by K. C. Crowne
Declan nodded and shoved his hands in his pocket. He stared straight ahead at Lily and Matt, cocking his head to the side with a small smile.
“Have they always flirted like this?” he asked.
“Not that I’ve noticed, but I can’t recall them spending that much time together, you know, with Matt living here and Lily in New York, but I was wondering the same thing. Have they always looked at each other that way?”
I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wanted both my brother and Lily to be happy, but I couldn’t explain the unease that settled in. Maybe it was jealousy? Or maybe my stomach didn’t like the greasy diner food too much.
My stomach. Sickness. Ahh yes. I placed a hand on my abdomen without thinking, then moved it quickly. I didn’t want to make it obvious to Declan… I mean, I knew I had to tell him eventually. I would have to, it was only right. But I needed confirmation from a doctor before I pulled him into this mess.
And even if I was sure… what would happen once he knew? How would that change things? With everything going on, I didn’t want to think about it. Declan would never want to move to New York, I’d never want to move back to Liberty, so what would we do? Send our child back and forth between the two worlds for the rest of his or her life?
I was so caught up in my thoughts, I hadn’t realized that Declan had spoken. I heard the last of whatever he was saying and responded with, “Hmm?” I shook myself out of my thoughts and tried to center myself back in the present.
“Oh, I was just saying that a lot has changed in Liberty, but then I thought about it, and really, it hasn’t,” he said.
I looked at him, his chiseled features and the dimple in his cheek, and I couldn’t help but think… What if I’d never run away?
What if I’d studied at the local college with him?
Or even if I had left, what if we’d tried the long-distance thing? Maybe we’d still be together. Maybe I would have moved back here for him.
And I couldn’t help but ask myself - would I have been happier?
Happier than I am now? I questioned myself. Nonsense. How would that be possible? But you can’t lie to yourself. I knew a lot was missing from my life back in the city.
I was living my dream, but some days, I wondered if it was really ever my dream to be this big. I loved art, I wanted to pursue it for a living, but was this the only way?
“Eva?”
Lily’s voice pulled me out of the fantasy world where Declan and I had somehow stayed together. For the best, actually, because the past was the past, and we couldn’t change it now. Why would I want to? I asked myself, still confused as to why I would even have thoughts of what if.
“Yes?” I turned to Lily.
“I’m ready to head back to the hotel when you are, just let me know.”
“Oh, I’m ready,” I said, eager to put some space between Declan and myself before I had even more crazy thoughts.
“Take care, Eva. It was good seeing you,” Declan said as I headed to the car.
I glanced back and offered a friendly smile and a wave. “You too, Declan.”
My stomach twisted and turned as I thought about the baby I could be carrying. His baby.
Tell him, Eva.
No, not until I know for sure.
You do know for sure, you just keep lying to yourself.
“Would you like me to drive?” Lily asked.
“No thanks. You don’t know your way around here yet,” I said as I stopped to find the key in my bag.
I heard a sound behind me and assumed it was Declan or Matt saying something. I turned around and said, “Huh?” only to find myself staring into a familiar face.
“Hey,” Tucker said, running a hand through his blonde locks and smiling. “I haven’t seen you around here before, and I think I’d remember a hottie like you.”
My heart stopped and I forgot all about the keys in my hand. I stared in the eyes of one of the bullies who had run me out of Liberty in the first place.
“Eva? Is everything okay?” Lily asked, coming around the vehicle to stand beside me.
I looked past Tucker, but both Declan and Matt were gone. We were alone in the parking lot with someone who’d made my life hell as a kid. And I felt like I was back there, the terrified girl who just wanted to get away.
“Yeah, Lily. Just get in the car.”
I didn’t think Tucker would hurt me. He didn’t even remember me. I steadied the keys in my hand and hit the button to unlock the door. Without saying a word – because I couldn’t find the words to say – I slipped into the car and locked the door. I didn’t even look at him as I pulled out of the parking spot and headed for the road.
“Who was that? He was kind of cute.”
“No one. I don’t know who he was,” I said quickly.
“Oh okay, I thought maybe you knew each other since it’s such a small town,” Lily said, gazing at me. “Everything okay?”
I stared straight ahead at the road. “Yeah, everything is fine. It’s just weird being back.”
“I bet. You know, I’ve never really been to a town this small before,” she said, looking out the window. “It’s kinda nice, actually. I wouldn’t mind settling down in a place like this when I’m older. I’m sure it’s a helluva lot cheaper than Manhattan, and I’d get so much writing done while secluded away from the noise of the city. I can see why it inspired you to be an artist.”
I didn’t say anything for a few minutes, finally starting to relax after my run-in with Tucker. Dammit. Fifteen years had passed. Why was I still affected by him? How did he still have power over me? Grow up, Eva. You’re Eva Fucking Stone, and no one should ever make you feel that small again.
I clenched the steering wheel as Lily continued talking about the town. She was right – it was cute and quaint. I probably could get a lot of work done here as well, without the distractions of city life. My inspiration had been drained lately, and I’d found it hard to paint anything. Maybe I could try again while I was here. It would probably do me some good.
“Small town living isn’t all it’s made out to be,” I muttered.
“What do you mean?”
I hadn’t told Lily everything about my past and why I’d run away from Liberty, and I really didn’t want to get into it then either.
“Well, people can be cruel here, too,” I said softly. “And while yes, I know that people can be rude in New York, it’s different in a small town where everyone knows each other. News spreads like wildfire around here.”
“I mean, not much different than back home,” Lily said with a chuckle. “When it comes to you, that is.”
I agreed. I couldn’t even step out of my house in sweatpants without the photos being released in the gossip rags, rumors of an impending rehab stint.
I took a deep breath and decided to change the subject. “So I saw you and Matt getting a little cozy in the diner… I hate to be blunt, Lily, but I have to ask, are you interested in my brother?”
My question seemed to catch Lily off guard. She looked at me with her mouth open in shock, but after a few seconds of silence, she responded. “I—I don’t really know. I mean, I know when I’m with him, I can’t stop smiling and there’s a warm feeling in my stomach. I enjoy talking to him. He’s so funny and kind… but I know he’s your brother and all, so I wouldn’t make a move unless you were okay with it.”
It almost felt like she was asking me permission to date my brother, which I wasn’t technically allowed to give.
“Lily, I love you like a sister, you know that, right?”
“I didn’t know that, but thank you, Eva. I feel the same way about you.”
“I want both you and Matt to be happy, I really do,” I said, letting out a deep sigh before continuing.” But you know he just got out of an eight-year relationship last year, right? Alison cheated on him, and he spiraled down into a pit of darkness, and I’m not sure if he’s ready. Right now, he’s going through a lot with our dad, and, well, I know my brot
her better than anyone and I know he tends to cling to girlfriends when he’s dealing with a lot, and that it wouldn’t be good for either of you to rush into anything.” I smiled at her. “All I ask is that you wait until things with our dad calm down, since I don’t think he could handle a long-distance relationship after what he’s been through already, and I’d hate to see either of you hurt.”
Lily was quiet.
I pulled into the hotel parking lot and shut off the engine, turning to face Lily.
“Lily, you’re my best friend. And part of me is worried that if things go south with Matt that I’ll lose both of you. I lost Matt years ago, and we just found each other again. I don’t know how I’d stay sane if I lost two of you, especially right after losing my dad. And my brother, he’s…fragile at times and—”
Lily held her hand up to stop me. “I understand, Eva,” she said slowly. “And I will respect that. You’re right. He’s going through a lot right now, so it’s not the best time to start a long-distance relationship.”
“Thank you.”
Lily smiled at me. “You called me your best friend. Is that true?”
“Truthfully, you’re my only friend,” I laughed. “But yes, you’re my best friend, and I worry about you a lot, you know.”
“I worry about you too, Eva. But you don’t have to worry about me or Matt. I’ll keep our relationship platonic for now.”
Chapter 13
Declan
“Sure your friends won’t mind if I tag along?” Matt asked after we got out of our trucks at the bar.
“Nah, they remember you from high school. I’m sure they’d love to see you again.”
“Yeah, well, after what happened, I wasn’t exactly very nice to you or anyone associated with you,” Matt mumbled under his breath.
“It was a long time ago, man. We were kids.” I patted my friend on the back as we headed for the door. I’d wanted to reunite with my former best friend for years, and the fact that we were talking again meant a lot to me.
The guys I worked with now had been a big part of my life back then too, but Matt’s dad didn’t let him hang out much after football practice. He was always super strict with his kids, though less so with Matt, which still meant I didn’t see Matt as much as the others once we got into high school.
Ezra waved at me from the corner booth as soon as we entered, our usual booth as long as someone else hadn’t taken it. I waved back and we weaved our way through the tables to meet them.
“Hey guys, you remember Matt Palmer,” I said.
“Oh, hey,” Ezra said. “Haven’t seen you around too much these days. Good to see you again.” He glanced at me. “Mind if I talk to you for a second, Declan?”
“Sure…” I had no idea what he wanted to talk to me about. Normally anything Ezra wanted to say to me, he could say in front of the others too. But I stepped aside, moving back toward the door.
“You okay?” Ezra asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah… Why?”
“Well, first I hear that you and Evelyn are double dating at the diner with Matt and someone else, and now you’re bringing Matt in here. Just want to make sure you’re handling Evelyn’s return to town okay, considering what happened.”
Chuckling, I ran a hand over my beard. “News gets around town fast, huh?”
“It’s Liberty. What do you expect? You didn’t answer my question though.”
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I said. “I met with Matt, and we were surprised when Eva and Lily, her assistant, came in. Matt asked them to join us. I think he has a thing for Eva’s assistant. But I promise you, everything is fine.”
“Eva isn’t back in town because of you, is she?”
“What the hell, man? Even if she was, what does it matter?”
Ezra frowned so deeply, lines etched into his face. “You know why. Evelyn – I mean Eva – had done a number on you, and after how Matt treated you, I just don’t want to see your life ripped apart again. Especially since it’s clear she’s not staying in Liberty.”
“She doesn’t have any reason to stay here. She and I aren’t dating; we’re nothing but friends,” I assured him. “And I’m not the reason she came back to town. Her father’s dying.”
Ezra’s hardened features softened up. “Oh, I’m sorry. I hadn’t heard.”
“They’re keeping it pretty quiet, so please don't tell anyone. I’d hate for the press to get a hold of this. The last thing Eva needs is more drama from the press.”
“They’re already talking,” Ezra told me. He whipped out his phone and pulled up an article with a photo of Declan. The title asked, Is He the Reason for Eva Stone’s Trip to Utah?
“Shit.”
“Yeah, you’re virtually a celebrity now too,” Ezra said, motioning to a table of people nearby leaning closer to us and staring, as if trying to figure out what we were saying. “You need to watch your back, Declan. These vultures could be anywhere.”
“How did they even find her here?” I grumbled.
“Who knows? I don’t think like them, but they have people everywhere,” Ezra warned. “So be careful. Not just for Eva’s sake, but yours as well.”
He patted me on the shoulder and headed back to the table. Matt was seated and seemed to be chatting with the others. I’d forgotten about all the drama with Matt – how he’d tried to beat the shit out of me after graduation, and Ezra had pulled him off me because I couldn’t bring myself to hit him back. Probably because I thought he was justified in beating the shit out of me considering what had happened with his sister, how everyone at the ceremony saw the photos because Jessica had included them in the PowerPoint at the end.
But we’d since moved past it, and I’d hoped my friends would as well. Ezra joined the group, and even though I couldn’t tell what they were talking about, it seemed lighthearted enough.
I could step away and they’d be fine. I stepped outside and dialed Eva’s number; she needed to know that the press was in Liberty, that it was only a matter of time before they uncovered why she was in town – or even make up more rumors about why she was there, like how we were more serious than we were.
She didn’t answer, and since there was a guy smoking nearby, I decided not to risk leaving a message. I typed a text instead.
Hey, just a heads up - the paparazzi are in town, and they’re already talking. Rumors are circulating about us eating together at the diner, and I’m sure they’ll make the news. Just didn’t want you to be surprised. It was good seeing you again.
The last part was the understatement of the year. It had been amazing to see her again. Her radiant beauty. Her smile. Her curves. I could look at them all day.
But I settled for being polite. No need to make her uncomfortable or try to push for something that could never be.
Chapter 14
Eva
I’d always been a morning person. Something about getting up before the world woke up energized me, and sunrise was often the best time for me to work. It was quiet, and when I lived in Liberty, watching the sun come up over the mountains inspired me in ways I couldn’t even begin to explain.
Normally I was awake by five am, and I couldn’t sleep after six. It just wasn’t in my wiring.
So why was I staring at the clock stating six thirty in the morning, and my eyes were so heavy, I could barely keep them open? If it hadn’t been for the knock on the door, I would have probably fallen back to sleep and slept for God knows how long, wasting away valuable work time.
I forced myself to sit upright and immediately felt like I needed to get to a bathroom, fast. I groaned as I slipped from the bed and rushed to the toilet. I hadn’t even eaten breakfast yet, so what could I possibly throw up?
I groaned again when I realized what this probably meant. My period still hadn’t come, even though I kept checking and thinking it would start any day now.
But in my heart, I knew the test had been right and I would have to face the truth sooner or later.
&n
bsp; The knock at the door came again, followed by Lily calling out. “Eva? Are you okay in there?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I called, pushing myself to my feet. “I’ll be right there.”
I rinsed my mouth with some mouthwash before leaving the bathroom and heading for the door. I opened it to find Lily staring at me, a worried look on her face.
She stepped into the room with two coffee cups. She handed one to me and said, “Decaf. Do you know how hard it was to find coffee in town? There’s no Starbucks, and my GPS said the closest one is forty-five minutes away!”
I chuckled as I sipped my coffee. “Small towns, eh?”
“I went back to the diner, and thankfully the owner was kind enough to give me to-go cups. I hope the coffee is good, even if it is decaf.”
“I’m sure it’s fine, Lily,” I said, putting the coffee cup down. My stomach twisted and turned, and I had no desire to give it any reason to act up again. I was tired of throwing up.
“You look like you just woke up?” she asked, surprise in her voice.
“I did, yes.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “But it’s 6:30. You’re normally in the studio by six, at the latest, and that’s after you work out in the gym… are you sure you’re okay?”
I wanted to tell her it was all part of taking some time off, but we both knew it was a lie. I loved my morning routine. It was a habit I couldn’t have broken so easily, not without a reason.
“I think I need to see a doctor to confirm the pregnancy test,” I admitted, speaking softly enough that I wondered if Lily could hear me.
Lily nodded. “I think that’s a very good idea, and I don’t think it can wait until we get back to New York. I’ve already found several doctors in the area, and at least one of them has an appointment open for today.”
“Wow, you’re already on top of this.” I sat down in the chair near the patio. Lily sat across from me and pulled out her tablet from her bag, handing it to me.
“Dr. Fisher,” she said. “She’s in Sunville, which isn’t too far away, and comes highly recommended. Would you like me to book the appointment for later today?”