Evan
Evan
J ain was ignoring me.
Vada was stroking the back of my neck when I shrugged her off with annoyance. She stared at me, her cheeks flushing as she withdrew her hand.
I glared at the man in front of me, who had everything I wanted.
Julian.
Why him?
He looked like he tried too hard. I listened to him—he wasn’t overly interesting. He kept gazing at Jain, though, and despite him having every right to, I wanted to punch his face until there were no recognisable features left. That’s how jealous I was.
“Evan, you should come skiing with us next winter. We’ll have such a blast,” Julian’s dad boomed at me as I noticed his gaze falling on Jain for a tad too long.
Jain herself was oblivious, as beautiful as she was. She oozed sex appeal, but that glorious innocence still shone through that she’d had at eighteen. I stole a glance at her and saw that she must’ve been on her fourth glass of wine.
Julian caught my eye and winked. “Looks like I’ll be having fun tonight.” He laughed, nodding at Jain. Fury raced through my veins as I forced myself not to react.
What the fuck was I supposed to do?
“So, Jain, where will you be teaching?” Aunt Loretta drawled, peering at Jain through her watery eyes.
Jain swallowed the wine as Julian answered for her.
“There’s only one school with a vacancy. Holton High.”
I froze, realising that was why she was ignoring me.
“You’re coming to teach at our school?” I breathed, unable to hide my elation.
She smiled thinly before answering.
“I will be helping the children with special needs. Not teaching a class as such,” Jain said quickly, her dark lashes framing her exquisite hazel eyes. Her lips briefly parted before she was interrupted by Vada.
“Well, I think it’s very accommodating of them to allow you to work there considering there’s no real vacancy. It must be because you’re an ex-student,” Vada said haughtily, throwing me a dirty look.
“Or maybe she’s qualified and damn good at her job?” I spoke quietly, but I may as well have shouted from the rooftops.
There was a stunned silence before Julian spoke. “Teachers’ pet, were you Jain?” He chuckled and swiftly changed the subject by asking his mother about her church group.
I turned to look at Jain, who had visibly paled.
I tried to speak to Jain throughout the evening, but she completely shut me down. After that, I didn’t bother her again, and somehow, I managed it until she went to the toilet, followed closely by Vada.
“So,” Julian said, leaning forward to make eye contact with me as I groaned internally. “I take it you know about the wedding?”
I stared at him as he smirked at me almost knowingly.
“You’re coming, right?”
“I’m afraid not. I’m swamped that week.”
“Which week? What are we on about?” Aunt Loretta coughed, butting into our conversation. Julian lifted his eyebrows in my direction before speaking softly.
“Evan isn’t coming to our wedding. Such a shame. Especially being Jain’s old teacher, surely you’d love to see her get married?”
“Not particularly. I’m not a wedding sort of person. I prefer funerals.” I smiled, draining my wine glass. “Excuse me.”
I stood up, pushing my way past a surprised Vada as I walked into the men’s toilets. I stared at my reflection, wondering what the fuck I was doing here.
I rinsed my face with cold water before walking back out into the hallway.
“Why?”
I stopped, hearing Julian speaking in a quiet voice.
“I just don’t feel well; I’m tired...”
“I’ll take you home. You’ve drunk too much to go home alone.” Julian sighed, and I had an idea.
It’s perfect.
I rubbed my stomach before walking in their view.
“I’m feeling a bit off. I’m going to grab a taxi. I’m sorry to leave early.”
Jain’s eyes widened, and Julian frowned.
“You’re feeling unwell? Jain was just saying she felt off. So I’m going to take her home.”
“I can drop her on the way if it’s any easier. Pointless you missing the remainder of the evening.” I offered.
Julian looked back at Jain before she smiled .
“That’s fine.” Jain waved him off.
“Are you sure? It’s nearly over anyway, I won’t be too long. We will probably just finish off with some bevvies...”
Julian leaned down and kissed Jain briefly on the lips as I strode past him to the door. My stomach churned with envy as I held the door open for Jain, inhaling her scent as she walked by.
“I’ll get us a cab,” I muttered as she nodded wordlessly.
Luckily a cab had just dropped someone off, so we managed to climb in quickly.
We sat facing out of our respective windows, the tension almost unbearable.
“Where to mate?”
The taxi driver asked in a bored tone, and before I could answer, Jain gave my address.
I didn’t respond, sighing heavily.
“You didn’t tell Vada you’d left,” Jain whispered faintly, and I shrugged.
“I couldn’t care less, to be honest. How are you feeling?”
I turned to gaze at her as she lifted her eyes to mine.
“Confused,” she whispered, her words hoarse.
My heart sped up in my chest when her teeth sank into the flesh that was her bottom lip.
“Why?”
I knew why, but I had to ask.
“Because in two weeks I’m getting married, yet I’m sitting here gazing at you,” Jain murmured as I shuffled over to her, my hands stroking her face softly.
My phone rang in my pocket, and Jain’s eyes saddened.
“That’s probably Vada,” she sighed, and I reluctantly dragged it out of my pocket.
“Hello? ”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Vada screeched as I held the phone away from my ear.
“No, Vada, I’m not. Do me a favour. Stay at your mother’s tonight. I need some space.”
Jain raised her eyes to mine as I studied her carefully.
“Fine, Evan. Fine. You know what, fuck you.” Vada spat.
The line went dead, and I knew I was in trouble.
Not that I give a fuck.
“It looks like I’m dumped,” I murmured, aware of the proximity of our bodies. The heat rose between us, the air suddenly thick once again.
“I’m sorry,” Jain said quietly, as I tipped her head back to expose her neck.
“I’m not,” I replied simply, my lips inches away from her creamy flesh.
She groaned immediately and moved away.
“I know it’s inappropriate, Jain. But I’m still in love with you.”
Her eyes filled with tears when the taxi came to a stop, and she looked up at me sadly.
“Come in,” I pleaded, my finger trailing down her neck as she shivered beneath my touch.
“I can’t , Evan. Please, just go.”
I swore under my breath before I opened the car door.
“What’s wrong with you, Jain? Why aren’t you listening to your body or your heart?”
She didn’t answer, as her phone rang from inside of her bag. I nodded with understanding, reaching forward to hand the taxi driver a wad of cash.
“Take her home, please. Goodnight, Jain.”