The Truth About Forever (The Forever Series Book 1)

  The

  Truth

  About

  Forever

  A Novel

  Cole Lepley

  Copyright  2017 by Cole Lepley

  All rights reserved.

  Cover design by Carrie @ http://cheekycovers.com

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-copying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in book preview.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  CHAPTER ONE

  Nicole

  If there is one thing I hate more than anything, it’s being late. The funny thing is, as hard as I try, I always am. I’m currently running across campus to my first class of my senior year at the University of Pennsylvania. It is unseasonably cool for early September and I’m seriously underdressed in my cut-off shorts and tank top. My long, blond, hair blows recklessly around my face as I reach the steps of Carson Hall. I stumble through the doors and quickly run my fingers through my ravaged curls before entering the lecture hall.

  The truth is, I have been putting off taking this class for the last three years. It’s a freshman level chemistry class that I need in order to graduate. I may have a habit of avoiding things I don’t want to deal with until it’s absolutely necessary to do so. In this case, my advisor informed me that I need a science with a lab to complete the requirements for my major. Who knew lawyers, or in my case future lawyers, needed to know about the periodic table of elements?

  I take a seat near the back and pull out my laptop. I glance to my right and am immediately greeted by a pair of the most amazing steel-blue eyes I have ever seen, and they are looking right at me. Why are these seats so close together for such a large room?

  "Hi, I'm Joey Carter. Most people just call me Carter," Blue Eyes says with an outstretched hand.

  Great, he's one of "those" guys. I offer my hand to him. "Nicole Mason," I say with a small smile. He looks like trouble, and that is the last thing I need right now. He shakes my hand and winks at me. Yep, he's trouble.

  I return back to setting up my computer and pull out my notebook and pen. He’s still staring at me so I give him a look.

  "What?" Joey asks, an amused expression on his face.

  I laugh a little. "Nothing," I say, returning my attention back to my computer screen. He gives me a crooked smile.

  I manage to ignore him for the first half-hour of class as the professor goes over the syllabus in excruciating detail. I only notice him again when we get to the part where we need to select a lab partner for the second portion of the class. A piece of paper is being passed around so that we can write down our choice. When it finally makes its way to the back, Joey quickly snatches it from my hand and writes our names down, together.

  "What? You look like you would be a good partner," he says.

  I think for a moment. What choice do I have? I don’t know anyone in this class, and he’s seriously good-looking. As long as we keep this in the platonic zone, what could possibly go wrong?

  "Okay, I'll be your partner, but you have to stop staring at me like that. I have a boyfriend."

  He smiles at me again. "Conceited much? What makes you think I was looking at you?"

  I shoot him another look. He holds his hands up in defense. "I won't, I promise, best behavior." He holds out his hand to me again.

  This time I pause before offering mine. "Lab partners and, if you’re lucky, possibly friends, but that's it."

  "That's all I could ask for," he says, grabbing my hand and shaking it firmly. I smile a little. He looks like the kind of guy who doesn't have to work for a girl's attention, and I’m seriously being difficult. Well, he won't wear me down.

  After two more hours of the most boring lecture of my life, the professor signals the end of class and reminds everyone to attend the lab on Wednesday. Joey smiles at me.

  I gather my things to quickly exit the room. My next class is in fifteen minutes and on the other side of campus, and I need to get coffee if I’m going to make it through another three-hour lecture.

  I turn back to see Joey chatting up another female student who is wearing a tight pink halter dress. She is hanging onto his every word, it’s pathetic actually. He notices my attention and turns to give me another wink. "See ya Wednesday, partner," he says with a small wave.

  "Oh, Carter, I wanted to be your partner," Halter Dress whines.

  Gross.

  "It's okay baby, maybe we can work on some other group projects together," Joey croons. She giggles. She actually giggles. I have to leave before I seriously throw up in my mouth.

  I don't turn back to look at him again, but I have the distinct feeling that he’s watching me walk out the door.

  ***

  I’m once again running through campus when my phone rings. I hold my coffee precariously in one hand while I dig through my bag. When I finally reach it, my best friend’s name flashes across the screen.

  "Hi Macy," I answer, readjusting my bag and coffee before it all comes crashing down.

  "Hey bitch, where are you?"

  I never understood that term of endearment between friends, but she seems to say it with love.

  "I’m at school, where are you?"

  "On my way—you know my rule about no classes before eleven," Macy says. Is that something I should have already known? I hear a loud, swishing sound through the phone.

  "What are you doing?" I ask.

  "Putting on my mascara in the car," she replies nonchalantly.

  I laugh. “That sounds dangerous, don't you think?"

  "I have you on Bluetooth. It’s not like I'm also holding a cell phone, safety first and all."

  This is why I love her. "Okay, well do you want to meet for a late lunch? My last class is over at three."

  I hear a bang. "Macy, you okay?"

  "Yeah, yeah. Three is good, I'll see you at Stoney's. I may need a drink as well." She always needs a drink. How she managed a 4.0 GPA is beyond me.

  "You're going to be a great addiction counselor one day," I remark.

  "I know, right? See ya soon."

  I hang up the phone and quicken my pace again. So far I’m two for two, and I actually like this class. It’s ab
out the legal aspects of healthcare, and it will be beneficial to my major. Even though I already have early admission to law school, I still need to maintain my 4.0. Who knew alcoholics could be such overachievers?

  It’s in the older section of campus which I love. All the tall, stone buildings covered in moss hold so much character. I stand outside for a few moments, finishing my coffee while staring up at the building, when I’m suddenly jarred from behind. Near miss on the coffee spill, I have good reflexes. I turn around to verbally attack my assailant when I’m greeted once again by Mr. Carter. "We meet again—and this time I see you’ve decided to try violence to win my heart," I tease.

  "No, no, never violence. I actually wasn't paying attention. I'm sorry, did you spill any on yourself?" He takes his sweet time looking me up and down. I push him away.

  "I'm fine, it was almost empty anyway.”

  "Ok good."

  He seems different, less confident than before.

  "What's up?" I ask, suddenly curious.

  He looks at the piece of paper he’s holding and then up at the building. "I, uh, I just transferred here. I'm a little lost to be honest. I came here early in the summer to get my housing so I could orient myself, but I mostly just partied," he admits with a smile. "Made a lot of friends though." He winks again. This is clearly a habit of his.

  I'm a nice girl, so I decide to help him out.

  "What is your class?" I ask, glancing at his paper. It's not often that I’m at a loss for words, but this happens to be one of those times.

  He notices my expression. “What?"

  I laugh. “We have almost all the same classes, what is your major?"

  "Business management and accounting, what's yours?"

  I shake my head. This is going to be a long semester. "The same. I’m going to law school next fall; this is the kind of major they recommend."

  He smiles. "Well, you’re in luck because I’m also attending law school in the fall. Look how much we have in common—and you were ready to write me off this morning."

  "Why would you say that?" I ask.

  He tilts his head toward me. "I saw the way you were looking at me and that girl after class. I take it you’re one of those incredibly hot, saving-yourself-for-marriage, kind of girls?"

  This causes a bigger laugh from me. "I'm not a skank like your preferred company earlier, but I am certainly not a prude. I just prefer to have a little self-respect." I'm starting to get heated. This man I've known all of four hours thinks he knows me.

  I start to walk away from him, but he grabs my arm to halt me. I stare down at his hand on my wrist and then back up at his face.

  "Listen," he begins, "I'm sorry for the judgment. I think you are incredibly beautiful and obviously smart, and maybe I was a little caught off guard when you rejected me so quickly earlier.” He releases my wrist and I turn to face him.

  "This may come as shock, Joey,” I reply, crossing my arms, “but not every girl you meet wants to instantly jump into bed with you.”

  He smiles again. "What about making out?"

  I turn to walk away again and he steps in front of my path. "I'm just kidding, I swear I'm kidding. You’re fun to mess with, you get so angry."

  I grab his arm and pull him towards the building. "Come on Romeo, we’re going to be late."

  "You'll see, we will be best friends, I'm sure of it," Joey says with a smirk.

  I can't help but smile back. He’s funny and obviously charming, but I'm not sure he’s the type of friend I need right now.

  We exit class together. It’s kind of unavoidable in a way, but I hate to admit I’m getting used to his company. He didn’t even try to flirt with me during the whole three-hour lecture. He did, however, manage to pair us up once again for a paper that is due by mid-term. I guess I should cut him some slack, seeing as how he’s new and I, quite frankly, have a lot of friends myself. What's one more, right?

  He pauses at the bottom of the steps. "So, I guess I'll see you Wednesday for lab?"

  "Yeah, sounds good. Behave yourself until then Joey,” I say with a wave as I begin the trek back to my car.

  He gets a big smile on his face again, stopping me.

  "What?" I ask, not able to help but smile myself, as I turn around to face him.

  "You called me Joey," he says with a shrug.

  I laugh a little. "That's your name isn't it?"

  "Yeah, but everyone just calls me Carter." He pauses, "I like it."

  "Good. I'll see you later."

  "Uh, wait," he calls out to me as he slow-jogs to catch up. I stop and look up at him. He is, like, really tall. Definitely over six foot, and muscular. How did I not notice this before? A smirk forms on his face. "Are you checking me out now?"

  I feel my face flush slightly. The last thing I need is for Joey to think I’m into him. "No, I just didn't realize how tall you are."

  He puts his hand on the top of my head. "Maybe it just looks that way because you’re so tiny." Truth be told, I am only 5'2,” barely.

  I push his hand away. "Okay, okay. Did you need something? Because I'm meeting my friend across town for lunch—well, probably mostly drinks."

  "Day drinkers, I like it," he teases.

  I brush my hair out of my face. "Was there something you wanted to ask me?"

  "Oh yeah, let me get your number. You know, for class stuff and what-not." He smiles at the last statement. I know he wants to say something else but he holds back. At least he’s trying.

  He pulls his phone out of his back pocket and holds it out to me. I take it and quickly punch my number in. "Ok there you go. School related, friendly exchanges only," I stress. "Like I said, I have a ...

  "Boyfriend," he interrupts, “I know, you made that very clear."

  "That being said, would you like to come with us? I can introduce you to some of my friends, and you can meet some more people. If we’re going to be friends and all," I suggest. I know in the back of my mind that this could potentially be a bad idea, but he seems nice and I'm sure we can find a way to keep all the tension surrounding us to a minimum.

  He seems to like this idea. "Lead the way."

  CHAPTER TWO

  Nicole

  We enter the bar and I’m impressed by the way he holds the door for me. Gestures like that really show a man's character. I immediately spot Macy in a booth in the corner. She appears to have started without me.

  She waves an arm in the air to flag me over. "Hey girl. Dollar margaritas!" she exclaims, one hand on an almost empty glass and the other pointing to it as if to state the obvious.

  I just smile. I’ll be carrying her back to her apartment later, for sure.

  As we approach the booth I notice Courtney beside her, my other best friend. She quickly stands and throws her arms around me in a hug. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," she slurs. Also started without me.

  "If by forever, you mean this morning, then I guess that it has been quite a while," I say through her hug. She releases me and instantly notices that I have company. There stands Joey, tall and broody, with a slightly smug expression on his face. I conclude this is his normal face. Cocky for days.

  "Carter, how are you?" Courtney asks, smiling.

  I do a double take. "You know him?"

  "Of course I know him. He has been throwing mad parties all summer at the Hollsey House, where he’s staying with Will and the guys from the lacrosse team. He transferred from some school in New York and has been taking over ever since," Courtney explains. She’s still smiling. This man certainly has an effect on women. I don’t live on campus, so this is my first encounter with the apparent legend.

  "It's nice to see you too," Joey replies. With. A. Wink.

  "The guys are in the back, playing pool. It’s getting pretty heated. Will hates to lose." Courtney points to her boyfriend and the guys in the back.

  Joey cracks his knuckles in front of him. "Well, I guess I'll show them how it's done. Order me a beer will ya babe," he says to me bef
ore sauntering off to the back of the room. He’s greeted by high fives and bro-hugs.

  Um, babe? Is he serious?

  Macy is giving me the eye. "Sit. Explain." She points firmly to a space beside her in the booth.

  I hold up a finger. "Wait one second, I need a drink and obviously one for him too."

  I glance back to see Macy and Courtney deep in conversation, probably speculating that I’m a cheating whore. I’m starting to rethink inviting him at all. He clearly has no boundaries.

  I take an empty seat at the bar and signal the bartender. He looks swamped at the moment so this may take a while. I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I quickly pull it out to see Silas's name flash across my screen.

  "Hi baby, how was your day?"

  "It would be better if you were here,” Silas says. “Where are you anyway? Sounds loud."

  "First day drinks with the girls, you know the first day of class is a good excuse to get drunk," I explain, running my finger absently across the wood grain on the bar.

  "Yeah, college must be nice," Silas remarks. He never went to college. He never even finished high school. He’s stayed in the same town he grew up in, working for his best friend and roommate Brody's dad in construction. I think he resents the fact that I am doing something more with my life.

  "Wanna come have a drink with me?" I ask sweetly.

  "No babe, you have fun. Just come home to me later."

  "Will do. Love you."

  "I love you too babe. Be good," Silas says before hanging up.

  "Let me guess, the boyfriend," Joey interrupts, sliding onto the barstool next to me. He has a toothpick hanging out of his mouth.

  "How did you know?" I ask sarcastically.

  "All the love being thrown around of course," Joey says with a laugh and then adds, "Must be pretty serious."

  I lean back on my stool to look at him. "Why does it have to be serious?"

  He looks at me like I'm crazy. "Love is serious. You don't just throw that word around if you don't mean it."

  He surprises me with his words. He seems so shallow one moment, and then so insightful the next. "I think it just gradually gets to that point when you’ve been with someone for a certain amount of time. One day, one of you says it and then it becomes a thing." I shrug. The bartender chooses this moment to set the drinks down in front of us. I grab mine and down half of it in one gulp; this conversation is too heavy for four o'clock on a Monday. I push his beer toward him. "Here you go Babe," I say with heavy sarcasm. He ignores that comment.