Chapter 35

3 years down the lane:

"Oh my God! Yes yes yes!"

"Stop screaming!"

"I can't, it feels so damn good."

"I am not going to do it if you keep screaming like this!"

"That's just unfair! You wanted to do this in the first place."

"Gosh just keep moving your fingers!"

"I am! Yes, baby! Yes!"

I finally threw my game controller on the couch beside me, with a satisfactory grin on my face.

"Take that, you Hastings! I win!"

Colton rolled his eyes, "I let you win Smith"

I snorted at that, a fun fact I had learned over the year, every time he lost he would act if he sacrificed his absolutely guaranteed win for me. "Yeah okay okay baby, okay" I teased, spreading my feet vertically, getting comfortable on the couch.

Colton of course can't see me in any sort of comfortable position so he promptly decided to sit on my feet. Yes, it was like a gorilla sitting on a rat's feet! A cute rat's feet.

"Get up you big fat-" My words were interrupted when we heard a huge scream from the kitchen. "Crap what the hell!" I thought aloud, kicking Colton's butt and freeing my feet. It took me less than 3 seconds to run and reach the kitchen, a hand over my heart, scared of what I might find.

What I did, was definitely not what I was expecting.

I blinked once, twice, thrice. "What is happening here?" my confused voice spoke for both me and my not-fake-anymore boyfriend Colton.

In front of me was a sight I never thought I would witness and even if I did, I never in my wildest of dreams could imagine it in the kitchen.

There, standing with a dropped jaw was an extremely shocked Ira, with a wet dish in her hand, soap still applied to the dish, and right in front of her kneeling, with a slight blush and embarrassment over his face was Drew.

Drew slowly cleared his throat, steadily getting up from his kneeled position. He turned and gave us a timid smile not even sparing a glance at Ira. "What happened? Nothing!" he shrugged, his voice squeaky as he started swatting away the fake dust on his knees.

Ira still seemed to be in utter surprise, blinking and staring at Drew as if he has done the most unbelievable and implausible thing ever! Which I am pretty sure he had.

After a few blinks Ira finally found her voice and just as drew was leaving the kitchen, she spoke. "Don't you want to know my answer?"

This obviously made Drew freeze, hell it made me and Colton freeze. I held Colton's hand tightly, already figuring out what had happened and ready to scream as soon as Ira had finished speaking what I hoped she was going to.

Drew turned, his fingers entangled into themselves, "What?"

Ira slowly smiled, keeping the soapy dish into the sink. "You know Drew when I first met you, I had no intention of ever taking to you and now I can't imagine a single day without talking to you. You are the cheese to my Pizza and you know I don't eat pizza without cheese." She slowly stepped forward, coming closer to Drew. I was chewing my bottom lip so ready to scream everybody's ears out. "So yes Mr. Drew Roy. I will marry you!"

And finally, someone loved the shadows and nightmares inside her, somehow found the sunshine, and that someone made her a home she dreamed of.

And I screamed, and my gosh, even Colton has never made me scream this hard with all his dirty talks and dirty deeds in the bed.

"Yes yes yes!!" I screamed, completely interrupting the hug Ira was going to give Drew, instead, I ended up hugging her, screaming right in her ears. "I am so happy right now! Congratulations!"

Ira hugged me back, the biggest smile on her face. "Thank you, Rach, thank you!"

I grinned, dropping a kiss on her cheek and turning to Drew, who was being given a manly hug by Colton, eh whom am I kidding, they were both holding onto each other like babies, super tight.

I joined them, hugging Drew and congratulating him too. "Drewy baby, congo! If you ever break Ira's heart I break your d!ck, just remember that!" I smiled into his ear and winked at his horror-filled face, he damn well knew I would break whatever I wanted if I had enough motivation.

"I love her, I won't." Drew answered in return and I almost aww-ed, but Colton pulled me away.

He turned towards the love birds, ignoring my annoyed face. "Well, you two have fun and get started on the honeymoon I'll be taking Smith home."

Ira blushed a little but waved at us. "Don't tell anyone yet, I want to be there to see their faces."

I groaned, damn I so wanted to call Simone and tell her everything right now but this wasn't my story so I reluctantly nodded. "Fine but you do it soon, you know I can't hold onto this much longer."

"Yes sure, dinner tonight." Ira concluded with a grin, her hand wrapped in Drew's.

I nodded, blew them a flying kiss which I don't think they saw because Colton was already pulling me out of the house.

I surged his hand off my arm with a frown. "Stop pulling me, Hastings. I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye." I grumbled, stomping down the stairs.

Colton was right behind me and although I couldn't see him, I knew he was rolling his eyes, "They need privacy right now babe."

I hated when Colton was right, so of course, I never agreed to it. "They live together, I think they have enough privacy."

"You know what I mean, he just proposed her for marriage, this kind of privacy is different." Colton explained and I wanted to smack him for it.

"You what ayyeyeyeayyee" I mocked, very immaturely.

We were on the ground floor of Drew's apartment and Colton was next to his bike, he turned to me with a smirk on his so perfect face. "You are just jealous I haven't proposed to you yet." And with that he simply put on his helmet, getting on the bike.

I felt my heart skip a beat, this was one topic we had both avoided for a while now. As much as I loved Colton and wanted to be with him forever, we were both at such different phases of our lives that marriage was somehow off the track for years.

A small part of me was terrified that maybe after seeing Drew and Ira finally engaged, this guy, sitting on the bike in front of me - might also want us to take that one step ahead in a relationship. My timid mind was already making up excuses to avoid any such scenarios. But seriously what all could I avoid, I mean Drew proposed Ira, while she was washing the dishes, in a flimsy top and shorts, what came over him suddenly? At least he could have planned a dinner date. I mean I need these photos, Colton better be shooting a video of his proposal so I can show it to our children.

"Hello, Smith! Do you want me to leave you here? Because I really don't mind it, you can take a cab for all I care." Colton muttered, with an irritated tone.

"What a nice boyfriend!" I grumbled, swiftly getting on the bike behind him, before I could even get comfortable, he had started the bike, driving at an unusual speed. I jerked forward, my head hitting his helmet, I moaned in pain, "What the hell Hastings!" I slapped his back and immediately wrapped my arms around him as his speed increased.

After a 20-minute fast and horrid bike ride, we finally arrived at my and Simone's apartment. We were both in the same university - luckily, I was pursuing a major in literature and journalism and she was studying arts and movie direction. Our plan was simple, I would be writing movie scripts for her and she would be directing them. Of course, Drew was the first one to call shots for being the lead actor. Simone in reply just showed her middle finger and said there would be a role for a street-side hungry beggar and will definitely cast Drew. The rest argument ended up in a food fight, again, in the middle of McDonald's.

Suffice to say, we aren't permitted to enter in that McDonald's anymore. They call us the food-throwers now.

"How am I not going to say anything about this to Simone?" I wondered out loud, Ira's engagement was a big deal, hell, it was the best news this whole year. And to keep silent about it was going to be super tough.

Colton smirked, "Well we could just head straight to your room, where we can spend the next –" he glanced at this watch "- 4 hours until dinner. I am sure I can think of ways of shutting you up." He winked, "But then again, your screaming can be a bit of an issue."

I slapped his shoulder, blushing like a damn over ripped tomato, "I do NOT scream, okay?"

Before he had a chance to say something stupid but witty, Simone opened the door.

"Hey guys, took you long enough." She couldn't make it to Ira's today because she had some assignment and of course she didn't do it for one whole month and remembered it at the last minute, so now instead of 730 hours, she only had 23 hours to do it.

Procrastination, not a good habit! But experience has taught her nothing.

"Eh, you know Drew." Colton vaguely answered, waving a quick bye at Simone and pulling me into my own room.

"That's rude Hastings!" I hissed, sending a quick eye-apology to Simone who just rolled her eyes and sent a quick thumbs-up. "Cloak your joker before you poke her."

"Eww. From where did she learn that?" I groaned, "It was fine till Cover your stump, before you hump. Her words are just getting worse."

"Seriously joker?" Colton twisted his mouth, pointing at his crotch. "Anyway what happened to that guy? Jeff or something?"

"Jordan." I corrected, referring to Simone's ex. She thought it was getting too serious for her, so terrified of a heartbreak, she broke it off with him.

There is so much depth in love, it's limitless.

And with it comes an intense abyss of pain.

Makes me wonder, is that why we leave before someone can make us stay?

Is this us – giving up on love?

"It didn't work out." I replied to Colton, not wanting to dwell on that topic. I just crossed my fingers, hoping someone was out there who could make Simone feel safe and someone she could trust deeply.

Colton shrugged, "Good for her, I didn't like his nose." And with that lame comment, he pulled me into his arms.

I could honestly stay there forever. But then I'd get bored of him.

His lips landed on mine after what felt like ages and I smiled into his lips, a wave of bliss washing over me. His mouth was demanding against mine and his hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer to him, making me land on his lap.

My arms wrapped around his neck and I snuggled closer, adjusting so that I was straddling him. He had a thing for a woman on top and I wasn't surprised to him respond to this position. I could feel his tiny – well not really tiny – iron man getting hard.

His tongue traced my lips, first the upper lips and then moving to the lower lips before pushing it inside my mouth. I didn't hesitate to give him entrance, knowing this was exactly what I wanted. We hadn't got the time to kiss properly since 2 days now and it was killing me.

We only met once in 3 months and half of that time went in visiting friends and catching up with everyone. We hardly got time for ourselves, we had promised that this weekend would be ours but then stupid Drew had to go all lovey-dovey and propose Ira in the damn kitchen, of all places in the world.

Colton pulled away briefly, looking right into my eyes. I was breathing heavily and my eyes probably held drops of passion along with some real desperate sex vibes. He groaned before pulling my neck and kissing me hard, I felt our teeth clash.

"Fuck, I love you!" He muttered into the kiss. Even after these many years, I tiny shiver of utter joy rolled down my spine at those words.

"I love fucking you!" I whispered back into the kiss.

And that was all the motivation he needed to reach down to my thighs and pull off the jeans I was wearing. "You. Me. Bed. Now." Was his elaborate sentence.

I, of course, didn't make a single move to stop him. Simone was right outside and would possibly knock on the door in about 10 minutes but by the rate we were ripping each other's clothes off, 10 minutes would be more than enough.

My jeans were the first to drop, followed by my yellow lace panties, my hands automatically went to the hem of his tee as I started to remove it and throw it somewhere behind me. My crop top was next to go and then his jeans and boxers. Within seconds we were naked, except me. I was wearing my yellow lace bra, he somehow liked to play with my bra-clad breasts before removing them and sucking and biting them. Absolute heaven I tell you!

His eyes darkened as he looked at my almost naked half, after all this time, I still had a maddening effect on him and I loved it, made me feel so proud. He put his arm around my waist and fell back on the bed, pulling me right along with him.

His mouth was now over my neck and my eyes automatically closed as he began to kiss my skin, slowly nibbling and licking every inch. I leaned my head, giving me more access and biting my lip to stop myself from moaning. I was definitely a screamer, I myself didn't believe it until one day our neighboring lady bumped into me at a store while I was buying some pads and winked, "don't put a question mark where God put a period." We changed flats 2 months later.

As his mouth continued the assault on my neck, I felt his hand slowly graze over my hip to the thigh and push my legs apart. Without any warning, he inserted one skillful finger into me and I let out an unstoppable moan.

"Keep it quiet." Colton hissed, "I am going to make you come like this."

He expected me to keep quiet with such words? Delusional gorilla.

I was spread on top of him and his lips were nearing my breasts, his one hand started to pull my breast out of the bra and the other was half into me, his fingers built-up pressure and I gripped his hair, trying my best to stop my moans by biting my lip. I began to pant heavily as his mouth moved lower.

One breast was hanging out of the bra and he was playing with the nipple, how both his hands worked simultaneously was a question I didn't care about but thoroughly enjoyed it.

"Colton" I moaned slowly as he increased his speed, going deeper into me, adding a finger to the previous one. I lurched my neck back, mentally muttering "Fuck! Fuck! I want to scream!"

He pulled his face back, looking into my face. He pinched my nipple hard and I closed my eyes, a wave of pleasure washing over me. His speed increased and he continued to stare at me.

I could feel my legs becoming jelly and that sense of freedom coming closer, his thumb grazed my clit and the other rolled over the nipple. "Scream."

I did, "Colton! Fuck!" I screamed in the lowest volume possible before leaning my head on his shoulder before support and biting his shoulder as I came all over his hand.

It took me a good two minutes before I leaned back, looking at him. He was licking his fingers clean, "feels good to taste you again Smith."

I blushed at the words, "Wish I could say the same Hastings."

He narrowed his eyes before rolling them. He rolled us over so that he was on top now. "Drew has got me thinking-" his sentence started and I felt my heartbeat rise, my eyes widened as I looked at him, waiting for his next words.

"-I can't imagine tolerating you for a life time. You are so damn annoying!"

After 5 seconds my mind registered the words and the meaning. "You dumbass! Annoying little dinosaur pig!" I hissed, slapping his shoulder, the same place I had bit lightly earlier.

He chuckled, trying to hold my wrists while I struggled to slap him. He pushed his hips upwards, directly making contact, I paused at the intimate interaction and he took that opportunity to hold my hands. "You know I don't mean it, babe."

"Phufft. Whatever." I mumbled, turning my face away from him. Not sparing him a glance.

"Racheal, come on!" He raised his hip while I raised my ass, so as to miss any further interactions. I bet it looked funny.

He leaned on the bed, "Okay, Miss. Racheal Smith, I love you." he started and curiosity got the better of me so I finally gave in and turned to face him.

"I promise to tolerate your mood swings, listen to you rant for hours, go for grocery shopping with you, not complain when you serve burnt tasteless food, give you more than half of the closet and bed and happiness and absolutely nothing of TV remote and sadness."

A smile formed on my face at his words, I swear I could hear violins in the background seeing how sappy he was being.

"So will you-" he stared into my eyes and his thumb rubbing my wrists, and a small smile of content on his face. I took a deep breath, I thought I wasn't ready for this but maybe I was, maybe we were. Maybe it wasn't all that soon. Maybe this was what we both needed.

"-promise to say yes whenever I propose you."

My mouth opened to answer a YES and promptly closed back, I blinked, "What?"

He chuckled, slapping my butt. "We are not ready for this, you are still studying and my lawyer studies are too hectic. Even if we get married this soon, time management is going to be an issue. But that doesn't mean, I don't want to marry you. I want to, but only when I can truly take care of you."

I pressed my lips together, mentally scolding myself for wanting to cry happy tears at his words. "I love you!" I said before pulling him into the tightest hug ever.

He hugged right back and we stayed that way for a while until Simone came knocking on the door. "Guys! If you have finished dirtying the sheets and walls and god knows what else, come out! Eva and others are here!"

I frowned, "They are here? Now? Why?"

Colton shrugged, "They are always here." He quickly bent, swooping a quick kiss before putting on his shorts and pants. He threw my top on the bed, "Where's my t-shirt?"

I shrugged, "As if I remember, threw it somewhere behind me." I quickly wore the top and pants, deciding to skip the panties.

"Ah!" he exclaimed, removing his t-shirt from under the table. "Let's go?" he asked, after wearing the t-shirt and waving his hand through his hair at least ten times. I somehow preferred the messy hair but when it comes to guys and their bikes and hair, it's best to keep quiet.

I put on some lip balm and nodded, "You go, I'll come."

"Okay." He dropped a kiss on my cheeks and opened the door to my room, not caring to close it back as he walked out.

I quickly combed my hair and adjusted my bra before I walked out, going to the living room where I could hear the commotion.

Eva was sitting next to Simone, laughing about a joke that I was sure would be lame. She had taken an interest in hacking and had decided to adopt that look as well, with black straight hair that barely reached her shoulders, she had pierced her right eyebrow and had tattoos that were difficult to count and in places, we didn't dare see. This was a form of hers we hadn't seen before but from the heart, she was still the same. Caring and an introvert. She had given up hope on guys, mainly because she hacked into every date's life beforehand and knew about him more than he knew about himself.

Adrian was sitting on the bean bag, blowing a bubble and not succeeding, he was still the same, silent most of the time and gay. He had a boyfriend now and his family had finally approved. Still a few issues that came with loving the same gender but it was better now.

Then there was Nathan, cracking up the lamest jokes like always. He was with his girlfriend of 7 months now, Sheenam, a pretty redhead who could chop of fingers with her eyes. She was so cute to look at, but once you got to know her, damn she was feisty. "What do you call a crying sister?" he turned, asking Eva.

Eva shrugged, "I don't know Nats, why don't you tell us?"

Nathan puffed out air, adjusting his imaginary collar, "A crisis of course." Our chuckles were downed in another amusing voice.

"What is that I hear?" Ira asked, her eyes narrowed at Nathan as she entered the room, Drew right behind her.

"Run dude, save your life!" Drew hissed, motioning the act of throat slicing to Nathan.

Nathan blinked, grinning sheepishly, pulling Sheenam in front of him. "I didn't mean you Ira, of course now, I meant Eva."

"Excuse me!" both of them shouted in unison. "What did you say?"

Nathan shivered, "Don't do that, you creepy girls."

"Don't do what?" they continued, smiling at Nathan and Drew who always hated when they started speaking together.

Simone sensed a never-ending argument and promptly threw one pillow at Nathan and one at Ira. "Pillow fight!" she screamed and jumped behind the couch to hide.

"Why does she always start such fights?" Drew groaned, looking around for a pillow.

"What did I do?" Adrian complained while Eva smashed his head with a smiley pillow.

Colton grabbed Simone from the back of the couch. "Drew, hit her!"

It wasn't long before all of them were throwing pillows at each other or trying to hide from each other.

Building a strong friendship doesn't mean talking every day or being together, it means going through the worst phases and the best ones together and remembering those when you are far away.

Let go the negative people and let go people who don't matter. You don't need that shit in your life.

I smiled at the scene, I love these idiots, I thought to myself before grabbing two pillows and launching into the fight. "Black widow arrives!"

"Iran man dies!"

"Shut up!!!"

And they lived happily ever after.

Oh, that's a big fat lie!

They fought, they survived, they learned, they fell, they cried, they laughed but they lived and stuck together!

We still fight over the smallest things, we still start food fights like an immature child, we still laugh till our stomachs hurt, we still complain about the physical distance between us, we still manage to talk at least once a week, we still look back at our memories and smile softly and we still believe that if something bad ever happens to any of us - we will all fight that war - together.

Because forever's may not exist but today does. So smile brighter, love harder, and take chances.

If I hadn't taken that chance of making a deal with the Devil, I wouldn't have found someone who would hold back my hair when I puked after drinking too much. I wouldn't have found someone to hold me close when I cried over lame drama scenes.

I wouldn't have found someone to love and cherish.

This Deal with the Devil is probably the best thing to happen to me.

And I wouldn't change a thing.

THE END