18. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Evie
I open the freezer door, a smile curling at the corners of my lips at the sight of a new bottle of Disaronno, as promised.
I grab the bottle and holler, “Shots!” When I realize it’s midnight.
When the boys had to leave, we decided to keep the party going at our house until they finished whatever job they had to get done.
I realize now that he may have really meant that he would see me tomorrow.
Lily and Em dance into the kitchen to the beat of, “American Horror Show”, by Snow Wife. They both sing as they twirl and bounce their ass up to the counter where I am currently pouring nine perfect, sugar rimmed shots.
“Ooh, this one looks yummy.” Lily picks up the mixture of Disaronno with a hint of margarita mix.
“Every shot she makes is amazing, that’s why I voted for her to make every round!” Emily grabs her shot, holding it up.
I pick mine up, clinking both the girls’ shot glasses, and down the shot.
“This is good! What is it, Eves?” Lily asks, looking at the empty glass in awe as she licks her lips before setting the shot glass back on the counter, then turns her attention back to me.
“It’s just a shot version of an amaretto sour, the only drink she ever orders when we go out.” Em pipes in, chastising me for not going out of my comfort zone very often.
“I’m a creature of habit. I know what I like.” I smirk, thinking about how quickly everything has happened, and how off my schedule I actually am.
I haven’t given myself a moment to really think about everything. The fact that my impending doom is imminent has me wanting to live life to the fullest right now.
I know I should be more worried about who pulls the trigger, but I have a feeling that my gift baskets will flush out the rest of the weeds, so I can get to the root of the problem.
“Girl, since a certain man came into the picture and swept you off your feet, you are so much more carefree than usual!” Lily says excitedly.
“That’s because she finally got that dick!” Emily busts out laughing as she humps the air in front of her.
“Hey! I got dick before and was still an uptight bitch!” I admit, laughing at myself.
“That’s because you didn’t have the right dick, honey! When you finally get dick that knows how to satisfy every craving you have ever had, it changes you.” Lily almost cackles.
“I’m waiting a little bit longer to sleep with Liam. It’s not that I don’t want to, I do, so bad, but I don’t want him to think I’m a slut. I just got out of a relationship.” Emily admits showing her good vibe has been shaken by her insecurities.
“Em, Liam likes you a lot! Plus, he was there when that relationship ended. Has he been pushy at all for sex?” I ask, ready to kick his ass if he has.
“No, that’s part of the problem. He won’t make that move until I tell him I’m ready.” She says before taking another shot.
Lily and I follow suit and now I want to kick Liams ass for making Emily insecure that he doesn’t want her. I mean, he is the guy. He should encourage her without pressuring her.
“Men are infuriating! Brix proposed to me like ten times last night, thinking I would say yes. Am I wrong for wanting to have the cool proposal? I plan on only getting proposed to once.” I stop myself and suck up the tears that start to form in my eyes.
“Eves, what is going on?” Em asks, giving me a stern yet confused look. She picks up on my mood shifts no matter how hard I try to hide them.
“Nothing… It just makes me so upset at Liam for not thinking, that’s all.” My voice cracks a little, but I think I sound believable.
“Bitch, you are a horrible liar! Has anyone ever told you that?” Lily pipes in, breaking the ice, making us all laugh at her brashness.
“Em, first off, if you want to fuck the man that can’t take his eyes off of you. Who makes you feel like the only girl in the room. The guy that had you so lost in a kiss on the couch earlier that you had no idea that Brix and I were right there watching. I don’t think that guy is going to have an issue with you wanting to fuck his brains out. He will probably rock your world if I’m being honest.” I try to reassure my best friend.
“Spill bitch. I won’t ask again! You are trying to deflect the situation, and you know I know, so you might as well let the cat out of the bag now.” Emily replies with a sad smile.
“You know I can’t tell you what I have seen.” I drop my head, losing the buzz I had a few minutes ago.
“I think this one calls for a loophole, being you are going to need help to beat whatever has you fearing death! There, now it’s out in the open. No more secrets.” Em smiles with tears streaming down her face as she wraps me in a tight hug.
I can’t help but let the tears fall for a minute as I hug her back.
I break the hug first and look at Lily who is crying now too.
“Okay, we can fix it, I already have a plan. I’m not going anywhere.” I reassure them both as I wipe the tears streaking down my face.
“Wait, I’m not in the loop here witches! Help a muggle out!” Lily sounds exasperated and looks even more confused.
“The curse states that one of us must die. I saw my death the first time Brix touched me the other day. I didn’t just see it, I felt all of it!” I explain.
“Well, fuck me up the ass without lube!” Lily almost shouts with wide eyes.
“Exactly.” I reply as I make more shots to numb the sting of my fucked-up reality and can’t help but chuckle at Lily.
“Let’s make some drinks and go through everything again. The crystals, jewelry, Casket Girls, all of it. The three of us can work this out. Your mama and gran gave us a great head start.” Emily tries to reassure me.
“Yeah, I had actually been doing research on the Casket Girls for a book I’m working on based on things I heard the nuns talking about in the orphanage, and there has never been Saint’s mentioned in anything I have ever found. I guess that would make the whole secret society thing a problem if they did though huh?” Lily says with a duh expression.
“Yeah, I can’t exactly hide from this or put it off any longer. It’s happening unless I can figure out how to stop it. It doesn’t seem as scary with you guys helping me. Thank you for having my back.” I look at my best friends and I feel more at peace just knowing I’m not alone.
“Well, have you nailed down a timeline for when it is supposed to happen?” Lily asks, looking like a light bulb just went off above her head.
“No, I hadn’t thought about that. I have been focused on the who and accepting, one, that it’s happening, and two, the fact that I’ve been cursed in the first place. Honestly, I’m just pissed off right now. I mean, this is really fucked up.” I finally say what I have been feeling the last few days and just let it out.
“Thank you for finally opening up. Now, dry those tears, we have work to do.” Emily says sweetly as she gives me another hug.
“Can you think back to the vision and see what you are wearing? If you are inside or outside? What the weather feels like?” Lily asks.
I close my eyes and try to think back to the vision and where exactly we are.
“We are outside, it’s cool, but not cold. I’m wearing a stunning fitted white dress, could be a wedding dress, could be an evening gown. I’m running outside, barefoot, toward Brixon. He looks so handsome in his tux. I think we are down at Grans in the bayou, but it’s dark, so I can’t be sure.” I explain what my brain is allowing me to still see.
“Okay, so we know it’s got to be closer to spring since it’s still cool outside but not cold. See, we have a timeline.” Lily smiles wide.
“Hell, that could be anytime it’s cool outside in the next ten years.” I chuckle.
“Well, you won’t be wearing a stunning white dress for just any occasion.” Emily interjects, making a valid point.
“Excellent point, Em. Okay, we have somewhat of an idea of the when, and can prepare for the what when that time comes. We still need to figure out the who.” I hate to kill the mood, but we still have to figure out who wants me dead!
It hits me quickly and I shake my head, “Wait!” I hold my hand up. “I’m not the target. I was running to Brix because he was the one in danger, not me! I only got shot in the back because I blocked the bullet from him.” I explain, making both of their faces fall.
“Shit!” Is all Em and Lily can say almost in unison.
“Yeah, that makes it a bit tougher to figure out the who. I have just been thinking about who my enemies could be, which is a short list. His is endless!” I try to explain, knowing neither of the girls really know who my boys really are!
They know they are important people and have a bit of a secret life in the Saints, but they don’t know who they really are. I can’t be the one to explain that to them. Especially Lily, she has no idea who the Sains even really are!
Emily at least grew up around Saints like I did. I know she knows all about them now that I think about it, but does she know Liam is basically like the prince of the Saints, that is, until he becomes the King?
It’s not my place to tell her. I remind myself that Liam is a big boy and will get around to it when he is ready to confess his sins.
We are all sinners after all and can’t be saints all the time.
My pocket vibrates, letting me know I have a text. I fish my phone out and get a little excited when I see Brix sent me a text.
Brix- On my way home, I would like to say to see my fiancé, but girlfriend and love of my life will have to do.
I chuckle, loving that he sent me a text that he is on his way home. He didn’t specify the house he plans on coming to, but I know he meant home as in me. I am his home now, and he is mine.
“Only Brix could make her smile that wide!” Em pokes my side making me jump.
“They are on their way back.” I smirk and shake my head at my best friend even though I know she is right. Brix is the first person besides Emily and Lily to make me genuinely smile in a long time.
“I’m telling ya Em, look at her! She is fucking glowing! Dick can do it for ya, just sayin!” Lily jokes with Emily, making her blush crimson.
“Girl, you take it at your pace! Liam is a good guy and will wait until you are ready. If you are ready, tell him. Trust me when I say he is just being careful with you. I don’t know how he has been the last ten years, but growing up, he never had girlfriends, just fuck buddies. The fact that he is all about you speaks volumes!” I try to explain the Liam that I knew from before. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he has been like this with many, if any other women.
“You really think so? I mean, he seems genuinely interested in everything I have to say all the time. It’s weird! Guys usually don’t do that, or care enough to even ask what I’m thinking anyway. He is just very different from any guy I have ever dated.” Em admits and I can see how she feels about him as she lights up just talking about him.
It makes me feel better to know that Emily won’t be alone when I’m gone. She will still have Lily, and now, Liam. I know they will take care of her.
“There is no rush on love or when you have to take the next step girl. I was just messing with you. Evie is right, you go at your pace and what feels right. Liam looks at you like you are the most precious thing he has ever seen.” Lily side hugs Em as she reassures her about Liam.
It’s so amazing having a group of women together who just want to see the others succeed and be happy. Most women in the groups I remember being in clawed each other’s eyes out and backstab the first chance they get! We are the opposite, always having the others back are always there when needed.
“Speaking of love, what’s the deal with you and Noah?” I ask excitedly, knowing that they seem to be moving quickly.
Lily takes a deep breath, “Honestly, I think he is way too nice for me, and he deserves better.” She deadpans.
“What the fuck! Girl, Noah looks at you like he won the lottery just to be in your presence, and rightfully so!” I almost shout, shaking my head, not listening to that nonsense for a second.
“I know, and I really like him, probably too much! I just don’t do relationships and labels. I want to see where it goes, but I can’t label it or think it’s more than it is right now.” Lily tries to explain how she feels, and I get it, but I don’t think she does yet.
She is scared.
“You just have to calm down, have fun, and enjoy a man fawning over you like you are the fucking Queen of Sheba!” Emily jokes.
I watch as Lily moves to respond but stops and pulls her phone out of her pocket instead, smiling at whatever was sent to her.
“Hey, I’m gonna go home tonight. I just got an email reminding me of a very important meeting I have in the morning with the narrators from Georgia that you hooked me up with. I need to go through my notes one more time and make sure I have everything ready.” She looks up at Emily with a sad smile, but Em gets it and nods.
Lily always hides out in her cave when it’s time for new releases and any meetings having anything to do with her books. Her anxiety gets pretty bad, so she takes the time she needs to decompress in order to be at her best.
“I get it girl! Go get this one done and then you will have some free time to hang out more!” Emily says as she pours another drink.
“Uber will be here in ten. I’ll see you girls in a few days.” Lily gives us both a hug and heads towards the front of the house to leave.
Em and I give each other a look until we hear the front door close.
“Is she not taking her own advice? You and I both know she is running from Noah!” I ask and answer, knowing I’m right.
“She will get there. I honestly think he scares her a little. He was coming on pretty strong this morning at breakfast. I think he might be the type that falls in love once his dick gets wet.” Em explains giving a knowing look as she raises an eyebrow.
“Oh… Gotcha! Maybe that is what she needs. Someone who is going to dent the hard limit steel walls she puts in place!
I’d love to see her try and ghost Noah. She obviously has no idea the kind of hacker he is.
Lily always rags on me for never giving guys the time of day and I rag on her for giving them the time of day and then ghosting them. I hope she doesn’t hurt my little brother.