by Beth Michele
“Oh yes,” she says, unmoving, the rain beating down on her cheeks.
Evie has had a love affair with rain ever since we were kids. Whether she’s dancing around in it or jumping in puddles, she loves the way it feels on her skin. It’s like she’s soaking up life, and I can’t help but smile.
A rapping sound on the window drew her attention away from our game of Monopoly. My eyes followed hers and I knew I was in trouble when I saw the rain. She shrugged and gave me a mischievous smile before pushing to her feet.
“Let’s go outside!”
I could sense her excitement in the air, air that was always so difficult to breathe whenever she was around. There was absolutely no way I could say no. Happily, I followed her out the front door.
She smiled and started spinning in circles, the rain coming down in buckets over her head. Her tongue even came out as she drank all the sky had to offer. “Weeeeeee!” she screamed, a lopsided grin covering her face, and I shook my head, but couldn’t hold back my smile.
After a while, though, I’d had enough. “Come on, Evie, it’s pouring and I want to go inside. We’ve been out here for thirty minutes… and I’m soggy.” I slapped my hands against my legs and tried to act mad, but it was so hard to be angry at her. So I gave in. Just like I always did.
“Ahhh,” she squeals, as raindrops land on her long, thick lashes and trail down her cheeks. “I love the rain.” She laughs, and the sound trickles over me, filling me with a sense of peace.
The torrential downpour shows no signs of letting up, and a few minutes later, it’s difficult to even see clearly. Water gushes from the thundering sky and spills onto the concrete, echoing all around us.
“Come on.” She tugs on my hand and leads me to the grass, the rain pelting our heads.
With feigned frustration, I ask, “What are we doing? I’m getting soaked.” But it’s a question she doesn’t have to answer. All I need to do is take one look at her—eyes glistening bright and happy, a beaming smile across her rain-drenched lips—and I know with absolute certainty there’s no place else I’d rather be.
“My clumsy feet want to dance.” She offers her hand which I readily accept, staying in the moment, twirling her around before reeling her back into my chest. “You have somewhere else you need to be?” The water blurs my sight but not enough that I can’t see how lovely she is.
“I guess not.” I grin, watching her fiddle with the hair matted to her face as she lifts a hand to push the weighted locks away.
“I must look like a drowned rat.” She giggles, and the most wonderful melody fills my ears.
I bring a hand up and let my fingers graze her cheek, zapping me with awareness. The noise in my head is quiet for the moment, allowing me to be brave. I tuck a drenched strand of hair behind her ear, seeking her gaze and holding her to me.
“Actually, you look beautiful. You know, Evie, I thought you were pretty even when you wore braces.” I swallow, releasing more words from a throat clogged with so many years of bottled emotion. “You’ve never been anything but beautiful to me,” I confess, and her lips part on a subtle intake of breath, a brightness glimmers in her eyes beyond the curtain of rain. I drop my gaze to her lips, lingering there, wanting to kiss her, to show her what she means to me.
I can no longer feel the dampness of the rain, only the warmth of our bodies. The force of my heartbeat is so strong that she has to know. She must hear the words thumping.
I. Love. You. Evie. Carmichael.
My focus drifts from her mouth to those eyes that are my undoing. “Evie…,” I whisper, dipping my head down, desperate to taste her lips.
“I should go,” she says quickly, pushing away from my chest. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dills.”
And before I have a chance to reply, she’s darting across the street as if the only thing she wants to do is get away from me, while the only thing I want to do is run after her.
BRIGHT YELLOW STREAKS of sunlight filter through the window and onto my sketchpad. I’ve been up for hours drawing. I brush the charcoal from my hands as my mind swerves back to last night. I can’t figure it out. Evie seemed so skittish but I don’t know why. I rub my temple to ease the dull throb there and prop my head on a pillow. The picture of us at the beach is staring me in the face. She looks so damn cute in her black and white string bikini, with that larger-than-life smile that knocks me on my ass every time.
I let out a frustrated groan before I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and pause in front of the window. With the curtain pulled away, the giant bear in the front seat of my truck stares back at me and I smile. A perfect excuse to see Evie. I’m sure she wants her bear. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
After taking a quick shower, I head down to the kitchen to get something to eat. Jordy is sitting at the table with a plate of bacon and eggs and a shit-eating grin on his face. I plod over to the fridge and grab the orange juice, then toss some bacon on a plate and take a seat across from him.
“Okay, what gives, Jordy?” I crunch on a piece of bacon and chase it with some juice, catching his brief look of disgust as I suck down the OJ directly from the carton.
He leans back in the chair with a smirk, folding his arms across his chest. “Nothing. I just had a good night, that’s all.”
“Because… hmmm, you were with The Raven?” I prod, and his lips flip up at the edges, immediately giving me his answer. “I thought so. What the heck is going on with you? It’s so unlike you to hook up with some random chick you met at a party.”
He shrugs, then scoots forward and takes a forkful of eggs. “I don’t know. I’m bored. Liza was jerking me around and I’m tired of waiting for her. Plus, Samantha is pretty cool. Don’t get me wrong, she’s great in bed, but she’s funny, too. And if you can believe this, she actually loves baseball.” He runs a hand through his hair and bites his bottom lip thoughtfully. “She’s into me. I don’t know, Dylan. It’s always been different for me than it has been for you. Girls have always flocked to you because you’ve got the looks and you’re outgoing, whereas me, not so much. I guess I’m tired of being the boring brother.”
“Are you trying to say that I got the brawn and you got the brains?” He gives me a weak smile. “Listen, Jordy, you’re not boring.” I drop my fork with a clang and rub my chin. “You’re actually pretty entertaining, especially when you throw caution to the wind.”
“Yeah, I guess. I’m just… restless. I need more, and,” he stares blankly at the table, “I’m tired of being alone.” He slides his chair back and gets up, bringing his plate over to the sink. Turning around, he leans back, drumming his fingertips against the counter. “Someday I want to get married and have kids and I can’t just sit around and wait for it to come to me.”
“Yeah. I hear ya. I want that, too.”
“And on that note, if you don’t dislocate your head from your ass pretty soon, I might just try to claim Evie for myself.” He flashes me a taunting smile, walking backward to the door. “Take a hint. All right, I’m off to the diner. Wanda’s going to be late this morning so I need to get in there.”
“I’ll be in within the hour.” I push my chair back, the creaky legs scraping against the wood floor. With my mind stuck on Jordy’s words, I drop my fork and plate in the sink with a clatter, and that’s when I’m jumped from behind. A vice-like grip surrounds my stomach as I’m lifted up off the ground.
“Happy Birthday, bro.”
“Ah shit,” I mumble as Jordy squeezes the life out of me. “I was hoping you wouldn’t remember.”
“Yeah, right.” He releases his hold and sets me down. “We’re celebrating later and don’t even think about trying to get out of it because I’ll hunt you down. I’ll see ya,” he says, before heading out the door.
Crap. I was hoping for this day to go by quickly. But knowing Jordy, I should’ve realized he wouldn’t let that happen. I’m not a big one for birthdays. Mostly because I associate them with silence.
I lock th
e door behind me, moving toward my truck with purpose. Somehow I manage to pry the darn bear from my seat and the two of us walk over to Evie’s house. “She’ll be happy to see us,” I tell him. “Well, maybe just you.”
We ring the bell and hang out on the porch. The door opens but I can’t see Evie from behind the bear.
“DW… you shouldn’t have,” Zoey says with an air of sarcasm.
“Believe me, Slim, I didn’t.” I march through the door as she holds it open for us.
“Where’s Evie? Still sleeping?” I drop down on the couch, letting the bear fall beside me.
“Nah. She went out for a run before she has to be at the salon.” Zoey plunks down in the leather chair across from me, kicking her feet up on the coffee table. “I’ll admit, DW, that bear is kinda cute.”
“Yeah. He was hard-earned,” I admit, staring over at the fuzzy creature with a grin.
“So,” Zoey begins, “I’m curious about something.” She smashes her lips together, attempting to tame a broad smile. Now she’s got me curious.
“Yeah, what’s that?” I knot my hands behind my head, stretching my legs out in front of me.
“I was wondering when you intend on telling my sister that you’re in love with her.”
Oh shit. Does the whole world know?
My mouth goes slack while my eyes broaden in surprise. “What? What are you talking about?”
She squints at me with an arrogant smile, and I know I’m screwed. “Dylan,” her voice lowers and the fact that she’s using my name means I’m doubly screwed, “don’t try to deny it. My baby sister may be the only one who can’t see it, but to me, it’s as clear as the California sky.”
My throat is dry and I rub a hand over my neck as I contemplate how to respond. Knowing there’s no point denying it any further, I sit forward on the couch, elbows on my knees, hands steepled against my chin. “Shit.”
“No, not shit, DW… love.” She grins, and I bite back a smile.
“Okay, so I’m—”
“Hey!” Evie exclaims as she bursts through the door, cheeks pink from her run, sweat dripping down her neck and soaking her tank. She looks hot in more ways than one, and I take a hard swallow, silently willing my cock to play nice. “You brought my bear!” She smiles, and the awkwardness of last night has disappeared. I let out a relieved breath and bounce the bear on my lap.
“Yup, he’s here, but he’s a bit concerned because he doesn’t have a name.”
Zoey gets up and walks over, patting me on the shoulder and whispering in my ear. “To be continued, DW.” She struts over to the door, twirling her keys. “All right, I’m off. I’ll catch you guys later.” She gives Evie a quick kiss on the cheek before glancing my way with a wink. “Later, dickweed.”
A minute after Zoey walks out, Evie saunters over to the couch, pulling her earbuds out as she sits down. “Why does she insist on calling you that? It’s so obnoxious,” she says with a dramatic fluttering of her hands.
“That’s because she’s obnoxious,” I joke, and we laugh. “So, did you have a good run?”
The front door bangs open, scaring the crap out of us. “Happy Birthday, DW! Big smooches!” Zoey says in her animated way, then blows me a kiss and disappears.
“I stand corrected. She’s obnoxious, but sweet.”
Evie giggles and moves the bear out of the way to come sit by me, leaning in and kissing my cheek. “Happy twentieth Birthday, Dills!” she singsongs, her lips soft and wet, her breath a tickle against my skin.
“Thanks for the sweaty birthday wishes.” I watch in fascination as she wipes the moisture from her upper lip. “You’re supposed to do that before you kiss me,” I inform her, and she pinches my arm. “So, how far did you run?”
“I only did four miles, but it was good. Thanks for bringing my pal by.”
“Sure,” I hitch a thumb at the bear, “but he needs a name.”
She drums two fingers against her mouth, her eyes darting around the room. “Hmph… how about… Humphrey?”
“Humphrey?” My hand taps out a beat against my thigh. “I’m not feeling Humphrey.”
She flops back on the couch, her deliciously sweaty body sprawled out beside me. “How about Charlie?” Her smile widens, eyes fluttering with excitement.
“After that bear your mom bought you? The one you lost in the park when we were in second grade?” I ask, and she nods in agreement. “I think it’s perfect. Do you want to call him Charlie, Jr.?”
She grabs the bear and sets him on her knee, her lips perking up again. “Yup, Charlie, Jr.”
“Well,” I rub Charlie’s fur back and forth, “I think your mom would approve and I bet she’s smiling right now.”
“Yeah.” She gets lost in her own thoughts for a minute, and I know where she went so I remain quiet. “I miss her so much, Dylan.”
I close my pinky around hers, giving her a gentle squeeze. “I know.”
She plucks at Charlie Jr.’s fur, staring at nothing, when I know she sees everything. “You know, I know when people you love pass away so suddenly, a lot of times there’s regret about things you wish you had said. But I don’t have that, because I know Mom and Dad knew how I felt about them, even though I was only sixteen when they died.”
A thread of emotion forces a tiny noise from her throat. “What I do miss, though, is being able to sit and talk with Mom about anything. All her little words of wisdom—about friends, school, even boys.” She finally looks back to me, a quirky smile on her lips. “Did I ever tell you about that song she made up on the piano about my period?”
I suck my tongue between my teeth. She giggles at the noise and my expression. “Yup. And,” I hold up my free hand, “I’m good there. No need to rehash that for me.”
She laughs again, but the sound is tinged with sadness. “I just wish I had more time, you know? I wish that they could be there for all those big moments in my life.”
“They will be, Evie.” I place a hand over my heart and tap my chest. “Right here.”
The light returns to her face along with her determination. “Okay,” she pushes up off the couch, bringing Charlie with her, “I need to shower and get ready for work. I expect you here at six tonight.” She winks before trudging up the stairs, dragging Charlie behind her. “Don’t be late.” A second later, her steps come to a halt and she spins around, nearly dropping him. “Hey, Dills?”
I pause with my hand on the doorknob. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
THE PARKING LOT is pretty scarce when I arrive at the diner, which is odd for this time of day. Morning is typically the busiest as breakfast is usually what people crave, and we’re known for our pancakes and omelets.
“Morning,” I call out to Wanda, Jordan, and the rest of the staff in the kitchen.
Wanda sets a plate down and comes over to stand on her tiptoes, smushing my cheeks together and placing a loud kiss there. “Happy Birthday, darlin’!”
“Thanks, Wanda.” I offer a genuine smile, because even though I protest about my birthday, there is a small part of me that’s happy people remember. Especially the people that are closest to me.
“Hey,” she walks back toward the counter, tossing me a sassy look over shoulder, “I realize that’s the closest I’m getting to those hot little lips, but I’ll take it.” She gathers two plates of eggs off the counter. “You know, it’s kind of slow today, you probably could’ve taken your birthday off.”
“That’s all right, Wanda. I don’t mind.” I don’t want time for my thoughts to spread through my mind like a disease, reminding me of how little significance this day had to the people who brought me into this world. I finish tying my apron and am scrubbing my hands in the sink when Jordan slaps me on the back.
“So, how does it feel to be twenty?”
“Pretty much the same shit as last year,” I joke, and he laughs, wiping grease on his apron. “So, how’s The Raven?”
“That name’s kind of catchy.” He smirks. “She
’s good. We’re going out tomorrow night. If you’d ever get your act together and profess your undying love for Evie, maybe we could double date.” He claps me on the shoulder, chuckling as he walks off.
I wish it was that simple.
I LEFT THE diner a bit early since it wasn’t busy, but primarily so I could get a shower in before heading over to Evie’s house. She seemed pretty happy about celebrating my birthday, and I’ll admit, knowing we’ll be together sends a buzz of excitement coursing through me. While this day meant very little to my parents, I know it means a lot to her. My limbs are suddenly a bit lighter, my burden less heavy to carry. With a single touch, a soft-spoken word, or a simple smile, she’s the only one who can put me at ease, erase some of the pain that I keep tucked away.
After a shower, I throw on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. I walk over to the dresser to grab my watch and pick up the picture of Evie and me riding the trolley in San Francisco. She’s leaning out of the cable car wearing a bright smile, her hair flapping against the wind. My thumb rubs over her face as a heaviness skates up my chest. She’s my forever. I just wish I was worthy enough to be hers.
The door is locked when I get over to Evie’s, which is odd because she’s expecting me. It takes about five minutes for her to answer it, and when she does, I have a hard time catching my breath. I stare at her, unblinking, as I try to draw in a lungful of air. She’s wearing a blue sleeveless scoop-neck dress and a pair of strappy sandals. Her hair is flowing over her shoulders in waves of red and she looks absolutely stunning.
She immediately loops her arms around my neck and suddenly birthdays are the shit. “Happy Birthday!” she singsongs before pulling away. “Come on in!”
I’m barely in the door when Jordy, Braden, Zoey, and Wanda shout, “SURPRISE!” with big, happy smiles on their faces.