Embracing Series Box Set #1-6

by Delisa Lynn

  “I’ll take you home, Lila.” I push my plate to the side. Alyssa looks at me like she’s going to punch me.

  “No, that’s fine. I will catch a cab. Enjoy your date!”

  “Yeah, let her catch a cab. We have plans tonight,” Alyssa says. What the hell is she talking about?

  “Yes, Alyssa, I hope you take Evan back to wherever and finally fuck his brains out, like you have been trying to do all fucking night!” Lila yells as she throws her purse over her arm.

  Everyone’s mouths drop open, and Alyssa just keeps batting the spider-looking lashes on her eyes. I don’t know what to do. Lila starts walking away. I look at Nikki, like what the hell, should I go after her or should you? I stand up and start to walk after her. I call her name when I get outside of the restaurant, but she’s gone.

  I don’t take Alyssa home with me. I go home alone and so does she. I think about calling Lila, but I don’t. She’s pissed about something, so I’ll give her time to chill out.

  I want to see Lila so I can apologize in person. The way Alyssa was acting was disrespectful to everyone. The next day, I wait for Lila outside of her class.

  “Lila, I’m so sorry about last night. Just so you know, Alyssa didn’t go home with me last night or any night. She and I are over. She would love to get back together, but that isn’t happening,” I say. I don’t know why I feel the need to explain the situation with Alyssa and me to Lila.

  She shakes her head. “No, I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have acted that way. I will be completely honest, I do not like that girl.”

  “I understand. How about we grab lunch? No more talk about her.”

  I wrap my arm around her shoulder. I want to talk to her about Christmas anyway. I’m not going home. Brody and Nikki are leaving, but I hope Lila will stay. I have already gone Christmas shopping for her. I knew exactly what to get her.

  We go to Corner Café for lunch. We’ve both come to love this place. Lila loves bacon. She eats more BLT’s than anyone I know.

  “What are your plans for the holiday?” I ask. “Would you like to stay here with me? Of course as friends.” I smile as I sip my sweet tea.

  “I don’t know what I’m doing yet. I know Liam won’t be home ‘til the first of the year, so I may just stay here until then.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Evan

  Christmas is in two days and Lila didn’t go home. I’m so excited that she’s going to spend the holiday with me. I can’t wait to give her gifts and spend some alone time with her. No Nikki, Brody, or Alyssa. It’s going to be great.

  Lila and I get a small tree and we decorate it. I know it’s kind of late to be buying and decorating a tree, but we can’t have Christmas without a tree.

  She hugs me. “Evan, I’m really glad you’re here with me. I would’ve been lonely if you would’ve left.”

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I love spending time with you, darlin’. Your friendship means a lot to me. Now, present time!” I rub my hands together.

  “You didn’t have to buy me anything!” She opens the first gift. A huge smile graces her face when she sees what I got her. “I love them. Uggs are my favorite.”

  “I wanted to, and there is more to open.”

  I shove another gift in her arms. I know she’s going to love this. It’ll match the new purse she got last month, when we went to the mall together.

  “Oh, Evan, it’s beautiful! How did you know? Oh my gosh, our mall trip. Okay, now open yours!” She passes me a small, perfectly wrapped gift.

  I laugh. It’s a new recorder for my notes. I always seem to break or lose mine. “You know me so well. Thank you so much.” I hug her.

  We eat and talk about all of our families. She asks about Alyssa. I almost tell her everything, that I had never really dated Alyssa, that it was just sex, but now isn’t the right time to tell her. I’ll tell her eventually. There are things she isn’t telling me, though. I can tell there is so much she wants to say, but can’t or won’t.

  “So, is Alyssa your first love?” Lila asks as she plops her legs in my lap.

  “No, she isn’t. My first love was a girl named Brynlee. We dated some of middle school, then high school. We thought we would spend forever together, but her parents ruined it all. We both were seventeen. I was the star quarterback and she was the captain of the cheer squad. I honestly thought I would marry her, but they say everything happens for a reason, I guess.” Tears well up in my eyes.

  “I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about this. I was just curious. I’m sorry that you are hurting.” Lila stands up to hug me.

  “It’s okay. I just haven’t told anyone other than Brody. Bryn was pregnant and her parents hated that she was. They made her abort the baby and move. I haven’t seen her in four years. That’s what my tattoo stands for. I would have had a four-year-old child right now, but she listened to her parents and did exactly as they said. That was the last of us.”

  “Oh, Evan, I know you would have made a great father.” She wipes the tears from her face and hugs me. “I’m going to cook. I’m starving.” She heads to the kitchen.

  “So, what’s your story, Miss Carls?” I ask as I follow her.

  “Well, as you know, Liam is Ashton and Ad’s cousin. He lived with them. He’s always liked me, but, of course, I was with Ashton. After Ashton and I broke up, I started seeing Liam. He’s a great guy. I know you would like him.” She pops a piece of cheese in her mouth.

  “He’s okay with our friendship?” I know, if I were Liam, I wouldn’t be okay with it.

  “Yes. He trusts me and knows that we are only friends.”

  We eat, laugh, and talk. This girl can put away some wine. I think we drink three bottles. Dinner is also great. I’m surprised she can cook so well. She looks like a natural in the kitchen.

  She yawns. “Evan, it’s getting late. I should go.”

  “Why don’t you stay? I’ll sleep in Brody’s room and you can have mine. It’s late and we’ve both been drinking, so we shouldn’t drive,” I say, hoping she’ll stay.

  At first, by the look on her face, it looks like she’s going to refuse. My heart feels like it’s about to drop to my stomach. I really want her to stay. She thinks about it for a few seconds and says, “Okay, you have a point. I will stay.”

  I change the sheets on my bed and make sure everything in my room is perfect for her. I lay fresh towels on the bathroom counter in case she wants to shower. I get everything I need and head to Brody’s room. I can’t believe she’s finally sleeping in my bed, but without me.

  An hour later, I quietly knock on my bedroom door and push it open. “Lila, are you asleep?”

  “No. Everything okay?”

  “I just want to check on you and talk. Can I sleep with you? I promise to keep my hands to myself,” I say with a little laugh.

  We talk for hours. She falls asleep before I do. I wrap her in my arms so I can snuggle her. She feels so good in my arms. This Liam dude is one lucky fucker.

  ***

  I can feel her staring at me. I open my eyes and smile. “Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?” I kiss her nose. Crap, I didn’t think before I did that. She just giggles and gets up.

  “I better go. I have a lot I need to do.” She gets out of bed.

  “Come on, at least have breakfast,” I beg. Hell, I want to spend the day with her, but I know she can’t.

  “Okay, breakfast, and then I’m leaving.” She throws a pillow at me. She’s so damn sexy when she wakes up.

  “I’m going to shower quickly, then I will meet you in the kitchen.”

  I start the shower, wishing she was joining me. I know that’s never going to happen. A beautiful woman just slept next to me all night. I try to be quick about it, but I do my thing and finish showering. I walk into my room to get dressed.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” Lila says, her face red. She drops her purse, her eyes glued to my dick. She stands there, staring and licking her lips. The
way she bites her bottom lip makes me hard instantly. I would love to bite and suck her lip for her.

  “Lila, you like what you see?” I say as I cross my arms over my chest. The look she has on her face makes it clear that she’s never seen a cock that looks this good. Hell yeah, army boy isn’t built as well as I am. She leaves the room quickly, her hand over her mouth.

  I get dressed and walk out to find a calmer Lila sitting on the couch. I guess we aren’t having breakfast because she’s ready to go. She stands up when she sees me. A smile spreads across her face. I start to tease her about our little run-in, but she’s all ready to tell me to shut the hell up.

  She waves her finger in front of me. “Do not bring it up.” I throw my head back and laugh. She’s embarrassed, I can tell.

  “Call me when you get back so we can have dinner,” I say as I place a small kiss on her cheek. She smiles and says she will. I love spending time with her. There’s just something about her that makes me happy. We have so much in common. I can sit and talk to her all day long and not get bored.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Evan

  Since Lila went back to California to visit her family and classes haven’t started back yet, I work at the firm a couple days. I miss my co-workers and my daily routine. I haven’t talked to Tatum in a few months. I’m sure she’s fine. If she wasn’t, Zander would have told me. I often think about texting her, but if that bastard has her phone and sees my name, he’ll hurt her more.

  My parents keep calling. They want me to come out and visit. I just can’t. I don’t want to run into any of my and Bryn’s old friends. They always ask too many questions. What happened between Bryn and me is none of their business. That’s how it is in small towns. I’m surprised no one knows about the abortion.

  I’ve been singing at Zeb’s on a regular basis now, mainly when I have nothing else to do. Brody is so wrapped up in Nikki that he never has ‘bro time,’ as he calls it.

  Tonight, after singing a few times, I plan on having a few beers before going home.

  Before getting on the stage, someone yells my name. I don’t recognize the voice, so I ignore it. Maybe I’m hearing things. Then the voice gets closer.

  “Evan, is that you? It’s me, Audrey Ridge!”

  “Audrey, how the hell are you? And what are you doing in New York City?” I ask.

  “I just moved here. I’ll be attending NYU in the spring. Tatum said that you and Zander both live here along with another friend?”

  “Yes. Brody is our other roommate. All three of us go to NYU.” I start looking around for Tatum. I don’t see her anywhere. I would love to see her right now.

  “If you’re looking for Ta, she isn’t with me. It’s just me. I got a loft off of Tenth Street and Central. I’m hoping to find a roommate soon. I wish Ta would’ve came with me. She is worried about that dickwad, Thayer. You know how he treats her, don’t you? I can’t believe she keeps taking him back.” She sits on the stool next to me.

  “Yeah, I know all about him. I asked her to leave him too, but she must really love him. Is she happier now? I haven’t seen her in months,” I ask, hoping she doesn’t know about Tatum and me.

  Hell, who am I kidding? She’s her best friend. Chicks tell each other everything. They like to talk about which guy has the biggest cock or when their Aunt Flow is visiting. The thing women always seem to talk to each other about is how good a kiss is. Why the hell do they want to talk about that? I’ll never understand that. I would never want to know every intimate detail about Brody’s sex life or anything going on with his body. Some things you just keep to yourself.

  “I don’t think she will ever be happy with anyone. Well, unless…anyway, how is it here? I know it’s nothing like back home.”

  “I just hope she is happy and he isn’t hurting her. I wish her nothing but the best,” I say as I pull at my beer label. She looks at me with an odd expression and a jaw full of peanuts.

  She smacks my arm and takes a swig of my beer. “Holy fucking shit, dude, you are so in love with her. I knew it. Oh my gosh, I knew it. She told me about y’all, but I just assumed your feelings weren’t the same as hers. That little hoetart, she never told me that you loved her too. I know she wanted to bang the shit out of you and you turned her down. She said you gave her the best damn orgasm she ever had and the things you could do with your hands would have any girl begging for more. I’ve begged her to leave douchetwat for you.”

  What the hell? Does she even care about what she just said? And why is she drinking my damn beer? I order another one for myself while she finishes my previous one off. I can’t believe Ta told her about all that. I can’t be embarrassed, though. Hell, I think that was a compliment.

  “Hell yeah, I care about her. Who the fuck wouldn’t? I would do anything for her, including beat the shit out of that jerk.” Thinking about him is pissing me off. I need to go home.

  “You okay to get home? I can give you a ride. I think we are in the same building,” I say. I hope she won’t talk as much as she has been all the way there.

  “That would be great. I don’t like taking cabs. There are so many fucked up people out here. I tried to bring my guns with me and Pops wouldn’t let me. He said I was too dangerous with them. I do have a couple bottles of pepper spray and my knife in my purse. I’m not afraid to use them either. Not that I have to worry about anything, living next to you and Zander. Now, he is one fine man.” She shoves more peanuts in her mouth.

  “Okay, let’s go. I’m tired,” I say, dropping hints that I don’t want any company.

  I drive to the loft. Once there, I go one way and Audrey goes the other. I don’t know how much more I can take of her mouth. She talks a damn mile a minute. She cusses more than a dude. She’s a nice girl, though.

  I want to call Tatum. I’m sure she already knows about Audrey running into me. I decide to send a text to her, just to say hi.

  Me: Hi, I just wanted to see how things were going with you. I ran into a friend of yours tonight. It’s been a while since we talked. I miss you.

  I wait a few minutes, then figure she won’t text back. I lay my phone on the counter and start heating up some Chinese food I got a few days ago. It may be a bad idea to eat it this late, but what the hell? I will probably be up all night anyway.

  Tatum: I think it would be a good idea if you leave my fiancée alone. You had your chance years ago and ruined it. Now find your own woman. Thayer

  Who the fuck does he think he is? I throw my phone so hard it shatters. Just fucking great. It’s almost midnight and no store will be open this goddamn late. I throw my food away and leave my place to find Audrey. She can call Tatum for me. I hope that bastard doesn’t hurt her.

  Audrey calls Tatum and Tatum tells her she is fine, so I text her again from Audrey’s phone.

  Audrey: Okay, Thayer won, for now! Have a nice life…Oh, it’s Evan btw.

  ***

  I wake up and remember that Lila said she would be back in New York today. I go to a store, get a new phone, and send her a text. I stop by the café and grab breakfast. I can’t wait to see her. I’ve been wanting to go ice skating. I’m hoping she’ll be up for it.

  “Hey, pretty lady. You look like shit!”

  She punches my arm. “Thanks, Evan. You are such a good friend.”

  “Lila, I’m kidding. You look fine.” I hug her. She does look a little unhappy, though. I wonder if that has to do with army boy.

  “Everything okay, darlin’?” Hopefully, she’ll tell me everything that’s bothering her.

  “I’m fine. It’s just hard leaving Liam, not knowing when I will see him again,” she says as she wipes a tear from her face.

  “Well, let’s eat. Then I have a surprise.”

  I unpack the food. I figured she’d be hungry. After we finish eating, I figure we should just go for a drive. I can tell she’s not in a good mood. This is the saddest I’ve ever seen her look. Ahh hell, I’m taking her ice skating. Maybe that’ll cheer her up
.

  “Lila, can you skate?”

  “Yes, I can. Why?”

  “You’ll see.” I smile and grab her hand.

  When we arrive at the rink, it’s not that full. I guess it isn’t normally busy, even in January. I rent our skates and we sit on the bench to put them on.

  “Evan, thank you! You seem to always know how to make me smile.”

  I wink. “Anytime, darlin’. I enjoy seeing you smile.”

  We skate out onto the ice, holding hands. It’s so funny. Lila looks like a timid fawn learning how to stand. She’s all over the place. I’m doing pretty well. Trying to skate and hold her up is the challenge. She laughs as she falls into me.

  “I’m going to hurt you if I fall again.”

  I laugh. “Oh, come on now. You look like a pro!”

  She looks absolutely breathtaking. As we skate, I hold her hand and just stare at the beautiful smile on her face. I realize, at that moment, that I will never be more than her friend. Another man has her heart. Even so, I still want to hold on as long as I can.

  “You ready to see what else New York has to offer?” I say as we skate toward the benches.

  “I would love to. You’ve made this day great.” Lila hugs me.

  We drive around New York City and decide to take a tour bus. There’s so much to see. I would rather take a tour than drive. Lila must have been really tired. She takes a nap, her head resting on my lap. She wakes up in a panic when she realizes where her head is.

  “This is wrong. I have a boyfriend and I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression. I really love Liam. You and I are just friends.”

  “Lila, its fine. I know we’re just friends and that you are in love with someone else. I won’t ruin what we have.”

  “Can we go get pizza? I’m starved.”

  I smile, relieved that she changed the subject. “Yes, we can. I’m not ready to take you home anyway.”