Beautiful Goodbye Read online

  And I remember your eyes were so bright

  When I first met you, so in love that night

  And now I'm kissing your tears goodnight

  And I can't take it, you're even perfect when you cry

  Beautiful goodbye

  -Maroon 5

  CHAPTER 1

  Gage Tucker has been my best friend since we were born. We have always been there for each other. Yep, that’s right, he was my awesome best friend who would go to the store and get me tampons. We know everything about each other down to our dirty little secrets. Gage and I had our own special kind of relationship that most people just didn't get and we were ok with that. We knew that no matter what, we always had each other. Most people assumed we were together, well you know what they say about people who assume? They’ll make an ass out of you and me. No, Gage and I have never dated. It's just not like that with us. Gage was your typical high school football star whom all the girls wanted. If they were lucky enough they got him, but just for a few hours. And never in his room, I was the only girl allowed in there. I on the other hand was a little more shall we say unslutty. When I had my one and only boyfriend, Jacob, a few years ago, it changed me…forever. Gage was there when everything fell apart, I think our families all hoped we would get together after that, but it never happened. After everything that had happened with my ex-boyfriend, I told myself that I would never allow myself to get hurt or put myself in the position of getting hurt again.

  No one will ever get through my walls and into my heart ever again. Not going to happen.

  "I have a few more boxes, and then I think that is everything," I sat down on the barstool next to my sister. Packing was no fun! Gage and I were leaving early in the morning to start the long drive from our hometown of Fairhope, Alabama to Columbus, Ohio.

  "Ok Jenna, I think Gage has most of his stuff in his truck already. The furniture should arrive in a few days. Sorry it won’t be there when you get there."

  "That’s ok, mom. Seriously just you guys buying us furniture is amazing. I packed an air mattress and told Gage to bring his."

  My dad put his arm around my shoulders, "I'm going to miss you kid. Things get boring around here when you leave us for the college life. What will we do when you’re gone for good?"

  My younger sister, Mackenzie rolled her eyes and snorted, "Thanks, dad."

  My dad eyed my sister before smiling and pulling out a stool for her to sit on.

  Squeezing my dad I laughed, "Dad she's fourteen give her a few years and let me teach her a few things then you will be sorry you ever called her the boring daughter."

  The man I call dad is really my stepdad, Kevin. He has been in my life since I can remember. My actual dad left before I was born and had never been a part of my life. My mom, Ann, didn't tell me much about him other than that I got my sea green eyes from him. I loved my mom and stepdad. They gave me a younger sister and a younger brother. Mackenzie is fourteen and turning into a mini me, but hopefully she would make better choices than I did in the past. Dakota is ten years old and a pain in the ass, but I adore him.

  The front door swung open and Gage walked in with his younger brother, Dylan. "Hey babe, got all your shit packed and ready?" Gage smiled at me before plopping down on the couch.

  "Actually, I need your manly muscles to get the last couple of boxes from my room and put them in my car." I smiled too sweetly at the Tucker brothers. I hopped off the barstool and walked into the living room.

  Dylan started up the stairs before Gage could stand, "It's cool Jenna I can grab them for you."

  "Thanks Dyl," I winked at him. As Dylan went up the stairs and around the corner to my room Gage pulled me down beside him on the couch and put his arm around me.

  "You realize he is in love with you, right?"

  "You realize he's almost five years younger than me, right? He's not really my type anyway. I'm not the type of girl to go for the tall, dark, mysterious type."

  "Ah that’s right you like the short, fat, nerdy type. How could I forget?"

  "You’re an ass. I can't believe I agreed to live with you. What was I thinking?"

  "You were thinking, damn look at that body, he works out. I mean who wouldn't want to wake up and see this every day?" Gage motioned up and down at his body.

  I have to admit, yes, Gage was attractive. He was a few inches over six feet, dark brown hair that always had the 'just rolled outta bed' look, piercing blue eyes, and naturally tan skin. He had muscles from years of playing football and working out every day. His eyebrow was pierced and he had more than his share of tattoos.

  "Quoting LMFAO, nice,” I said sarcastically. "You’re so full of yourself. I'm surprised we found an apartment big enough to contain that giant ego of yours."

  "True, but you love me anyway."

  I just rolled my eyes and laid my head on his shoulder.

  My mom walked into the living room and hugged Gage over the back of the couch, "Hey Gage. Are you all packed and ready to go?"

  "I sure am mama R.” Gage replied.

  "Jenna!" Dylan yelled from upstairs.

  I got up from the couch with Gage following, "What's up bro?" Gage yelled as we walked up the stairs.

  "Jenna has more than just a few boxes. She has about thirty of them. I don't know where you’re going to put all this crap? The girl has packing issues." Dylan said.

  We rounded the corner and walked into my room. Maybe I did have more than a few boxes but I'm a girl and you never know when you might need something, right?

  "You have got to be shitting me, babe?" Gage asked.

  "What?" I asked innocently.

  Gage started opening boxes, "We have my truck and your car. That's it." He grabbed a few things out of a box asking, "Why the hell are you taking our fuckin’ high school yearbook? You packed a lot of stupid fuckin’ useless shit. We need to go through and limit all this random shit."

  "Memories, Gage, memories." I smiled trying to calm his nerves.

  "Seriously babe, cut the shit. Whatever fits in your car and my truck is all we take. So you need to figure out what you want the most. The rest fuckin’ stays here. And by that I don't mean when we come home on break you drag more shit back with us."

  "Gage chill. I'll go through it and only bring what I need. I have one box in the bathroom. Dylan can you grab that and put it in my car so it doesn't get lost or broken."

  "Sure, Jenna," Dylan said as he walked out my door.

  "Dylan have I told you lately that you’re my favorite?" I joked.

  "And you wonder why he's in love with you?" Gage asked.

  "Shut up and help me go through these boxes, analsucker."

  Gage and I spent the next three hours going through all the boxes and narrowing all of my stuff down to what I needed and to what I wanted to take. Gage gave me one box and that’s all I got for everything I wanted to take.

  "You still have this?" Gage asked me holding up a stuffed monkey he got me when I was six and had my tonsils removed.

  "Of course I do. You gave me that monkey and it has slept with me every night except for when you were here."

  "Fuckin’ weird, babe,” Gage said laughing.

  I snatched my monkey from his hands and tossed it in my 'want' box. "My monkey goes. You touch him again, you die."

  "Are you choosing a stuffed monkey over me Jenna Reylan?"

  "You better believe it Gage Tucker."

  Before I saw it coming Gage was lunging at me and tackled me to the floor. With his weight holding me down he grabbed my monkey from the box and dangled it over my face. "I have a problem with this monkey."

  "Gage, I'm warning you. Put my monkey down and no one gets hurt."

  Dakota walked into
my room, saw us and started laughing. "And you call me the weird one?"

  "Kota get my monkey from Gage," I demanded.

  "No way sis, Gage would kick my butt," Kota said, shaking his head and backing away.

  I tried to wiggle myself free but failed. Gage just pressed more of his weight into me. "Gage have you gained some weight?" I asked trying to keep a straight face.

  Gage tossed my monkey to Dakota and said, "Run Kota. Hide the monkey."

  "Kota I swear if you step out of my room with my monkey I will give you a wedgie from hell!"

  "Kota she won't do a damn thing. I have control of her, now go,” Gage said through his laughter.

  Kota turned and ran out of my room and down the stairs. Next thing I heard was the back door sliding open then closed. "Gage I'm going to kill you. Now get your fat ass off me!"

  Gage snickered, "Babe, you don't scare me.”

  "Well I should. I'm one badass bitch."

  "You’re a short shit who wouldn't hurt a fly."

  "I am not short! And I would hurt a fly, I've been known to kill a few in my day."

  Gage kissed my forehead and pushed himself up. He grabbed my hand to pull me up. "Let's go shorty. We have some packing to do and I think our parents have some dinner thing planned for tonight."

  "I am not short asshole! I'm not going to dinner until Mr. Squibble is back and safe in my hands."

  Gage burst out laughing wrapping me up in his arms and asked, "Mr. what? Babe it’s a stupid monkey."

  "Hey don't talk about him like that. He means a lot to me."

  "Why? It’s just a stuffed monkey I got you when you had your tonsils out."

  "I know but you told me you got the monkey so I would smile and laugh."

  "Ok?" Gage looked at me confused.

  "You told me you missed my smile and monkeys made people happy. So I kept him so I would always have a reminder to smile and laugh. That monkey has gotten me through a lot, Gage."

  "Woman, I swear you’re a pain in the ass and the most frustrating female on the planet but, I love you."

  I put my arm through his and said, "I know. Now let’s go get my monkey. My fat ass is hungry.”

  CHAPTER 2

  After getting my monkey, we packed the last few boxes into my car and Gage's truck. Our families decided to have dinner at our favorite restaurant, but that also meant an hour drive to Pensacola, Florida. Atlas Oyster House had the best sushi around.

  "So are you two ready to live in the real world with bills and responsibility?" Tamra, Gage's mom asked.

  I nudged Gage with my shoulder and said, "We all know Gage will never be ready to grow up. He will be the sixteen year old boy forever."

  "I'm not that bad." All eyes fell on Gage and he continued, "Ok maybe I can be immature sometimes but I like to have fun."

  "Sometimes?" I asked looking at Gage.

  Tamra shook her head stifling her laughter. "Gage, you sure do know how to have fun. Maybe you can take some of that excitement and focus that energy on school?"

  "Mom, no worries. I got school covered. I need to focus on football."

  "Gage sweetie, I really wish you would focus on school more."

  Mike, Gage's dad broke in, "Son, we know you love ball and we support you but what if you get hurt, then what? That won't pay your bills."

  "It will when I make the NFL dad, and I won't get hurt. I know I can do this."

  Tamra shook her head. "Honey we are just worried and thinking of the 'what-ifs'. We support you no matter what you decide but as your parents we want what’s best for you."

  I could tell this was building up into a family fight, and I didn't want that for our last night at home.

  "Are we all about finished? If we want to leave at the ass crack of dawn we need to get home so I can get my beauty sleep."

  After settling the bill Gage and I rode together in his truck. Turning to look at Gage I asked, "Gage, you ok?"

  "Fine. Why?" Gage snapped.

  "Liar. I know when you’re upset."

  "Not upset Jenna," Gage spoke with a tight voice.

  "And that's how I know you’re upset. You never call me Jenna, ever. Unless you’re upset or pissed."

  "Just tired of my parents pushing my dreams to the side. They think I need to focus on school and forget about ball, they don't see what a big part football is in my life."

  "Gage, they love you and want to you see happy. I think you should focus on what makes you happy and do that. If it's school and following in your dad's footsteps and being a lawyer then great but if its football and going to the NFL and winning the Superbowl then do it. Go for it and prove everyone wrong."

  "I knew you were my best friend for a reason. I love you, babe."

  "Love you too."

  "I'll be over at five so your ass better be ready,” Gage said slapping my knee.

  "Ay ay captain." I saluted him.

  Gage hugged me and kissed the top of my head. "Night, babe."

  "Night, Gage."

  I went into my house and found my parents sitting on the couch while Mac was on her phone and Kota played on his Nintendo DS.

  "Everything all set now?" My mom asked looking up at me.

  "Yep, Gage said he would be here at five so I think I'm going to go to bed. Not looking forward to driving all day tomorrow."

  "Ok honey. Try to get some sleep and we will see you in the morning,” My mom said.

  I walked into the living room to hug my brother, knowing he would not want to wake up in the morning to say bye. "Bye Kota. Be good and stay out of trouble. I love you punk."

  "Love you too." Kota squeezed me hard then kissed my cheek.

  I walked over to Mac saying, "Give me a hug."

  "Nope, not saying bye. I want you to wake me up in the morning before you go."

  "You sure? It's going to be early."

  "Yep. I will see you bright and early."

  "Ok, well night guys." I walked out of the room and up the stairs. I went into the bathroom to take a shower before I went to bed. I was pulling a towel out when my phone went off. I had a text from Gage.

  Gage: 1 last sleep over?

  Me: huh?

  Gage: 1 last shebang before we leave

  Me: u realize we will be having a sleepover every night when we move...

  Gage: not the same. so what do u say?

  Me: im getting in the shower. txt you when im done.

  Gage: u know what they say. save water & shower together

  Me: lame. not happening

  Gage: we used 2

  Me: when we were like 4!

  Gage: we have the same parts as we did then

  Me: not happening sir. txt u n a few

  I put my phone back on the counter and stepped into the shower. I took a longer shower than normal letting the hot water soak into my muscles. When the water started turning cold I got out and wrapped myself in a towel. I walked across the hall and into my room. Without turning the light on, I walked to my window, and I saw Gage sitting in his chair playing his guitar. Our windows were across from each other. I stood there watching him for a while before pulling myself away to get dressed. As I was pulling my shirt over my head my phone went off again.

  Gage: if u didnt watch me like a stalker u could have been dressed by now

  Me: whatever. get ur ass over here so we can go 2 sleep. some psycho is making me wake up at the ass crack of dawn 2moro

  Gage: hater. b there in 5

  I walked back to the bathroom, grabbed my sister’s brush and ran in through my hair. I put my lotion and pajamas on, shut off the light and returned to my room. I lay down on my bed waiting for Gage. I heard the front door open and heard voices downstairs. I rolled over, so my back was to the door, and I shut my eyes.

  "Hey babe, scoot over."

  I turned my head to look at him. He was shirtless and staring down at me.

  "You going to move over or am I going to have to move you?"

  "Cool your jets, maybe if you weren't
so big you wouldn't have a problem getting in,” I said.

  "Not the first time I've heard that," Gage smirked.

  "Ew! Get away dirty ass. Go back to your own bed."

  "Not happening, now scoot!" Gage said leaning down to get into my bed.

  I grumbled as I moved over so Gage could lie down. I felt my bed dip as he got into bed. I rolled to face him, and rested my head on his chest.

  "I'm going to miss this." I said tilting my head to look at Gage.

  "What?" He asked.

  "Our snuggle time, how close we are."

  "Babe, we will always be close."

  "No, what happens when you meet some sexy chick and I meet some hot guy?"

  "We tell them we are a package deal. But I already have a sexy chick and I'm not looking for a girlfriend. You know that’s not me." Gage ran his fingers through my hair.

  "We are a package deal but I mean most people don't get us. And maybe you’re not looking for a girl now but what about in the future?"

  "Babe, you’re the only girl who will ever be in my life forever. You know I'm not the settle down type. Besides I can only handle so many hormones and you’re like a fuckin factory."

  "Have I mentioned you’re an ass?"

  "Maybe once or twice. Now go to sleep. You need all the beauty sleep you can get."

  "Thanks asslick."

  Gage kissed my forehead, "Night, hormonal Helga." I could hear the smile in his voice.

  "Goodnight Mr. Tucker."

  I woke to the alarm on my phone going off. I rolled over shutting it off, "Gage get up." He didn't move. He has always been hard to wake up, "Wake up!" I said a little louder. Still nothing. I lightly smacked his shoulder, "Damn Gage, wake the hell up!"

  "Chill babe, I'm up." Gage slowly opened his eyes trying to focus, "What time is it?"

  "Five dumbass, the time you told me to get up."

  "Grumpy," Gage grumbled as he got out of bed. "Well come on lets go, get up and get ready. Times a-wastin'."

  I rolled out of bed, grabbed my jean shorts and tank top, and I walked into the bathroom to get myself ready. After I was done I opened the door and walked back to my room where Gage was sitting in my chair playing on his phone.

  "Hell! You’re not seriously wearing that are you?"