Chapter Thirty-Four
Evie
My phone rings with a video call on Wednesday evening.
“Hey, Noah,” I say as his face fills the screen. “What’s up?”
He’s sitting at his desk, with his phone most likely propped against something. “Nothing much. When’s your date?”
I glance at the clock on my desk. “In an hour. I have to get ready soon.”
He drums his fingers against his desk. “Listen, Evie, I don’t want to annoy you or be, like you said, overprotective, but can I just say one thing?”
I try not to sigh. “Okay.”
“He’s picking you up in his car, right?”
“Yeah. And we’re going to Cierra’s.” It’s a restaurant in Edenbury that’s fancy enough but not too expensive. “Why?”
He releases a breath. “I know you said Cam is a good guy, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time tonight. But if you find yourself not having a good time and want to leave, call me, okay? Don’t ask him to take you home or walk home yourself. I’d be more than happy to pick you up.”
“Noah—”
“You don’t have to try to be so tough and independent. It’s okay to rely on people sometimes. It’s okay for you to rely on me sometimes.”
There’s so much emotion tied to his last sentence. It feels so good to have someone like Noah in my life, someone who cares about me.
“Thanks,” I say, my voice barely audible and hoarse. I clear it. “I mean, thanks. I don’t have an older brother to look out for me, and I appreciate you taking on that role. Chloe and Rylee are so lucky to have you.”
He frowns and mutters, “Brother…”
“It’s good to know you have my back,” I continue. “Though I doubt I’ll be needing your services. Cam has shown me so far that he’s a great guy and I’m really looking forward to hanging out with him tonight.”
Noah presses his lips together as his gaze drops to his fingers that are once again drumming against his desk. “That’s great.”
“I mean, I’m not that na?ve to think that he and I will fall in love and live happily ever after,” I find myself blabbing.
“But hey, you never know. Maybe he is the right guy for me. My parents met each other in high school and Lily and Liam have met their soulmates, too. Maybe it’s in the genes or something. ”
“Yeah, maybe,” he mutters, that frown still on his face.
I sigh. “I wish you’d be happy for me.”
His gaze flicks to mine. “Of course I’m happy for you. I want you to be happy. I want you to…” He swallows. “Meet the right person and fall in love.”
“But you’re worried I’ll get hurt. I appreciate that, Noah. But you don’t have to worry about me. You can’t wrap me, Chloe, and Rylee in bubble wrap and hope we’ll never get hurt. Because we will. That’s just how life works.”
He nods and shuts his eyes for a second. “Yeah, I know. But I wish I could.”
“Look, Chloe and my brother are soulmates. Liam would never do anything to hurt her. He’s the product of my mom and dad, one of the most romantic couples on the planet. Being a good guy is ingrained in his blood.”
That causes a small smile to form on his lips.
“I can’t speak for Rylee because she has yet to fall in love—”
“Not for another thirty years—”
“—but she’ll be okay. Even if she does go through a major heartbreak, she’ll survive. Because she’s strong.”
“I just won’t be around to help her,” Noah says with a frown. “I’ll either still be in college or living away from home.”
“But she’ll have your parents. And she’s the kind of person who knows what she wants. She’ll be okay.”
“Yeah, I know that in my brain,” he admits. “But my heart refuses to acknowledge it.” He rubs a hand down his face. “If I’m so worried about my sisters, I can’t imagine what I’ll be like as a dad.”
“You’ll be a great dad,” I assure him. “The best in the world.”
He raises a brow. “I was so sure you’d roll your eyes and tell me how ridiculous I am for thinking about my future family when I’m only seventeen.”
I play with my hair. “Huh. You’re right. Weird.”
He grins. “I’m finally growing on you, huh?”
“Like a freakin’ wart.”
He chuckles. “That’s more like it.”
“Seriously, though, Noah. It’s great that you worry, but you also need to let go. Trust that life will be good and that things will work out. Because if you spend all your time worrying about everything, when will you live?”
“There’s time to live later…”
“When you’re ninety and can barely move?”
“Yes,” he says, then chuckles.
I chuckle, too.
We’re both quiet. Then we smile at each other.
Noah glances at his watch. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready?”
“What?”
“For your date.”
“Oh!” I totally forgot about it. I was so absorbed in talking to Noah that it completely slipped my mind.
But…I don’t want to go on my date. I want to continue talking with Noah.
“We should probably end the call now,” Noah says. “Unless you plan on going like that.” He nods to my sweats that are covered in paint. “I mean, you can pull it off, and if Cam knows you, he’d love it. But I wonder if they might kick you out of the restaurant.”
I laugh as I pull at my sweatshirt. “Pretty sure Cam would think I was a weirdo if he picked me up and I was dressed like this.”
“You’d look beautiful in whatever you wear.”
My heart nearly catapults out of my chest as I gape at him, my head feeling stuffy. “What?”
He shakes his head and picks up his phone, his face coming closer to the screen. “Sorry. I don’t mean to hold you back. I’ll let you get ready for your date. I hope you have a great time. Just remember about my offer. I’m available whenever you need me.”
“Thanks, Noah,” I say as I get up. “You’re a good friend.”
He laughs lightly. “As long as I’m no longer your enemy.”
I think he hasn’t been, not for a long time.
“Okay, well…good night,” I tell him. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
He nods. “Good night and have fun.”
He ends the call.
I press my phone to my chest and just sit on my bed for a few minutes, replaying the conversation I just had. Too many conflicting emotions pass through me, ones I don’t have time to decipher. So I push them out of my head and focus on getting ready for my date. A date I’m excited for…right?
Once I’m dressed and ready, I sit down with my parents in the living room. They’re watching a K-drama. Ten minutes later, my phone beeps with a text from Cam. He’s waiting outside.
“Have a great time,” Mom says.
“Try not to stay out too late,” Dad adds. “It’s a school night.”
“No problem.” I get up and walk to the door, but I turn around. “Can I ask you guys a question?”
“Sure, sweetie,” Mom says.
“How did you know you two were meant to be?”
Mom glances at Dad and smiles. He slips his hand into hers and brings it to his mouth, pressing his lips to the back of her palm. “We just knew.”
I groan. “I hate that answer. How did you know?”
“Do you think you might feel that way about Cam?” Dad asks.
“Cam? No way. We barely know each other. It’s only our second date.”
Mom’s brows furrow. “Then who are you talking about?”
I freeze. “I-I’m not talking about anyone specific,” I quickly say. “It’s a hypothetical question.”
Mom watches me like she’s not sure she believes me and is curious what I’m hiding. Dad says, “I know that’s a lame answer, but with your mom and I, we knew. Though we were both scared to admit it at first.”
“And then you completely freaked out on me,” Mom teases.
“Because I didn’t think I deserved to be happy.” He leans forward and kisses her forehead. “But you showed me I did deserve it. That I deserved you.”
My phone beeps with another text. Shoot, Cam is wondering what’s keeping me.
“Thanks, Mom and Dad. I think. But Cam’s waiting.”
“Of course. Enjoy, Evie,” Mom says with a wave.
I return the wave and walk out the front door. Cam is parked outside my house and as soon as he sees me, he runs out of the car and opens the passenger door for me.
“Thanks,” I say as I slide in.
“My pleasure.”
Once we’re both settled in and are on our way, he asks, “How was your day?”
“Good. Yours?”
“Great. And much better, now that I’m with you.”
I smile, but my heart doesn’t flutter. Butterflies don’t storm my stomach. He has such a sweet smile, but why doesn’t that do anything to me?
“What music do you like?” he asks.
I shrug. “I’m fine with anything.”
“Cool.”
We talk on the drive to the restaurant, while listening to the music as well.
Cam is just as attentive and interested in what I have to say as our last date, and I try to give him as much attention as possible.
But my mind keeps wandering to Noah. Wondering what he’s doing right now.
Is he working on the lyrics to our song?
Singing in his room? I seriously hope he’s not worrying how I’m doing.
But I feel like a jerk for thinking about another guy when I’m on a date, so I shove Noah away and focus on Cam. That works for the rest of the drive and when we get to the restaurant. Which is beautiful. But once we’ve ordered and are making small talk, my mind wanders again.
Is Noah secretly hoping my date goes bad? Is he waiting by his phone for me to call him to pick me up? Or maybe I’m not even on his mind at all?
Oh my gosh, I’m so rude. What’s wrong with me?
“You okay?” Cam asks.
“What?”
“You’re twitching.”
I hold still, not realizing I was moving so much. “Oh. Just nervous, I guess,” I say with a light laugh.
“I get that. It can be a little overwhelming to be in a nice place like this. I gather this is your first time?”
I reach for my water and take a gulp. “Truthfully, this is my second date.”
His brows lift. “Second date? You mean, Sunday night was your first date ever?”
I nod.
He grins. “Well, I’m honored to be the first one. I hope you had a good time, though.”
“Of course!” I say. “I had a great time. You’re amazing.”
His cheeks get a little red. “Thanks. You’re amazing, too.”
“Thanks.”
We talk about various things, and then our food arrives. As we dig into the delicious food, we continue chatting. Everything Cam says is interesting, and I love that he genuinely listens to what I have to say. But at the same time…I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
“I swear that was the largest bee I’ve ever seen,” Cam is in the middle of saying, laughing. “I even have a picture to prove it.”
“Let’s see, then.”
He whips out his phone and swipes to the photo, then passes his phone across the table to me. His fingers brush against mine, and I brace myself for a tingle, a spark, a shiver. But I don’t get anything.
“Indeed, it’s big,” I say with a laugh as I pass it back to him. “How did you manage to even get a shot of it?”
He grins. “Mad skills.”
Cam continues to tell me funny stories and memories, and I share mine as well, but after some time, I feel like a rotten person.
Because even though he’s so nice and considerate and interesting to talk to, my mind still keeps wandering to Noah.
Replaying the conversation we had right before I left for my date.
Reliving the moments when we got close to each other.
Looking forward to seeing him tomorrow at school and then hanging out with him during band practice.
Cam doesn’t deserve this. He deserves someone who wants to be here with him.
“Cam?” I say, dropping my gaze to my plate.
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry. I’m a jerk.”
When I peek at him, I notice he wears a shocked expression. “What? You’re not a jerk. You’re far from being a jerk.”
I shake my head. “You’re such a great guy and I’m horrible.”
“Why are you so horrible?”
I drop my eyes back to my plate. “I’m not enjoying myself as much as I hoped I would.” I run my hand down my face. “Sorry. I’m such a horrible person.”
Cam doesn’t say anything for a while, which causes me to lower my hand from my face. He looks thoughtful as he asks, “Do you like someone else?”
Every part of me urges me to say, No, I don’t like someone else!
I like you, Cam. I want to get to know you better.
Because you’re great and I always dreamed of being with someone like you.
But the person my heart beats for? He’s great, too.
And I want him. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything before.
So taking a deep breath, I look Cam in the eyes and say, “Yes. There’s someone else I like. I’m sorry, Cam. I tried to push away my feelings because I really like you. But as a friend. Nothing more.”
He’s once again quiet for a bit before he smiles. “That’s okay. Everyone deserves to be with the person they want.”
“Ugh, I feel like such a jerk…”
“Don’t feel that way.” He reaches across the table to place his hand on mine.
“I’m not going to lie, I think you’re cool and awesome and I would have liked to get to know you better.
But I sincerely want you to be happy. And Evie?
You don’t have to be afraid to tell the guy how you feel.
Better to come clean than to hold it inside. It’s not healthy.”
A small smile appears on my face. “Thanks. You’re being so great about this. You really are an amazing guy and I hope you find the person you’re looking for really soon.”
“Thanks.”
We finish our meal and leave the restaurant. I can tell that Cam is disappointed, but he’s being very understanding, which I really appreciate. When he stops before my house, he smiles and says, “The guy is very lucky.”
I reach over to hug him. “The girl you end up with will be very lucky, too.”
I get out of the car and am tempted to text Noah and tell him that Cam and I are over, but my fingers refuse to obey that command. I don’t know why. Maybe because I’m scared what will happen next?