"Now that's funny," Evan's laughter was echoed by Jonathan and my mother.
"Thanks for your help," I sulked, looking down at my drenched t-shirt.
"What? And be soaked like you?" my mother chuckled.
"Nice, Evan," Jonathan admired. "Next time, you're on my team." I shook my head and dripped up the stairs.
I returned a few minutes later with a dry t-shirt and my wet hair pulled back. Evan was helping wipe up the water in the kitchen.
"You missed a spot," I teased.
He turned toward me and grinned, taking in my wet hair. "No I didn't."
"Oh, you're so funny," I smirked. "Ready to go?"
"Where are you going?" my mother asked, taking the wet towel from Evan.
"To Evan's."
"Really?" Evan confirmed, obviously not aware of the plan.
I nodded.
"Okay, to my house then."
"I'll be back later," I announced, pulling my jacket out of the closet.
"Good luck," my mother offered, making me hesitate before leaving, suddenly understanding what she meant. Maybe we should've stayed after all.
"Are you okay?" Evan asked when he saw my face drop.
"Yeah," I choked. "I just thought I forgot something." I grumbled under my breath, walking out onto the porch, "But unfortunately I didn't."
"You didn't want to stay?" Evan asked when we entered the car. "Looked like you guys were having a good time."
"Yeah," I said, distracted. "But I haven't seen you all week, so I wanted to be alone with you." Or I did, I thought.
By the time we arrived at Evan's, my stomach had twisted to the point of nausea.
"Are you okay?" he asked, examining me intently when we entered the rec room. I could only imagine how pale I was.
"No," I blurted before I even took my jacket off. I released a deep breath and confessed what I'd rehearsed a thousand times on our way over. "You're going to hear this tomorrow, so I'm just going to say it." I strangled my hands as he leaned against the back of the couch, waiting. "I went to a party at Drew's. I didn't know we were going there, and I never would have gone if I'd known we were. I'm sorry."
I let the shock of it settle in, but his mouth curved up and the concern in his eyes disappeared.
"Why are you looking like that?"
"That's it?" he questioned, unfazed.
"Yes, I mean no," I answered guiltily, not understanding his comical expression. "He ended up driving me home because Casey took off, but nothing happened―I swear."
"I know," he answered casually, taking off his jacket and flinging it on the back of the couch.
I studied him, not understanding why he appeared so calm while the nerves in my stomach were about to devour me.
"You know?"
He stood in front of me with his hands on my waist. "Emma, I trust you. I'm not worried about what party you go to at whoever's house, even Drew's. Was he a dick to you?"
"No," I answered, still in shock.
"Good," he stated with a kiss on the top of my head. He continued to the pool table and began pulling out the balls from the pockets.
I shook my head and mouthed, "Where did you come from?"
"What?" he laughed.
"How did I end up with you? I mean, my life's so messed up and then … " I kept shaking my head in wonderment. "And then there's... you. I couldn't have made you up if I'd tried."
"I don't understand what you're talking about," he replied racking the pool balls with a sparkling smile. While I was still gawking at him, he walked over and wrapped his arms around me. "Most of your life wasn't your decision. You didn't get to decide who your parents were, that your dad was going to pass when you were young, or that you'd end up with … " His jaw tightened slightly, and he couldn't finish. "Those weren't your choices.
"The things you do get to choose, you put everything you have into them―school, sports, protecting the people you care about. And you chose me."
Warmth fluttered through my chest. I had a hard time meeting his eyes.
"So your life is not messed up … " Evan paused, placing his forehead on mine, demanding my attention. "You've actually done a pretty amazing job at living it." He kissed me gently and pulled me into him.
"I love you," I murmured into his chest, holding him tighter. I tilted my head back and met his steel blue eyes.
"That I know too," he smirked, causing my mouth to drop open.