by J. E. Parker
I groaned as I rolled over in bed and blindly slapped at my nightstand in an attempt to turn the stupid clock off before it caused me to go deaf.
It's Saturday. Why did I set my clock? I don’t work today.
The thought had just crossed my mind when I realized what day it was.
Today is Anthony and Shelby’s cookout and pre-wedding party.
Crap! How could I forget?
In a panic, I jumped out of bed, stumbled across my bedroom floor and ran down the hall. I’d almost reached the living room when I ran smack dab into what felt like a brick wall.
It turns out; it wasn’t a wall.
No, it was Evan.
When my body colliding to his, he dropped whatever he’d been holding in his hand to the floor and wrapped his solid arms around my back. The move stopped me from falling backward onto the hardwood floor.
“Damn it, Hope,” he grumbled in a non-hostile tone. “Baby, you’ve got to watch where you’re going. You keep running around like a blind bat, and you’ll break your damn neck.”
The concern lacing his voice combined with the smell of his cologne and minty fresh breath made my head spin. I swallowed before wrapping my hands around his biceps. “I’ll be more careful,” I said, my voice still groggy with sleep. “Promise.”
“You better,” he mumbled before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
I slid my hands over his shoulders and interlaced my fingers behind his neck. “What are you doing up here? I thought you had to work until noon.”
His warm brown eyes bored into mine. “I took my break late so I could run up here and make you breakfast when you woke up.”
I smiled as I unlaced my fingers and ran them through his short black curls. Evan’s eyes grew hooded at the move. He loved it when I messed with his hair. “You can be sweet when you want to be. You know that?”
It was Evan’s turn to smile. “Only to you.”
That was sort of the truth. Evan was kind to most people, at least until you crossed him, but I’d never seen him be sweet to anyone but me.
Evan dropped his arms from around me and looked down at the floor. Without saying a word, he bent down and picked up the item that he’d dropped seconds earlier.
I squealed in excitement when I saw what it was.
Light pink bakery box—that can only mean one thing.
Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I clapped my hands and squealed in excitement. I’m sure I looked like a six-year-old high on sugar, but I didn’t care.
“You brought me muffins again!”
He smiled, showing off his perfectly white teeth. “Yeah, baby, I did.”
My heart swelled so much I feared it might burst.
“I thought we could start a new tradition.” I stilled. “Every Saturday, me and you, plus breakfast.” I loved that idea, and I was a second away from telling him so when he continued to speak. “And when we have kids, we can do it with them too. It’ll be like the Friday night supper tradition you had growing up.”
I was seconds away from choking up.
Not wanting to cry, I swallowed around the lump that had formed at the base of my throat and fought back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. “I’d like that,” I whispered in reply. “I’d like that a lot.”
Still smiling, Evan wrapped his fingers around my wrist and began pulling me to the kitchen. Once there, he pointed to one of the table’s chairs and said, “sit.”
I did so without arguing because duh, muffins.
He sat the bakery box on the cabinet and opened the pantry door, looking inside at the contents. “You need something with protein in it for breakfast too.” He paused, looking over each shelf. “We need to go to the store later. We’re running low on your favorite foods.”
I nodded. “I can stop by after—”
I stopped speaking when someone knocked on the apartment door.
Brows furrowed, Evan looked toward the sound. “Was one of the girls supposed to come over?”
I shook my head. “No. I was supposed to meet them at Grandmama’s house at ten.”
Jaw set into a hard line, Evan lifted his shirt and pulled out the gun he always kept tucked in the front of his jeans when he was on shift. Flicking off the safety, he held the gun limply at his side.
“Evan,” I hissed. “What are you doing? It’s not like it’s some bad guy. They wouldn’t have gotten through the gate or past any of the security guys.
Evan’s eyes met mine. “Not taking a chance when it comes to you.” He stopped speaking as he moved past me. “And somebody got past the gate before, remember? And it nearly cost us Maddie.”
My stomach rolled at the memory of Maddie being hurt a year before. It was something I didn’t like to think about because it gave me anxiety to do so. We’d all been so close to losing her…
Snapping his fingers to draw my attention, Evan pointed to the corner in front of the pantry. “Get in the corner, back against the wall.” Not wanting to argue, I stood and did as he said. “Good girl. Now stay there for a moment, yeah?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
He took a few steps before disappearing from my sight. When I couldn’t see him anymore, my heart rate skyrocketed.
Please let it be a normal person and not a psycho, I prayed.
“Who the fuck is it?” Evan asked, his voice deep and gravely.
I couldn’t hear what the person on the other side of the door said or if they said anything at all. But a second later I heard the lock disengage followed by the sound of the door opening.
Then, “Evan James Morgan, you’ve got about two seconds to explain to me why in the good Lord’s name you’re holding a gun in your hand!”
Mama!
I bolted from the corner where Evan had insisted I stay and ran headlong for the door. When Mama’s beautiful face came into view, I moved faster. “Mama!”
At the sound of my voice, she looked past Evan. Her eyes landed on me and tears immediately filled her eyes. Hurrying past the big guy, she rushed forward, meeting me in the middle of the living room.
I slammed into her chest, and she wrapped her arms around my back before burying her face in my messy hair. Her entire body shook as she began to cry. “Oh, sugar pea,” she cried, hugging me tightly. “I missed you so much.”
My own tears began to fall, wetting the front of her summer dress. “I missed you too,” I said, my chin wobbling. “It’s been way too long.”
And it had.
That day was the first time I’d seen her in three months. While that may not seem like much to some people, to Mama and me it felt like forever. You see, growing up the only time I’d left her side was when I was with Ryker. As a kid, I was a Mama’s girl through and through.
Nothing had changed since then either.
After a few minutes of holding me tight, she pulled back and looked down at me. Her hazel eyes—ones which were identical to mine—gleamed with happiness. “I swear, Hope, if you make me go three months without seeing you again, I am going to take a hickory switch to your behind.”
That was one heck of an empty threat.
Still, I smiled. “Three months is too long.”
She wiped the tears from my eyes with her thumbs. “What are y’all up to?” Her gaze trailed over me, taking in my messy hair and the oversized t-shirt—which belonged to Evan—that I wore. “Were you still in bed?”
I shook my head. “No, but I just woke up. Evan was about to fix me breakfast to go along with the muffins he bought when you—”
I stopped speaking when Mama quirked a brow. “Oh?” She asked, looking over her shoulder at Evan. He was standing in front of the now closed door, his shoulder blades pressed against the cool metal. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I showed up on time.” Still looking at the big guy, she asked, “How about I fix both of you breakfast? That way y’all can relax.”
“Mama you don’t have to—”
The glare she shot my way shut me right up. “You have
any idea how long it’s been since I got to cook for my child and her”—she paused and pointed toward Evan, no doubt trying to find the correct word to use—“her… her guy.”
I almost laughed.
“Let me have this, Hope,” she said, running her fingers through my knotted hair. “Please, baby.”
Like I’d ever tell her no. “Sure.” I took a step back and gestured toward the kitchen. “Have at it.”
Mama didn’t hesitate. Moving into the kitchen, she rifled through the fridge, the pantry, and every cupboard we had. After pulling out an armful of ingredients including flour, brown sugar, syrup, a jar of pecans, and a banana or two, she pointed at the table. “Sit, both of you.”
Evan pulled out my chair for me. My jaw almost hit the floor at the action but not wanting to make a big deal out of the gesture—no matter how sweet it was—I quietly sat down. “Thanks, big guy.”
He nodded before taking the seat beside me.
“Soooo…” Mama’s voice trailed off as she dumped flour into a mixing bowl, followed by a cup of buttermilk. “How are things going between you two?”
Sheesh, Mama! You’re not wasting any time, are you?
Wide-eyed, I looked at Evan. I had no idea what to say.
Unaffected by the invasive question, he leaned back in his seat, taking my hand in his. “Things are good.” He sounded calm, relaxed. It was so different from what I’d grown accustomed to over the last few years that I did a double take.
Mama cracked two eggs into the bowl. “Does that mean y’all are working stuff out?” Her tongue peeked out of the corner of her mouth as she began to whisk the homemade batter. “Because if not, I may be forced to use alternative measures.”
Lord! Now Mama sounds just like Shelby.
“We’re working on it,” I replied hesitantly. I wasn’t sure what I should or shouldn’t divulge. I mean, it’s not like I could tell Mama that Evan was in therapy. For one, that was his business to tell, and two, it was no one else’s concern but his. “Things are getting better every day.”
Evan’s hand squeezed mine.
“Good,” Mama said, placing a skillet pan on the stove. “It’s about time. So does this mean I’m going to have grandkids soon? Because let me tell you, I’ve already picked out my Grandma name and everything.” She looked over at Evan. “Me and your Mama have already discussed it, mister. I’m going to be Grammy, and she’s sticking with Meme.”
I almost choked.
She’d been talking to Maria about us having kids?
Lord have mercy.
I watched Evan’s reaction out of the corner of my eye. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah? And what did dad decide on?” With that, I did choke. Never breaking eye contact with Mama, Evan patted my back as I coughed into the bend of my arm. “Did he go with Papaw? Isabella already calls Madre Meme, so I figured dad would stick with Papaw for my kids too.”
Mama didn’t miss a beat. “He did. Said he didn’t want Isabella to get confused.” She chuckled as she ladled batter onto the scorching hot griddle pan. “Your daddy is a riot. You know that? He’s demanding that you and Hope only have boys. He’s already worried about Isabella dating.” Mama rolled her eyes. “Men, I swear y’all worry about the silliest stuff.”
Evan grumbled something incoherent under his breath. Then, “Boys better stay the hell away from my niece.”
I arched a brow. “Yeah? And what if we have a girl? Are you going to turn into one of those overprotective dads who chases away all the boys?”
Evan looked at me like I was crazy. “Baby, all of us are already prepared for that.”
“All of you?” I asked, confused. “I have no idea who you’re talking about.”
“Hendrix, Anthony, Pop, Keith, and me—we’re already planning for this shit.”
Mama burst into a fit of laughter, but all I could do was stare.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
The look he shot me screamed, what do you think?
I leaned forward and placed my elbows on my tables. Palming my cheeks, I looked at Mama with wide eyes. “I feel sorry for Melody and all the other little girls that have yet to be born.” I glanced back at Evan. “But I feel even sorrier for the boys that try to date them.”
Mama opened her mouth to say something but snapped it shut when Evan grumbled, “Troublemaking little boys. They better stay the hell away from my little girl and niece. If not, I’ll tie them up to a damn tree, cover them with honey, and let nature take its course.”
This man!
I dropped my head to the table as Mama continued to laugh.
“Hope, sit up,” Mama said after a few minutes. “Banana pancakes are done.”
Without hesitating, I sat up.
Pancakes followed by muffins for dessert equal perfection.
Mama sat a plate in front of me, and I wasted no time in digging in.
Beside me, Evan didn’t move. Instead, he stared at me.
I looked over at him. “What?”
Jaw clenched, he shook his head. “If we have a daughter, she sure as hell better not look like you.”
Now wait a minute!
“If she does, I am so fucked. Swear to God, I’ll never sleep again. I’ll have to lock the house down tighter than Fort Knox…”
My hearing dulled as Evan continued to rant and rave about all the ways that he was going to protect our future daughter—if we had one—along with Isabella from all the attention seeking boys that he was convinced sulked in every corner just waiting for the opportunity to pounce.
Finished cooking, Mama finally took a seat across from us.
She smiled—big—as she cut her pancake and took a bite.
I couldn’t help but return her smile. “What are you so happy about?” I asked, pulling her attention from Evan to me.
Her eyes met mine. “I just think it’s hilarious that he”—she pointed at Evan—“thinks he’s got it all figured out.” She dropped her fork and placed her hands in her lap. “I’m going to let you in on a secret, Evan,” she said, moving her gaze from me to the big guy. “It’s not the unknown boys that you have to worry about being around your daughter. It’s the ones who are close. You know, like her brother’s friends.”
I bit my tongue to fight back the laughter threatening to erupt.
Evan, however, wasn’t so amused. “What is that supposed to mean?” He asked Mama in a serious tone. “I never did anything. I kept my damn hands to myself.”
Mama smirked. “You may have kept your hands to yourself but you sure as heck didn’t keep your eyeballs to yourself, now did you?” Evan opened and closed his mouth, floundering for something to say. “Uh, huh,” Mama continued. “That’s what I thought.” She picked up her fork and took another bite of food. “You may have fooled Hope, but you never fooled me. You were only sixteen when I finally realized how you were looking at her.”
“Yeah?” Evan leaned forward in his chair and placed his elbows on the table. “And how did I look at her?”
Again, Mama sat her fork down.
Leaning forward in her seat, she mimicked Evan’s posture. “You looked at her like any man would his future wife.” I sucked in a breath at Mama’s words. Evan didn’t flinch. “Like you were head over heels in love.”
Silence fell over us.
Then, “Probably because I was head over heels in love with her,” Evan whispered. “Still am.”
His words hit me directly in the chest. Warmness spread through me and all of a sudden I felt like I was floating. “You loved me back then?” I asked, my voice shaking with each word. “Even when we were kids?”
Evan’s eyes found mine. He hesitated but after a few seconds said, “I think I’ve loved you since the moment I first saw you.” He lifted his hand and cupped my jaw. “Even when I was a dick, my feelings never changed, beautiful girl. I’ve always loved you, Hope, and I always will.”
I leaned forward in my chair and cupped his jaw with my h
ands. “I love you too, Evan Morgan. More than the stars in the sky.”
Then, I kissed him. Hard.
And that kiss, it ended up being one of the best of my life.
Thirty-Four
Hope
The smell of charcoal filled the air; blaring music surrounded me.
It was almost three in the afternoon and Anthony and Shelby’s pre-wedding celebration cookout, the one they’d dubbed Last Fling Before the Ring, was in full swing.
Standing in the middle of Grandmama’s backyard, I wore an ivory sundress, flip-flops, and a pair of oversized sunglass. To my left stood Mama, and to my right stood Maddie, who was holding Melody in her arms. All three of us were staring at the spot across the yard where the men had gathered.
Pop was manning the grill, laughing at something Felix had said, while Anthony and Hendrix, both wearing giant grins on their faces, supervised. Evan, Lord bless his soul, was lying on the ground on his back mere feet away, as Lucca, Liam, and Declan took turns pouncing on him. All three were trying to get him in a headlock. It was such a funny sight to see, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Those three little boys are going to be trouble in a few years.
Holding a glass of sweet tea in her hand, Mama looked past me to Maddie. “Where’s your daddy at, sweet pea? I think it’s about time I meet him. I mean, it’s only been seven years.” She chuckled, glancing around the yard.
Maddie shifted Melody to her shoulder and patted her back. “He should be here any minute. He went to get a few bags of ice.”
As soon as the last word left Maddie’s mouth, Keith rounded the corner, two big bags of ice on his shoulders. “Hendrix, get your ass over here and—” His words died on his tongue when his eyes landed on Mama.
He blinked before swallowing.
The man looks like a deer blinded by headlights.
Beside me, Maddie snorted. Then, she waved her free hand in the air, and said, “Daddy, get over here. I need to introduce you to somebody.”
Still carrying the bags of ice, Keith made his way towards us. I didn’t miss the fact that his eyes never left Mama even after he stumbled a bit, almost losing his footing.