Barely Breathing (The Breathing #2)(154)

"True," Evan responded, trying to sound optimistic. Then he questioned in confusion, "But I thought you said he didn't take anything."

"He didn't," I confirmed. "She must have, or someone from one of her parties maybe." I absorbed the disaster with a disheartened sigh. "Okay, let's do this."

Evan set the suitcase and a large duffle bag on the box spring. He scooped the clothes from the floor and tossed them next to me so I could stuff them in the bags. There was no point in folding them.

The music disappeared. Evan and I hesitated and looked at each other just as Rachel called out, "Emily, are you here?" We'd driven my car since it had more space than Evan's two-seater sports car. She must have spotted it in the driveway.

My heart sped up at the sound of her voice.

"What do I do?" I asked him, not ready to face her.

"She knows you're here, Emma," Evan said. "You don't have to answer. Or you just say yes and leave it at that."

"Emily?"

I breathed out through pursed lips and then hollered. "Yeah, I'm here." Evan and I stared at each other and waited, but she didn't say anything. I swallowed and tried to relax my shoulders. 

Evan picked up armfuls of clothes at a time and shoved them in the bag. I knew he was trying to hurry, since I was unable to mask the escalation of my anxiety. I tried to convince myself that she didn't bother me. That I could get through this without having to face her. But she did get to me, and I didn't foresee avoiding her when we left my room.

"You don't have to talk to her," Evan advised lowly, probably reading the fretful thoughts that flickered across my face. "We'll just leave. You won't have to say anything."

I nodded and mindlessly tucked the clothes in the duffle bag that was already stretched to its limit. Evan struggled with the suitcase zipper, closing it up.

"I'll bring these to the car and get the boxes and my duffle bag. The rest should fit in them, and then we'll go." He hesitated. "Are you going to be okay while I'm gone?"

"Yeah," I murmured.

I didn't move as I listened for Evan to walk down the stairs. The bedroom door didn't close all the way behind him, so I heard when she said, "Evan! I didn't know you were here too. What are you doing?" She sounded surprised. My jaw flexed at the sound of her voice.

"Just getting her things," he answered casually and continued out the front door.

"Emily, what's going on?" she called up to me, her voice heavy with concern. "What are you doing?"

I didn't answer and remained motionless―hoping she'd give up.

"Emily!" she yelled louder. "What's going on?!"

I closed my eyes and clenched my teeth. The angry storm began to rouse in my gut. I breathed deep, trying to control it. The boards creaked on the stairs.

I focused on remaining collected when I stepped out of my room, stopping her mid-step. "I told you I was coming back to get my things." My voice came out even and controlled, but my hands were clenched by my sides.

She appeared confused. I stood stoically at the top of the stairs and took her in. Her right eye was encircled with a greenish-blue bruise, and her left hand was in a black splint. I could tell there was more damage to her body as she leaned into railing for support.

She didn't react to the sight of the bruise on my face. But I didn't expect her to.

"You're leaving me?" she whimpered with big eyes.

My pulse quickened, spreading the anger into my muscles. I couldn't control it.

"Am I leaving you?" I repeated, my teeth grating with each word. I pulled my brows together and scoffed in disbelief. "Am I leaving you?"

Her eyes watered as she pled, "Please don't leave me."

Evan appeared behind her in the doorway. I caught sight him as he assessed our positions. "Emma." I focused on him, trying to push away the fury that was overtaking me. He flipped his eyes to my room, and I nodded. Without looking back at her, I returned to the bedroom.

Evan entered a few seconds later, closing the door behind him. "What happened?"

I shook my head and started pacing. "I can't believe her. I seriously think she's delusional."

"Emma, what did she say?"

"How could she be surprised that I'm leaving?" I fumed, staring at the floor as I continued to pace.

"Emma," he beckoned calmly.

"She didn't even say anything about the bruise. Does she even care what happened to me? Of course not!"

"Emma!" Evan bellowed loudly, standing in front of me. I stopped and looked up at him as he set his hands on my shoulders. "She doesn't matter."

I pressed my lips together to strangle the emotion and nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry."