Forever and Always, Olive

Epilogue

“What are you doing here?” I asked him as he stood in front of me, staring up at the overhead menu.

“Well, I’m hungry. I like fast food. And Burger King is only a half hour away,” he replied.

“McDonalds is right next door,” Abel told him. “You couldn’t go there?”

“Shouldn’t you be advertising your place of employment?” he inquired as he leaned over the counter, shooting a glare at his brother before turning to me.

“Ew, stop,” Abel muttered from beside me as he waited for more customers to enter the restaurant.

“We’re not even doing anything,” Maddox snapped at his brother.

“Stop leaning over the counter. It looks like you’re going to kiss her,” Abel retorted as he looked between the two of us.

Maddox rolled his eyes while I blushed brightly. “I’d like to order now, if that’s not too much of a problem,” Maddox spoke, glaring at his brother. He turned to the menu behind me and made a sound of thought.

“I don’t have all day,” I muttered jokingly and he shot me a glare.

“I’d like a whopper, large fries, and Coca Cola,” he responded with a large grin.

“Will that be all?” I asked, as I’m required to.

“Oh, and a kiss,” he added as he moved forward and kissed my forehead. “Are you free tomorrow?”

Abel sucked his teeth and scoffed. “You’re such a loser!” Abel guffawed from beside me.

“Mind your own business, Abel!” Maddox snapped, throwing a ketchup packet at his older brother. It simply hit Abel in the chest and fell to the counter.

“Say ‘no’ because that was so cheesy, Liv,” Abel whispered. Maddox glared at him. “You’re way better than that.”

I tried not to laugh as I looked at Maddox. “Yeah,” I nodded.

“Great,” he responded. “Now get me my food.”

It was my turn to throw a ketchup packet.

+ + +

When Maddox told me that we’d be hanging out, I thought it’d only be the two of us. I really didn’t expect it to be everyone. “So what are we going to do?” I asked him curiously.

“We’re just going to be hanging out, I guess,” he replied as he slammed the door shut. We were at Cassidy’s house, which is now considered the usual hang out spot. Without bothering to knock, Maddox pushed open the door. “The most beautiful person ever is here!” I glanced at him and he nodded. “Oh yeah, and Olive is here, too.” I laughed, reaching over and shoving him.

“You’re such an idiot,” I replied with a grin.

“I’m your idiot,” Maddox responded as he slung an arm over my shoulder.

“Not for long,” I muttered as I slipped out from under his arm to hug Winona. I hugged Cassidy, and then Jackson, and then Nicholas. I even hugged Isaac because I had been seeing a lot of him for the past few months, and I guess we’d grown closer.

Once I finished hugging everyone, Maddox grabbed my hand and yanked me down beside him on the couch. I rolled my eyes at him but smiled nonetheless. I watched as Nick sat down beside Cassidy, who allowed him to slip his arm behind her shoulders. I looked at Maddox and he simply winked at me. Jackson was on his phone, texting away carelessly. Winona and Isaac were sitting on the floor, playing a game of cards.