by Holly Hood
“Wow, that’s nuts,” I said, grabbing Evan’s hand that was wedged in his pocket.
He came back to life a little. “Yeah, it was a little to nuts,” he said, staring.
“What do you mean?” I asked him, thinking about it. The boat missed Uncle Mel. So why was Evan so freaked out about it?
“He was almost killed by that boat. That’s a little odd.”
“Well, maybe the boater missed his turn or something. It’s no big deal. He shouldn’t have been so close to the water,” I offered.
Evan shook his head. “No, I know what it was. I felt it. And that is not a good thing,” he said, crossing his arms and turning to face me.
“What are you talking about?” I said in a whisper.
“That was me. I did that. I don’t know why, though. I’m really starting to get freaked out,” he said, looking at me as if he was losing his mind.
“Evan, I don’t think you did that,” I said, touching his arm.
“Yes, I’m telling you I did,” he said again, this time more agitated. He put his hand to his head as if he was in pain.
“Evan, do you want to leave?”
“No, I need to know what’s going on. This has never happened before,” he said almost panicked.
My heart started racing, the thoughts of years ago pouring back to me. It was like a bad nightmare all over again.
“Do you think we should go over there and see what is going on? Do you think anyone is catching on to anything?” he rambled.
“I think it would be weirder for me to go over there to tell you the truth,” I said, feeling sick. I needed to get it over and just say it and maybe it would calm him down, I thought.
“What? What are you talking about?” he asked me, his face looking puzzled as he looked at me.
“The reason why Gray was talking like that about him is because when I was younger, something happened. My Uncle Mel, um, he did something to me when I was a little kid. No one ever told the police. He wasn’t put in jail, but that’s what would have happened. I don’t know if you understand,” I said, feeling the pain in my stomach get worse.
Evan’s face dropped.
“It’s okay. I mean, I know it’s not okay, but I’m okay. That’s why he isn’t allowed around anymore.”
“Your parents did nothing?” he asked even more irritated.
“He is an alcoholic. He has issues. That’s just how it worked out. I try to just not think about those things that I can’t change.”
Evan pulled me to him, holding on to my arms. “If you want me to do something about it, I will. I would do that for you,” he said, looking in my eyes.
“I know you would, and that’s what is so great about you,” I said, smiling.
“I wouldn’t think twice about it. No one protected you from him, and I could. You just remember that,” he said.
“Believe me, it’s a thought that crosses my mind all the time,” I said.
“You shouldn’t have to think about that all the time. You should be able to feel like something was done. Your parents should have made you feel safe again, not have to look at that man year after year.”
“Let’s just go,” I said, taking his hand.
We headed out of the park, walking away was rather easy. The feelings of betrayal left me as we made our way out, the only new memory that I would have now was the one of my entire family screaming and yelling that Uncle Mel was not breathing. It seemed he had a heart attack, but I knew the truth. I knew that Evan fixed what was wrong and even if it pained the family to endure a death, in my eyes, it fixed so many years of feeling as if I was wronged by my whole family for supporting that pervert. Although I didn’t know where he would go after this, I knew that he was taken care of.
Evan unlocked the truck and opened my door once again. I got in, the feeling of relief sweeping over my whole body.
“You alright?” he asked me, starting up the truck.
“Yeah, for once I can actually say I am,” I said smiling. He squeezed my hand as we drove away from it all.
Chapter 23
Breathe
I rolled over in bed; my arm fell with a thud where Evan should have been. I yawned, sitting up. Moments, maybe even seconds later, Evan came rushing in the room with a tray. On it was breakfast. He came to my side of the bed in good spirits.
The thing about Evan was, even with how exceptionally attractive he was when he was happy, he still seemed serious and stern. But when you got to know him, you could tell the slight difference. It was in his eyes and in a small crease of his mouth. He had a way of bringing my spirits up and keeping them there just by being in the room. Ever since I met him, I felt like nothing else mattered.
I totally forgot about all that was expected of me from my parents. I gave up on hoping that Gray would one day treat me with respect. I didn’t care about any of that anymore. All I cared about was this guy who was standing in front of me with breakfast. I wasn’t sure how healthy it was to just want to be with someone nothing more, but that’s how I felt. He literally made me feel whole. I didn’t even care if I found a career or purpose in life. As long as Evan was there in my life, it had a purpose. I could do anything as long as he was around to see me do it.
The part that was a little strange to me was that the person I felt so bonded to was so different from what I would have expected. And at the same time, I felt like he was a gift and that I had been lucky to meet him at all. I was paired with fate, literally, and I liked that.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Evan asked, breaking through my thoughts. I shrugged my shoulders accepting his long kiss. “Good morning. More like afternoon. And happy birthday,” he said, placing the tray over my legs.
I surveyed the food-fruits, pancakes and bacon. Oh, and orange juice, because after this long of living here, he knew that it was my favorite.
He climbed into bed with me, in good spirits, watching me eat the whole time.
“Thank you. This is nice,” I said, giving him a bite of melon.
“That’s not the end of it,” he said, chewing.
He was definitely not as messy at eating as Gray. For a guy he was proper, he said that he was raised right, I said that must mean he thinks I was raised wrong. It was always a laugh discussing the differences though.
“Oh, really? What else do you have in mind?” I poked at him, sipping my juice.
He smoothed my hair that was more than likely crazy wild now. I always looked a mess in the morning, but around Evan, it didn’t matter to me anymore.
“They’re called surprises, so that means you won’t know until you receive them,” he said, smiling, looking away, trying not to let me see his expression.
“Fine. How about you take this back in the kitchen and I will get showered and dressed?” I asked, handing the tray over.
He set it on the bed shaking his head. “I have one gift I would like to give you right now,” he said with a sly look on his face.
He took my hand, leading me into the bathroom.
The first gift was all I expected and more.
“Alright well I’m going to step out for a few. I’ll be right back,” he said from outside the shower.
I started rinsing my hair out in a rather chipper mood after the “gift.” “Okay. Do you want me just to sit here and wait, or come with you?” I asked, trying to hurry up and get out of the shower.
“No, no just finish up. I’ll be back in like, fifteen minutes at the most,” he said, pulling the glass shower door open. He puckered his lips, waiting for a kiss.
I started laughing as the water hit his face. “You’re crazy,” I said kissing him anyway. He nodded shutting the door and heading out of the bathroom in a flash.
I got out of the shower wrapping a towel around my hair and one around my body. I opened the bathroom door seeing a big red box with a black bow sitting on the bed. It sent excitement through my whole body to see a present. I knew he had snuck that there on the way out.
O
pening it, I gasped. It was a pair of black dress pants, almost soft to the touch, and a red top with black graffiti-like butterflies scattered over it-there were no sleeves. It almost reminded me of a bustier without the tight, uncomfortable, stiff feeling to it. And the shoes were to die for. I held them in my hands, a smile creeping across my face. They were black strapped sandals with a huge chunky heel.
Inside the box was a card. I opened it, reading it slowly. His writing was as handsome as he was.
“Eve, I hope you like this, Ari helped me pick it out. Wear it tonight; I can’t wait to see you in it…… Evan.”
I closed the card, setting it all out on the bed to look it over. It meant a great deal to get gifts like this.
I stood in the mirror looking at myself. It looked exceptionally good. I absolutely liked it. There was a tapping on the door.
“Yeah?” I asked.
“You dressed?” Evan practically yelled from outside. The excitement in his voice was funny.
“Yes, come in,” I said, laughing to myself.
“No. Come out. We want to see you,” he said.
“Who is we?” I asked.
“My brother and Ari and me silly,” he said, laughing.
I sighed, opening the door. They all were practically smooshed together waiting. Kenny tried to play it off as if he was dragged there by Ari, but even his face was amused by it all.
They all were wide-eyed and smiling.
“You look amazing Eve. Happy Birthday,” Ari said, hugging me tight.
“Yeah, you look really nice,” Kenny said, looking at me quickly and then looking away.
“Thank you, guys,” I smiled.
Evan couldn’t take his eyes away from me. He took my hand and twirled me once again in a circle. “You’re stunning,” he said, kissing my hand repeatedly to be dramatic.
“Thank you. What’s with the outfit?” I asked, eyeballing his black slacks and red dress shirt. We matched. As I look around, I noticed Ari was in a red dress with a black sweater and Kenny was in black and red, too.
“Dinner tonight at my dad’s,” he said.
“Oh, really?” I said, feeling a little iffy about making another journey there.
“Yes, really. For your birthday. It will be great!” Ari squealed, clutching my hands in hers.
“Okay, okay, so we got an hour. I’m going to go watch the game,” Kenny said, unbuttoning his shirt and walking off.
We arrived at Carlo’s, pulling up behind Kenny and Ari.
Evan killed the engine and turned to me, pulling a black blind fold out of his pocket. “Put this on,” he said, handing it to me.
“Really?” I asked, half curious and excited and half nervous. I would make a fool out of myself without sight.
“Yes, really. Please just go along with it. You will be really happy,” he said, helping me pull the blindfold down.
“I trust you,” I said, feeling for the door as he pulled me out.
He took my arm and waist, walking me slowly and carefully. I was scared I was going to fall, gripping on to Evan’s shirt as we made our way to where I wasn’t sure.
“Evan, that’s good you don’t want to kill her,” Kenny said, his voice suddenly popping up.
I went for my blindfold and then heard laughter. “I’m joking Eve, calm down,” Kenny said.
Finally, the walking seemed to end. Evan pulled the blindfold off of me. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. The yard was covered in little white candles. I turned in circles at all the white lilies and the floating candles that were in the pool as well. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
I clutched my hand to my chest looking at all the lights and flowers, welling up with tears. Ari and Kenny stood to the side as I took it all in. Evan came up beside me, pulling me close to him. I put my head on his shoulder just looking. I didn’t even know what to say or do. I was so blown away by it all. No one had ever done anything like this for me before.
“Do you like it?” he asked softly.
“I love it. It’s beautiful. And I can’t believe you went to all the trouble,” I said, tears falling.
Evan caught each with his fingertips, smiling at me. “It wasn’t any trouble, you deserve it.” He pulled me close, smiling at me still. I could see in his eyes he truly was happy. I truly was happy myself.
“Well, thank you. I’ll just have to make sure I outdo you on your birthday,” I laughed, half crying.
“Oh, shush,” he said, pulling me toward the table set up.
Carlo came out of the door, smiling from ear to ear. He was wearing a black suit and had the familiar cigar poking out the side of his mouth. He came rushing forward, arms out to embrace Evan, but instead of going to Evan, he grabbed me first. Evan released my hand.
Practically crushing me with his hugging, Carlo kissed my cheeks, pulling away to look at my face. “I’m so happy for you, and happy birthday,” he said intensely.
“Thank you,” I said, feeling a little awkward.
“You look gorgeous. I had my staff make your favorite dinner. We set it all up of course according to Evan’s orders. I think it looks marvelous. My son did a good job.” He beamed, looking at everything with me. His arm around my shoulder, he puffed away at his cigar, taking in the decorations.
I was amazed at how happy he was at this. He truly was making me feel more comfortable.
“Dad can I have her back now?” Evan asked, taking my hand, giving me a gift.
“Of course. I have some phone calls to make and then I will be joining you all,” he said, heading in the house.
“Another gift? Wow,” I said, sitting down at the beautiful white table set up. Ari and Kenny took seats as well, watching me intently.
I pulled the ribbon from the red package. It wasn’t that big, and I was guessing it was jewelry of some kind. Opening it revealed a silver necklace and a large diamond. I gasped.
“Evan!” I exclaimed.
He took it, putting it on me. “Do you like it?” he asked me, touching the diamond.
“Of course, but it’s way too much,” I said, touching his hand.
“No, it’s not. Nothing is, or ever will be, too much for you,” he said sternly.
Ari smiled at me as I looked her way. Kenny put his arm around her, staring at me with a look of calm on his face. This was good for Kenny who usually seemed bothered by something all the time.
We all sat down at the table as the staffers started bringing out plates. They brought mine out, setting it in front of me, removing the lid. It was definitely my favorite meal, lasagna. I smiled at how much Evan seemed to remember. We enjoyed the food and chatted. Evan kept close, seeming overjoyed with it all.
Even Carlo, or Tony to some (I preferred Carlo) was having a good time. Evan conversed with Carlo and Kenny. They were all laughing.
Ari moved her chair over to me touching my arm. She was smiling sipping on fancy champagne. “Everything turned out so well,” she whispered to me.
“I know, it’s all way too much,” I said, smiling at Evan as he laughed some more with Kenny and Carlo. Everyone was just having the best time. It was beyond amazing.
“It’s not. Just enjoy it. Believe me, none of Carlo’s kids have to worry about money. So just get used to it,” she said, fiddling with my diamond that hung from my neck.
It was nice being taken care of, and even though it was a little hard to get used to, I thought I could. What girl didn’t want to be spoiled by the man she was falling for?
Carlo tapped his glass, catching our attention. Evan pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me, his chin gently touching the back of my head. Ari went back to Kenny.
“It’s a beautiful night and I thought I would say some words,” he said, sipping his drink.
“To Evan and Eve, may everything that happens from here on be nothing but the best for you both. I truly believe you have made my son his happiest,” he said, winking at me.
Everyone clinked their glasses together. Carlo look
ed at Kenny. He reluctantly lifted his, clearing his throat.
“I don’t make toasts, but I guess I will for Dad’s sake. Happy birthday, Eve. I hope it’s a memorable one,” he laughed, looking at Evan. Evan shook his head at him, squeezing my arm.
“I think it’s pretty memorable,” I said to everyone. They all laughed.
“Okay, anyone else?” Carlo asked.
