Chapter 31
Evie
We step out into the bright sunshine, and her arm is still linked through mine.
So, when she turns back around to face the two guys following us, she takes me with her.
“We’re going to lunch, not a shady neighborhood.
We’re fine; we don’t need the extra muscle.
” I hide a smile at their matching scowls, especially when she makes a shooing motion with her hand.
She whirls around, practically dragging me with her.
I look over my shoulder and meet Zane’s intense gaze for a moment before I turn back around.
“All right. I admit it; I have zero idea where we’re going. ”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “You could have fooled me.”
“Well, I love my brother, and Reid’s a great guy, basically like a second older brother, but they’re a bit much when you just want to have girls’ time.”
“Is that what we’re doing?” I’m sort of teasing but also curious.
“Yes. I want to get to know the girl my brother is smitten over.”
I feel my face heat even as I give her a wry look. “Smitten?”
She nods enthusiastically. “He really is, and my brother has never been into a girl before. So I really want to get to know this girl that has all his attention.”
“I think you might have the wrong idea about your brother and I. He’s been really nice to me and all, but—”
“Whatever you’re trying to talk yourself out of, stop right there. My brother is into you, like all the way. You can do with that as you will, but I’m being honest.” She looks over at me. “He’s not the kind of guy to jerk your emotions around; he means this.”
I look away from her, because I believe her.
And that scares me. “It’s in here,” I say, nodding at the building in front of us.
We walk inside and make our way towards the Panda.
It doesn’t escape my notice that several guys take notice of her as she walks past, but she doesn’t seem to even realize it.
I have a feeling Reid might have a hard time next year when she comes here to school.
A few minutes later, we find a table and sit across from each other with steaming boxes of Chinese.
“I haven’t had this in so long. It’s soooo good,” she moans.
I smile and take another bite, feeling much the same way.
She practically inhales her food, and it makes me smile.
There’s something about her that’s so wholesome and real.
“All right.” She throws her napkin on the table. “Tell me about you.”
Her question takes me by surprise. “What do you want to know?” Before I can answer, twin shadows fall on our table.
Riley looks up with a scowl. “Why am I not surprised?”
Zane grins down at me and drops a white box of food on the table next to me before settling in beside me.
Because he’s so big, his leg brushes against mine.
But when he makes no move to pull away, I don’t either.
I’ve already decided there’s something really comforting about being near this guy, and I really need that right now.
Reid settles in next to Riley, but she barely pays him any attention.
“So, Evie, just pretend these big guys aren’t here.
Tell me about you,” she urges, repeating her earlier request.
I push the noodles left in my box around. “I’m from Colorado,” I start.
“Ooo, I’ve always wanted to visit there. Tell me what it’s like.”
I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.
“I’m from the Loveland area. It’s a great area that’s a mix of new and old.
” I try to think about what she’d be interested in.
“We’re not far from the Rockies. It’s low humidity, and the nights are cool, even in the summers.
We have really nice outdoor parks, and lots of good shopping and restaurants. ”
“Name some,” she urges.
“Well, we have Panda.” Her eyes light up. “In-N-Out.”
Riley practically bounces in her seat. “Oh, I’ve always wanted to try a burger from there. When I come visit you; we can go there.”
Some of the lightness in the conversation dips. “I don’t live there anymore. I just moved here a few weeks ago.” I give a small laugh, that’s a little forced. “I’m still adjusting to calling Florida home.”
“Why’d you move here?”
That question has been causing me such grief lately, and yet, when she asks it with nothing but interested curiosity, I find myself wanting to tell her.
I take a moment to consider my words. “My mom and I have been on our own for a while. She finally decided to cave and come live with her brother, who’s been begging us for years to come live with him.
I guess with me going to college, and realizing she was going to be alone, she decided now was the time. ”
“What happened to your dad?” Riley asks with her eyes trained on me.
“Riley,” Zane interjects.
Riley doesn’t take her gaze from mine. “What? She’ll tell me if she doesn’t want me to ask.”
“My dad doesn’t know the meaning of the word faithful,” I tell her without looking up.
“I think by maybe the third or fourth woman over the years, my mom finally decided to end things with him. It was a long time coming.” I look up, expecting to see pity in her eyes; but I see her eyes alight with. ..not pity, that’s for sure.
“Well, if you decide to track him down and toilet paper and egg his house, I’m your gal.” She reaches out to fist bump me, and I can’t help but laugh.
My smile is genuine. “I’ll let you know if I need your assistance.
” I feel a weight slide off my chest. This group knows about me, the real me.
They know my past and my mess, and they’re still okay with me.
There’s a small pat on my leg, and I look down to see Zane’s large hand on my leg for just a moment.
When I turn to face him, his eyes are full of compassion and something else I can’t quite place.
A phone buzzing draws my attention away from Zane. Riley picks it up and frowns. “I’ve got to head home. Evie, let’s do this again.” She pins her brother with a look. “Take care of her.”
I expect him to laugh or something, but he nods seriously. “I will.”
She stands up and starts gathering her trash, but I reach out and grab it. “I’ll get it.”
“Thanks, Evie.” She looks over at Zane again. “Bring her to Sunday dinner.”
“I’ll ask her.”
In a flurry of activity, she disappears with Reid a few steps behind her. I think about asking Zane about the two of them, but he doesn’t even seem to notice. His attention is fixed on me, and his expression is serious. “We have an away game this week.”
“Okay.” I’m not really sure what that has to do with me.
“I won’t be around for a few days.” Again, I nod, taking all this in. “I’ve asked Reid to keep an eye on you.”
I sit up straighter. “I’m not a child, Zane. I don’t need someone to keep an eye on me.”
His eyes meet mine. “I am very aware of the fact that you are not a child. That’s not what I meant at all.
But I am also very aware of the fact that something happened to you Saturday night.
” He puts a hand on my leg when I shift in my seat.
“You don’t have to tell me, but I want you to be safe. Reid will just be around.”
“It’s okay, Zane.” I take a deep breath. “I appreciate you trying to look out for me, but you don’t need to. I can take care of myself; I have been for a long time.”
“Okay. But you’ll call me if you need me, right? Or call Reid if I’m not here?”
I can at least give him peace of mind. “Sure.”
“Thanks, Evie.”
I gather up my trash; Reid ended up taking Rileys’ when he left. “I’ve got to get back to my room and study.”
He stands up and takes my trash from me. “I’ll walk you.”
“You don’t need to,” I remind him.
“I know.”
We walk out of the dining hall and towards my dorm in silence. “How long will you be gone?”
“We leave Wednesday and won’t be back until Sunday.”
An empty sort of feeling rises at the thought of him not being around. I’ve started to get used to his protectiveness. “Can I text you while you’re gone?” I ask, surprising even myself.
His eyes light up, and I realize it was the right thing to say. “Definitely.”
“It won’t be a bother while you’re on the road?”
“If I can’t text back right away, I will later. But it’s no problem.”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” he repeats.
We walk back to my dorm, and he holds the door for me as I step inside.
I turn back to say goodbye to him, but he motions me forward.
I climb up the steps, conscious of him behind me.
When I get to the room, I open the door slowly.
When I don’t see Sam or anything out of place, I breathe a sigh of relief.
Without asking, Zane walks over to the closets and looks inside them and the bathroom as well.
“It’s clear,” he says before turning back to me.
He nods down to where I’m rubbing my arms. “I know what fear looks like.
I wanted to give you peace of mind that you're safe.”
And just like that, any of the barriers I thought were keeping me from opening up to him come crumbling down.
“Do you want to sit a minute?” I ask him, gesturing to the chair at the desk.
He does and stares up at me. I rub my hands over my arms, trying to find warmth.
He reaches over to my bed and snags my soft blanket before tossing it to me.
I wrap it around my shoulders, seeking its warmth.
“Saturday night, I woke up in the woods.” I don’t turn towards him, but I can feel his eyes drilling into the side of my face.
My voice sounds far away, even to my own ears.
“I have no memory of getting there. I woke up slung over Jace’s back, like a sack of potatoes.
” Anger spikes when I remember the way he treated me.
“He,” my voice cracks a moment, and I swallow, trying to gain control.
“He told me he was taking me to his boss. Sam was there as well.” The words she spoke to me burn in my mind.
Oh Evie, come on, did you really think we were friends?
I can’t stand you. You’re naive and annoying and way too trusting.
The words hurt now just as much as they did then.
I take a breath. “An opportunity came to run and free myself, and I took it. That’s when I called you.
” I close my eyes at this next part. “They,” I pause, trying to find the words.
“They changed.” My voice is flat, devoid of emotion.
“One minute they were Sam and Jace; the next...” my voice fades off.
“What?” Zane prompts softly.
I can’t believe the words I’m about to say. “The next, they were these awful black beasts.” I turn towards Zane. “I know it sounds absolutely crazy, but you have to believe—”
“What did they look like?” Zane asks, completely calm.
“I don’t know. They were big and terrifying and...” I try to remember. “I think they howled, like a wolf or something.” I watch as Zane’s eyes close a moment. “You have to believe me, Zane.”
He stands and walks towards me until our chests almost touch. “I do, Evie. I do.”