Wingless Book Series (book 1)

by Holly Hood

  “Fine, I’ll do it!” I jumped in his lap, excited.

  “Eve, think long and hard. You can choose to stay away from this lifestyle. Not many people are willing to jump in, and most are trying to get out.”

  “No. I want to be with you, and this is helping you and I am happy to help.”

  He sighed, shaking his head. “Alright, I hope you don’t regret all of this.”

  We kissed the most amazing, spine tingling kiss I could ever imagine. It was a moment that I would keep with me for a long time.

  Chapter 14

  Big talk

  We decided before going to bed for the night that we would go to see my parents and have a talk with them about my decision. Judging by what I knew about my parents, I wasn’t sure how they would react. I knew that it wouldn’t be that great of a response, but I was ready to do it. Evan agreed that he should go because it was him taking their daughter away. He said no matter what went down, he would stay and endure it as well.

  Morning showed up fast. I reluctantly showered and dressed. There was no way around it, if I was going to stay with him I had to tell my parents. I couldn’t just stay away night after night.

  We pulled up to the house. Evan parked away from the many cars already in the driveway. My sister was home, which meant even more chaos when I unloaded the news. I stared at my house, wondering if I could do it. This was what I had wanted. There was no time better than the present, I thought, getting out. Evan slowly got out too, shoving his hands in his pocket.

  “Man, I don’t know what I feel worse about,” he said, not moving from the side of his truck.

  “What do you mean ‘worse’ about? Is there a worse?”

  “For me, yeah. Is it worse to try and convince a father to let his daughter move out, or to convince him he hadn’t been sleeping with her the whole time she had been gone?” He shot me a look of confusion and angst.

  “Let’s not worry about this, let’s just go in and get it over with. And you said you promise you’re not going to bail, no matter what.” I poked his chest. He nodded, sighing loudly.

  Coming in the kitchen, the same scenario as always was going on. Food was being prepared, my mother in the kitchen chopping and mixing like always. Gray was on a barstool, Devan alongside of him. This was getting better and better by the minute. Devan looked up, took one look at Evan, and you could tell by the look in her eyes, she was horrified. She stifled it in front of my mother the best she could.

  “There you are,” my mother said, coming up and kissing my forehead. She fluffed my hair, examining me as if to see if I came back in one piece. I swatted her hand, setting my purse on the table.

  “Evan, nice to see you again,” my mother said with hardly any enthusiasm. Evan nodded with a tense smile, shoving his hands in his jeans. “Breakfast is almost done, I made crepes.” She pulled her apron off, looking at the two of us.

  “Awesome,” I said, raising an eyebrow at her.

  My sister came around the corner stopping, surprised. She immediately found Evan and checked him out quietly from where she stood.

  “Do you need anything, Mom? Help with setting the table or anything?” she asked, coming to stand next to me. Evan made his way to the hallway, staring at the family pictures. I could tell this was hard for him to wait for.

  “Long time no see. I don’t I think I ever got away with staying at a guy’s house for two days.” She jabbed me in the ribs with her elbow. “He’s cute.”

  “Is it really that bad of a situation?” I asked, trying to feel her out. Maybe she got an earful from my parents and could give me a heads up.

  “I guess it all depends on how you look at it,” she said, eyeing me. I wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but I was very sure she wasn’t going to find it.

  Everyone started to gather at the table for breakfast. Evan had made his way to the den, watching TV by himself.

  “Well, let’s do this,” I said, holding out my hand. He reluctantly took it, getting up and following my lead. Everyone was already seated.

  “How are things going for you, Evan?” my dad asked sternly.

  “Things are good.” He shoved eggs in his mouth, looking down at his plate.

  Everyone busily ate, chatting here and there. Gray stared occasionally at Evan giving him the hardest look he could muster.

  “Evan, I hear you’re in school with Eve and Gray. What year?” Hannah asked, bubbly and full of life. Mark gave her a glance, going back to feeding the baby.

  “It’s my third.” Evan was short and sweet with everyone. His mood was very relaxed, almost coma-like. It was if someone had just killed his cat. Hannah nodded staring at him for more, but then she realized there was no more, and went back to her food.

  “How were your couple days away from the house?” my dad chimed in, trying to create some sort of conversation.

  “Um, eventful,” I said, trailing my fork across my plate. It was now or never. I looked at Evan. He stared back, raising an eyebrow. I raised mine back. “I came by to talk with you guys. I didn’t know everyone would be here,” I blurted out. This grabbed everyone’s attention and all eyes were on me. My mother sprang to life, her face flushed.

  “Whatever you need to say, you can say with all of us here. We’re all family,” my dad spoke up, setting his silverware down and giving all his attention to me.

  “Almost,” Gray said under his breath, looking over at Evan.

  “Okay. Well, I wanted to let you and Mom know that I want to live with Evan. Well, I’m moving in with him.” I stared at my dad as his expression changed, his whole face dropped.

  My Mother let go of her fork, it clinked against the plate. Gray’s mouth dropped. Devan looked nauseated and my sister hid a smirk almost instantaneously. Mark totally stopped what he was doing with the baby to turn his attention to me as well.

  I looked over at Evan, his face was calm. He was eyeing my dad who was only two seats away from him, so I figured he probably was pondering a quick escape if he grabbed him. My mother on the other hand, was sitting next to him, so I was sure he felt uncomfortable.

  “What are you talking about, Eve?” my mother asked, irritated.

  “I’m moving in with him,” I said short.

  “Why? I don’t understand, “my dad said with a look of concern. My mom was just upset.

  “I’m eighteen, I’ll be nineteen soon. It’s my choice. I thought I would be respectful and tell you instead of just doing it, but clearly it doesn’t matter because either way it’s upsetting to you. A choice I want to make like usual!” I yelled. I was just annoyed. No matter what I did or didn’t do, I was wrong.

  “You barely know Evan. It just doesn’t make much sense to me. Gray’s not living with Devan, and they have been together for almost two years,” my dad said, getting agitated. I could tell because he was all red and puffy looking.

  “And what do you think about this? Obviously you’re okay with it. You came with her to break the news to her family,” my mother snapped angrily at Evan.

  Evan shifted in his chair, fumbling for words. “I’m happy to have her,” he shrugged, looking helpless.

  “She is eighteen, you’re how old? Twenty-one? What is the big deal that you need to have her living with you?” my mother griped, looking at my dad.

  “Actually I’m twenty-two. I like your daughter and it’s something we both were okay with doing.” He didn’t look pleased with how this was going.

  “You’re twenty-two, probably had a ton of relationships, you’re dating my eighteen year old daughter, and you have convinced her to leave her home to move in with you.” My Mother stood up with her plate, heading to the kitchen. She tossed it with into the sink with such rage, I was sure she broke it. Everyone was alarmed. It took a great deal to make her upset. Evan pursed his lips shifting in his chair again.

  “Well I’m not happy with this at all, and if you weren’t eighteen, it wouldn’t be happening. But what can I do?” she looked at my dad hoping he had
a solution. She sighed, walking out of the room. Hannah took off after her.

  “Eve, like she said, you’re old enough to make your own choices, but we are not happy about this at all,” my dad said, looking at me and then at Evan. “You’re not pregnant are you?”

  I almost choked. Evan was not far behind me with that reaction. “God no!” I yelled.

  “No she’s not. We haven’t even, uh… No, she’s not,” Evan stumbled for words, shutting up again.

  “Evan, we haven’t even met your family or gotten to know you. I’m sure you understand this is a bit fast and out of the blue for us.”

  “Yes, sir. And I apologize for that. My father is a busy man, but I’m sure we can arrange something.”

  My dad nodded. “Well I don’t know what to say, I’m very upset you guys.” He looked at Evan this time. Maybe he was hoping for Evan to give up. Evan didn’t respond.

  My mother came blowing back in standing in front of us all. “What is your last name?” she practically yelled. “Give me that much. I want to know if my daughter is leaving with some criminal.”

  “Mom!” I yelled, getting out of my chair.

  “Its fine Eve, settle down,” Evan told me, standing up reaching into his back pocket. He pulled out his wallet, handing over his license. I sighed, ready to blow up.

  “Evan Carlo,” my mother read out loud. “Why does that sound familiar to me?” she asked, not to anyone particular. My heart sunk thinking she was catching on. “Carlo.”

  Gray cleared his throat, “Carlo. It’s the name you always see in the newspaper and all over the news,” he offered up.

  “What do you mean on the news, Gray?” Hannah asked.

  “They’re like the Sopranos. Well, that’s what the news seems to let on.” Gray leaned back in his chair eyeing Evan. Evan kept calm. I could tell he was ready to hit him.

  “Gray, come on,” Hannah said with a dry laugh. Evan looked around the room.

  “You tell me right now what you want with my daughter!” my mother shrieked.

  “Mom! Do you honestly believe that? So what, Gray heard Carlo on the news. Doesn’t mean it has anything to do with Evan. I’m done talking about this.” I started out the room until Gray opened his mouth.

  “I wasn’t going to say anything, Eve, but I’m not keeping my mouth shut now.” I glared at Gray. It did nothing. “The bruises and my eye, it wasn’t a fall. It was Evan. Ace. Whatever he is calling himself today.”

  My mother lost it, sobbing hysterically. My dad got up, grabbing hold of her, looking at Evan.

  “You put your hands on my son?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I did. Out of respect for your daughter. And I’d do it again.” Evan stood up, getting away from the table and Gray. Everyone was quiet. My mother sobbing muffled sobs into my dad’s shirt.

  Gray stood up, heading toward Evan.

  “Gray, take it easy!” my dad yelled. Gray stopped short.

  “Yeah, we have seen who won the last one,” I said in disgust at the whole situation.

  “Eve, I’m not leaving,” Evan said. “I am going outside, I can’t be around him. I apologize to everyone. I’ll be outside.” He headed out the kitchen door.

  I’d had enough. I went upstairs to my room, shoving all my clothes and anything that would fit into three suitcases. I flung the first two suitcases down the stairs- they skidded to the bottom- and carried the third in my hand. My mother was at the bottom blotting her eyes.

  “You don’t need to do this, Eve. I think I know who his father is, and if it is who I think it is that’s an awful thing.”

  “I met his father already. I’m not concerned with his father. And keep believing everything you hear, whatever makes you sleep better at night.”

  “No. You’re my daughter; I want the best for you!” She started the waterworks all over again.

  “If you want the best for me, just let me go. I can’t take this anymore.”

  “Take what?” she asked, touching my hair.

  “I can’t take any of it. The only person who ever understood me is dead. And if he was here, he would be gone away from all of you. And I’m sorry if that hurts you, but everyone here wants to be perfect and play the perfect role. No one is doing a good job! Don’t judge Evan, he did nothing to you. I did nothing to you. I’m done trying and I’m done worrying whether or not I can make you happy enough. I don’t care about enough anymore!”

  That was that. She had nothing more to say to me and that was how I wanted it. I truly was not bothered if she ever talked to me again. The Mob was more real than anything about my family was. The Mob, even if Evan said it didn’t exist, was real enough.

  I came out on the porch, tossing each suitcase one by one. Evan jumped up, helping me. He set the suitcases at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at me with a somber expression. He started to speak, then stopped, thinking, then started again.

  “You don’t have to do this. I want the best for you and if this is making your family this upset, I can leave you here. I care enough about you to not be selfish.”

  “I’m going, Evan,” I said, bringing my hands to my hips.

  “Eve, look at what’s going on!” he exclaimed.

  “I don’t care. I’m done caring about what any one of them think. I want to be with you so please help me with my things. Help me be with you,” I pleaded. He sighed, taking my suitcases to the truck as my dad came out on the porch.

  “You are leaving?”

  “Uh, yeah, I think we all said what we needed to say.” I had no more to say. Family was something that meant fighting and making up, and if they were how they thought, they would learn to live with it. Maybe not accept it, but they would find a way to mold it into something suitable when they talked at their parties and meetings.

  “What about school?” he asked me, looking at Evan load my suitcases.

  “I don’t know. And really does it matter at this point? Have you really thought I cared?” I asked. “It was you guys who cared, not me. I love you, Dad.” I kissed his cheek.

  He touched mine, staring into my eyes. “You know what, Eve? I just wish you the best, and I think Evan is a good guy. It’s not what I would do at eighteen, but hey, maybe things would be different for me if I was freer like you.”

  “You never know,” I said, heading down the steps.

  “You call me every once in a while. And if you ever need to talk or anything, you let me know. I’ll get your mom to come around one way or another.” He went in, closing the door.

  Hannah came out as fast as he went in. “Hey, I just wanted to tell you goodbye. Me and Mark are going on vacation so I won’t be over for a couple weeks. But I’m sure I’ll see you around here sometime right?”

  “I’m sure. Sooner or later,” I said, shrugging.

  “They may be very judgmental, but give them a little slack. After Marcus, it’s hard to trust anyone. They do love you, and you know I am proud of you. And sort of envious.” She looked away, tearing up.

  “Proud of me?” I asked in awe.

  “Yeah, you’re so much like Marcus. You both have this freeness about life, and sometimes, I wish I could have, like, an ounce of that. I could never let go like that though, it’s not in me. But take care!” She hugged me, running back in the house.

  They acted as if it was the end of me, it was like a beginning. I stood up for myself and I made a choice that I wanted for once. And it was feeling good.

  Chapter 15

  Idle time

  Conforming or becoming comfortable with anything takes time. Moving in with Evan was becoming comfortable, it was new and I liked it. Evan was away quite a bit since I had moved in; he said I probably didn’t notice before ‘cause I wasn’t living there.

  On the days when he had something to do for his dad I kept myself as busy as I could. One day, I rearranged his whole wall of CD’s in alphabetical order. The next day, I pulled weeds outside. I’d never cared about weeds before, but when you’re bored you will learn to lik
e just about anything. When Evan came home it was the best part of the day, he was always happy to see me and he always let me know that.

  That afternoon it was so nice outside I decided to go lay out. Heading to the back door I ran into Kenny and Ari. I was not aware they were even home. Kenny shot me a look, a wave, and headed out the door. Ari started cleaning up the kitchen.

  “Are you going to lie out?” she called over her shoulder.