14. Evvy
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
evvy
It’s been a little over a week since we hung out with Zack's friends. I had a blast, but I can’t stop the intrusive thoughts from haunting me.
Zack asked them to stay away from me. I know he didn’t want me to meet them, but I think it went well.
Zack has been busy with hockey after returning to full practices this week.
Yesterday was the last day of training camp, and on Monday the team has a preseason game in Canada, which means he leaves tomorrow.
It’s going to be weird staying at his house without him.
I’ve kind of grown to love seeing him every day, which is… dangerous.
Felix granted me an additional week off work, so I’m going to need to find something to do with my time.
I’m almost certain he’s doing this as more of a punishment than anything.
He didn’t hide his disgust at the fact that I chose to stay with Zack over him, even though that would have been a whole HR violation waiting to happen.
I’m worried about my job security, especially since my contract is temporary and entirely dependent on the available budget for next year—and Felix plays a large part in budget planning.
I find Zack sitting at his kitchen island. In front of him is a giant bag of candy corn and my daily cold brew coffee. The amount of candy is reaching ridiculous new heights.
“Hey,” I say as I sit on the barstool beside him.
“Morning, Evvy.” He gives me a small smile and resumes fiddling with the candy.
“Are you going to share?” I tilt my head, watching as he slides the bag toward me.
“It’s your candy.”
“I think I have enough to share.” I point at the huge glass jar that’s almost completely full. “What’s your plan when we can’t fit more in there?”
“Buy another jar?” he replies with a laugh.
“Or, hear me out, because I know it’s a wild concept…you could just stop buying candy.”
“I could do that, but that’s no fun. I like buying it for you.” He gives me a sheepish grin. “Besides, who’s going to keep the candy corn manufacturer in business?”
“That’s so honorable of you to consider them in this decision.”
“I try.” He shrugs. “So, my mom asked me to bring you to dinner tonight. Would you be up for that?” He looks at me hopefully.
“The only thing is we’d probably need to stay there tonight.
She lives over an hour away. She’s closer to the airport, and since I need to be there so early it would just make more sense to stay with her.
” He blurts out that last part so fast I nearly get whiplash.
“And then maybe you could drop me off at the airport so you’re not stranded at her house?
” His lips tug into a shy smile as he rubs the back of his neck.
“Umm…” I don’t want to say no to him, but I'm concerned about the awkwardness of a potential family dinner. Not just dinner, but staying over at his mom’s house.
But I did always like his mom and she was super nice to me.
It would be nice to see her again. I lost her when I lost Zack and that hurt too. “Sure, I’d love to see your mom.”
“Really?” His face lights up. “She’s going to be thrilled! I think she’d kill me if I showed up without you.” He laughs, and my heart sinks a bit. I wish he wanted me there as much as his mom does.
“Glad I could help you out with that.” I swallow a gulp of my coffee.
“I was thinking we could also take a drive today. It’s not peak leaf peeping season yet, but there’s supposed to be a little color.
I’m afraid I might miss the leaves changing while I’m traveling, so going early is better than nothing.
” Zack pops a piece of candy corn in his mouth and looks at me, waiting for an answer.
“Sure, sounds good.” My stomach betrays me as it starts fluttering. Zack always loved scenic drives. He once drove me all the way from Salem, Massachusetts to New Hampshire because he knew how much I wanted to see the foliage. It was one of the first things we ever did together.
This will be yet another reminder of our time as a couple. But if I can get through this and dinner, then it will be fine.
It has to be fine.
* * *
Zack asked me to wait inside while he got things ready, whatever that means.
My phone dings with a message asking me to meet him in his driveway.
I step outside and my jaw nearly hits the ground.
Zack’s leaning against a gorgeous green classic truck.
A smile sweeps across his face as he throws his arms out wide, showing off the display.
“Is this…?” I close the distance, wanting to get a better look. “Is this the same truck?”
“The one and only. It has lots of new parts, and a better paint job, but this is it.” He runs his hand down the truck bed. “So many great memories…” he trails off before turning back toward me. “I couldn’t get rid of it.”
Cue the stomach flutters and marching band banging in my chest. We spent so much time in this truck.
It’s the same truck that took me on my first road trip to New Hampshire.
The same truck that Zack comforted me in after he witnessed one of my panic attacks for the first time.
And so many more memories—mostly good ones.
“Where was it? This is the first time I’ve seen it since arriving here.”
“Parked in Brent’s garage. My gym equipment takes up too much space, and he has like a five-car garage, so he lets me park it over there.
” Zack gestures across the road in the direction of Brent’s place.
You can’t see the house from the road because every lot has a long, wooded driveway, but he’s Zack’s closest neighbor.
“Five-car garage?” I raise a brow. “That’s…a lot.”
“Yeah, he went a little overboard on the addition.” Zack shrugs.
Zack and his friends are all so down-to-earth that it’s easy to forget they’re rich.
Famous-athlete-level rich. Five-car garage rich.
Don’t need to live with your ex-boyfriend because you lost your free work housing rich.
Not that I’ve minded that last part. If someone told me last month that I’d end up seeing Zack again, never mind staying with him, I’d have thought I was dreaming.
My thighs clench almost every time he’s near me, and I’m constantly giving myself a pep talk about not throwing myself at him. Besides those things, it’s been great.
Zack follows me to the passenger side of the car and opens the door, holding out his hand for me as I hop up into the seat.
He grabs the seatbelt, pulling it down and across my lap before clicking the buckle into place.
My face heats from the intimacy of it. Zack must come to the same realization because he looks up at me with a small smile and says, “Sorry, habit I guess.”
Zack slides into the driver’s side and angles toward me after shutting the door.
“Ready?” His bright smile is like a promise that warms me from the inside.
“Depends. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Wouldn’t you love to know?” Zack winks.
“Actually, I would. That’s why I asked.”
“That would ruin the surprise, Evvy girl.”
It’s a good thing I’m already sitting down.
Between the new term of endearment and Zack’s warm smile, my legs feel weak.
I’m left with so many questions, confusion, and for the first time, a little curiosity mixed with a splash of hope.
I overthink enough as it is, and this is giving me even more material to dwell on.