Chapter 23 #3
We travel the rest of the way in silence, and as soon as Ethan pulls into the parking lot of Eve’s building, I spot my car immediately. Relief washes over me. At least they made it here safely.
“This is it,” I announce as Ethan kills the engine. I can see Jake pulling in behind us, with Dad in the passenger seat.
“Wait here,” I tell my mother. “Let me go in first and make sure everything’s okay.”
Mom unbuckles her seatbelt. “Don't be ridiculous. I'm coming with you.”
Natalie looks at Ethan. “Maybe we should stay behind. I don’t think Eve will like us all coming in together. And you’re her boss as well. She won’t appreciate it.”
Ethan doesn’t look pleased, but he glances at Sophie who’s curled up in the cupholder, sleeping, and nods. “You two go. Dad and Jake should also stay behind.”
Our father looks like he wants to argue, but he agrees. Jake, however, shakes his head. “I’m going.”
“Fine,” I concede, shooting Natalie a grateful look. “But let me at least go in first and explain the situation.”
Entering the building with the key Eve gave me, I head up the steps to her floor. Reaching her door, I take a deep breath, slide the key into the lock, and turn it. “Eve?” I call out as I push the door open. “Megan?”
The sound of the television reaches me first, followed by laughter—Megan’s laughter. The tight knot in my chest loosens slightly.
“Hello?” I call again, stepping into the foyer.
I follow the sounds to the living room and stop dead in my tracks at the scene before me.
Eve, Megan, and Iris are sprawled across Eve’s sofa, wine glasses in hand, surrounded by takeout containers, watching what appears to be some terrible action comedy.
“Eve?” I say, relief washing over me at seeing Megan safe and sound.
Eve turns, her eyes widening as she spots me. She quickly gets up. “Caleb? You sure took your time.”
“My phone was dead,” I explain, stepping further into the room. “I tried calling you both, but neither of you answered.”
Eve’s hand flies to her pocket. “Oh shit, my phone’s in the other room charging. Megan’s fine.”
“Caleb.” Megan gets up, and while she looks fine, I know my sister better than anyone and can see the strain in her eyes. I cross the room over to her and pull her into a hug.
“You okay?”
She nods wordlessly.
“You scared the shit out of us.” I release her and look her over to make sure she’s really unharmed.
“Megan?” Mom’s voice has my sister and Eve stiffening.
“Oh, yeah,” I trail off sheepishly. “Everyone tagged along. They all panicked when they heard what happened.”
“You brought your Mom?” Eve hisses, mortified, quickly running her hands over her clothes. I grab her hands, whispering, “You look gorgeous. Stop.”
“But—”
My mother walks in, and Megan rushes towards her. “Mom!”
Eve blinks, watching them embrace. “I swear she was fine. She didn’t even look scared despite everything.”
I squeeze her hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your call. It won’t happen again.”
The regret in my voice makes her frown. “It’s fine, Caleb. I had the baseball bat. It came in handy. And if I thought we were in any real danger, I would have called the cops. We’re all fine.”
Jake steps into Eve's apartment, and Iris immediately straightens, her shoulders tensing. He scans the room quickly, his eyes first finding Megan standing in Mom’s arms.
“You okay, kiddo?” he asks, his voice gentler than I’ve ever heard it.
Megan nods. “I’m fine. Just a little drama with Tom and his psycho girlfriend.”
Jake’s jaw tightens before he turns to Eve and Iris. “Are you both alright? Neither of you got hurt?”
“We’re fine,” Eve assures him. I catch his eyes lingering longer on Iris who just nods.
“I’m going to need information,” Jake states, pulling out his phone. “I’m filing a police report whether you like it or not, Megan.”
To my surprise, Megan doesn’t argue. “Okay.”
Eve leans close to me, her breath warm against my ear.
“I’m surprised at how docile she’s being now.
She was ready to draw blood back there.” I glance at my sister with new eyes, noticing the slight tremor in her hands that she’s trying to hide.
My chest tightens. Megan’s never docile—unless she’s genuinely terrified.
Speaking of terror, Mom steps forward, heading straight for Eve with outstretched hands.
“You must be Eve,” she says warmly, clasping Eve’s hands in hers. “Thank you for helping my daughter. It’s lovely to meet you, though I wish it were under better circumstances.”
Eve’s eyes widen slightly. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Wilder.”
“Helen, please,” Mom insists. “I’m so glad to finally meet Caleb’s girlfriend.” I watch the color rise in Eve’s cheeks, and I have to bite back a grin. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy seeing her flustered.
“Mom, she’s also had a long day.” I try to usher my mother away but she won’t budge.
Jake pulls Iris aside, talking to her in low tones.
I can’t hear what they’re saying, but Iris keeps looking up at him.
There’s something in the way they look at each other that makes me narrow my eyes.
Mom catches it, too, glancing between them with barely concealed interest before looking at me.
I shake my head slightly. I’m not getting involved in whatever this is.
Mom turns back to Eve, her smile warm and genuine. “Eve, I’d love to have you over for lunch sometime. I want to thank you properly for helping Megan.”
Eve glances at me, panic flickering in her eyes. “You really don’t have to—”
“I’ll bring her around soon,” I promise, saving her from having to respond. Mom seems satisfied with that and heads toward the door with Megan.
Jake and Iris linger behind, Iris grabbing her bag. “I’ll also be going, Eve. You should rest.”
Eve gives her a confused look. “I told you you could crash here…”
“I know, but I think I should go. Thanks again for the offer, though.” Iris follows Jake out, and I blink slowly.
“Something’s going on with those two.”
“I think so, too.” Eve shakes her head.
I wait until they’re all out in the hallway before turning back to Eve. I cup her face in my hands and kiss her hard, pouring all my gratitude and love into it. When I pull back, her eyes are wide and dark. “Wait up for me?” I ask, my voice rougher than I intended.
A small smile plays at the corner of her mouth. “Don’t take too long, Wilder.” I steal one more quick kiss before following my family out the door.
Catching up to Megan in the hallway, I drape my arm around her shoulders, feeling her lean into me more than usual. “You know I’m going to kill that bastard, right?” I whisper.
Megan gives me a smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Get in line.”