Moving On (Ghost Of The Past Book 1)

by Trisha Grace

  Ryan nodded. “Maybe, but I don’t know what else I can do.”

  “Open your own gym and produce more incredible hulks,” Joanne teased.

  “That’s actually a brilliant idea,” Kate commented. “That way, you don’t have to work those horrible shifts, and it’s much, much, much safer than being a fireman.”

  All of them echoed their support of the idea.

  “Are you guys serious?” Ryan asked, half laughing.

  “Why not?” Kate said. “You can get Joseph to come up with healthy meals that’d help in weight loss or muscle gain. He can even give check-ups to track their progress.”

  Ryan turned to Joseph with a raised brow.

  Joseph brows drew closer together, seemingly considering the possibility of doing so.

  While[ Removed. 3. Before this para.] Marianne began placing food on the table, more ideas were thrown around.

  Evelyn tuned out the conversation and turned to Dan again.

  She was tempted to talk to him, to ask him about his day. She missed hearing his voice, seeing the smile he always had for her, and feeling the warmth of his finger skimming down her cheeks.

  She closed her eyes, hoping that removing him from her sight would get rid of the thoughts in her mind.

  This is better for everyone, she reminded herself.

  Just then, her phone vibrated again and another jolt of shock reverberated down her spine. Hastily, she grabbed the phone from the table. Relieved that it was just about work, she sighed softly and returned the phone to its position on the table. When she glanced up from her phone, she found Kate staring at her; probably waiting for an explanation on her neurotic behavior over her phone.

  “Lack of sleep.” A pang of guilt besieged her as she looked away from Kate. Though it was true that she wasn’t sleeping well and her nightmares were back, compared to the other problem she was facing, the nightmares were insignificant.

  She hated having to lie to Kate, and Kate’s response only doubled her guilt.

  “Do you want me to stay over at your house tonight? If you want, I can accompany you. Maybe tomorrow we can buy some chamomile tea and essential oils. I heard they work miracles for some who can’t sleep.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Evelyn kept her eyes from Kate, letting her know she had no intention of continuing that particular line of conversation.

  It was better for Kate to know nothing about what was going on. There wasn’t any need to pull another person into her mess.

  The next morning, Evelyn pulled up in front of the mansion, surprised to see Lydia’s car parked by Joanne’s pink mini.

  Everyone, including herself, had treated Kate’s sister like an outcast since the fire. Though only Kate and her confronted Lydia, everyone else blamed Lydia for what happened as well.

  Since finding out that their parents didn’t die from an accident like their grandparents had told them, Lydia had been obsessed with finding out what caused their brutal murder.

  Even though Lydia wasn’t the one who set the fire, she was undeniably the cause of it.

  To Evelyn, the actual fire didn’t scare her. It was the events leading right up to it. The whole incident brought back all the unwanted memories that she had been trying to bury.

  Even seeing Lydia’s car brought back those memories.

  She remembered how her heart pounded while she hid in the bathroom with Kate. She remembered how she kept her gun aimed at the door while fear ran rampant in her mind.

  The suspense of knowing someone was heading for them reminded her of how she had felt while hiding in the bathroom as a child, of the futile prayers she had made, and of the eventual punishment she had to endure.

  She was no longer a child, and she had practiced hard at using her gun. Still, no amount of logic helped as the same fear that used to surge through her veins every night raked her once again.

  Evelyn rubbed her palms against her arms, getting some warmth back to her suddenly cold hands.

  “Hey, you’re late,” Ryan said as she entered the kitchen.

  Everyone else echoed some form of greeting and went back to the food on the table.

  Without command, her eyes moved in search of Dan’s, then immediately darted away the moment they met his.

  She took her usual spot, sitting between Kate and Dan. Since his eyes were obviously avoiding her, Evelyn took the chance to observe him.

  He kept his eyes on his plate, taking a bite of food then looking up at the selection on the table. He looked well to her. The brilliant smile he used to wear was missing, but besides that, he appeared to be doing fine without her.

  She couldn’t help wondering if he was already seeing someone new and if she could handle sitting at the same table with whoever it was.

  “Now that you’re here, we’re ready to make the major announcement,” Ryan said, swallowing a mouthful of food. He nudged Joseph and gestured for him to continue.

  Seeing Ryan’s excitement made her smile.

  She wished she had his personality; he was always smiling and chirpy. She wondered how he did that. The things he must have seen in his work, the carnage, the deaths … yet he seemed untouched by them.

  “We’ve decided to leave our jobs and start a gym like you guys suggested.”

  Joanne laughed. “Are you guys serious? I was only joking.”

  “We are. The only gym in this area isn’t very good. Many of Ryan’s fellow firemen and friends he worked out with had complained about it. It’s definitely viable,” Joseph answered.

  “That will be great,” Kate said, her eyes bright. “That way, you guys won’t have to deal with all the shifts anymore.”

  Dan nodded. “That’s true. I can help with the finding of location; I have contacts.”

  “And of course, Evelyn and I will design the place for you guys,” Kate added.

  “Before any of that, we’ll have to come up with an actual proposal and get a bank loan,” Joseph interjected before anyone else could continue.

  Dan’s brows drew closer in confusion. “You do know there are a few multi-millionaires sitting around this particular table, right? If the richest guy,” he cocked his head in Tyler’s direction and continued, “isn’t willing, his wife definitely is.”

  Kate’s smile widened. “Of course I’d support you guys. I’ve lots of money, and I can’t find anywhere to use it.”

  Evelyn cleared her throat to conceal her laugh and hid her smile behind her hand.

  Kate had inherited a sizable amount of money from Tyler’s grandfather; money that was doing nothing but lying around in the bank. Since they got married, Tyler had refused to let her pay for anything.

  “I have money,” Tyler stated. “You guys get it from me.”

  Kate rolled her eyes. “Seriously? I can’t even support them? What’s the point of having all that money in the bank if I can’t spend it?”

  “You bought Evelyn’s handbags with your money.”

  That began a banter that lasted for a few minutes, ending with Tyler hooking his arm over Kate and holding her against his chest.

  Dan shook his head as Tyler grinned despite Kate’s struggle to get out of his arms. “I don’t think there ever was any couple who vies for the chance to pay for stuff.”

  Ryan nudged Joseph in his elbow. “Told you they’d help.” Then he turned back to Tyler. “But no charity, we’ll repay it. I’m sure Mr. Sawyer can draw something up for us.”

  “Of course,” Mr. Sawyer said.

  Evelyn looked at the now-retired lawyer sitting next to Marianne, another addition to the group due to the will left behind by Tyler’s grandfather. Mr. Sawyer had moved in last year to ensure that every condition of the late Mr. Hayes’s will was met.

  Now that Kate and Tyler were married, Mr. Sawyer had moved back into his own house, but that hadn’t stopped him from dropping by during meal times.

  The difference between him and everyone else who was there to sponge off Marianne was that he wasn’t there for the foo
d.

  “So, what are you guys intending to do?” Tyler asked.

  Kate elbowed Tyler softly in his ribs and finally managed to break free from his arms. “Yeah, what’s the plan?”

  Evelyn leaned on her arm and looked at the blissful couple beside her.

  A corner of her lips curled as she thought about the shopping trip she had with Kate. They were at the counter, getting ready to pay for their stuff, when Kate took out her wallet and noticed the cards. Kate pulled out all the credit cards in her wallet with a gaping mouth, surprised that Tyler had substituted all her cards without telling her about it.

  The bewilderment caused by the sight of the new cards was quick to pass while annoyance took over.

  Once they were out of the shop, Kate called Tyler and gave him an earful. Despite her rant, Evelyn knew Kate hadn’t been happier.

  Whenever Evelyn looked at how Tyler and Kate interacted, a part of her longed for a relationship like theirs; a relationship where she would be loved and accepted despite all she’d done and all she might do.

  She blinked, feeling a hint of moisture at the corner of her eyes, and turned away from the blissful couple.

  Such fairytale love was for people like Kate, the kind of woman everyone loved. She was always sweet and amiable, and she never turned anyone down whenever they needed help. In less than a year, Kate was able to turn the aloof Tyler into someone who could never stop smiling whenever she was around. In less than a year, everyone in the room loved her like a princess.

  Evelyn, on the other hand, wasn’t that kind of lady.

  She was one who could never trust enough to be nice to everyone.

  While Ryan and Joseph rattled off their plans for the place, Evelyn suddenly felt a gentle squeeze of her hand.

  She looked down at Dan’s hand, and her head snapped over to him.

  She pulled her hand back as she looked away. She couldn’t allow herself to become needy now. Now, more than ever, she had to be strong. She promised herself that she wouldn’t let a demon from her past destroy what she’d built for herself, and she couldn’t be the tough Evelyn when she had Dan to rely on.

  She had grown so used to Dan being her comfort that each time she woke from her nightmare, her fingers would hovered over the phone while her heart and mind went into battle; a battle between satisfying what her heart wanted and complying with what her mind knew was right.

  She wanted to kick herself when Dan withdrew his hand and pretended as though nothing happened.

  She shouldn’t have pulled her hand back that way. He was merely concerned about her and all she did was hurt him in return.

  Dan could see that Evelyn was already deep in her own thoughts, dismissing him from whatever or whoever was occupying her thoughts.

  He looked away and caught Marianne staring at him.

  Throughout the whole hot and cold cycle that Evelyn and Dan were going through, Marianne had been nagging him to step up and show Evelyn that he was serious about being together.

  Each time, he had trusted Marianne and did what she said.

  Each time, the result that followed was a period where he became the invisible man to Evelyn.

  When that happened, Marianne would tell him he wasn’t serious enough, and he didn’t show her that he’d meant what he said.

  Sometimes, he was tempted to snap back at Marianne and tell her to stop meddling in his business. It was easy to blame Marianne for things going downhill, but he had to admit that she was only giving him the push he needed.

  He did know what he wanted. He wanted everything with her.

  He’d heard people talk about how they knew the person they were with was the one, and he knew.

  It didn’t matter that they were running in a circle. It didn’t matter that they might be with someone else in between. There was a knowing in his heart that they would end up together.

  She would be the one he would grow old with. The one he would create great memories with. The one he would have a family with.

  Dan had lost count of the number of times he’d looked at Evelyn and heard the small voice in his heart telling him that they belonged together.

  But Evelyn didn’t seem to agree. She knew what she wanted as well.

  She had told him right from the start that she wasn’t interested in relationships; never had and never will. Still, he dove in head first, thinking that things would change.

  There was nothing for him to complain about. Evelyn did tell him straight to his face; it was purely his stupidity in thinking that he could change things.

  Maybe he was wrong. Maybe it was just the spillover effect of Tyler finding love that made him think otherwise. Maybe this time, things were really through between them.

  Pushing the food away from him, he tuned in to the conversation around the table.

  “Eve always said she wanted to learn self defense. We just never got to it. If you start one, I bet she’ll be your first customer,” Kate said.

  He had tuned in just in time to disapprove of Kate’s idea.

  “Yeah, of course,” Evelyn replied after a moment’s lapse as if she, too, was daydreaming. “It shouldn’t be too difficult for you guys to come up with the lessons. You guys learned judo, right?”

  Ryan raised his brows. “True.”

  “Will you ladies be our guinea pigs?” Joseph asked Kate.

  “Why not?” “No.”

  Two people spoke at the same time, but all heads turned toward Tyler. Even if they hadn’t recognized his voice, it was obvious he was the one rejecting the idea.

  “They’re clumsy; you might get hurt,” Tyler said to Kate.

  “Thanks for thinking about me, too,” Evelyn stated sarcastically.

  “Both of you may get hurt,” Tyler corrected.

  For once, Dan was grateful for Tyler’s protective nature.

  Dan grew up with the guys and had lost count of the injuries he’d sustained while playing basketball with them. He didn’t think it would be dangerous; he knew it would be. But unlike Tyler, he’d no right to speak up about it.

  A silent frustration over the ambiguity of their relationship bubbled within him; a frustration over his lack of rights to be frustrated.

  Though he never fooled around in relationships, he’d never felt so possessive over someone, especially someone whom he wasn’t even officially dating.

  The worst of it was knowing how ridiculous it all seemed. He wasn’t in high school anymore; such trivial and petty relationship problems should no longer be an issue. Why couldn’t he just close the chapter he had with Evelyn and move on?

  “I don’t think Ryan’s in a position to hurt anyone,” Kate said, pointing to the cast on his hand. “And Joseph is a doctor, I’m sure he’ll be careful. And I’m going to ignore you now.”

  “Don’t worry, Ty. We won’t risk your ‘precious’ in anyway. Promise,” Joseph assured.

  There wasn’t any point in trying to fight it, Tyler seemed to know it was a lost cause. He shrugged and smiled at Kate. “You do know they’ll be dead if you end up getting hurt.”

  “Ignore him,” Kate said.

  Dan turned to Evelyn and saw, for just a moment, the hint of sadness in her eyes.

  Perhaps her words meant more than she let on.

  His fingers twitched as he fought to keep his behavior in check. She didn’t want him touching her, not even to comfort her, so he pulled his hand back a few inches and tightened his grip on his fork.

  A moment of silence took over as everyone continued to devour the food Marianne had prepared. There was nothing more to discuss until Ryan and Joseph put more work into the gym.

  “Are you interested in being part of the self-defense guinea pigs?” Mr. Sawyer said to Lydia. “After all, lawyers work horrible hours. It’s good to learn something to keep yourself safe.”

  Lydia’s head shot up. She blinked and looked around the table, clearly surprised that a question was directed toward her.

  Although Dan wasn’t magnanimous e
nough to forgive Lydia, he did admire her courage to show up each time Kate invited her over. Everyone was angry at Lydia for various reasons; for Dan, it was because Evelyn could have died in the fire.

  The thought of losing Evelyn in the fire was too much to think about, and each time he saw Lydia, he was reminded of the fact that the arsonist was still at large and Evelyn’s life might still be in danger.

  “Sorry, maybe another time,” Lydia finally said.

  Without much subtlety, Ryan rolled his eyes.

  Lydia didn’t have to explain her lack of time. Everyone knew she was still obsessed with the cold case.

  Then, Ryan suddenly asked, “What about you, Joanne? Everyone’s offering some form of help. What are you going to do?”

  “Marianne and Mr. Sawyer didn’t offer their help,” Joanne retorted.

  Laughing at her statement, Marianne said, “If Joe is planning healthy meals, who do you think will make it edible, dear? And of course, Mr. Sawyer will be taking care of all the legal matters.”

  Having no other defense, Joanne turned and shared a look with Evelyn.

  “Stop disturbing her,” Evelyn interjected.

  Dan narrowed his eyes at Joanne. He saw the look between Joanne and Evelyn; something was wrong.

  Joanne had been disappearing a lot lately, and she would get all flustered each time he asked her what she was up to. Now, there seemed to be some shared camaraderie between Evelyn and Joanne.

  “Yeah. What are you so busy with that you can’t help? You’ve been rather secretive lately, Anne.” Dan stared at his sister, worried that she was getting into some sort of trouble.

  “Everyone has secrets. Let her be,” Evelyn stated.

  You definitely have yours. He pried his eyes from Evelyn and turned back to Joanne, waiting for her explanation.

  Dan saw Joanne swallowing hard and ducking her head as her eyes moved to her plate.

  He held his stare; he wasn’t going to back down. If Joanne was up to something, he was going to find out right now.

  “I’m leaving for Paris next week, and I won’t be back for at least a year,” Joanne said, her eyes still on the plate.