Evan
Evan
T he amber liquid made its way down my throat, the bubbles making me wince slightly thanks to the icy cold temperature. I felt Jain’s arm sneak around my waist, and my hand caressed it automatically.
“Drinking beer at a kids party, jeez,” Jain teased, prodding me in the stomach. “You’ll have a beer belly next, and then before you know it, you’ll be forty—”
A soft chuckle left my lips as my eyes appraised her. She wore jeans and a white shirt that clung to her curves, her hair now longer and lighter. Her perfectly shaped brow arched in my direction as I let out a low whistle through my teeth.
“Best marry me quick then if you want decent wedding photos.”
Jain rolled her eyes before glancing away, reminding me that marriage was not an ambition we shared. It was important that we got married, but Jain had simply refused every time I’d asked her. At first, I was outraged and demanded to know why she had very nearly married someone else but wouldn’t even get engaged to me .
“Oh, look, Sarah is here! Oh my God, look who she is with.”
Jain became distracted, and I followed her eyes to see Sarah holding hands with a girl I vaguely remembered from school.
“I can’t remember her name,” I mused as the girl looked around nervously. She was gorgeous, her cobalt blue eyes searching the room until they landed on Jain and me, causing a smile to break across her face.
I knew why.
Our love story was renowned throughout the town and beyond, if truth be told. The fact that we had declared our relationship publicly; I had gone to prison for six months made women visibly swoon when they saw me. It wasn’t a good thing—just necessary. It was safe to say that neither Vada, Arden, nor Julian bothered us again.
“Eloise,” Jain whispered as a tiny human dived into my legs, screaming with terror.
I looked down to see Amaya holding her arms up for me, her pretty green eyes wide with fear as she glanced behind her. Two boys were chasing her happily, but I swooped her into my arms regardless.
“Amaya, leave your poor Godfather alone. I’m sorry, mate, she is obsessed with you.” Harley chuckled from beside us.
“All the women are, I’m not surprised,” Jain smirked, earning herself an eye roll from me. “Harls, have you seen—”
“Guys! How are you doing?” Sarah chirped from beside us as I shifted Amaya to my left. “Daddy duty again?”
I caught Jain’s eye, and she smiled, lifting her glass of lemonade to hide it before I commented.
“Just saving our girl here from the terrible ogres that are boys.” I gazed down at Amaya, who had now stuck her thumb in her mouth, resting her head on my chest as my heart lurched. She wasn’t my child, but I adored her.
Harley smiled before peeling her from me. “Come on, chimp, let’s go and find Mummy. Anya! Put that down!”
“This is Eloise. Eloise, you know Jain, and of course, Mr—sorry—Evan.” Sarah laughed as she tripped over my name. I wasn’t sure why she still struggled to call me Evan, but I let it slide.
“Hi,” Jain said, and I noticed the girls look at each other shyly. Had something gone on between Jain and Eloise? “So, this is your girlfriend?”
Sarah nodded, biting her lip as she laced her fingers with Eloise’s. “Aren’t I the lucky one?”
“Hey guys, I know this is a bit weird considering how I conducted myself in high school...but I’m in love with Sarah.”
I smiled then, wrapping my arm around Jain’s shoulders as she smiled warmly.
“Eloise, school was a long time ago. We like to forget about it around these parts,” Jain joked, and I laughed heartily.
“Well, we have some exciting news,” Sarah whispered, leaning in to show us Eloise’s hand.
A beautiful ruby ring shimmered on her ring finger as a pang of envy grew in my stomach. Jain faintly smiled as I forced a wide smile.
“Congratulations, when is the big day?”
Sarah bit her lip again and glanced at Jain.
“Well, we are doing it at a registry office in two weeks... it’s all booked. We just need some witnesses.”
I frowned, wondering why their families weren’t attending. Jain seemed to understand, though, a sympathetic smile on her face as she nodded .
“Are you asking us?”
Sarah nodded and exchanged a look with Eloise.
“Of course, we will,” I said smoothly, as Jain sent me a grateful look.
Sarah reached out and hugged us both, tears glistening in her eyes as she spoke. “It has to be you two. You’re the only ones who know what it’s like to be in a relationship that’s frowned upon by nearly everyone. Sorry.”
I knew what she meant; we did.
“It’s fine. We would love to.” Jain smiled, wrapping her fingers around mine.
“Then when you guys get married—” Sarah began before Jain cut her off.
“Don’t start him off. So, what are you both wearing?”
Instead of showing how annoyed I was, I tried focusing on the kids. Amaya was chasing the boys, her cheeks rosy with excitement. Anya was stunning, dominating attention already from the children that surrounded her. But, again, a familiar ache filled my stomach, and I realised I wanted to start a family of our own.
Jain just didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm. I sighed, and she glanced at me, her eyes filling with concern.
“You ok?” she whispered as I shrugged. “Babe is this to do with the marriage comment—”
“No, I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
Jain nodded before Kate joined us, a glass of wine in hand.
“Tired? You should try having kids. I’m knackered.”
“I’m just going to the men’s room,” I murmured, smiling as I walked away. I could feel Jain gazing after me, knowing she would be riddled with guilt. She couldn’t help how she felt, though. I just hoped it wasn’t permanent.
I loved her and wanted to make her my wife and the mother of my children. But if she didn’t want that well—there wasn’t anything I could do.
I would be with her forever regardless. I knew the argument she would use. It’s just a bit of paper, she would say.
We’ll see.