Chapter 62
Evelyn
I wake to a bright light in my eyes, causing me to wince as I try to turn over and away from the sun.
But I knock myself into Sebastian’s body, momentarily scaring me. I open my eyes, looking around the room trying to remember what year it is and how I got here.
The last twenty-four hours rush through my head again. Gregory and Sebastian’s disastrous argument. Waiting all day at the front door for Sebastian to return home. Mom letting me drive her car to find him. Sebastian wanting to leave home and come back to school to put distance between him and his father.
I rub at my temples and then my eyes. God, why didn’t anyone tell me my life has turned into a novel? Seems like every time I turn around something new is going on.
Finally, I sigh, looking at the clock to see its already past noon.
“Fuck.”
I slap my hand down on my phone that’s somehow made it onto the nightstand. The screen is full of messages and missed phone calls—all of them come from Madelyn or Gregory, asking where we are, what we’re doing, what we’re thinking.
Mom’s texts are tame, just wanting me to tell her I’m okay and safe. She’s clearly worried. I even feel bad for having given her so many issues.
Gregory has mostly just told me to call him, asking if I’m crazy and want to make things worse.
Sebastian’s probably got a thousand messages of his own. I wonder if they’re laced with threats and demands to come home.
I write out a response to my mom. “I know you’re worried, but I promise we’re okay. At school so that way the men have time apart.”
She must be holding her phone, cause her answer comes in quickly.
“Thank God. Why didn’t you both just come home so we could have spoken about all of this?”
I shake my head. She really doesn’t understand. “We’re not coming home until the end of the year. It’s best that Gregory and Sebastian have some time apart.”
“You’ve known him for a few months, and you choose to take his side and not Gregory’s?”
I snort. “Mom! I don’t know either of them that well. But I heard that conversation. I heard the arguments. You can’t tell me that your husband has been fair!”
“I just wish you didn’t leave.”
“There wasn’t a choice. Sebastian was coming back, and he asked if I wanted to hitch a ride back early, so I did. I’m not going to speak for Sebastian. It’s just better this way. That’s it.”
She doesn’t respond, but I don’t care. I’m still barely keeping my eyes open.
I’d rather return to the warmth of his bed. Even after six weeks away, his bed still smells like him, and it’s honestly not only heavenly, but smells so safe.
Maybe I need to bottle this scent.
Hearing his snores from next to me, I scooch down on the bed to lie on top of his chest. Even in yesterday’s clothes, I’m more comfortable than I’ve been since Hawaii.
As worried as I was yesterday, my anxiety is significantly lower. Strange how the love for a person really calms my heart.
“He’s the only thing that’s going right this year,” my brain reminds me. “And his strong love for you makes you both stronger.”
My phone buzzes again, and I groan as I look at the screen.
“How many lies can you possibly balance in that brain of yours?” It’s an unknown sender, adding to the other anonymous texts that keep coming in.
Someone’s absolutely bored if they’re sitting around coming up with cliché lines from movies to text me. It’s not even something I’ve spent time working about.
Rolling my eyes, I exit the text conversation.
“Someone awake?” Sebastian rumbles quietly from under me.
His lips kiss my head, his arm wrapping around me to squeeze my arm. “How’re you doing this morning, Princess?”
I lay my phone down. “It’s after noon, but I’m okay. Our phones are being blown up by our parents and they’re both concerned why we didn’t stay at the house to work all this out. But it’s just a lose-lose situation here.”
“Going back to that man’s house after an explosion of an argument like that really isn’t what’s best for you, me, or the rest of the house.”
I shrug. “Mom is just worried. You don’t have to convince me. I just wish everything was a bit easier right now.”
He nuzzles his nose against my cheek. “I know, Princess.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to face him in a few months after we’ve finished the semester?”
“Pffftt,” he scoffs. “The last thing on my mind right now is having a conversation with a man who adopted me and has never tried to learn anything about me.”
My heart hurts even more at these words. “I know.”
“Look, I just want to focus on this semester. The races, the holidays and fun school traditions that I must drag you to. Don’t let Gregory Cain and his hostility get in the way of who you are.”
“Even if they’re affecting you?” I ask, looking up at the man’s eyes. He seems to still be asleep. I don’t blame him.
“Even then.”
“Okay,” I nod into his chest.
“Good. Now, let’s just lie in bed together and soak up the unexpected freedom. Can we do that?”
“I can try.”
He squeezes my arm, pulling me closer.
I guess his words work and that I’m much more exhausted than I expected. Because it’s not long until once again, we’re asleep.
I’m cutting up my onion as Sebastian wanders into the kitchen. “What are you doing, young lady?”
I smirk, looking back at the pan so I don’t burn my oil. “Can’t a lady cook dinner for her man once in a while?”
“What are you cooking?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Nothing crazy, just a pasta dish is all.”
I point to the other ingredients lined up on the counter.
“Where did you go to get all this shit?”
“I ordered groceries on your phone. I’m just a ninja and you never saw me coming at you.”
I get the onion in the oil, adding garlic cloves.
He sighs as he drops his head to my shoulder. “That smells heavenly. How did I not know you cook?”
“I haven’t exactly been given a reason not to ever learn how to cook. I love experimenting and learning a new flavor that I can create for myself.” The pasta is just supposed to be a penne vodka, so not complicated just long.
He kisses my shoulder tenderly. “Well, I love learning new things about you, Princess. In case you didn’t know, I love food. So, I bet I’ll like all of whatever you make.”
I can’t help giggling to myself as I turn my lips to kiss his cheek.
“Gross, cooties!” He taunts.
Hearing laughter move through the house makes my heart warm. It’s so nice to know that he can still find ways to surprise me, and it makes me love him that much more.
Even if I continue to hide things from him to keep him safe.
