by Holly Hood
I smiled, giving a little wave. He chuckled, pulling me by the arm to almost crush me in a bear hug, and then he kissed each of my cheeks, touching my face and staring at me with so much enthusiasm it made me feel like I was suffocating.
He touched my hair, took my hand in his, and turned to Evan. “Amazing son. She is truly amazing. She is everything you said she would be.” He kissed my hand.
I pulled away from his grasp, moving closer to Evan while keeping a smile on my face so not to upset this powerful looking man.
“Thanks, I think so too. I’m really glad you’re getting to meet her.” He motioned us to sit down. Evan nudged me to get me moving. I gave him a confused look and he laughed.
“So, Eve is there anything I can get you?” he asked, overtly staring at me.
“No, thank you, um, sir,” I stumbled, staring at the tons of books that lined the walls.
“I’m Tony. You don’t have to call me sir.”
“Oh, okay, Tony.” I nodded my head, feeling skittish and not sure what to say to the man. Evan and Tony chatted easily back and forth.
“So, how do you like my boy?” he asked, leaving the original topic and looking at me again.
“I like him a lot,” I said, looking at Evan for help. He gave none, just grinned.
“Is he treating you well?” he asked me.
“He treats me fine.” I shifted in my seat, playing with my dress nervously.
“Hey, Evan, go check on that call and bring back some drinks, whatever she likes.” I started to get up, but Tony raised his hand at me telling me to sit. Evan touched my shoulder lightly and headed out. I swallowed hard. I hoped today wasn’t the day I was going to be offed or tortured.
“I can tell you’re nervous,” Tony laughed, lighting his cigar again.
“I don’t normally meet parents.” I blushed as I said this. I probably sounded like an idiot.
“I can tell you think of it as an honor when a man wants to bring you home. That speaks volumes. Men aren’t wired to seek approval from their parents unless they honestly, truly care for a woman.” He raised his eyebrows, blowing smoke and nodding at me. My body was less tense now. That was a nice thing to say and, as I thought about it, he was right.
“What is it your parents do?” he asked.
“My father owns a chain of restaurants and my mom is a lawyer,” I said.
“What sort of lawyer is she? I may have heard of her.”
“Civil law. She used to be a criminal lawyer, but went to civil.”
He nodded. “Why is that?”
“Um, my brother died and she just wanted something different she said.” I started to feel tense all over again.
“That’s too bad. I’m sure it’s not something you would like to talk about. But on to something else, I have a few things to discuss with you myself. I am glad you came today.” He leaned back in his chair, swiveling from side to side. He had a way to make you sweat.
“I’m glad to meet you too.” I smiled pleadingly that this would end. He was unaware, but I wasn’t.
“I really like you with Evan; I think you’re a good fit. You’re beautiful, you seem smart, and you keep him on his toes from what I hear. I think it’s a good thing he found you.” He looked at me, waiting for my response.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I stumbled, choosing my words wisely before they left my lips. “I do like him a lot; it’s been really good so far.”
“I don’t get to do a lot for my sons, but this is one thing I pride myself in-knowing who is right and not right for my boys. And I think you’re the one for him. So, I guess what I am asking of you is just to keep my son happy and be the girl for him.”
I was confused, I was stunned. My face, I’m sure, matched what my thoughts. I balled my hand, tucking it under my leg to avoid showing all my hostility. Pursing my lips, trying to breathe slowly. Who was this man? Well, I knew the answer to that, but he was not Cupid. He had no right to tell me what to do with his son. Maybe he was looking out for his happiness, but I didn’t believe that was his call or anyone’s besides Evan’s or mine. I didn’t know what to say. Tony sensed this after several minutes.
“I think it’s in his best interest is all,” he said, raising one eyebrow at me. “For the sake of Evan’s happiness, let’s use those words, shall we?”
I stood up quickly, feeling hot and too contained in the room all of a sudden. I was afraid I was going to hyperventilate or something.
“Look, I understand you care about your son, and I do too. I need some air. Will you excuse me?” I didn’t wait for a reply. I bolted out as fast as I could. There was no one in the hallway. I made my to the spiral staircase and noticed a balcony across the way from it, so I went out the doors to get some air.
It was getting dark, the wind was so soothing on my face, and I could finally breathe. And I was sure Evan would find me somehow, or I would just return. I liked Evan, I did, but the tactics that were going on in there were a little ridiculous. I wasn’t sure Evan would be for anything like this, and I was not going to throw up a flag and give up because I highly doubted he thought he needed his father to help him in the love department. And I think he had enough faith in me to know he didn’t need to force me. Well, I hoped he knew that anyway.
Below me walked a young girl with a chin length bob hairstyle, in a red slip-like dress and huge high heels. She tripped, but caught herself walking out by the pool, lighting up a cigarette to smoke. Her body seemed to relax as she exhaled. I watched her intently; she looked almost as bad off as I was. I leaned closer over the railing to watch. Suddenly, Kenny, someone I recognized, came out, heading over to her. Her back turned away from him as he approached. He moves swiftly, coming to a stop behind her and hit her in the head with his fist. She stumbled forward, almost landing in the pool, but caught herself, letting out a loud scream. She stayed on the ground looking up at Kenny. He grabbed her by the arm, lifting her up off the ground.
“What the hell did I tell you?!” he yelled, enraged at her. She started babbling something that made no sense from where I was. He grabbed her face with one hand, squeezing her cheeks tightly so she couldn’t speak anymore. As he made his way to the door with her she cried, pulling at his grasp. He stopped right at the door and smacked her in the face, not once, but twice. I gripped the railing in shock, ready to leap over the railing after him. But I didn’t think that was something I should do here where I was. The girl scratched his face, screaming again. Kenny didn’t seem to be bothered at all by this and rammed her face into the wall. I winced. She just stopped making noise and seemed to almost give in to him.
He let go of her, pointing his finger in her face. “You want to make yourself look like a fool, that’s one thing, but don’t bring my family into this or it will be the last thing you do! Do you hear me?” He raised his arm up; she nodded her head, stomping off through the doors.
I couldn’t believe what I had just seen; I was beyond shocked at the brutality of Kenny. And he was Evan’s brother.
The door opened behind me. I turned quickly, startled. It was Evan. His face looked upset, his eyes not the usual caring sweet eyes I always saw on him.
“What? What’s the matter?” I asked, coming over to him.
“My dad wants me to move. He said it’s not working out here.”
“What?” I asked, stunned. I felt like I just had been socked in the stomach. Evan kneeled down, resting his arms on his knees.
“With everything going on, he says me being alone here is not a good idea. Says it looks too suspicious. I don’t know what to do.” He stared at the ground.
“Evan, what does that have to do with anything? You live with Kenny. You’re not alone.”
“I’m too easy to figure out, he says. Running around single. He said he isn’t risking anything.”
“I still don’t get why that matters.”
“It matters to him. He likes every aspect kept up on and for some reason I’m not doing my part well enough any
more. Maybe it’s age, I don’t know.” He got up.
“Would you really leave?” My heart sunk.
“If I have to, I have to. You don’t argue with him. It’s easier to just go with it.” He shrugged, looking at me in misery. “I’m so sorry, Eve. This is the last thing I would ever want to do.”
“I know that,” I said, looking up to see his father coming out on the balcony.
“Help him out,” he said quickly. It was simple and easy sounding.
Evan got in front of me, looking his dad in the face. “Dad, stop this. I’ll do what you want. I understand what you mean. Just don’t talk to her like this.”
Tony looked past Evan at me again, without a smile this time. “Help him out. If you do that, he can stay.” He headed inside, seemingly pleased with his order.
I stood still, unsure of what to say. Evan stood where he was, his hand on his head, his back turned away from me. I finally felt my feet moving toward him. Touching his back, he turned looking at me. I held onto him tight.
“All you have to do is ask.”
He pulled back to stare at me in awe. “What? You can’t be serious?”
“All you have to do is ask.”
Chapter 13
You need to understand
We decided the best thing to do was to leave. Evan told his father goodbye, and we headed out of the huge house back into the night. I held his hand just the same as when we arrived. He got my door and we hurried out of there as if we were on the run. At first, it was quiet, neither one of us spoke. Evan hugged the steering wheel, practically in the windshield, his whole body tense. I traced my finger along the window.
“I think I should call my parents when we get back, let them know I’m with you still,” I said, breaking the silence.
“Yeah, I was going to suggest that as well.” He cleared his throat, leaning back finally. I guess he was hoping I wasn’t mad.
“Whose car is that?” I asked as we pulled in the driveway of his house. A black Camaro sat outside. Evan got out, slamming the door.
“It’s Kenny’s.” He went to the door, unlocking it and looking back outside as if expecting something to happen before going in.
I shook my sandals off, heading into the living room. Evan called for Kenny and wandered off through the house. In the living room the girl I saw getting pummeled by Kenny, was curled up on the couch end. She lifted her head and looked at me as I came in and sat on the opposite end of the couch.
“Hi,” she said politely, sitting up. She was scratched and a little puffy around the eye, but oh so pretty and tiny. She had the longest eyelashes and beautiful green eyes. I smiled at her, feeling bad as the memory of Kenny hitting her from behind went off in my head.
“Hi, I’m Eve.” I extended my hand. She quickly squeezed mine and I noticed her knuckles were also scraped.
“I’m Ari, Kenny’s girlfriend,” she said, moving closer. She seemed awfully calm for someone who had just been beaten.
“I heard about you. Kenny was telling me how Evan met someone,” she nodded nervously.
“Yeah, not too long ago.”
“How are things? Are you happy?”
“Yes, he is a great guy,” I said, rubbing my arm out of nervous habit.
“I’ve known Evan for eight years. He is a really smart guy, and very sweet,” she said, looking past me quickly and then back to my glance. I figured it was to make sure Kenny wasn’t around.
“That’s what I sense. How long have you and Kenny been together?”
“Since I was fifteen. My family and his family have always known each other. It’s almost like we were fated or something,” she trailed off.
“Oh, wow,” was all I thought to say.
“He was like a big brother to me when I was younger, always telling me what to do, but protective, and then once I got older he was determined we be together.” She told the story so nonchalantly. “And when you know so much about someone and been around him so long, it feels right.”
But it’s not, I thought. I nodded, smiling, trying to show my interest and belief in her theory.
“Have you met the family?” She obviously knew nothing about us being over there earlier.
“Yeah, I have. Well, I met his dad.”
“He’s nice. Just stay on his good side. I mean, he cares deeply for his family. Sometimes, I regret being with Kenny.” She said this so quietly, I barely heard her.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s very grueling to try to keep up with everything that is going on, and what you can and can’t do.”
I nodded, it seemed like it would be hard to deal with all the issues. Whatever the issues were. I wasn’t sure, I hadn’t cared to ask all that yet.
“Well, your best bet is just to not open your mouth about anything you see to anyone outside of the family, and never go against Tony.”Her eyes darted again as she spoke.
“But you’re lucky. Evan is a great guy. He will take very good care of you. He is very faithful to the people he cares about, and if you’re one of them, you’re in good hands,” she smiled.
“That’s sweet of you to say.”
“He’s a good guy.”
Ari jumped a bit at the sound of Kenny coming in the room along with Evan. They both looked frazzled and rigid. Evan motioned me over to him. I told Ari it was nice to meet her and followed him to his bedroom. He shut the door and handed me my phone, which I totally forgot I had left behind today. There were six missed calls.
“Call your parents. I’m sure there flipping.” He went out of the room.
“Dad?”
“Eve!” he practically screamed.
“Yeah it’s me, I’m fine. I was out today with Evan and I forgot my phone.”
“Honey, you can’t do that to us. And since when do you stay at his house, or any guy’s house?” He went quiet, breathing into the phone.
“I don’t normally, but Dad I really like him. And, honestly, nothing is going on. I just stayed over. I met his dad today, too.” I hoped he wouldn’t bite my head off and would just accept that I was eighteen and able to choose for myself.
“That’s all good and well, but you need to check in more. And when are you coming home?”
“I don’t know. It’s summer. We are just hanging out, having fun. Before school, ya know?”
My dad sighed. “Well, just promise me you will be careful and make the right choices and come home every once in awhile and have dinner or something. You’re eighteen, I can’t hold on forever.”
“Nope.”
“I love you, hon. And besides, your stubbornness would win out right?” he tested me before he gave up.
“Dad, it would, but trust me, I’m fine. Evan is a good guy.”
“Maybe we can meet his dad sometime. What did you say his name was?”
“Um, I think Evan is calling me. It’s Tony. Dad I’ll talk to you soon. Love you. Bye!”
I ended the call before I gave up the last name for my dad to freak out over, in case there were news worthy stories about his dad. Evan tapped on the door coming back in. He handed me a glass of ice tea.
“Thanks.” I kissed him, suddenly realizing I was thirsty and hungry.
“We need to have a chat.” He sat down on the floor his back against his bed, looking miserable.
“Okay, sounds good.” I was all for it.
“I don’t know what is the best decision; I know you say ask, but there are things you need to understand.” He looked truly worried.
“I understand most, Evan. I don’t think you’re a bad person and you’re not steering me wrong.”
He shushed me. “Just let me talk and you listen.” I scrunched my nose at his snappy mood. “I am never going to be the guy your parents are happy to call their son-in-law, and I don’t feel like I want to try to be something I am not. I can’t hold up a huge front around them all the time either. It’s too much work. This is my life my family, the way I know normal, and it’s hard to project an image.
I will try to do that for you if I have to go around them, but I just feel bad for choosing to do so. It’s complicated. And my dad and his words about wanting us together, it’s not that I don’t want that. I just want it when I decide. And you too of course.
But at the same time I know what he wants out of me, and he is right. Me being here alone, doing what I am here to do, it makes for shaky ground. And if I want to pull stuff off, I can’t compromise it. It sounds strange, but it’s true. So, I guess I can either leave or I can ask you to help me be with you, by, uh, moving in. And before you answer me just know, if you’re with someone like me, the safest place for you to be is close to me anyway.” He sighed, blowing out air. That was more than a mouthful of thoughts; I was blown away and impressed.
