Chapter 5
Damon
I’m waiting at the dinner table when Dad and Heather walk in. Dad’s eyes widen in surprise to see me, but he doesn’t say anything as he takes his seat. Heather sits on his other side. Monday night isn’t our typical night for family dinner.
Evan walks in next. She freezes for a moment. After Sunday, she was supposed to take it easy, but I know she still pushed through rehearsal today. They cut it an hour short though, so I figured she’d be here too.
I’m here because I need to talk to my dad.
And even I can admit dinner with Heather usually puts him in a better mood.
Evan catches herself and walks over to sit next to her mom. I don’t know which is worse. Sitting next to her and not being able to touch her or sitting across from her and not making it obvious I want her.
I don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to keep what’s happening from our parents with these mandatory dinners.
It’s hard not to go too far in the other direction and ignore Evan, which would also make him suspicious.
Normally, I’d just skip until Dad forced me to put in an appearance.
If the plan was still to get rid of Heather, dinners would have been a perfect way to push on any sore spots.
But I’m not about to let her take Evan away from me.
“Good to see you, Damon.” Dad leans back in his chair at the head of the table, and the server brings out our meals.
“Are you doing okay, Evan? Are you in pain?” Her mom reaches over and touches the back of her bandaged hand delicately. Her brow is furrowed in concern. “You could have stayed home today. I would have stayed with you. You don’t have to push yourself so hard.”
“I’m good, Mom.” Evan’s smile is a little tight, but her eyes are soft for her mother. “I’m only a little sore from the cuts, but the burning is gone. It really wasn’t that big of a deal.”
The adults frown, and I tighten my fist. No one at this table believes that. Of course, the parents don’t realize it wasn’t an accident. They think Evan hurt her hand on the rose, and something irritated the wounds. They don’t realize it was intentional.
They weren’t there when it happened. They didn’t hear her scream of pain. When Hawk described what happened, I don’t know how he remained calm in that moment. But we’re trained to handle stressful situations. To think on our feet. And he got her the medical attention she needed.
Whoever did that to her needs to pay.
“That’s good.” Heather blows out a breath and glances at my dad, who smiles at her. She relaxes and reaches out for his hand. When he takes it, it’s a stark reminder that my dad is letting go of my mom. Or maybe Evan is right. Maybe they aren’t letting them go but moving on the best they can.
When I look away, Evan watches me. Something settles in my chest. My future sits across from me. I just have to make it so we can stay together after we figure out who’s stalking Evan.
When my plate is put in front of me, I say, “The hockey coach from Crowne Mawr was at practice today.”
Evan’s eyes widen and her smile grows as she looks like she wants to ask a million questions.
I can tell she’s excited, but I keep my focus on Dad.
Besides, I don’t know if her interest in Crowne Mawr at dinner that one time was real or feigned to divert the conversation from me. I guess I’ll find out. Later.
Dad’s face is like stone at first. Heather draws her hand back and tucks it on her own lap.
“It’s a good school.” He leans forward in his chair, watching me warily. “What did they want to talk about?”
“He’s recruiting early for next year. Wants me to come up next week and spend time on campus with some other promising players.
Play with the team and see if I’d be a good fit.
” I don’t dare glance at Evan. It was a risk telling her in front of our parents.
I assumed she’d be excited and trying to hold it in, but I also didn’t have a chance to talk to her before this, to give her a heads up.
“You’ll miss a week of school?” Dad’s tone is flat. He’s not excited about this opportunity. But it’s about the education and not hockey with him. And since I know this about him...
“I’m caught up in all my classes and will work with my teachers to make sure I stay on top of everything.
We’ll be going to classes with the players to get a feel for the school as well.
” I take a bite of my steak and swallow before saying, “They make sure their athletes maintain above a three-point-oh GPA. They also encourage their players to get a degree if they decide to pursue a career in the NHL. There are a few different degree options I could see pursuing while I’m there. ”
Dad’s eyes brighten. “It sounds like a good opportunity.”
Since Heather and Evan did a girls’ night, we didn’t have our Sunday dinner. So I have more to tell him, but I knew to start with Crowne Mawr. Yale still might be a pipe dream if Cam really has blown his chances of attending like he thinks he has.
I don’t want to get my dad’s hopes up and then have it fall through. Or for me to get in and then reject the offer because as a group we decided Crowne Mawr suits our needs better.
“At his birthday party, Tom introduced me to the hockey coach from Yale. Coach Farrell wants us to come up for an unofficial visit in a few weekends.”
Dad’s smile grows and his eyes light up like it’s fucking Christmas.
“Yale.” He turns to Heather. “I got my law degree there. It’s a beautiful campus.
We should all go. Make a weekend of it. Visit the school.
EvanAnn, they have an excellent drama program.
It would be a good school for you. You’ll love it there. ”
Evan clears her throat. Our gazes catch before hers slides to my dad. “I can’t miss rehearsal. After the play is over, maybe I can go and visit.”
For a second, that throws my dad as he considers leaving her alone for the weekend. That’s not happening. Not with everything going on. Evan can’t be left alone. But maybe he just really wants to make this a family trip.
He smiles. “Maybe you can go stay with Chase’s family while we’re gone.”
I narrow my eyes at Evan. She needs to come clean about Chase. Otherwise I’ll do it. There’s no way I’d let her stay anywhere near Chase, especially not under his roof.
“No, dear,” Heather says, touching my dad’s arm. “Evan and Chase broke up.”
The tightness in my chest releases. Thank fuck she finally told her mom.
One less hold on Evan. But I’m still not going to leave her on her own.
There’s too much going on right now. I’m concerned about next week, but Hawk and Cam can take care of her.
And our parents will be here. The weekend we go to Yale, she can stay with Hawk and Cam.
We can tell her mom and my dad whatever they need to hear to feel good about themselves.
“There must be a friend she can stay with.” Dad sits back, waiting for Evan to start listing her friends. His eyes are narrowed on Heather. Obviously, he’s not willing to go without her. I ignore the twist in my gut.
“I can ask Mia or Keira.” Evan pushes her food around on her plate, holding her fork with her left hand, obviously not wanting to have to ask her new friends. She’s used to being on her own, but that’s not an option right now.
Definitely not Mia. I don’t know enough about Keira, but Hawk seems to think she’s good for Evan.
I can’t say anything at the table. Besides, if I’m away, Hawk or Cam will take care of her.
I don’t give a shit what our parents think.
They were obviously cool with the idea of her staying with Chase’s family.
Tonight I’ll need to talk to the guys about next week. After this rose situation, I’m not leaving anything to chance. Evan won’t be left alone, and I can’t count on our parents being here to protect her. I’d take her with me, but the program has me staying in the dorms with someone on the team.
Besides, Evan would never leave while she has her play.
Heather clears her throat and puts her hand on Evan’s back.
“Why don’t I stay home with Evan? You two go up to Yale. Evan and I will go later.” Heather rubs Evan’s back and smiles. “That way I’m here if an emergency happens. We’re used to being on our own.”
“It doesn’t need to be decided tonight. We’ll need to work out which weekend is best.” Dad straightens and looks at me like I’ve made his day. “Yale.”
Maybe Cam’s dad isn’t the only one wanting a Yale grad. Yale sours a little in my opinion. Suddenly Crowne Mawr looks like the better option, even though it’s closer to home.
EvanAnn
I sit on the counter in the bathroom as Damon unwraps my hand.
The marble is cool against the backs of my thighs.
He’s in his boxers and I’m in panties with one of his Devil shirts on.
He’s intently focused on my fingers and each of the wounds.
The swelling has gone down, and the wounds are no longer red and irritated.
They ache a little, but nothing like the intensity of that burn.
“I can do this, Damon.”
His gaze flicks up to mine and he frowns. “Let me take care of you.”
My heart skips a little and I nod. No one has ever taken care of me the way he does.
He gently washes and dries my hand before applying the antibacterial gel and putting new bandages on. There are a few cuts that are larger, but the irritant of the oil made everything so much worse.
I clear my throat, and he lifts his gaze to mine.
“That was some big news at dinner tonight,” I say softly.
The corner of his lip tips up slightly. “It’s Cam’s choice for college. You’ve said it would be good for film. And Hawk will do great wherever he lands. It’s a reasonable choice for all of us.”
“Do you really think Crowne Mawr will be enough for you?” I worry he’s settling to be with us. It’s in-state, and I didn’t lie. It does have an excellent drama school for film. It’s getting more recognition, and being part of a growing program might be perfect for me.