by Anna Parsons
“I don’t believe you.” He picked up the picture of her two steps in front of Peter, exiting the jewelry store. “Do you see this?” He held it up inches from her face. “There is no way the two of you were in this store and you didn’t know he was there!” he yelled at her. “I’ve been in the place. That’s where I got your bangle, for Christ’s sake.” He lifted her wrist, shaking it in her face. “You were looking at engagement rings with him. Have you set a date yet?”
“What? No! No! Dylan, you’ve got this all wrong. I didn’t know he was there, and I didn’t leave with him! And that is not me in the car with him!” She was starting to cry, but Dylan didn’t budge. “I would never marry him, or anyone else. I love you.”
“Ah, so now you can profess your love for me? C’mon, Evie, you think I am a fool, don’t you?” He balled the picture and threw it to the floor. “Did the two of you plan this whole thing? Is this a game to you?” Evie grabbed his arm as he tried to walk past her.
“Dylan, please. Please just listen.” She was standing in front of him now, her hands on his chest. He reached down to remove her hands from his body. His fingers brushed the bangle, which caught his attention. The key is at home. Dylan squeezed her fingers together and tried to pull the bracelet over her hand, causing Evie to cry out. “Dylan, you’re hurting me!” He released her and stepped back as she clutched her hand to her chest.
“Evie,” he said as he walked around her. “It’s so common. I realize now that it fits you perfectly.” Evie gasped at his words, tears now flowing freely. He turned to leave.
“Dylan, please!” He reached for the doorknob. “You’re hurting me.” He paused momentarily before opening the door.
“I want you gone…Evie,” he said before walking out.
Dylan entered the main club area to find Chris and Ben sitting at the bar. Chris saw his approach through the mirror that spanned the wall behind the bar and turned when he saw his friend’s expression. “Chris, please make sure that Evie leaves the club.” He turned and walked away before Chris could say a word.
“What the fuck?” Chris turned to Ben, who sighed and proceeded to fill Chris in on what he’d discovered. “No way, man. No way is she still messing around with Peter. I don’t believe it.” He looked up to see Evie rushing toward the subs’ lounge, and he wasn’t the only one who noticed. Antonio and Allison rushed in after her.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Antonio said when he folded her into his arms. “What’s wrong?”
“He told me to leave,” she said between sobs.
“What?” Allison asked as she guided them to a bench. “Why?”
“He has pictures of me and Peter, and…” Evie could barely speak because of the sobs that were wracking her body. “He thinks I am his fiancée.”
“Fiancée?” they both said together.
“Yes, he thinks Peter and I were looking at rings together.” She sat up. She took the tissue that Allison handed to her and brushed the tears from her eyes. “Dylan wouldn’t listen. I have to make him listen!” She stood to leave when the door opened and Chris and Ben entered. She tried to move past them, but Chris stopped her by blocking her path.
“Evie, you need to leave,” Chris said flatly. He did not move. Ben moved to take Allison’s hand, placing her behind him as if Evie was something from which she needed to be protected.
“No, I need to talk to Dylan.” Again she tried to move around him.
“Please don’t make this any harder than it already is, Evie.” Chris looked at her with his soft eyes.
“I’m not leaving until I talk to him. Now get out of my way!” Evie screamed at Chris, but he didn’t budge.
“He told you to leave. Please don’t make me force you,” he said firmly.
“Force me?” Evie said with a snort as she stood with her hands on her hips, looking Chris in the eye. “Trust me, you’re gonna need a lot more help to force me from here, Master Chris. You’re nowhere near man enough to do it yourself.”
“Outside, Allison.” Ben motioned for Allison to leave, which she did without hesitation. He turned his attention to Evie. “Evangeline, you need to go. Dylan asked you to leave.”
“Not before I talk to him!” she screamed in frustration.
“He doesn’t want to talk to you.” Chris’ patience was wearing thin. “And frankly, I don’t particularly like some of the things you’re saying right now. I was on your side, but now I’m not so sure.”
“This was a huge mistake. I can correct it if I can just speak to him.” Evie turned to pleading when yelling wasn’t working.
“No, Evangeline. You just need to go. I am sure he’ll call you when he is ready.”
“I am sure he won’t,” she said softly as she walked to her locker to get her short trench coat. “Will you give him a message for me?” She returned to stand in front of Chris after she donned her coat.
“No, Evie,” he said. “I will not.” Evie took a step back as though he had just punched her in the gut. What happened to “you’re beautiful, Evie” or “you’re so precious, Evie” or any of the other bullshit you spouted to me? She exited the lounge and headed for the door, pulling her coat closed around her.
* * * *
She lied to me. I hate a liar. Hate! After leaving Evie in his office calling after him, Dylan stalked to the security office, motioning Chaney out as he entered. He watched Evie as she went into the lounge, followed by Allison and Antonio. Don’t console that conniving, lying witch. She ran from the room shortly after Chris and Ben entered, and a few minutes later, Dylan picked her up on an outside camera, heading for the car Dylan had bought. She stopped before opening the door, and looked down at the keys. She turned and ran back to the club, meeting up with Chaney at the entrance. I need to get microphones added to these cameras. What’s she saying? He watched Chaney use his cell, and then Evie walked out. She didn’t return to her car, but instead stood on the bottom step. Chaney walked up behind her. She turned to look at him, smiled, and on her tiptoes, planted a kiss on his cheek. Is he blushing? Damn. She handed her keys to Chaney and stepped down just as the taxi pulled to the curb. He saw Chaney look up into the camera, knowing that his boss was watching. She’s gone.
Chapter 32:
Alone Again
Evie stumbled as she entered the elevator in her apartment complex. She could no longer hold herself upright. She pulled herself up using the handicap railing and punched her floor. As the elevator rose, she slumped back down onto the wall, and prayed that she could make it to her apartment before collapsing. She reached down and pulled off the stilettos, preferring to walk barefoot than risk having to crawl down the hallway. I thought we were good. I thought we were great. I thought I was going to spend my life with him. He doesn’t trust me. As soon as she was inside of her apartment, the tears started to flow. She sobbed aloud, hugging herself as she walked toward her bedroom.
“It’s not your fault. He made a mistake.” The voice in her head started. “He will realize what he did and he will come for you. He loves—” Evie cut her off.
“Shut up! Just shut up! You don’t know what you are talking about. He doesn’t want me. He never did. The things he said to me made his position crystal clear, dontcha think? Now, leave me alone!” Evie screamed. She paused. Silence. Good riddance to both of you.
Evie stripped as she walked, leaving a trail of clothing from the living room to the bathroom, where she scrubbed her face and started the shower. The tears continued to stream down her face as she leaned against the wall for support. The steam billowed from the glass enclosure. The upgrades that matched Dylan’s beach house were just completed the day before. The jets pulsing from all directions created a place for her to hide, remaining inside the cocoon for as long as she could stand. She stepped from the shower and dried herself with a large towel. Reaching to open the armoire to get some lotion, she saw Dylan’s cologne. Stepping back, Evie looked over at his side of the vanity and saw all of his things. I’ll clean that up tomorrow. I can’t deal tonight.
She dropped the towel and returned to the bedroom, kicking the corset out of her way as she walked. Inside her pajama drawer, she picked out a comfortable sleep shirt and pulled it over her head. She trudged to the kitchen, desperately seeking an alcoholic beverage. First selected was the bottle of Johnny Walker from the cabinet, but it was returned quickly. Another reminder of Dylan was too much for her to deal with at the moment. She reached for a bottle of Jack Daniels and returned to the bedroom, not even bothering with a glass, uncorking as she walked, taking a large swig from the bottle. She saw her cell phone blinking on the floor and bent to retrieve it. Missed calls from Antonio, Chaney, and Allison.
First text from Antonio, Babe answer the phone. Please. Second text from Antonio, I could kill the bastard. I’ll do it. Just give me the word. Evie smiled. Third text from Antonio, He didn’t mean it. He must have hit his head. He loves you. “Yeah right.” Fourth text from Antonio, Please let me know you’re okay. Love ya, mean it.
Evie couldn’t bear talking to anyone, so she turned her phone off, determined to fall into bed in a drunken stupor. She pulled back the covers and crawled into the middle of her bed. Watching television and drinking her Jack straight from the bottle, she could hear his words resounding in her mind. “Evie. It’s so common. I realize now that it fits you perfectly.” She cried until she fell asleep.
Chapter 33:
Devastation
Dylan drove down I-45, heading to his beach house, listening to talk radio. He hadn’t slept for more than an hour. Dylan tried to sleep at the club apartment, but there was too much that reminded him of Hope’s betrayal. Ultimately, he fell asleep on the couch in his office, and woke up pissed off and sore. No Hope. Even Anne remained silent. He switched the station to classic rock, but that didn’t help. He couldn’t take his mind off of her. He remembered Ben’s words, “Brother, I don’t know what this is about, but I thought you should see it. My first obligation is to you.” And recalling the pictures of Evie and Peter, he hit the steering wheel with the heel of his hand. “Dammit!” I thought we had something, but I will not tolerate lying. I can’t tolerate it. He barreled down the highway, wanting badly to be home, and breathed a sigh of relief when he crossed the bridge in front of the house. After parking the car in the garage, he leaned back against the headrest. He needed to leave the club because he didn’t want to be reminded of his Hope, but he realized his home would be worse. Her scent, her things, and her pictures were everywhere. He looked over at her old Nissan. She wanted to donate it to the clinic and had planned to drive it over this morning. How could someone so generous turn out to be so devious? He pulled himself from the car and entered the house. He smelled the bacon as he entered. Ruth had a full breakfast ready, apparently expecting Hope. He didn’t say anything as he entered the kitchen.
“Morning, Mr. Dylan,” Ruth said, watching him. He went straight for the coffee.
“I’ve got this Ruth. You may go.”
“I ‘may go’? Well, that’s mighty white of you Mr. Dylan.” Ruth pulled off her apron, reached into the pantry to retrieve her purse, and walked out.
“I am pissing off everyone, I see.” He poured himself a cup of strong black coffee, picked up his mug, and headed for the living room. The local news was on.
“…Peter Nash has yet to make a statement, but through his family spokesperson we have learned that Mr. Nash will be making one shortly. In case you are just joining us, the home of former deputy district attorney Peter Nash was destroyed by fire in the early hours of this morning under ‘suspicious circumstances’ according to the county fire marshal. Mr. Nash’s fiancée was trapped inside the home at the time of the blaze and was pronounced dead at the scene. More details…”
Dylan did not feel the cup slip from his grasp, nor did he realize when his knees hit the floor. All he knew for sure was that his Hope was dead.
Chapter 34:
A Visit From a Friend
Evie rose from bed with a massive headache. What the hell happened last night? As if on cue, the memories started filtering back. She shook her head and trudged into the bathroom. Pee, wash face, and brush teeth. She accomplished what she set out to do in rising. She considered returning to bed, but decided a cup of coffee would help greatly. She picked up her phone on the way, turning it on as she walked. A dozen missed calls, and forty texts. Later…now…coffee. She turned on the Keurig and dialed JJ’s number. I need to get this over with. He answered on the second ring.
“Mornin’, darling.” JJ was always chipper. Evie smiled.
“Mornin’, JJ.” She tried to speak in an even tone, but knew he could hear the hurt in her voice.
“What’s going on, Evie?” JJ asked in a somber tone.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now, JJ, but I can’t come to the clinic today. Probably not ever,” she said quietly, trying not to start crying again.
“What did the jackass do?”
“Dylan is not a jackass, JJ. He knows what he wants…or what he doesn’t want. I don’t think he wants me in his wife’s clinic anymore.” Evie cried a silent tear. “I’ll help you find a replacement. I promise.”
“It is not going to come to that, little lady. You leave this to me.” JJ was rarely angry, but Evie could tell that he was on the verge of an explosion.
“Please JJ, I am okay. Please don’t say anything. I just want to kind of slink away. No fuss.” Evie wiped tears from her cheeks.
“Darlin’, I’ll take care of him. I promise.” Evie knew how much her godfather loved her and was confident that Dylan was going to feel his wrath. Somehow, the fact that Dylan thought badly of her made her heart ache even more. She said her good-byes, decided to forgo the coffee and return to bed instead. She curled up in the middle of her bed, reaching over to flip the switch to close the shutters, leaving the room in complete darkness. Wonder if Dylan knows about this little gem? Jackass. She couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her cheeks as she fell into a restless sleep.
Images drifted through her mind, some concrete, some abstract, some people, and others just colorful shapes. Dreams in color? As quickly as the thought entered her head, she winced as bright light bathed her room. Sitting up, she held her hand before her eyes, reaching for the shutter switch.
“That will not help you, Evie.” The voice, normally in her head, came from behind her. Evie yelped and jumped from the bed, turning toward the voice.
“What? Who…?” Evie reached for her phone but stopped when the voice moved toward her.
“All is well, sister.” The soothing voice caused Evie to turn toward it. “I have been with you a long time, Evie. Look at me, mi hermana.”
Evie lifted her eyes and found before her a woman who seemed familiar to her. “Am I dreaming?” Evie asked aloud.
“A little, maybe.” The vision smiled. “Were you dreaming when you heard me speaking to you before?”
“No, I suppose not…Who are you?” Evie realized that the room remained dark because of the closed windows. The light was coming from the apparition before her in a flowing blue gown, her dark hair spread over her shoulders. Instantly, Evie recognized her. This was the Anne she had seen in pictures at the clinic, at Dylan’s parents’ house, and in the secret place in Dylan’s office.
“Oh my god,” Evie said as she sat on the edge of her bed. “Anne.” Evie just stared at the woman, who seemed real yet appeared to float before her. “You’ve been speaking with me all this time?”
“Yes.” Anne moved closer to Evie. “I know this is a shock, but yes, I have been with you.”
Evie stared up at her. “Are you going to hurt me?” Evie asked, tears welling in her eyes.
“Of course not. I would never hurt you. Dylan loves you, and I want only his happiness. Since that happiness is tied to you, I have watched over you.” She reached her hand out to Evie.
“I don’t know.” Evie hesitated, drawing back. “Dylan doesn’t feel for me the way you think. Your radar must be broken, because he dumped me last n
ight.” Evie felt herself begin to struggle to breathe, her emotions becoming overwhelming. She watched as Anne reached out and touched her shoulder. Instantly, Evie felt herself calm, her breathing becoming steady.
“He didn’t mean it.”
“Oh, he meant it.” Evie stood and walked away. “He said I was common. Common! I let him build me up and then he threw me away! He meant it.” She hugged herself as she paced the room. “And you…Talking to me all this time. Have you been talking to him, too?”
“Yes, mi hermana, I was with him, too,” Anne said softly.
“You manipulated the situation, didn’t you?” Evie stopped to stare at Anne through narrowed eyes. “Now, I’m losing my freaking mind, yelling at a dream.”
“I’m no dream, Hope.” Anne started toward Evie.
“That is not my name!” Evie yelled as she pushed at the ghost of Dylan’s dead wife, her hands passing through her.
“It is your name. It’s the name that Dylan gave to you. It’s what you brought to his life. Just like you gave to me,” Anne said gently.
Evie looked up at her, shocked. “What?” Evie wiped a tear from her cheek. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you remember sitting with me day after day while I was in and out of consciousness?”
“No, I didn’t do that.” Evie looked up at Anne through her tears.
“You did, darling. Look.” A fog cleared to show Evie sitting at a portable keyboard playing in a darkened room, with a bandaged patient on the bed.
“That wasn’t you! That was Annabel!” Evie yelled. “What is this?”
“I assure you that was me in that bed. My mother named me Annabel. I prefer Anne.” She gently stroked Evie’s hair.
“Oh my God, I didn’t know it was you.” She sobbed more.
“Dylan and Ben decided to use my maiden name for the hospital admission. They felt it best to keep our names out of the press. A prominent business man’s wife in a suspicious accident is big news. They were protecting me.” She said matter-of-factly. “The interesting thing is that they hired a nurse to tend to me, but you rarely left my side.”