Wingless Book Series (book 1)

by Holly Hood

  Ari was in a robe clutching a huge coffee mug to her chest, probably trying to stay warm as well. I had a blanket wrapped around me-the only thing sticking out was my head. I imagined that maybe if I had just ignored Evan, they would have just packed me with the bed and I could be sleeping still.

  “We brought breakfast,” Kenny said as him and Evan approached.

  He tossed a bag at Ari, sitting down in the lawn chair with her. Evan handed mine to me politely. Kenny still wasn’t in the best of moods and I never got to talk to Ari to figure out why he wasn’t. I thought about it for a little while as we sat out here, and I came to the conclusion that he liked being forced about as much as I did.

  “They’re almost done and then we can head out,” Evan said to me, trying to get his arms into my secure blanket wrapped around me. I nodded, loosening my grip to allow Evan’s hands to sneak in. I jumped at the cool touch on my stomach and sides. He maneuvered to my inner thigh, I knew because his hands were freezing. Evan liked little silly games such as these, he knew only me and he knew what was going on-to him it was amusing.

  “Are you going to eat?” I asked him, opening the bag of breakfast sandwiches.

  “I already ate on the way here,” he said, heading off into the house to the waiting mover who wanted to know what to do with something.

  The situation, even though it seemed fixed, was still delicate. Evan knew not to overstep his bounds on this, and I was grateful of that.

  “Ari will you hurry up?” Kenny barked at her, grabbing the bag of food and getting up.

  “I’m eating, God!” she said, tossing half her sandwich at him in disgust.

  “Well, eat faster next time. Go get dressed. Do you ever do anything on time!” he said pushing her towards the house.

  I watched her face go from disgust to sadness. It bothered me. He plopped down in her spot, lounging as if he had not a care in the world, as if it didn’t matter to him that he had just hurt his girlfriend, or whatever he wanted to call her.

  “Why are you so mean to her?” I blurted out, while chewing my food.

  Evan was coming towards us, but stopped when he seen what was going on.

  Kenny looked at me with a confused look on his face. “She knew we were leaving in the morning,” he said, trying to keep it simple to avoid me.

  “It’s, like, six in the morning. Do you know how to treat anyone even halfway decent?” I asked him.

  Kenny thought he was intimidating. Maybe Ari had gotten used to it, but I didn’t fear him. Even if he could overpower me, I knew I would try my hardest to kick the shit out of him.

  “I guess not, Eve. What’s it to you anyways? You got Evan to be all sweet and sappy,” he laughed. “Ari obviously isn’t for all that. Once you know her well enough, you will see.” He seemed amused.

  “I know girls don’t like to be treated like shit,” I said, getting up, which was hard with the blanket.

  “I treat her fine. Just stay out of it. I didn’t realize your girl had such a mouth on her, Evan,” Kenny said as Evan came to my side.

  “Kenny, cool it. Maybe you should take her advice and lay off Ari,” Evan said, not looking pleased.

  “Oh, here we go,” Kenny said, sitting up in defense.

  “She’s in there upset. How many times a day can you make her cry dude?” Evan said, shaking his head.

  “Not enough.” Kenny got up walking off.

  I wanted to punch him. Evan grabbed my arm, turning me in the opposite direction.

  “Go get in the truck please, before you do something you will regret,” he said sternly, watching me. It was as if he thought I was going to make a quick sprint to Kenny and deck him or something. It sounded good, but I was too tired. Maybe the reason why I had been so vocal with Kenny as well.

  “Could you use anymore help?” a tall muscular blonde said from the driveway with a beaming smile of pearly white teeth.

  I had never seen him before, he was stunning. As stunning as Evan. I almost felt bad for thinking this to myself. Evan approached him, giving him a hug and a handshake.

  “No, I think we are about done,” he laughed. I folded up my blanket, heading over to Evan and this guy.

  “Eve, this is my brother Mark. Mark, this is Eve,” Evan introduced us.

  Mark beamed his smile my way, looking at Evan and back at me. “She’s beautiful,” he said, shaking his head. “I can’t believe you found such a beauty,” he said, poking fun at Evan. I laughed along with him; it was always funny to tease Evan about things.

  “Yeah, she is she doesn’t take kindly to being told so, though,” he said, looking at me with amusement.

  “Well, that makes sense. I’m sure she heard it her whole life,” Mark said.

  I was enthralled in their witty banter and cheerful tone that went back and forth, and I stood there watching it take place with a silly smile on my face. It was so fascinating. Mark was like a whimsical fairy of cheer or something less silly sounding, I thought to myself.

  Kenny and Ari came walking out. Mark cut the conversation short to watch the two come towards us.

  “Well if it isn’t Mr. Doom and Gloom himself,” Mark said to Kenny.

  Kenny sighed, giving him a hug. “What are you doing here?” Kenny even was less rude when he was around Mark, I thought.

  “I’m here to offer my help, but looks like I’m too late. You lovely ladies ready to move to Piper?” he said, looking at Ari and me.

  Ari wrapped her arm around my waist. This caught me off guard. “Oh yeah, it’s going to be just splendid,” she blurted out with a hint of sarcasm that only I seemed to pick up on. We headed to the cars.

  “What’s up?” I asked as she opened the truck door.

  “I’m riding with you guys,” she said quietly. I got in first. She got in, slamming the door shut and throwing on her sunglasses, hiding behind the big frames.

  “Does Kenny know this?” I asked alarmed.

  “I don’t care; he’s not on my favorite list right now. Ever since this move, he has been so upset about us having to move there,” she sighed.

  “Why? I don’t understand.” I asked before Evan made it to the truck to stop the conversation.

  “He thinks it’s the end of his playboy ways or something, I don’t know. And believe me, if I could, I would let him go his own way.” She moved a little to make room for Evan. Kenny flew past the truck and took off.

  “Everyone ready?” Evan said, starting up and heading out as well.

  “Is there any sort of out clause, Evan? I know I asked before, but now would be a great time to figure one out?” she said dryly.

  I looked at Ari and then Evan in confusion.

  “Ari, I told you before, he will be fine and he will adjust,” Evan said.

  “What do you guys mean?” I burst out, confused.

  “Nothing, Eve,” Ari said, waving a hand my way looking out the window.

  “No, you tell me what you mean or I swear I will throw you out of the car,” I snapped. Evan glanced my way keeping his eyes on the road.

  Ari looked at me confused. “What do you mean, tell you? You know what I’m talking about. Why must I need to spell it out for you?” she said a little agitated.

  “Because it doesn’t make that much sense. If Kenny is this mean to you, then why can’t you just leave? No one deserves to go through all that,” I said, remembering the night Kenny pounded on Ari at Carlo’s.

  “It doesn’t work that way. I told you that. Once it’s done, it’s done, and no matter what happens, I can’t go anywhere. That’s why he is pissed off all the time, Eve. Come on, do you think I was BS-ing you? If Kenny could, he would dump me in a heartbeat.” She went back to staring out of the window, upset. I didn’t know what to say. I looked at Evan for help.

  “Ari, I know he is a jerk, but deep down he cares about you. He was young. He didn’t know what it all meant back then so it’s hard to accept, but I know he cares about you,” he said softly.

  Ari started to cry.
All was silent as we made our way to Piper Valley. I didn’t know if Evan was telling the truth, maybe he wished Kenny did care about Ari, or maybe he knew something that we didn’t. I just thought Kenny was a total jerk. Knowing that Ari had no choice in being with Kenny made me feel even sorrier for her, but I had a sinking belief she wasn’t the only one in the boat. If Ari had no choice, then that meant neither did I.

  Chapter 29

  These Shoes

  Piper Valley was a gated community exactly twenty minutes from my old hometown. Newly renovated, clearly it hadn’t been there all that long. Evan said maybe two years at the most.

  It was almost as stunning as Carlo’s neighborhood, I noticed. The houses were a little smaller and more modest, but still impressive. You could not enter Piper Valley without being let in. Anyone who came there was seen before making his or her way through, and it was like a separate world.

  There were even stores, a couple clothing boutiques, and some restaurants, a few gas stations and movies and bowling alleys, all sorts of things there. The only thing there wasn’t was a hospital. Parks and water were dotted all over; it was truly interesting to me.

  As we made our way into the gates, Evan and Ari both seemed mighty pleased. Ari’s spirits went from depressed to overjoyed and it was like the sun started beaming right when we came through.

  Evan patted my leg heading down a street. I surveyed the surroundings more waiting to see some people, but there weren’t any outside. Each house looked exactly the same, which to me was a tad tacky and boring. The grass was so green and perfectly manicured. I had always had a thing for grass, the greener the grass the more I was drawn to it-it was a weird fascination.

  We pulled down yet another street, pulling into a driveway.

  “Delwass Lane,” I said out loud reading the sign.

  “Del was. Like was,” Evan explained to me, getting out of the truck. He stretched his arms above his head as if we had driven for days or something.

  I waited for Ari to head out, not that in a hurry. Kenny was pulling up as we all made our way out of the truck, Mark behind him. They got out as well. Mark still had the beaming ray of sunshine smile on his face as he made his way over to us. I couldn’t help but smile as well when I looked at him.

  “So? What do you think?” he said, barely grazing my arm with his fingers. He stared at me intently, waiting for a reply.

  “It looks very nice,” I said politely.

  He was the kind of person I didn’t think I could ever be rude to, I thought as he smiled at me. There was nothing mean or cruel about him, he just exuded happy vibes.

  “I think you’re unsure,” he said, not letting my gaze go.

  Evan made his way to me, putting his hand around my waist. “I think she is too,” he agreed.

  “Just need to let it sink in. I’ll be fine,” I assured them both, feeling a little more nervous than I had already.

  “Alright, let’s go see the inside. You ready?” he asked me, taking me up the sidewalk to what was now our home.

  The house was brick, two large windows in the front of it with a beautiful red door. It was all one level and had an attached two car garage. Evan unlocked the door, grabbing me like a bride. I punched his arm trying to fight my way back to the ground. He was being silly.

  “Evan! Put me down,” I said, half laughing.

  “No, I’m carrying you. It’s romantic, deal with it,” he said, stepping through the door.

  The entrance was nice. We came into a big, bright yellow kitchen with light oak cabinets and light oak flooring, white counter tops and white appliances with yellow and white checkered curtains. There was a vase at the table with yellow lilies in it. There was also an island that I had always dreamed I would have in my dream home, a large island with bar stools on one side and a fruit basket sitting on the counter. It was so quaint, I thought.

  “Well, what do you think so far?” Evan asked, watching my expression as I touched the lilies.

  “I like it,” I said, opening up the refrigerator and seeing it was already fully stocked with everything I could imagine we needed.

  “Okay, let’s go to the next room,” he said happily dragging me with him.

  The living room was amazing. Dark red walls with a velvety black trim, the furniture a cushy black overstuffed sectional that had a chaise lounge on it. The carpet black and shaggy and so comfortable to walk on, I thought as my feet sunk into it. There was a fireplace made of black marble, so smooth and inviting. A large plasma screen TV hung from above it. I was blown away at the detail.

  Evan moved me over to the fireplace. There were several pictures lining it. I gasped when I seen it was of us.

  “How did you do that?” I asked, holding my hand to my mouth.

  I picked the first up. It was me and him at Carlo’s the day he proposed. My cheeks were pink, probably from shock, I thought. Evan looked as beautiful as always, his perfect smile, his crazy messy hair that always looked like he meant to make it that way- and how it always worked for him. The other pictures were of us that we had taken at the old house just messing around.

  It was starting to feel more like it was part of the plan.

  “I hope you like it. My dad had me talk to his decorator about what colors and things you liked so it would be set up before we got here,” he said, opening the blinds to let the sun pour in.

  “I do, and thanks,” I said, realizing that most of the colors and decorations were something I had told Evan at one time or another. And it blew me away that he had remembered all of what I’d said. It just proved how awesome a person he was.

  We also had a sunroom and a deck you could access from the living room. The house had two bedrooms, which of course, Evan made sure to decorate ours with my favorite color: light purple. It was amazing the amount of work that was put into it. There was even a little office. I wasn’t sure who would use it, but it was cute. It sort of was a mini version of Carlo’s.

  “Let’s eat lunch, then we will head over to Kenny’s to see how they’re holding up,” Evan suggested, giving me my plate.

  There was an array of lunch meat set up in the kitchen already for us with fruits and vegetables and dips.

  “Is there, like, a maid, or something?” I asked jokingly.

  “Yeah, they come every other day and restock things and clean up. Is that okay?” he asked.

  “I was joking, but if it’s okay with you, then it’s okay with me,” I said, biting into a piece of pineapple.

  “Yeah, it’s fine with me,” he said, devouring his sandwich. We were both starved.

  “Do you think Ari and Kenny like their place?” I asked.

  “I think so. Kenny talked to a decorator with me that day. He made sure there was a ton of closet space for her and Betty Boop decorations, or whatever that is, all over the place,” he laughed.

  I smiled. It was shocking that Kenny would go through the trouble.

  “That will make her happy. I bet she will feel better,” I said.

  “Oh, I’m sure she will, believe me,” Evan said, looking off with a grin.

  “What?” I said catching on.

  “Nothing. Just remember, patience is a virtue,” he laughed out loud.

  “Evan, tell me,” I said, snatching the sandwich from his hand.

  “Ugh, alright. Kenny is going to propose. Probably already has. He was waiting until they got to the house. Now give me my sandwich,” he said.

  I almost choked, handing him his food back. “What!”

  “Yeah, hence the reason he was so grouchy. I’m not the only one in love apparently. That, and Carlo told him it was about time.” He shrugged.

  “Do you think he did it for the right reason?” I asked, feeling bad suddenly.

  “I think he did what was right for him. And I know he loves her deep down,” he said, nodding.

  “Well, then that’s good. I know Ari would be happy,” I said, not sure how that would all turn out, but it sure did explain why Kenny was acting so K
enny-like. I stared out the window drifting off into a daydream.

  “So let’s eat up so we can head over. I’m sure she is dying to tell you,” Evan said, clearing his plate from the table.

  “Right,” I said as a woman with a small dog came walking past our window.

  She was blonde and had an airy way about her, her body lanky and scantily clad in short shorts and a tank top with strappy heeled shoes. I didn’t care for the shoes, but maybe to her it went well. I thought maybe it showed that she wanted to be looked at no matter what she wore.