open-plan office, but it became my new home.
Once inside, I packed up my things. I didnāt have much, and I did it all by myself.
I never told anyone what happened between Danny and me.
I remember Danny asking why I left him, and I told him I was done with us, but I never let on that I knew he cheated on me. I knew he wasnāt the one.
Danny didnāt take it well. He thought I would be his meal ticket, that I would work while he stayed home and spent my money.
Danny was jobless throughout our relationship. He was sorely mistaken if he thought I was going to support him.
I knew he wasnāt the one because I never wanted to be with him. The ironic thing was he told everyone that I cheated on himāwhat a laugh!
I always thought I would leave, but I guess I got stuck. All my friends liked him, but they believed him when they found out weād broken up. He played his cards well.
Megan and Alex had their doubts, but they never confronted me. Instead, during a night out, Alex started throwing around accusations of infidelity.
No one will ever trust you again.
After that night, I distanced myself from the group. Elijah, who was just like Alex, even became friends with Danny. His girlfriend, Ruby, warned him against associating with a cheater.
I havenāt hung out with my friends in half a year. Iāve only seen Megan recently, but Alex and Elijah have been absent since that night.
Meg has been trying to coax me into joining them, but Iāve been steadfast in my refusal.
I havenāt been intimate with anyone in six months. I didnāt think Iād miss it, but I do. Iāve even invested in some exciting new toys, but they canāt replace the real thing.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
The ping of my phone echoes in the small confines of my apartment.
I pick up my phone. Itās a message from Meg:
Meg
Hey girl! We havenāt had a catch-up in ages, how about we meet at your nearby local for a drink. I want to see you xxx
I canāt help but chuckle at the message.
I was on the phone with Meg for an hour last night, and she didnāt mention anything about going out. But I know she called me because Alex was at the gym.
She never calls when heās around, and if I hear his voice, I always find an excuse to end the call.
Itās petty, and Iām not usually like this, but my perception of Alex changed after that night.
I never thought heād choose someone heās known for two years over a fifteen-year friendship.
When I moved into the small apartment above the shop, I didnāt tell anyone. I know Elijah doesnāt know, but Meg found out last month when she saw me closing up the shop.
She might have told Alex.
I stare at the message, debating whether to accept the invitation.
Itās been a while since Iāve had a night out. I sigh, glancing at the little black dress I bought on sale a couple of days ago.
I donāt usually buy clothes for nights out, but this dress caught my eye, and I wanted to wear it.
I guess I could go. As long as itās just the two of us, it should be fine.
I start to type a response. It might not sound great, but I think I need a girlsā night more than anything. Once the message is ready, I hit send:
Me
Hey Meg! I donāt remember you mentioning going out on the phone last night. I would love to, but can it be just us girls as I need a girlie night.
Me
I bought a black dress to wear, and I want to wear it. How about we meet at Jollyās? Let me know what time xxx
I step away from my desk and walk over to the window, phone in hand.
Outside, itās pitch black and raining. I love the rain; the sound always lulls me to sleep.
Another ping echoes through the apartment. I unlock my phone and read Megās message. I canāt help but smile.
Meg
Hey! It is most definitely a girlsā night. I have been around too many men lately as Alex has been doing a lot of training and wanted me to attend.
Meg
Jollyās is a good idea, and I will meet you there on Friday at about six pm xxx
I quickly agree to the time and move away from the window towards my bed. But I pause, glancing at my desk.
I know I need to finish the invoices, but Iāve already done half. Maybe Iāll get Claudia to finish them tomorrow.
I have two employees. There is Claudia, who works during the week and is pregnant. And then thereās Molly, a seventeen-year-old who works on Saturdays.
Deciding to leave the rest of the invoices for Claudia, I start getting ready for bed. I head into my tiny bathroom and change into my PJs. After brushing my hair and teeth, I climb into bed.
Once in bed, I sit up for a moment. Itās Wednesday, so I have two days before my night out with Meg.
Iām actually looking forward to it.
I set my alarm for early the next morning. I need to open the shop early and get everything ready for the day.
I stifle a yawn.
I lean back onto the pillow, and as soon as my head hits the pillow, I fall asleep.
