LYRA

It's been almost three years since I last saw those stunning sapphire eyes. I wonder if that guy disappeared off the face of the earth or something. I searched for him for a year, but eventually gave up and started dating other people.

My experience with dating has shown me that relationships tend to have a six-month expiration date. College guys are not interested in sticking around with a virgin who won't give in. Now, I'm not trying to come across as a prude. In fact, I'm ready to get hot and sweaty and take things to the next level. However, I prefer to be in love with the person first before going all the way. I have tried other things to keep my partners entertained, but it never seems to be enough. To make matters worse, I am head over heels for a guy who I may never see again. It's as if fate is playing a cruel joke on me.

Vega has been in the same boat as me. She's had some luck with relationships, having stayed with Landon for three years through high school. However, when he went abroad for college, they broke it off. Despite having had a few boyfriends like me, nothing has worked out for her.

As Vega rummages through her closet for an outfit, she shouts over her shoulder, "We're still on for the party tonight, right? Maybe your mysterious blue-eyed stranger will finally show up. Although, I'm thinking he was just a figment of your imagination. Unless he's one of those holy rollers who can't loosen up and have some fun."

As she spun around and grinned at me, she asked, "How about a party for drinks, and then off to the club for some dancing? Are you in or out, Lyra?"

"I'm in," I agree, flipping onto my stomach on her bed. Vega tosses dresses and shoes to the ground, prompting a chuckle from me. "Why not," I add.

"Since that's settled, let me take charge of your outfit, Lyra. It's high time you wore a dress, and I have a stunning red one that will suit you perfectly. Now, where did I put it?" Vega's voice rises to a screech as she rummages through her closet, throwing clothes haphazardly to the ground in search of the elusive garment.

"I'll spare you the trouble," I began. "I won't be wearing a dress. The thought of guys staring up at my who-haw all night makes me uncomfortable. However, I'm thinking of wearing my sexy shorts that barely cover my ass with my cowgirl boots. I just need to find a fitting top to complete the outfit. You can help me with that, if you want," I added, as I stood up from the bed and gathered the clothes strewn across the floor.

With a grin, Vega responded, "I guess you have a point," as she hung the clothes back in her closet. She then searched through her clothes once more. Meanwhile, I opted to stand and observe her. It seemed pointless for me to look for my outfit at the moment.

I smirked as I cautioned Vega, "Let's not get too hammered tonight. Remember, we're supposed to meet mom and dad at our house tomorrow to paint."

Vega's shoulders drooped as she exclaimed, "Oh, crud! I forgot. It would have been nice to have a weekend off for once," she said with a huff and raised her hands into the air. "We really need a Summer break, Lyra," she added. She then pulled out a pair of shorts and a frilly pink spaghetti-strap shirt adorned with yellow daisies, holding them up to herself.

As I gazed at Vega's outfit, I couldn't help but smile and nod in appreciation. Despite being identical twins, we were polar opposites in almost every way. Vega was a fan of dresses and skirts, while I felt most comfortable in jeans or shorts. She had a more introverted personality, while I was outgoing and sociable. In fact, when we were younger, our parents could only tell us apart by our birthmarks. While Vega's fashion choices leaned towards pink, I preferred the boldness of red.

"Are you planning on wearing more makeup than usual, like doing smokey eyes and the whole shebang?" Vega suggests, wiggling her eyebrows. I can't help but roll my eyes and start walking away, but Vega follows me all the way to my room.

As I opened my closet door, I said, "I suppose I could do that one thing, considering I shot down your suggestion of wearing a dress." I sighed, relieved that our parents were both working a late shift. "We won't face a barrage of questions when we leave."

"We have to work on completing the painting as soon as possible. It sucks that we hardly have any free time because of our commitments to the house and school. Don't get me wrong, I love our parents, but in just six months, we'll be turning twenty-one. It's time for us to have some freedom, Lyra."

"I can relate to your perspective. I feel the same way. So, what do you think of this?" I ask while holding up a shirt and pair of shorts in front of me.

With a grin, Vega says, "That will look awesome on you." She then urges me to follow her, squealing, "Let's get this show on the road. We don't have all night."

BLAZE

"Hey guys, it's already one in the afternoon, and I worked off breakfast hours ago," I exclaimed, calling out to my cousins. "I'm starving over here. Let's take a break for lunch." As I placed a small boulder into its ultimate resting place, I noticed my cousin Tanner doing the same.

After standing up and wiping the sweat from his forehead, Tanner responded with a grunt, "Same here, man."

Although it's early spring and still chilly outside, the work we do and our appearance suggest otherwise. You would think it's a sweltering hundred degrees with how we look and operate, but we couldn't be happier.

For the past year and a half, my cousins Tanner, Wade, Conner, Jace, and I have collaborated to launch our own construction and landscaping company.

Despite having two years of college left, we brought Jace in as our architect. His talent for drawing up unique building designs is unparalleled, and people can't help but drool over them.

So far, my cousins and I have built fifteen homes, and we were just about to finish the landscaping for our latest project. For us, starting this business has been an impressive endeavor. It definitely helped that all our dads owned a family law firm in town. Despite the expectation that we would follow in their footsteps and become lawyers, my cousins and I chose a different path. Our first build was actually my parents' house, and after they threw a housewarming party, our name got out there.

At some point, we all aspire to work on more significant projects, such as constructing businesses, parks, and hospitals - anything that comes to mind. However, for the time being, building homes for expanding families was an incredible experience. Witnessing the expressions on the families' faces when they saw the final product was an indescribable feeling of joy.

I am eagerly anticipating when I will start a family of my own.

Although I am only twenty-five and have time to find the right person, I am doubting if I ever will. Unfortunately, my past relationships have not gone well. I have been hurt deeply by two women with whom I had long-lasting relationships that ended in chaos. Despite my previous experiences, I hope to start a family before I turn thirty.

As Tanner and I made our way towards the exit that led to the front of the house, where our trucks were parked, I called out to Conner and Wade, "Let's take a lunch break!" Time certainly has a way of slipping away from us, and it's easy to feel like life is passing us by. With so many goals to achieve, it often seems like there aren't enough hours in the day.

A few minutes later, Conner and Wade arrived from a fence. It's a good thing they have distinctive hairstyles; otherwise, it would be impossible to tell them apart. They are identical twins. Growing up with them was quite an experience. My Aunt Clair used to dress them in similar outfits and give them matching haircuts. However, as they got older, they convinced her to stop because their personalities and fashion preferences are quite different.

As I walked around to the driver's side of my truck, I questioned, "Do you guys want to pile in and go together?"

As they all climbed inside, they spouted out in unison, "Sure." I started the truck and drove down the road.

Wade, from the back seat, asked me, "Hey man, how's Jessa doing?"

I ran my hand through my damp hair and grimaced. "I think it's time to end things with her," I admitted. "We've been together for a year, but we have nothing in common. It's frustrating, you know? She hardly eats, and that really gets on my nerves."

"Jessa hasn't cheated on you like Tori and Candice did," Tanner remarked, trying to find a silver lining. He nodded sympathetically as he sat beside me.

As I stared out the window, memories flooded my mind of the two other women who had shattered my heart. Tori, my first love, was the first to steal my kisses and more. We had been inseparable throughout our senior year of high school and even went to the same college. The following summer, we spent every moment together. But when our second year of college began, Tori distanced herself from me.

Once, Tori told me she thought we needed a break. She wanted to experience college while being single. However, I convinced her to stay with me and experience life. Unfortunately, she had an affair with the college Dean. Videos and pictures of them together surfaced and went viral. The videos and pictures that went viral resulted in Tori dropping out of college and the college Dean getting fired. People kept apologizing to me, as if they could do anything to fix the situation. The looks I received from people in the hallways were terrible and lasted for months. Recently, I found out that Tori is unmarried and pregnant. It seems like karma can be a jerk sometimes.

After losing Tori, it took me some time to recover. But eventually, Candice walked into my life. We were together for three years - three whole years. I even bought an engagement ring and proposed to her. However, she responded with a firm "no" and revealed that she had been having a year-long affair with one of her professors. She claimed it was to improve her grades, but it still came as a shock. After we broke up, someone caught them having sex in his office. As a result, like Tori, Candace dropped out of school and the professor lost his job.

Although Tori had dealt a significant blow to my groin, it paled compared to what Candice had achieved. My love for her was intense, and I longed to spend the rest of my days with her. Witnessing the perfect marriages of my parents, as well as those of Wade and Connor's parents, made me crave a similar life partner to grow old with and cherish. Unfortunately, fate had not been kind to me.

***

As soon as we completed our landscaping project, I made my way home. Although I arrived earlier than expected, I knew Jessa would be there. Being home early was convenient, since I had decided to end my relationship with Jessa during my lunch conversation with the guys. Our relationship wasn't working out, and it was clear it wasn't healthy for either of us.

After parking my truck in the garage, I turned off the engine and took a few deep breaths.

As I contemplated the situation, I concluded that ending the relationship was the appropriate course of action. I tried to gather my thoughts and urged myself to be strong. "Just go in there and break up with her," I whispered to myself.

As I got out of my truck and made my way towards the kitchen door, I couldn't help but hesitate before turning the doorknob. I noticed Jessa's car parked in the driveway, showing that she was inside. But I couldn't shake off my apprehension. What if she overreacts? Jessa has a tendency to be a bit of a drama queen.

After a moment of hesitation, I finally twisted the doorknob. However, what I heard next was quite alarming. As I stepped into the house, I could hear Jessa's moans of pleasure emanating from my bedroom, which was located just to the right of the entrance.

As she moaned with pleasure, she exclaimed, "Oh yes, right there, that's so perfect. Mmm mm, could you go harder and faster, please?"

As I stood there, a sudden sound caught my attention. It was the sound of a hand slapping against flesh.

As the man grunted, I could hear skin on skin contact as he said, "Oh yes, baby, take my cock." He continued, "You like my fat cock in your pussy, don't you?"

As I approached my bedroom, I noticed the door was ajar. Peeking inside, the sight before me made me feel sick to my stomach. Jessa, my girlfriend, was lying in bed with another man. The shock of what I was seeing was almost too much to bear.

One of my father's long-standing clients was balls deep, slamming and pounding into her.

As my father's secretary, she knows that the man is married and has five children. In addition, he is in his mid-fifties, which puts him at least thirty years older than her.

I glanced inside right when he roared, went still and came inside her.

As I burst through the door, the force of my entrance caused it to slam into the wall behind it. With a fierce tone, I demanded, "Get the hell out of my house now!"

Frantically, they scurried around the room in search of their clothes. Without a second thought, he abandoned most of his attire and rushed past me through the door. In my haste, I tore off the comforter and sheets from the bed.

Jessa couldn't hold back her tears as she spoke. "Blaze, I..." she said, but her emotions got the best of her and she trailed off.

As I yelled, "Get the hell out, and take this shit with you!" I hurled the shredded contents of my bed towards Jessa. She quickly gathered all the items I had flung at her and rushed out the door.

I'm feeling overwhelmed right now, and I can't handle this situation. Out of all the messed up things that have happened, this one takes the cake. I was so frustrated that I pulled on my hair, turned around, and got into my truck, slamming the door shut. As I drove out of the driveway, I glimpsed Jessa crying in her car. But I didn't care. They didn't even use a condom. How could someone be so reckless? My anger boiled over, and I slammed my fist against the dashboard, letting out a yell.

***

As Tanner knocks back another tequila shot, he turns to me and says, "Look, man. I'm sorry about Jessa. You really know how to pick them." He then gestures to the bartender for another round.

"The club is lively tonight," Tanner exclaims with a mischievous grin. "You should find a girl, take her home, and get Jessa out of your system." He nods towards Jace, who is now charming a beautiful girl nearby. "I used to think he was gay, but look at him now," Tanner says proudly. He grabs the shot glasses and slides one into my hand.

As I looked over, I noticed Jace chatting with a blonde girl who bore a striking resemblance to Candice, and I couldn't help but flinch. I recalled how Tanner had practically dragged Jace here, against his will. Ever since Jace's mother left when he was only five, and after witnessing the hardship that Tanner and I had to endure, he had barely spoken to any women until now. He's Twenty-three for crying out loud.

"I can't bring anyone home because my bed is where I caught them having sex. The guy involved is over fifty, married, and has five kids. To make matters worse, he is one of my dad's close friends and client. You might recall him from the housewarming party my parents threw last year, where he attended with his wife and kids. I slam back a shot and savor the burn as it travels down my throat and settles in my stomach."

"Wow, Blaze, that's rough. When we spoke on the phone, you only mentioned that you needed a drink because your girlfriend cheated on you. Are you planning on telling your dad about what happened? It's possible that's how Jessa met him."

"Since Gerald had sex with her without a condom and she is not on birth control, he may have to tell dad himself about the potential consequences. I walked in on them right when he was exploding inside her. Based on what I saw, it seems like a divorce and a sixth baby could be in their near future."

"During our lunch today, you were discussing your plans to break up with Jessa. But as fate would have it, you walked in on them having sex in your bed. It's a crazy situation to be in. But don't worry, cuz. Drink up and I'll hook you up. I'll find you someone for a lucky one-night stand, and you can stay at my place while I hang out with Jace."

"Nah." As I stood up, Tanner slapped me on the back. "I'm going to head out before I get too drunk to drive," I announced.

As Tanner pulled himself up from the stool, he spoke, "Are you sure, man? I don't mind."

"It's been a long day. At least we finished the Ranch. That's one good thing that came of this crazy day. Tell Jace I said bye. I don't want to mess up his chat session with that woman over there."