That was it. “Go. I don’t want you here anymore. I gave you the chance to talk and all you managed to do was make me feel worse than I already do. You can take your fucked up apology and go home.” I pointed my finger in his chest and I hadn’t even realized I had moved. “Don’t come back. You had your chance, and you lost me. I am done.” I jabbed my finger hard to make my point.
He didn’t move at first and then the next thing I knew he gripped my cheeks and was kissing me. I tightened my lips and kneed him, lightly, as a warning. He let go immediately, knowing I could hurt him.
“Don’t ever do that again.” My voice was calm and my eyes were full of fiery rage. I couldn’t stand the thought of him touching me.
He nodded and shoved a hand in his pocket and opened his truck with the other. He glanced back at me, and I shook my head. I held back my tears, barely. I wondered how he thought telling me she gave him something I didn’t would win me over. I mean, what woman wants to hear her ex-lover say he cheated because she was lacking for him? I stood back and watched the taillights until they disappeared out of the drive. I’d just shut the door on my past—so how come I felt like it wasn’t over yet? Surely, Wes knew it was over and wouldn’t come back. I really didn’t think I could handle seeing him again. It was too raw.
It wasn’t long before I felt Evan’s strong hands on my shoulders. I turned into his chest and sobbed. He didn’t say anything other than sweet nothings I couldn’t understand over my sobbing. He kissed my hair and held me. I think my heart broke all over again. It wasn’t his job to make me feel better. That night that should have been memorable because I’d made love to Evan but it turned into something more. I didn’t want to hurt over Wes, but I couldn’t help it. Then I felt bad because hurting over Wes hurt Evan. I was torn. I knew I’d never go back to Wes, but I couldn’t let Evan be the one to take over and heal me. It wasn’t his job.
I pulled away and wiped my tears. “Thanks.” He could tell that I was pulling away and he frowned, but again, he kept quiet. He was respecting me. I turned and went to the door. I unlocked it and went inside. Without a word I walked away and to my room. Inside, I stripped and crawled into bed. I wasn’t ready to wash Evan’s scent from my skin. Not yet. I needed to feel him near me, and I wouldn’t be selfish enough to ask him to hold me. Not when I was crying over another man.
Chapter 7
It turned out I didn’t have to ask. When I woke up, it was to the feel of Evan’s strong arms wrapping around me. I lay as still as possible and kept my breathing even. It felt too good having him wrap around me.
“I called your father.”
“I figured.”
“I told him about Wes, about him showing up tonight.”
I nodded.
“I told him about us. I know you didn’t want me too, but I didn’t feel right. Even if you decide nothing can come of this, I couldn’t lie to him.”
I gasped. “How did he react?”
Evan chuckled and tightened his hold on me. “Not how I thought. He wasn’t surprised.”
“Why not? I was with Wes.”
“I guess he just always saw this coming. He asked if I loved you though.”
I froze, not sure I wanted to hear the answer, yet my heart leapt wondering.
“I told him I do.”
My body shook and I cried. I had known that’s what I saw, but I didn’t believe he could really love me. “What did he say?” I asked in a whisper, but Evan heard.
“He told me to treat you right, and he said if you want him to come home he will.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. I was so worried that my father would lose it, and I didn’t want to have to hurt Evan. It turned out my dad knew something I hadn’t. I really didn’t see that coming. I wondered if he was only okay with it because he knew Evan would take care of me, and he wouldn’t have to any longer.
“I don’t want him to come home.”
“And?”
“I want you too, but I don’t feel right.”
“Why not, darlin’?”
“I just had my heart broken, and it’s not your job to fix me.”
“I don’t want to fix you; I just want you to be mine. We can take it as slow as you want.”
I turned and faced him. His eyes shined, and I could see how genuine he was. Evan wore his heart on his sleeve, waiting for me to take it and crush it.
“Okay.” It was a risk, but wasn’t love worth it?
He smiled. “Yeah?”
I nodded and brushed my lips on his quickly before pulling back. “But I want to take it slow. I need to get over Wes in my own way. I can’t have you trying to fix everything I’m feeling.”