by Delisa Lynn
“Evan, I’m going to hurt you if I fall again.” She laughed as she fell into me.
“Oh come on now, you look like a pro!” I threw my head back laughing. She looked absolutely breathtaking, as we skated I held her hand and just stared at the beautiful smile on her face. I knew that moment I would never be more than her friend, another man had her heart.
“Lila, you ready to see what else New York has to offer?” I said as we skated toward the benches.
“I would love to Evan, you have made this day great.” Lila said as she hugged me.
We drove around New York City, and then decided to take a tour bus. There was so much to see and I would rather take a tour than drive. Lila must have been really tired. She laid her head in my lap, and took a nap. She woke up in a panic, she literally freaked out because her head was in my lap.
“This is wrong, I have a boyfriend and I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression, I really love Liam. You and I are just friends.”
“Lila, its fine. I know, we are just friends and that you are in love with someone else. I won’t ruin what we have Lila.”
“Can we go get pizza? I’m starved.” She said
“Yes we can, I wasn’t ready to take you home anyways.” I said smiling
“Well you may just want to come home with me, Nikki is at your place with Brody. You know how the two of them are.” She said laughing
“Oh hell, your place it is!”
We stopped and got pizza, and a movie. Another chick flick, I assumed. My phone had been ringing, it was Alyssa. I don’t know what the hell she wanted.
“Evan, do you need to take that?” Asked Lila
“No, it’s okay. Just Alyssa. I don’t want to talk to her.”
“Did you get a new phone?” She asked with a puzzled look
“Uh, yeah long story.” I sighed
She grabbed my phone and turned it off and threw it on the counter. And she said, “Problem solved, now let’s eat.” I just laughed at her. We ate, laughed and talked of course. I wish I could have met Lila before she started seeing Liam. She has so much love for that man. When she talked about him you could see the love in her eyes.
“Evan, it is late. Why don’t you stay? You can have my room.”
“Okay, but where will you sleep?” I asked in hopes she would stay with me.
“The couch silly man. I will get everything ready for you.” She walked into the bedroom and came back out and said, “Okay it’s all yours.” I walked in and took my boots off and noticed a bra laying on the bed. Oh nice, I had to tease her about it.
“Missing something?” I said as I held the bra between my fingers.
“Omigosh, give me that. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be its okay, it is your room.” I said as I turned around laughing. She closed the door and walked out. I laid there tossing and turning and I heard her open the door. “Evan are you still awake.”
“I am, everything okay?”
“Yes, can I stay in here with you? Just to talk. I can’t sleep.” She said as she walked in the room to the bed. Oh hell yeah, she wanted to sleep in the same bed with me. God I love it. Play it cool, I said to myself.
“Of course, it is your bed Lila.” I laughed and scooted over. She laid down next to me and started talking about classes. Then she talked about missing her family and Addison. I took her hand in mine and held it tightly. She did all the talking, as I laid there and listened. She was such a sweet and caring person.
I woke up to the sound of Nikki’s voice. She opened the door and backed back out of it. Lila jumped up and tried to explain our innocence but Nikki and Brody was laughing at her.
I walked out to see Brody smiling at me. “Good morning, bro.” I said as I grab some coffee.
“I’m sure it is a good morning for you.” Brody said with a wink.
“Nope, nothing like that. Just a good night’s sleep with a beautiful gal.” I said as I sipped my coffee.
We were all going out today and I needed to go home and shower. I loved spending time with everyone. It was awkward knowing that Lila had a boyfriend. I was happy being her friend. Yes I wanted more, but I knew that would never happen. I had all these mixed emotions and feelings for Tatum, who obviously would never feel the same way about me.
I spent the day with my three friends. Something was going on with Nikki and Lila wasn’t saying anything. I knew Brody could tell, but he hasn’t said anything either. We went to the movies and bowling. Then we had the brilliant idea of going grocery shopping so Lila could cook us dinner. She was making chili and cornbread. She is a good cook, I just hope she can make a good old fashioned pot of chili.
Dinner was great I have to give it to her, she pulled it off. When we got here, Audrey came looking for Zander. I wasn’t sure where he was but she seemed to get the wrong impression about Lila and me. She wants Tatum to be with me, but it has been over two years and she isn’t leaving that jerk. I was lost in thought thinking about everything and everyone. I didn’t notice Lila sitting next to me with her legs in my lap.
“Earth to Evan? You want to play some cards?” Brody said as he kicked my foot.
“Oh sure, whatever y’all want.” I said moving Lila’s legs to stand up. She made a pouty face and said she was comfortable. I just laughed as I walked in the kitchen to grab the cards.
“How about strip poker?” Brody said laughing. I was surprised but the girls agreed. It’s kind of crazy how Lila loves Liam so much but she wants to spend so much time with me. I knew she has to feel something for me. I was so confused, I thought moving here would change my life. But here it is, I was interested in two girls whom both are very in love with other men. Man I need a fucking wake up call.
“Damn, Brody, what the hell? Did you forget how to play poker?” I said laughing, he was now down to hardly any clothes. The girls was still fully dressed and me, well I still had on most of my clothes.
“They are just good poker players.” Brody said with a wink. Yeah, he was letting them win so he could sit here in nothing but that fucking cowboy hat, I knew how he worked. I was a pretty good poker player, luckily by the time the game was over I still had some clothes on. Lila went home and Nikki stayed with Brody. I went to my room. I had been writing some new lyrics I wanted to test out.
Lila and I had still been hanging out and was getting closer and closer every day. I tried not to develop feelings for her, it just fucking happened. I knew I could never have her, I thought I was content with being just her friend. Yay, who the fuck am I kidding, I wanted her so goddamn bad. Seeing her every day was starting to get to me. Spring break was getting ready to start. Nikki had announced she was going back to Ohio and she broke up with Brody. He was crushed. Zander, Brody and I was planning a “man trip.” We wasn’t sure where we were going, but with us all being single, we needed to get out. Zander had been sleeping on our couch for months, but Audrey needed a roommate and she begged him to move in with her. The only bad thing about it was, he knew although she pretended she hated him deep down, she was in love with him.
“Hey dude, what about Florida? We can drive or fly?” Zander said walking into my room. Brody had mentioned Vegas but I wasn’t really wanting to go there, I just needed to get away from here and have some drinks and meet a nice SINGLE lady. Hell, I just wanted to meet someone, that way I could move on.
Brody walked in as Zander and I was discussing where we wanted to go. He sat down next to me and said that he had heard Bryn was back in Utah. Like I give a flying fuck, I had nothing left to say to her. She took everything from me. That bitch broke my goddamn heart and didn’t even care.
“Let’s go to Utah.” I said, they all looked at me like I was crazy. I wanted to see my parents and a couple of friends that I missed. Brody looked at me and said, “Because you are hoping to see her right?”
I looked at him and Zander and said “Nope, I’ve no desire to talk to or even look at her.” Then I started packing my clothes.
The three of us drove to Utah, my parents were so happy that I had come home. The word was Bryn had been in town, but was already gone. Zander’s phone kept ringing and he was being so secretive about it.
“Zander, who the hell keeps calling you?” I asked as we walked into the garage.
“Uh, it’s no one. Just some um, chick I hooked up with.” He said as he lowered his head and turned it.
“Dude, look at me! You didn’t did you?” I asked, and he knew exactly what I was talking about. I can’t believe him, he knew she liked him and I knew deep down he liked her too, he just won’t admit it.
“I um, ah fuck I couldn’t help it. She is pretty damn hot. She came onto me and it just fucking happened.” He said as he ran his hands through his hair. I knew that it wouldn’t take long for him to get her in bed. That is just Zander, but I think she was more than a one night. He just isn’t saying anything.
We were going to dinner with my parents and Brody’s family at one of the local little family restaurants. Then we were heading to the bar.
So far I hadn’t ran into anyone, but I knew it wouldn’t take long. This town is so small and if my mom told Mrs. Winters I was going to be home, she would tell everyone.
After dinner, we got ready and went to Ronnie’s, it was the local bar. My dad’s best friend owned it so I’d been coming here for years. It was just a little small honky-tonk bar. If you blinked you would miss it. It had maybe three pool tables and a couple arcade games.
I see Ronnie when I walked in and then I noticed, a girl I went to high school with. Hell no that can’t be her, she was the biggest damn nerd and now she looks like a grown woman. I knew she felt me staring at her, she walked over and smiles real big and hugs me. I just looked at her smiling.
“I can’t believe it’s really you. I thought you would have left this shit hole town already.” I said to her as I took a swig of my beer.
She started laughing and said, “Not everyone can be like you and Brody and go to New York City.” I saw a little hurt in her eyes. Oh hell I didn’t mean anything by it.
“Oh Asia, you know I didn’t mean anything by it, right? Hell, I just figured as smart as you are you would have wanted to go to college some place.”
“Well, I was but I decided to stay here. You know she was here don’t you?” Ah fuck here we go.
“Yep, I don’t want to talk about her okay? I’ve moved on and I’m sure she has as well.” I said as I asked Ronnie for another beer.
“I’m sorry Evan, I know she hurt you. Hell, I haven’t talked to her either. I heard she lived in Tulsa and was married with a kid now.” As she said those words I felt some had just stuck a knife in my gut. She had to kill our baby but she could have one with someone else. I couldn’t hear anymore.
“Asia dear, it was good seeing you. If you ever make it to New York, look me up.” I said as I kissed her cheek and walked out of the bar. Zander must have seen me because he followed me out. Brody was of course dancing with some old chick. I guarantee he will go home with her. Hell at this rate I would go home with anyone. I thought coming here may have been good but fuck was I so wrong. I was ready to get far away from here. Hell if it wasn’t for my parents I would never want to come back here. I hate this fucking place, all these people are so goddamn nosey. Everyone knows everyone and no one changes their all the same as they was ten years ago.
We’ve been home a couple days, I called Lila to see if she wanted to have dinner. My luck she said yes, I had missed her so much. I tried not to, but hell who the fuck wouldn’t miss someone they had been spending every day with. I went to pick her up, I was assuming she wasn’t going to be in a good mood. I guess she hasn’t heard from Liam in months. Not sure if he is injured or just can’t talk to her.
“Hey handsome.” She said as she kissed my cheek, this is exactly what I mean, she hugs me, kisses me and holds my hands. I would never say anything because I don’t want her to stop. But she has to know that I’m a man and that shit turns me on. The scent of her makes me want to be inside of her.
“Hey there yourself, you are chipper today. Chipotle?” I ask knowing damn well she will say yes. Other than the café that’s all that girl will eat. Oh and pizza.
“I missed you and yes, Chipotle is good.” She said as she placed her hand on mine. I just looked at her and winked. I wanted to push my lips into hers, I wanted to taste that lip gloss she wears.
We ate and then went for a midnight walk, the city was beautiful at night all the lights on the buildings. The air was fresh and comforting. I asked her questions about her future with Liam and about being a lawyer. It was getting late, I didn’t want to take her back but after another hour I did. I had a paper I needed to work on for work. I had been just working here and there but my internship would be starting back soon too.
Brody was still fucking every woman he could. I slammed my bedroom door shut when I got home. I understand bringing a girl home to bang, but good God, he has fucked half of the girls at NYU. It seems like he brings home all the loud ones. I just didn’t get it. He and Zander would pretty much fuck any girl that would let them. I guess, maybe I should be more like them but I’d a damn conscious. I couldn’t just stick my dick in every girl that looked my way.
I got my laptop out and started to do the research for my paper. I checked my email and I had several messages from Asia. What the hell did this girl want? I opened them and it was pictures of Bryn and some old guy. I slammed my laptop shut and my phone started ringing. What the fuck, who the hell is calling me now?
I looked at the screen and seen it was Tatum. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to answer it or not, so I sent her to voice mail. Then a few seconds later it started ringing again, finally after three calls I answered.
“Yeah, Tatum, what’s up?”
“Evan, can you umm… Please don’t tell anyone but can you come get me? Please. I need you. I’m in Rochester and I need to leave before Thayer gets back.”
“Oh fuck Ta, are you okay? I’m on my way. Stay there and do not go back around him.”
She gives me the address and I left Brody a note telling him I would be back later.
Tatum was at a hotel in Rochester, she had went with Thayer, and he got drunk and was cussing her out. It was going to take me at least five hours to get there. I drove eighty to ninety miles an hour to get to her. Although I left that note I decided to call Brody and tell him I was going to be home late. I didn’t want him to tell Zander anything. He didn’t ask any questions, he probably still had that girl with him. This drive would have gave me plenty of time to think if I had not been so worried about Ta. I’d begged her to leave him many times and she won’t.
“Tatum, its Evan! Open the damn door. Come on, let me in.” I yelled. The door opened and I saw her face. That beautiful face that I could look at all day, had blood running down it. She grabbed me and started hugging me, she smelled like alcohol and blood.
“Jesus Tatum, what the fuck did that bastard do to you? Where the fuck is he? I will rip his goddamn head off.” I seethed, I was so pissed I was almost in tears. I got a washcloth and cleaned her face. She was shaking so badly, she had blood everywhere her hair, clothes, and even her shoes.
“Evan, let’s just go before he comes back. He will hurt us both. He is so jealous of you. We went to a wedding and he got mad because I said I was tired and was ready to go home. Then he just started cussing and hitting me. He left but he will be back soon, we have to get out of here.” She said with her tiny voice shaking.
She grabbed her things and I guided her out the door. Once we got in the car, she started sobbing uncontrollably. I scooted her close to me and held her in my arms. How the fuck, could anyone hurt someone like this. He was double her size and to make her bleed.
“Tatum, where do you want to go? I can take you back with me to the city.”
“No...I...umm… Stay with me tonight, please? Then take me to the airport and I will go back home. But please you can’t tell anyone about this. I will
not see Thayer again. I will tell him it’s over. Just hold me tonight Evan, I need you.”
I couldn’t tell her no, I drove for a couple hours then we stopped over and got a hotel room. He had been calling her phone and she never answered it. I tried to make her eat but she wouldn’t. Her lip was swollen and her cheek was bruised badly.
“Do you need to go to the hospital, Ta?” She just looked at me like I was crazy.
She placed her hand on my leg and said, “Evan it has been worse, I will be just fine.”
I felt like I couldn’t breathe when she said those words, I felt my fist ball up and my body cringe. I wanted to break every bone in that mother fucker’s body. I got a blanket and pillow and laid on the sofa. How the hell can he hurt her like that?
“No, Evan, I want you to hold me please.” She cried. I wanted to hold her, but I also wanted to find Thayer and beat the shit out of him. I wanted him to look as bad as she did.
“Okay, baby I will do whatever you want.” I said as I placed a finger under her chin, bringing her face up to look in mine. She turned away from me at first, but then she turned to me and I could see the hurt and tears in her eyes.
“Ta, promise me you will leave him! You can’t keep doing this. You said the last time was the last time, you can’t marry this man. He may kill you, babe.” I said as I wiped tears from her face. Yeah, I couldn’t hold my tears back, seeing her like that hurt me, I felt like someone had beat the hell out of me. I had no bruises on the outside but the inside was full of them.
I kissed her bruised cheek and held her in my arms. I laid down and she wrapped her fragile body into mine. I snuggled as close to her as I could. I noticed the blood on the back of her pants.
“Tatum, why is there blood on your pants back there? Did he force himself on you?” I asked her, I was so pissed I jumped up and was holding both of her arms with my hands. She wouldn’t look me in my eyes. She just shook her head.
“I didn’t want to have sex, it’s that time of the month. He insisted that we did anyways. Well he did, I begged him not to and he did anyways. It’s not the first time, I’m used to it,” She said as she choked out a sob.