Tangled In Lies (Tangled & Torn #1)

3. Evangeline

Chapter 3

Evangeline

T he door slams into the wall, but I don’t slow down. I push my way into the restroom and into the large enclosed stall at the end. My breaths are coming in fast and shallow as I pace back and forth in the space.

“Shit.” Ruby’s voice filters through the thin wall.

“What the hell is going on?” Mason hisses. “I thought this was supposed to be Evie’s birthday party and not some fucked-up reunion with the ex-con.”

“Mason, will you shut up?”

He makes a frustrated sound. “What? I’m just saying it like it is. I’m not even sure who the biggest asshole is tonight after that little stunt her dad pulled with Phoenix. Even though, did you see the guy Phoenix stood with when we left? He looks like that thing?”

Ruby sighs. “What thing?”

“You know, The Fantastic Four Thing.”

“Oh my God. Do you mean Ben Grimm? His name is The Thing, not that thing. ”

“Whatever.”

Their ridiculous argument is enough to distract me for a moment, but then my thoughts grow louder. Seeing Phoenix was bad enough, but what made it a million times worse was Freddy’s text message I received minutes ago.

Did you like my surprise?

I need to get out of here. I need to get away from this place and all of these people.

I fumble my phone out of my purse and stare at it like it personally offended me. What I wouldn’t give to throw it away and flee the country right now, or at the very least block Freddy’s number. But I can’t do that, or bad things will happen to my friends. Freddy made that more than clear.

After a deep inhale, I pull up my messages and text my driver, Darryl, to get the car. He tells me to meet him out back in ten minutes.

Ten minutes. I can keep it together for that long. Hide in here until I can go straight to the back exit, hopefully without running into anyone.

The door creaks outside, and a new voice filters in.

“Is she okay?”

No, damn it. What is Tyler doing here? I don’t need more people witnessing my meltdown.

I sigh and get out of the stall. “I’m fine, Ty.”

“Are you sure? You look a bit green.” Our friend studies me and hands me a bottle of water.

“Thank you.” A quick glance in the mirror confirms his statement. My skin does have a sick gleam to it. “My stomach is just a little upset.”

“I’m sorry. Did you eat or drink something bad?” He pushes his hands into his pockets, relaxing now that he can see I’m okay. His right cheek lifts in the devilish smirk I know so well. “Any punch at this party I should know about?”

Mason groans. “Oh my God. We said we’d never talk about that punch again. I still believe the assholes who added that entire vodka bottle were trying to murder all of us. Our parents were so mad we got that hammered at Evie’s sweet sixteen.” He laughs. “It’s a miracle any of us remember that night at all.”

Tyler laughs. “Only bits and pieces.”

“Fuck, you feel so good, Evie.”

Flashes of him with his head between my legs before he crawled up my body and thrust into me race through my mind. The memories are a bit blurry, but most of them are there.

I shake off the memory. We hooked up once, and that was many years ago. Well, at least this brief walk down memory lane distracted me for another two to three minutes.

Almost time to escape this shit show.

It’s okay. Everything’s okay. I’m going to be fine.

Yes, Phoenix is back, but maybe I won’t see him again.

I mean, there’s no reason for us to cross paths. And if we happen to attend the same parties, I can easily avoid him, right?

Plus, I’ll be gone next year once I’m done with school anyway, and all of this will be behind me.

I focus back on Tyler and the fact he’s wearing his pristine vest, crisp white shirt, and black slacks. Damn it. I forgot he’s working tonight .

“Ty, get back out there. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Stop worrying about me. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.” He brushes a hand through his messy dark-blond hair. He must have done that a lot tonight. Waiting on the rich can do that to you. He walks to the door and eyes me over his shoulder. “See you Monday?”

I give him a small smile. “Bright and early, as usual.”

He nods and leaves, and I catch Ruby’s gaze in the mirror.

She shakes her head at me. “Don’t give me that look. You know I couldn’t stop him. He came barging in here like a white knight in shining armor. Nothing and no one can stop him once he’s set his eyes on something.”

“I just don’t want to get him in trouble.”

The corner of her mouth quirks up. “I know, babe. But he’s a big boy who can take care of himself.” She winks at me. “A really nice big boy.”

“You’re so bad.” I grab my phone and check the time. “Darryl will be out back in two minutes. Are you guys staying or coming with me?”

Mason snorts. “As if you even have to ask. Of course we’re coming with you.”

“Evie.” Ruby’s sudden soft voice draws my attention from the screen.

She stares at me with her eyebrows pulled together. “You good?”

We both know I’m not, but I nod anyway.

“Sure. I mean, it’ll be fine, right? I just didn’t expect to see Phoenix tonight, and it’s brought up a crap ton of memories, that’s all.”

The look she gives me says it all. She doesn’t believe a single piece of the crap that just came out of my mouth, but thankfully, she doesn’t press any further.

The next morning, I wake up to a text message from my father.

Dad

Be at the office at 10 a.m.

Yeah, sure. I don’t think so. Whatever he wants can wait.

Me

Sorry, I’m busy today.

Dad

I wasn’t asking, Evangeline. Be there at 10, or I’ll cut off your money.

I’m still staring at the screen when another message comes through.

Dad

All of the money.

I want to strangle him.

Me

I’ll be there.

I’m sure he figured out I don’t use all of my allowance with how comparatively modest we live here, so now he goes straight for the jugular by threatening to take away all of my money , which includes a nice sum I donate in his name every month to the local women’s shelter I volunteer at. It’s a nice tax write-off for him but has also become his new favorite tool to force my hand at the first sign of noncompliance.

And he knows I’d never let him cut off their money. They’ve been working so hard on expanding their housing to offer more women and their children a safe place. They need every cent they can get, and I will not be the reason they lose it.

So until I graduate and get the heck out of here, I have to keep up the false friendliness and obey my parents.

Two hours later, I walk down the hallway that leads to my father’s home office, and it feels like I’m on the way to my own execution. Like my life will end here today. For good.

Don’t be so dramatic. That’s the lack of sleep talking.

Yes, I barely got any sleep. And the little I got was total crap, considering recent events. Add a healthy dose of anxiety over what my dad wants from me, and voilà, here I am, ready to jump out of my skin.

My stomach churns more with each step I take across the polished marble floor, reminding me I have more than just sleep deprivation to deal with. The overwhelming nausea that started yesterday still hasn’t fully subsided, and the lack of food in my system has only added to the misery, making me slightly lightheaded too.

The electrolyte drink Ruby pressed into my hand when she and Mason dropped me off at the waiting car by the curb has been fighting to come back up ever since I gulped it down on the way to my parents’ estate.

I can’t wait to go home after this meeting and hide under the covers for the rest of the day. To be back in my own four walls that feel safer and more me than any other place has ever felt in my life. Sure, the comparably modest house I acquired near campus is almost a disgrace in my parents’ eyes, and nothing they’d ever set foot in willingly, but it’s all mine. That fact, plus sharing it with my best friends, is what makes it a home.

Our home. My home. Something this place with the shiny floors, crystal chandeliers, and more rooms than anyone could ever use was never able to accomplish. Though I do miss the library a lot, especially my personal one. Since I wasn’t able to fit all of my books in my room at our house, they’re stored away for now, alongside all of my sheet music I can’t bear to look at anymore.

The door at the far end is open, and loud male voices drift out into the hallway. Each step is harder to take than the previous one, and I fight the liquid in my stomach every inch of the way.

Stupid nervous stomach.

All eyes are on me when I enter the large space, and my heartbeat picks up immediately at the sight in front of me. Not only are both of my parents here and my brother, but also Phoenix and his parents.

This can’t be good.

The dark leather and wood decor blends into the background. All I can focus on are the people in the room.

Phoenix lounges in the brown leather love seat that’s perpendicular to the one his parents occupy. My father sits in his massive wing chair opposite them, like the king he deems himself to be, with my mother dutifully standing by his side, though slightly behind, and my brother in a chair beside them. As always. Them versus me.

“There you are, Evangeline. We’ve been waiting for you.” My father’s slightly narrowed eyes don’t hide the annoyance his voice manages to. He points at the spot on the couch next to Phoenix. “Sit.”

I walk to the couch but stay standing beside it. No way in hell am I willingly going to sit next to Phoenix. “I’ll stand for now, thank you.”

Knowing it’s expected of me, I shift my attention to Phoenix’s parents and dip my head. “It’s lovely to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery.”

A small smile is all I can muster, but it has to be enough. They both give me their own practiced smiles, the one you learn early on in these circles. It passes as socially acceptable and friendly enough without being over the top.

However, Mr. Montgomery might have to practice some more. His was gone before it ever fully formed on his face, transforming it into a grimace. He openly studies me, taking me in from top to bottom, like he’s trying to figure out if I’ll pass the test. A test I’m unaware of.

The scrutiny continues as I stay frozen in place, the brown rug at my feet suddenly the most interesting thing in this room.

“You’re in your last year at AV University?”

Mr. Montgomery’s question catches me off guard. I can’t remember if he’s ever directly talked to me before, and I’m also fairly certain he already knows the answer to that question.

I clear my throat. “Yes, sir. I’ll graduate next spring.”

He nods, immediately reminding me of those strange bobblehead figures Mason finds hilarious.

“And you’re planning on heading to the UK office right after graduation?”

Where is he going with this?

Let’s just get through this and go back home, and then we can forget about this strange interaction.

“Mmm, yes. That’s still the plan. To learn the ropes while I get my MBA.”

I don’t glance at my father for confirmation. I might break down right this very second if I saw a single speck of doubt in his gaze. Getting out of here and as far away from my family and all the other crap in my life is the only good thing about having to work in a job, in an industry, I’ve never wanted anything to do with.

Whereas I was always just interested in my piano and escaping into the made-up world of my favorite books, my sister inherited our dad’s brain for business and finances. She was basically a numbers wizard, which made her the perfect candidate to take over the UK office of Caldwell & Company, our global management consulting firm, while my brother will take over the U.S. main office. But if dealing with numbers and business procedures for the foreseeable future will allow me to get out of here, I’ll pay that price.

Phoenix’s father hums under his breath but stops questioning me.

My dad takes that as his cue and clasps his hands together. He’s suddenly sporting a huge grin, his joyful attitude immediately putting me on edge. My insides feel like they’re quivering, and I hold on to the back of the couch for support.

My death grip on the cool material gets even worse when my father focuses his smile on me.

“Evangeline, we had a lovely conversation with the Montgomerys, and we all agreed it’s best to leave the past in the past and focus on the future instead. We once had great plans for our families and empires, and we’d like to circle back to that great partnership with you.”

My breathing has sped up with every word from his mouth.

We once had great plans.

My sister marrying Phoenix.

We’d like to circle back to that great partnership with you.

With you.

With. Me.

“Evangeline, you’re going to take over Constance’s spot and marry Phoenix.”

That’s the last thing I hear before my body decides it’s had enough and everything goes black.