Unspoken Words (Hope and a Future Book 1)

by Janna Halterman

  “Why are you even going?” Bekah asked, as she began on her makeup.

  “I promised Tom I’d go.”

  “Do you like Tom?” Bekah sounded like she hoped she would say no.

  “I think so. I think he likes me. He says a lot of nice things, and he is very cute. But, I don’t know. I thought it’d all be different. Sometimes I still have a hard time not seeing the boy who used to tease me.” She didn’t add that she liked feeling liked, or that it was nice to have someone flirt with her. It was embarrassing and Bekah wouldn’t understand.

  Bekah finished with her and Evelyn looked at her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t look like herself, but she didn’t look like Sarah either, and that was a good thing.

  Bekah was silent for a minute. “Just be smart about him. Be careful. Ok?”

  Evelyn smiled at her friend. “Don’t worry, I’m good at careful.”

  Chapter 7

  George and Liam were the only two who had the evening free, and they welcomed a night out. After speaking with Evelyn, Jackson had decided it would be a good night for him to hang out with the guys. She was going dancing… maybe he’d get lucky and end up at the same place. Why couldn’t he get her off his mind?

  The crowd was rough tonight, and Jackson found himself hoping he wouldn’t run into Evelyn.

  “So, what do you think, Jack?” Liam was speaking to him.

  “I’m sorry, I was thinking about something else. What do I think about what?”

  “I never took you as a day dreamer, Jack,” George laughed, slapping his shoulder. “We were talking about those two guys over there. I say they’re planning something. Liam thinks I’m wrong.”

  He followed George’s nod. The scheming twosome were easy to spot. “I hope you’re wrong, George. I really wanted the night off.”

  Liam shook his head. “You two are just paranoid from all your top-secret meeting nonsense. You’d probably look at the three of us and think the same thing.”

  George and Liam continued to talk while Jackson used the two men as an excuse for continually scanning the room. It was close to eight when he saw Tom, flanked by a crowd of people. The woman he’d seen Tom with before was back as well, but it was clear now that they weren’t together. Something about that disturbed him. A different girl stuck close to his side tonight. She seemed uncomfortable. His spirits dropped when he realized it was Evelyn.

  She didn’t look like herself tonight. She was done-up enough to blend in, but not enough to hide that she didn’t fit in. He’d never seen her with her hair down, and he was sure he’d never seen her in anything like what she was wearing. Stunning. Even from his distance, he could tell she didn’t like the attention she was drawing, but a change of outfit wouldn’t hide her any better. She was too good for a place like this. Her innocence was something lewd men hunted after, and judging by the looks on more than a few men’s faces, their target was her. The only comfort he had was knowing Tom wouldn’t let another man touch her; but that boy was a danger in himself.

  Jackson had to look away. The way Tom looked at her was enough to make Jackson want to hit him. Tom’s hands on her as he guided her to the dance floor didn’t help Jackson’s mood, either.

  Stepping into the bar had terrified Evelyn. If not for Tom’s tugging hand, her feet would never have crossed the threshold. Walking in behind Sarah drew every man’s eye to her. She couldn’t hide her blush when Tom pulled her tightly to his side. Apparently he didn’t like other men looking at her either.

  Tom was saying something but the booming music drowned out his words.

  “What?” she yelled.

  Tom leaned in with an inviting smile, sending a tingle into her stomach. Being the center of his attention, or any man for that matter, was strange. If not for the fear she still fought for him, she’d even say it was nice.

  “Dance with me.”

  Before she could protest, he had her on the dance floor. Laughter and music drowned out her fear. Tom smiled and winked graciously as her body slowly began to breathe in the rhythm of the songs.

  When her feet finally managed to master the task of dancing with someone, Tom pulled her against him.

  “It’s better to not have to yell, don’t you think?” he spoke against her ear. She hadn’t ever danced with a man before, let alone so close. His hands moved down her side and she was suddenly overwhelmed by their closeness. Dancing this close was all about feeling, not thinking, and with his hands on her, she couldn’t turn her mind off.

  “You okay?” Tom asked. They were so close she knew he felt her muscles tense.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I mean, yes. I think so.”

  “I want to be gentle with you, Evie,” he encouraged her, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t want to scare you away.”

  Oh goodness, his hands… “I just don’t know how to dance like this,” she lied. All she had to do was follow his lead, and with their bodies against each other, she could feel his next step before he took it. Still, she wasn’t sure if she wanted his hands on her like that.

  “I would never have known if you didn’t tell me,” Tom reassured her. “You’re very good at it.”

  Chills. There was so much unfamiliar tenderness in his voice. “Why are you paying so much attention to me?”

  “Because,” Tom said, kissing her shoulder. “You’re different than any other girl I’ve known. You’re sweet, and innocent.” His hands found her hips, thighs… “And beautiful.”

  Bekah’s warning voice echoed in her mind. “I think I’m going to get some water.”

  “Alright,” he relented. “I’ll get us drinks. You just want water?”

  Evelyn forced a reassuring smile and nodded as he turned, headed for the bar. She couldn’t have followed even if she had wanted to. The bar was sectioned off and you were only allowed past with an ID showing that you were twenty-one or older. She was still only twenty.

  Every woman noticed Tom, but only a few were brave enough to join him where he stood. He didn’t seem to encourage their attentions, but he didn’t discourage them either. Evelyn wasn’t sure how she felt about his nonchalance.

  Leaning against a wall while watching Tom, she felt safer with support behind her, the unsettling feeling that someone was watching her pricked her skin. When she turned to see who it was, the stranger took it as his cue to make his move. Not wanting to show any sign of her nerves or her tendency to be intimidated, she stood taller as he walked towards her. A sudden longing for Jackson to be near ran through her. Curious longing to have at such a moment.

  The stranger came and stood much too close. He was average in height and build, and looked to be in his later thirties. Some women probably found him attractive; he acted as if that’s what he was used to. Though he wasn’t old by any means, she had a strong distaste for older men preying on younger women. Even more so when they hung around college hang-outs. It was creepy.

  “I haven’t seen you here before,” the man said. The whiskey and peanuts mixing in his breath competed with the spice of his cologne. “This your first time out dancin’?”

  “No.” She lied, desperately hoping to discourage him.

  “My name’s Tyler.” His tone suggested that she should feel privileged to be spoken to by him, and that she needed to show him the respect he expected.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Tyler.”

  Tom was still at the bar.

  Jackson watched with indignation as one of the suspicious men pursued Evelyn’s attention. What was Tom thinking leaving her alone? Each movement the man made moved him closer to her. His intentions were clear. When the man put his hands on her, Jackson stood to go remove him from her. To Jackson’s surprise, and dissatisfaction, George had stood with him, digging his fingers into Jackson’s arm with a death grip.

  “Let Tom take care of it,” George warned.

  Jackson looked at his friend, willing to hit him to get to Evelyn. Ever-discerning, George must have sensed it because he stood
taller and squared his shoulders.

  “Jack, you’ve got no business there. Now sit down.”

  Tom noticed the unwelcome stranger and was making his way, determinedly, to Evelyn. Jackson huffed and sat down before looking at his friend again. “Am I that obvious?” He was still tense.

  George laughed and took his seat next to him. It was astounding how quickly he could shake off a tense situation. “You’ve been watching her for some time; so yeah, you’re that obvious. How do you know her, anyway? She looks pretty young.”

  “She is. I don’t know her, not really. She works at the library down the road. I just know her from there.”

  George laughed again. “Jack and a sweet little librarian. I hate to tell you this, but I think you waited too long to make your move.”

  “I never intended to make one.”

  “So, what you’re telling me is, you come out here to keep an eye on her, ready to knock a guy out just for looking at her the wrong way, willing to hit me for getting in your way…and you never intended to make a move?” George shook his head. “You know that doesn’t make any sense, right?”

  “Yep, I know it.” Jackson and George looked up when they heard a crash. Hot-head-Tom had thrown the man into a table. Jackson would have been fine with that, applauded him even, except for the fact that now Tom had five other guys ready to fight him. One of them was bound to go for Evelyn since she was with him. Idiots looking at other idiot’s women…and the woman had to be her…

  “Alright,” George said, standing with him. “Now it’s your business.”

  Jackson jumped over the rail and headed straight for Tom. The first guy had already made his move at Tom. Jackson and George intercepted the others. As soon as Jackson knocked one of the attackers on the ground, he grabbed Tom’s arm and swung him around. “You get Evelyn out of here, now!” To his relief, Tom nodded, grabbed Evelyn, and left.

  Jackson usually fought clean and fair, but tonight he didn’t mind leaving these men bruised and hurting. Security finally got involved in time to clean up the mess and throw the now bleeding men out.

  “I’ll let Liam know we’re done for the night,” George said after the chaos subsided.

  “That’s probably best.” He didn’t want to deal with anyone else that night. Violence was still boiling in him. It had felt too good to vent his frustration – and his temper – through his fists, which meant he probably had a lot of praying to do about it.

  Evelyn clung to Tom’s hand as they walked the final stretch of businesses that led to their campus. Now with the old highway separating them from the noise of local nightlife, the silence punctuated Tom’s brooding intensity.

  “Thank you,” she tried, hoping to break through the tension. “For getting that man away from me.”

  It had all happened so fast. All Evelyn could really remember were snapshots. Tom’s arm around her waist. Tyler’s hand shoving Tom’s shoulder back. Then Tyler flying over a table. She’d never been so close to a fight, and she disliked it as much as she thought she would. She was, however, grateful Tom was on her side that night. A shiver ran through her at the thought of being on the wrong side of his temper.

  Tom didn’t respond to her gratitude. Instead, he led her to the shadows underneath a tree and stood in front of her. She swallowed hard. Fire still swam in his eyes from the fight, but she was right to think it was not the only fire brewing in him.

  “You’ve always done that; looked down when you’re nervous,” Tom said when she dropped her eyes. “When we were younger, you’d only look at me once I made you good and mad. Your eyes were so beautiful when you were angry. Sometimes I’d make you mad just so you would look at me. It took me a while to figure you out though. It wasn’t until you caught me teasing another girl that you finally looked me in the eyes for the first time.” He stepped closer to her. “Don’t make me find someone to pick on right now just so you’ll look at me.”

  Evelyn looked up at him and instinctively stepped back. She’d never seen that expression before, not directed at her. “I didn’t realize I was so easy to read. I’ll have to work on that.” She took a deep breath, trying to steady her breathing. “I probably should be getting home.” She went to step around him, but he captured her arm and gently pulled her back.

  “I’m not an idiot,” he said, his voice velvet. “As soon as we get to your place, you’ll thank me for walking you home and then lock yourself safely away behind your door. We stopped here for a reason.”

  Her heart was in her throat. She liked Tom. She liked the way he looked at her, liked that he could protect her, but she wasn’t ready for things to be anything more. She still didn’t trust him. Her lips trembled as she tried to smile and not sound terrified. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Evie,” he said, putting his hands on her hips, guiding her closer to him. “You may be sweet and innocent, but you can’t be that naïve. You know I like you. You should know I want you.”

  Her hands shot to his chest to stop him from bringing her closer. Most girls had their whole adolescence to prepare for moments like these. She hadn’t had that luxury. This was too much. “Tom, please don’t do this. Not yet, not now.”

  “Why not now?”

  “Please, just be patient with me.”

  He wrapped his arms around her, trapping her. “I am being patient. I just want to kiss you right now.” He saw her terror and began rubbing her back in an attempt to comfort her, but all it did was make her want to be further away from him. “You’ve never even kissed anyone before, have you?”

  “No, Tom, I haven’t, and I’m not ready to start now.” She meant to sound assertive. It would have helped if she could speak louder than a whisper.

  He smiled wickedly. “You don’t need to be so nervous. I promise it doesn’t hurt. It’s just a kiss.”

  He wasn’t listening. She forced herself to speak louder. “Tom, please, not tonight. Not after what happened at the bar.” A muscle in his jaw clenched. She was pushing his patience.

  “Yes,” he practically growled. “Let’s talk about the bar. Just a minute ago you were thanking me about getting that man away from you. Were you lying when you said that?”

  “No! Of course not! I’m very thankful.”

  His hands were back on her hips, gripping her forcefully. He was trying to reign in his temper, but it was a losing battle. “Then show me you’re thankful.”

  “Tom!” She gasped at his order. What happened to his gentleness? To his not wanting to scare her away?

  “Evie, I’ve been at you for weeks now. It’s the longest I’ve ever had to chase a woman. I’m starting to think you’re just a tease, and I’m getting tired of waiting on you!”

  Before she could think better of it, she slapped him. He’d lit a fire under her, calling her a tease. She didn’t think after that. She didn’t wait for his reaction. She didn’t try to apologize. She just ran.

  Chapter 8

  Evelyn awoke to tear-swollen eyes. Dragging herself down the hallway to the shower, she still wore the clothes she’d gone dancing in. Bekah was doing her hair in the bathroom. The floor was a good place to sit and wait.

  “Did you just get home?” Bekah asked in a shocked, high-pitched voice.

  “No. I was home before curfew.” She could feel her roommate’s eyes burning into her.

  “You look like... What happened?”

  Evelyn wished she wasn’t so tired, maybe then it would have been possible to stop the tears. “It was horrible, Bekah. It was wonderful, and then it was horrible.”

  Bekah sat down on the floor with her, worried for her housemate. Evelyn had never cried in front of her before. “What did he do?” Her voice sounded carefully controlled.

  “Nothing. All he wanted to do was kiss me, or at least that’s what he said. But he got so mean when I said no, and he started scaring me, so I slapped him and ran. He probably hates me now.”

  Bekah was silent for a moment and Evelyn imagined she proba
bly thought she was as ridiculous as Tom did. She was wrong. Habitually-bubbly Bekah spoke very seriously. “I’m proud of you, Evelyn. No one else would have the guts to do that. You did the right thing by running.”

  She wasn’t so sure. If she had stayed, she could have apologized, or at least dealt with his anger then. As it was, there was no telling what he had planned. She knew him well enough to know he didn’t allow people to get away with upsetting him. “He’s never going to forgive me.”

  Bekah patted her hand. “You’ll feel better after a shower.”

  She wasn’t sure a shower would help much, but it did a little. She at least felt like the night was behind her now.

  The first time she heard the lies Tom had spread was the next morning in her first class. A girl who sat near her, Mia if she remembered correctly, leaned towards her, telling her how lucky she was to get to do those things with Tom. When she asked the girl what things she was talking about, the girl listed them, bluntly. She spoke as if Evelyn had won some amazing prize. They were lies, but even so, Evelyn was ashamed of them.

  It’s just Tom, Evelyn told herself. He just wants to get a rise out of me, that’s all.

  No matter how many times she told herself that, it never helped, and she still hurt. It didn’t take long for Tom to spread the rumors about her, but in his version, instead of running home, she’d gone to bed with him. She was horrified at the detailed lies whispered about her. Even for Tom, this seemed extreme. The worst part, if there could be anything worse, was that Sarah still invited him to their apartment, as she had tonight. He sat on her couch, much the same way as when she first saw him in her home, and he winked at her as she came in the door. His cruel mockery cut her deeply. She had to bite her lip to keep it from quivering. She should have known he was still the same bully he had always been, but instead she had chosen to turn a blind eye and drank in his poison.