Evie kept her answers short, all the while wanting to get away, to have time to herself. Maybe she could even go back tonight. But she knew there was no late-night bus service, and she hadn’t even broached the topic with either of her brothers to give her a ride.
Carson would probably offer when he found out, but then he might cut his spring break short, too, and that would completely defeat the purpose . . . The purpose of returning to campus alone without her roommate Becca, and without the man next to her who’d wrapped his way around every part of her life, making her second-guess what she’d decided a long time ago.
“You’re going to Racoons?” Lane asked, laughter in his tone. “Does Evie know?”
Carson glanced at her. “She’s the one who suggested it.”
“I did,” Evie said, putting her fork down. She’d hardly eaten, anyway. “Y’all should come.”
Lane’s brows furrowed. “I am going; I just didn’t think you would go.”
“Why not?” Evie said in a flippant tone. Lane was moving the irritation meter higher than she had patience for.
Lane shrugged and picked up his glass of water. “Thought you were keeping Carson all to yourself.”
Evie’s face burned, not just because of what her brother said, but because it was at the dinner table in front of the whole family. She laughed a fake laugh and asked for her dad to pass the salt. After salting her already-salted chicken, the conversation had moved on. Yet, she felt Carson’s questioning glances.
She just had to get through tonight, and tomorrow, then she’d be free of all the memories that going into the school had brought back like a blow. Even now, she felt shaky at the thought of walking those halls again. What had she been thinking? Marching in to talk to Ms. Jarvis like it was something she’d done every day.
As the family conversations swirled about her, her mind replayed the first day that she’d shown up to school wearing makeup, with a perm in her hair. Evie had been a week past her thirteenth birthday, and her mom had finally given her permission to wear makeup. But at school, she got the opposite reaction that she’d hoped for. No one stopped and told her she looked pretty. The guys didn’t suddenly notice her. In fact, the popular girls had smirked and talked about her behind her back. Including Jana. Who was apparently still friends with Barb and would be at Racoons tonight.
Evie might as well get it all over with. Face her past, then hightail it out of town in the morning. She admitted she was curious about Jana, but mostly, Evie wanted to prove to herself that she could go to a major social event and not be the shy girl in the corner.
She was weeks away from an undergraduate degree, and she was potentially working for the top newspaper in San Antonio.
“All right, then,” Holt said. “Everyone have a good night. We’ve got to get this little girl to bed.”
“I’m not a little girl,” Ruby declared from her booster chair. “I’m your little darlin’.”
Holt chuckled, and he moved to help Macie clean up her daughter’s mess.
Evie watched the easy way that Holt and Macie acted around Ruby. For a moment, her heart strings tugged for Knox, but he’d effectively cut himself off from his own daughter. So it was Holt who Ruby was growing closer to every day.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Macie said, walking around the table and touching Evie’s shoulder.
Evie loved that about Macie. No matter what was going on in their big family, Macie always singled her out.
“Yep,” Evie said, and inside, she thought, if you’re here really early in the morning. She didn’t want to make any announcements just yet. She’d tell Carson after Racoons, then she’d figure out her ride later on.
When Mr. Hunt was preparing to leave, he said he’d walk if Carson wanted to stick around longer.
“Oh, I’ve got to get ready,” Evie said. “So you two go on ahead.”
Finally, she was alone again in her bedroom. She sat on the edge of her bed and opened her emails on her phone.
She reread the one from San Antonio Daily News once again, waiting for that elation to kick in, but all she felt was nerves. Maybe Carson was right, and she needed to believe in herself more.
Evie released a slow breath.
Carson wasn’t her first crush, but he was her first kiss, so maybe that was why she was feeling so attached to him. But deep down, she knew she was making excuses. Ones that she was believing in right now. Finally, she moved to her closet, where she’d stashed the few belongings that she’d brought. She pulled on jeans that were still clean, then buttoned up a violet shirt. Next, she headed to the bathroom and added a few more waves to her hair with a curling wand.
She was as ready now as she was ever going to be. She didn’t know who she’d be running into tonight, but she planned to not let any of it bother her. As a visitor, after all, she was no longer emotionally invested in any of these people. Aside from her family, she didn’t care. Shouldn’t care.
She sent Carson a text. Do you want to meet there or go together?
I’ll pick you up in ten if that’s okay.
Ok.
Exhaling, she slipped her phone into her pocket and headed down the hallway to the front room to find her parents both there. They were sitting on the couch as if waiting to talk to her.
She slowed her step and turned to them. “I shouldn’t be too late.”
“Have a seat, dear,” her mom said. “Holt brought something to our attention.”
Evie’s stomach plummeted. She’d wanted to move on from all of this and not rehash it again. But she sat down, facing her parents.
“Is what he said true?” her dad said, leaning forward. His rugged face was creased with concern. “About how you’ve been feeling like we don’t trust you with decisions?”
“Yeah,” she said. “It wasn’t really with you guys as much, just with my brothers growing up. And I guess a little bit now, too.”
“I don’t mean to pressure you into moving back to Prosper,” her mom said. “But we’d love to have you here, of course. We do trust your decisions, though, and we definitely know you’ll do great things wherever you land.”
“Thanks,” Evie said, swallowing against the growing lump in her throat. “I appreciate that.”
“Sweet pea,” her dad said, rising to his feet and crossing over. “You’ve got our full support, whatever you decide to do.”
She stood and stepped into his arms and hugged him. Relief swept through her. Her dad pulled her close and patted her back. “And that Carson Hunt. He’s a fine fellow.”
Evie smiled. “Yeah, he is.”
Next, her mom hugged her.
When she stepped away from her parents, she said, “I’m going back to campus tomorrow morning.”
Her mom immediately began to protest, but her dad said, “Heidi, let her finish.”
“I need a couple of days to myself to catch up on homework and get ready for an interview on Monday.” She told them about the interview, and soon, both of her parents were smiling.
Had it really been this simple all along—that she could open up a little, and her resentment would wash away?
No, she knew it wasn’t that simple. She still had Racoons to face, and who knew what she’d encounter there. Just then, she heard a truck rumbling up the drive. She glanced over to see that sure enough, Carson had arrived.
Her heart immediately soared, then plummeted. Carson had put the wrench in all of her plans, and tonight might very well be the last night they spent together. If the interview went great on Monday, then really, it would be selfish to keep dating Carson. Wouldn’t she be leading him on?
One day at a time, she whispered to herself as she headed outside. But was that fair to either of them?
Carson was already out of his truck, and Evie drew in a breath at the sight of him. His navy button-down made no secret of the breadth of his shoulders, and his dark jeans only made him look taller. He wore a nicer cowboy hat than she’d ever seen him wearing.
“You
’re all dressed up,” she teased.
His gaze met hers, and heat flashed through her, because she could see he was appreciating her as much as she was appreciating him. He also smelled amazing.
“You look beautiful,” Carson said, reaching for her hand and wrapping his warm fingers around hers.
Evie’s heart jolted. She shouldn’t be reacting like this to him. Tonight was about introducing him to more people in Prosper so that when he returned, not her, he’d have a wider base of those he’d met.
But the warm tingles spread throughout her, regardless. And if she didn’t suspect her parents could see her from the living room window, she might steal a kiss. She walked to the passenger side with him as the sun’s setting rays disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving a soft purple twilight.
Once inside the truck, Evie rattled off the people who would probably be there. None of them had been her true friends, but she’d know everyone’s names. Carson was quiet for the most part, and when he stopped the truck across from Racoons, the place was already hopping.
Music boomed from the open door, and the side of the road Racoons was on was filled with parked cars. Lights spilled from the square windows, and a group of people was outside, smoking together.
Evie didn’t recognize them off hand, but they were still across the street and the sky was nearly dark. The stars were beginning to appear, filling the sky like a glittering carpet.
Maybe they could just skip the whole battle of the bands scene and walk along the river, hand in hand. Of course, that sort of solitude with Carson would only make it harder to leave in the morning.
“Ready?” she said in a bright voice, releasing his hand and reaching for the door handle.
“Hang on, Evie.”
She looked over at him, and the depths of his eyes were nearly black.
“We don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” he said in a low voice.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Plus, I can introduce you to people our age.”
He held her gaze for a second, like he wanted to say something else, but instead, he nodded. “All right. Know anytime, we can leave.”
“Okay.” Evie didn’t want to dwell on how sweet Carson was being. Well, he was always sweet.
“Wait for me,” he said, opening his door.
So she did, as her pulse began to thud. She was about to go into Racoons. Would it be easier with Carson at her side? Yeah, it would create a lot more questions, but at least she wouldn’t be fending for herself, or having to deal with the pickup scene.
Her door opened, and Carson was standing there. She put her hand in his and slid down next to him. He didn’t move back or give her space.
“Did I tell you that you look beautiful?”
She lifted her chin to meet his gaze. He hadn’t shaved that evening, so his dark stubble had started to show through. Her hand had a mind of its own, and she ran her fingers across his jaw.
He leaned down, slowly, as if waiting for her permission, then kissed the edge of her mouth.
Evie placed her hand on his chest. “Easy, cowboy.”
“Come on, let’s ditch this place, sweetness.”
“Not tonight.” Evie pushed past him, then grasped his hand and tugged him with her. Tonight might be her last date with Carson, but everyone would know they were together.
Carson couldn’t read Evie. Not that he thought he’d ever know the inner workings of a woman’s mind, but she was either hot or cold. He wished she would open up to him. Ever since they’d stopped by the school, something was off, but she seemed so focused on this night at Racoons. So he’d go with her, meet whoever she introduced him to, then hopefully, when they were alone again, she’d clue him into why she was so jittery.
It had been a while since Carson had been to a bar. Definitely nothing since breaking up with Stacee. As he approached the bar with its thumping music, his pulse dialed up a notch. Rhett would have loved this place, Carson could already tell. His brother might have even entered the battle of the bands with his guitar—a guitar that was stowed somewhere.
The inside of the bar was large, with a balcony overlooking a dance floor, and tables lining the exterior of the room. It smelled like every other bar, with cloying perfumes and cologne, mixed with beer. A platform was at the far side—and Carson assumed it was the makeshift stage. No one was playing right now, although a couple of cowboys were gathered on the platform, seeming to be tuning their guitars.
The music that thumped came through the speakers, and the colored lights shifted across the dance floor. The place was surprisingly crowded and filled with people in their twenties and thirties.
A group of older cowboys sat in one corner, hunched over their drinks. They looked like they were about to bail due to the influx of younger people.
“Is it always this busy?” Carson said, close to Evie’s ear. “Where are all these people from?”
“Surrounding towns,” she said.
He felt her stiffen beside him, and that’s when he saw the woman they’d met at the diner—Barb or Barbie—approaching, with two other women with her. They all wore what looked like cocktail dresses, which felt way too overdressed for a small-town bar.
Ironically, Barb’s face was made up like a Barbie doll, and her glittering blue dress shined in the spotlights.
“You made it, Evie!” Barb practically sang out. Then she air-kissed Evie.
Next, Barb turned to Carson, slipped an arm about his waist, and squeezed him in a side hug.
Um . . .
“Hi, there,” he said.
“Oh, don’t hi there me, pumpkin,” Barb cooed. “We’re pretty much neighbors.” She motioned to the two women who’d come with her. “This is Patsy and Jana.”
Patsy’s dark hair was short and stuck out every which way—a fashion statement, Carson guessed. Jana was a voluptuous redhead who looked as if she’d experimented with her mom’s makeup. What was up with the women in this town and their layers of makeup?
“Oh, wow, I’m so excited to meet you,” Jana said, stepping forward to squeeze Carson’s arm.
Patsy giggled, then took a swig of her drink, practically teetering on her heels.
“Don’t mind Patsy,” Barb said. “She’s already on her third drink.”
Patsy giggled again, as if to support that statement.
Now, Carson remembered with full clarity why he hadn’t been to a bar in a long, long time.
“Right.” Jana peered up at him, standing surprisingly close, as if the conversation was just between them. “Patsy enjoys her fun, and Barb is the perfect host. Me, though, I’m just the girl next door.”
“Hi, Jana,” Evie said, her tone cutting across all the weird flirty stuff going on.
Jana dropped her hand from Carson’s bicep and slowly turned to look at Evie. “Oh. My. Gosh. Evie Prosper? Wow. You’ve, um, grown up.”
Evie’s smile was tight. “So have you.”
Carson looked between the women. He guessed Jana to be the same age as Evie. Had they gone to school together? Been friends? There didn’t seem to be any love lost between the two women. Besides, Evie’s hand had tightened in his.
“It was nice to meet you all, but if you’ll excuse us, ladies, we have some dancing to do.” He felt Evie’s surprise, but this wasn’t the moment to explain.
He drew her along with him toward the dance floor.
“You really want to dance?” she asked when they were out of earshot of the three women.
“Of course, this is my favorite song.”
Evie’s smile was faint, but it was there, and that was good enough for Carson. The music had slowed down, which was perfect, and Carson drew her close. Tucking her under his chin, he kept one hand on the small of her back and the other clasping hers against his chest.
As they moved to the music, Carson’s body warmed at the feel of Evie’s curves against him. She was beautiful on the outside, but he loved everything about her, even when she was holding back some sort of emotion f
rom him. It only made him more protective of her. And he would wait until she was ready to tell him, trusted him enough to confide.
“Thank you,” Evie whispered against his neck.
“For what?”
“For . . . taking me away from them,” she said. “Those girls were the popular group in school.”
“Not your friends?”
“Heavens, no.” Evie moved a tad closer.
Carson waited, but she didn’t say anything else. Then the music shifted again, and seconds later, someone spoke into the mic on stage.
“Welcome to Racoons, folks,” a heavyset man with an impressive mustache said. “We’ve got an exciting night for you.”
Cheers and whistles went up from those around them, and Carson released Evie from his hold, keeping her hand in his, so they could turn and watch.
The man announced the first band, and two guys took their places. Both had guitars, and they began to plunk out a discordant tune. Carson tried not to wince, tried to stay open-minded. He was no music connoisseur, but how were the others enjoying this? Looking around, plenty of people were swaying or dancing to the music.
“You new around here?” a guy next to them asked. He was probably in his thirties, and his paisley shirt was purple and yellow—definitely a standout. His black cowboy hat had seen better days.
“I’m Carson Hunt,” he said, holding out his hand.
The guy shook his hand. “Ah, you’re ole man Hunt’s grandson. I’m Briggs. Welcome to Prosper.”
“Thanks,” Carson said, but Briggs was no longer looking at him.
Briggs was staring at Evie with wide eyes. “Well, I’ll be roped like a calf. If it isn’t little Evie Prosper.”
“Hi, Briggs,” she said in a flat tone. “I saw you at Christmas, remember?”
“Oh, yeah, I do remember,” Briggs said, looking her up and down with appreciation. “But you were hiding under a big sweater.”
Carson frowned. Was this guy coming onto Evie?
She smirked. “You say the same thing to me every time you see me. Aren’t you in the lineup tonight?”
“Sure am, sunshine.” He grinned. “Y’all gonna vote for me?”
Steal My Heart (Prosperity Ranch Book 2) Page 14