Free When Tomorrow Never Comes by Raven K. Asher

the front to opens and shuts with a loud thud that echoes throughout the house.
    Eric steps farther into the room while pointing his finger between Jayce and me. “What is going on between the two of you? Are you really boyfriend and girlfriend?”
    Jayce chuckles as he shakes his head and turns towards me for a moment before facing Eric. “I’m just a friend. I only came over the way that I did because I saw him run across the yard and climb up into her window from my room.”
    Eric nods his head although he looked unconvinced. “Thank you for that, but next time it happens, knock. You nearly gave me a heart attack storming through the front door like that.”
    Jayce nods and then glances back at me. “I will, and you can always count on me coming through the front door, Sir.”
    That was definitely going to score him some points with Matt and Eric.
    “That’s good.” Eric grunts.
    “Okay, now that that’s over can you guys get out so I can finally get dressed?” I states as I wave them away, towards the door.
    Eric and Matt nod but wait for Jayce just outside the door.
    He turns to me for a moment and lifts his hand up to tuck a stray strand of my still wet hair behind my ear before he places the palm of his hand against my cheek. “Are you going to be alright now?”
    I nod. “I’ll be fine.”
    He grins down at me. “Good.”
    His hand drops as he steps back before moving to the door.
    Stopping he glances back. “If you want a ride to school when you’re ready just come over to my house.”
    I nod and he turns back around to walk out of my room.
    Grinning to myself I bow my head. Today was going to be a good day.
    “I know that look.” Eric grunts from the doorway abruptly.
    I snort and shake my head as I point toward the door. “You can go now, papa bear.”
    He laughs and nods his head. “Be careful, okay, Princess.”
    I nod and become serious. “I will be, Dad.”
    He grins brightly before grabbing the door to shut it as he leaves my room.
    With no threat of anyone coming back into my room I drop my towel and begin the task of getting ready for the day.
    Slipping my clothes on I glance into my mirror for a moment to check out my look. I was wearing black skinny jeans with a dark red corset top along with matching red shoes.
    Grinning I move back into my bathroom to grab my brush to comb through my still wet hair.
    Once it’s brushed through I finger the ends suddenly wanting a change.
    Getting an idea I move to my door and open it before yelling down for Matt. “Matt, can you come up here for a minute?”
    Within seconds he rushes from the kitchen to the bottom of the stairs to look up at me in concern. “Is something wrong?”
    I shake my head and wave for him to come up.
    He does, although with a raised brow.
    Once he’s in my room I motion towards my hair, hoping that he could help me. “Can you by any chance cut hair?”
    His eyes narrow for a moment. “I’m gay, Eve, that doesn’t make me a hairdresser.”
    I snort and shake my head. “I’m sorry, Matt. I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just hoping that you could help me.”
    “I’m terrible with hair but Eric’s fantastic with it.” He replies with a dramatic girlie voice as he cocks his hand while placing his other hand on his hip.
    I can’t help but laugh out before he grabs me into a hug. “I’ll go see what Eric can do and I’ll send him up.”
    “Thank you, Dad.” I reply as I lean back from his fatherly embrace.
    His smile widens. “I like the sound of that.”
    Stepping back he then turns around and walks back out of my room to get Eric for me.
    He seemed to be the jack of all trades. It was awesome that he was going to be my dad too. I couldn’t imagine a better family.
     

     
    “Does it look alright?” I ask Eric as I stand in front of the mirror in my room while fingering the shorter hair that swept over my forehead instead of having bangs.
    It wasn’t really a drastic change.
    “It looks great,