Chapter 3 #2
She looks up at me, and I notice that with the outfit she’s changed into, her neck is no longer exposed because of the high collar.
It looks like a long dress that splits into a “V”-shape opening at her midriff, showing off snug jeans beneath it.
The long sleeves cover her arms. I reach for one, and she cringes, biting down on her lower lip.
In that moment, I realize what happened to her.
“Answer me, sweet cheeks.” I lean into her space without caring if anyone sees us.
“I’m fine. Please let me go.” Her head whips around, looking at the car parked in the lot.
Justin sits in the driver’s seat. I don’t let go; instead, I wrap an arm around Evie’s waist and pull her into my side, using my strength to help her walk so she doesn’t place weight on her injured leg.
“I think I hurt my leg during the game,” Evie continues, but I don’t look down at her as Justin backs out of his spot and peels away from the parking lot, kicking up gravel.
“I’ll fucking kill him if he hurt you, Evie.”
I finally glance down at her as she gasps, but it doesn’t seem to be fear in her eyes. I’m still deciding what it is when she closes her eyes for a moment, and upon reopening, they are shuttered and detached.
“Please, you can’t.”
The previous pain in her eyes and the need to protect her overwhelm my senses.
My instinct is to get away from her because if she doesn’t want me or my help, I’ll do something illegal, such as kidnapping her.
I’ll overrun her life. Obviously, she makes bad choices.
Getting back with Justin and not asking for help makes me think she struggles with making decisions.
I’ll take that away for her. She needs the guidance, and it’s something I appear to crave with her.
“Evie?” Her father, Cameron, approaches, and it shakes me from my fiendish thoughts.
“I hurt my leg during the match, and it’s getting stiff, that's all. I’ll need to rest and ice it later.” She lies to him, but not smoothly. Her head’s down, avoiding eye contact, and she fidgets with her fingers. I note that tell for later.
Between her father and me, we help Evie to the table.
She sits on the other side of her grandmother, across from me, and next to her mother.
Both women fawn over her. Ruby asks which play it was that she was injured doing, trying to confirm what I already know.
That fucker Justin hurt her before he dropped her off here.
“Justin isn’t coming in?” her grandmother asks, looking around. She can’t hide her smile from me, though.
That’s interesting. Why is Evie with the dickhead if her family doesn’t even like him?
“No. He said that he paid for the reservation to get us in on such short notice, but he is going to go with a couple of his friends.”
“You mean Paris?” Ruby bites out, a bitter tone to her voice.
Evie’s eyes flash to her, and she gives the slightest nod of affirmation. Hurt etches her face again, so I clench my fists under the table, wanting to hurt the bastard.
“Well, it’s their loss. This place smells amazing,” Cameron adds in.
He also checks over his daughter. Evie must know that her family will support her and want to protect her, too.
“Should we take you to Urgent Care instead of having lunch? You don’t want it to cause any more issues with the rest of the season; it’s just getting started. ”
“No, Dad, I think it’s just bruises. They’ll heal with some time. I’m okay, don’t worry.” She pats his arm, comforting him now.
I don’t understand why she allows this guy to hurt her when she’s got this much support from her family. He must be holding something over her head.
We end up having a nice lunch, and getting to know Evie and her family is fun. My parents would get along with them, too.
I know that my father and Cameron worked together in the past, but I’m not sure if they are friends.
I learned that Cameron has retired from practicing law but remains a managing partner at the firm in Providence.
He also consults when he’s needed. His wife, Beverly, who was a stay-at-home mom when Evie was younger, has now become a party planner and caterer, running her own business.
I remember that Georgiana asked for my business card before Evie arrived, so I give it to her before they all leave. She likely knows about the debt that is owed. Her husband must have told her, but I’m not sure if she has any clue what that means.
It’s hard on me to watch them go with Evie in the backseat of their car.
She should be on my bike. I want her glorious body wrapped around mine.
I want to take her home with me, but I can never have her.
She is with someone else, and I won’t come between their relationship unless she asks for my help.
As the car pulls away, Evie stares at me, too. She feels this connection we have.
I spend the long ride back to Jupiter thinking of all the reasons I shouldn’t be with Evie.
She isn’t meant for me, isn’t from my world.
She is from a world of mansion living and luxury cruises.
I bet her grandmother owns her own plane or charters private ones.
I also found out that Evie is studying to be a fashion designer.
A career I doubt she can have in a small town such as Jupiter.
The biggest thing going against a relationship with her is that I owe her family.
The debt is based on club respect, and I can’t disavow that.
As President, I know it’s a line that can’t or shouldn’t be crossed.
She’s meant for more than me. But she is meant for more than just Justin, as well.