Chapter Three

E V E L Y N

I paced back and forth chewing on my lower lip, wincing, and tasting a metallic taste.

Shit! I must have bitten harder. My vision was already clouded by unshed tears. My lips part a sob slipping out.

I fell to the nearest couch brushing a handful of my hair in frustration as I anticipated the arrival of Katie.

I had a minute to lose it. My stare remains glued to the clock, my heart leaping at the thought of getting caught.

How could I survive within the same environment with Lucas when I couldn't spare a minute around him?

I have to call Alice and cancel. There is no way on Earth I am going to fit in with Lucas.

Besides it's a bride and groom thing to do, I had no business with that and I'm pretty sure Lucas could appreciate taking his soon-to-be wife with him.

The door burst open, and Katie came into view. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, bolting up, erasing the distance between us.

She seemed mad and on the edge.

"What did he do? I swear I'm gonna break bones tonight... I warned you about him, he's no good news" She fires with a clenched fist.

She's talking about Jason if you're wondering. Yes! That's how much she hates him.

I fell into her embrace, her stiff muscles relaxing causing me to let the waterfalls work.

She wrapped her hands around me mumbling soothing words yet it only urged more of the tears.

Katie assisted in taking a seat.

"What happened Eve? Talk to me please." She lifts me out of her embrace tugging a strand of my hair.

She cups my cheek, cleaning up my tear-stained face. "Did he hurt you?"

I shake my head, getting irked at her guess of being Jason. "No!"

"Then what is---"

"It's him"

"Lucas?"

She knew me too well. Katie knows he's the only person that could get the better of me.

I nod my lips, quivering.

Once again she sandwich me into a hug running her hands around my back.

"What happened over there?"

I pulled back, "I don't think it's something I should worry about yet I am. He doesn't seem to have recognized me or got any hint but the look he had on me still haunts me." I spoke in one breath.

"Okay. But did he say anything?"

"No...You know what Katie?" My lips spread into a slight smile as a tear slipped.''His eyes, those eyes were exactly like Ryan's" A weary laugh slipped out.

Katie stared at me in pity, rubbing my hands.

"I'm a terrible mother"

"No, please don't say that. Ryan is lucky to have you. Whatever you do has always been in his best interest---"

I cut through her statement. "I love Ryan and I would treat the world for him."

Ryan is Lucas and I's son.

Yes! Shocking huh?

Well yeah! It was supposed to be a one-night thing.

It happened six years ago when the news of Lucas and Alice's engagement went rampage within the family.

The memories of the day are still fresh and vivid. Katie had suggested taking me out for a few shots to get my head cleared up and forget about Lucas.

He was drunk but I wasn't yet. I let him take my virginity, I had always reserved it for him hoping that someday we may end up together.

I know, I was selfish and disgusting to get my sister's fiancé laid, or was it the other way round?

But at that moment there was no one but us, nothing mattered to me. I thought that maybe when it happened things may change but who was I kidding?

He kept mentioning Alice's name and instead of me to make a pause I let him contain the aches piercing through my heart.

After he reached his peak and filled me up with his essence, he kissed me and said to me; I love you.

For a sec there, it all seemed so true and genuine to me but then came Alice's name again and that's when It became clear to me that no matter how much I try or what I do, it always has been Alice and not me.

Me, my feelings, or virginity didn't matter to him.

That bitter truth I had to swallow and live with for the rest of my life.

I left that same night, with a broken heart but that same night Lucas had given me a part of him that has grown to be the apple in my eyes.

I may have lost Lucas but Ryan is a blessing I'd forever be grateful for and I won't let anyone come in between that, not even his father.

No one, not even my parents know about Ryan, I couldn't risk that.

Katie has played an important role in both Ryan's and I's life. She's helped me raise him to the beautiful kid he is.

Ryan stays with Katie's aunt Rachel in Canada, it was the only way to keep him safe and secure. Far away from all of this.

I couldn't risk his safety.

I usually visit him yearly but with Jason keeping track of all I do, I had to lay low.

It's been two years. We do FaceTime from time to time but that was all. I miss him so much, I wish I could have him next to me and never have to worry so much.

"Listen to me, Eve. Everything's gonna be just fine... You said it yourself, he was drunk, and you left that night." She reasons.

I give her a curt nod. "You're right." Although a part of me was still freaked and filled with what-ifs.

"That's more like it"

I smile, "Did I ever mention how much I love you?"

She swayed her hair, "Well, of course, I know how lovable I am. Thank you, you're far too kind" Faking a British accent.

I send her a glare with a nudge.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

I got up sticking my tongue at her and headed for the room with her tailing behind me.

"Are you spending the night here?" I ask disappearing into the closet.

Minutes later dressed in plain white and silky lingerie. The cold ac must have affected my nipples, they were erect.

"You realize I'm the only person around right?"

My brows arch up. "Meaning?"

"Jason's not here"

I roll my eyes at her statement. She was talking about my nighties.

I scoff, "Whatever. So I'm guessing you're sleeping in for the night huh?" I ask my eyes wandering to the clock.

It's already 1:00 Am, it's late.

She nods letting out a sigh. "Yes."

I settled next to her on the bed pulling the covers, "Hey! How are things with Felix?"

Felix is the guy she met at the grocery store last month. The duo seems to click things off before she eventually ends things.

"It's going pretty smooth" She blushed at the last word.

One

Two

Three

My eyes widened, it better be not what I'm thinking of, "You had sex with him didn't you?"

She shrugs a smile dancing on her lips.

"So you did. Oh my, you can't be serious Katie. You have got to stop doing that" I blurted with a facepalm.

Her right brow lifts, shooting me one of her infamous looks.

"Unlike you, I have a thing called desire, so don't go around judging me"

"What are you saying? And I am not judging you but you." I scoff deciding to let it go before we end up in a heated argument.

"You know what? Just forget it."

She chuckles getting off of the bed and walking to the bathroom. I make myself comfortable by turning off the lights before merging my eyelids.

It's been a long day.

~*~

Saturday mornings are my favorite day of the week. I get to be stress-free and do as I please well unless Jason doesn't Intrude or cook up a last-minute hangout or so.

I walked out of the room and the smell of pancakes hitting my nostrils made my stomach grumble.

And this is why I love having Katie around. Rachel, remember Katie's aunt? Well yes, her! She's a professional chef and owns her E-class restaurant there in Canada. It's where Katie gets it from.

I walk into the kitchen with a gleam draped on my face.

Katie flipped the pancake, her eyes wandering off to me, her lips lifting in a smile.

"Oh good! You're awake. I was just getting breakfast ready"

Ouu! I love her. She's the best of the best. Katie is so lucky to have me.

I'm pretty sure it's the other way around.

Shut up stupid, unsupportive conscience.

I settled on the chair of the counter. She assembled all the goody-goodies pushing the plates to my front.

"Orange or Pineapple juice?"

See what I was talking about?

She's a Darling! But don't tell her I said that. The last thing I want is Katie rambling it over and over again.

"Orange please"

She nods, getting it from the fridge.

She also served herself joining me for a short while.

"So, what are your plans for today?" She inquired about taking a bite.

I gulp on my juice wondering for a sec urging a shrug, "I've got nothing. You?"

"Felix wants to spend some time together but I don't know..."

"C'mon Katie! You should totally go." I usher.

"I'm not sure. He seems pretty too serious"

I gave her a boring look, "And you're worried about?"

Sometimes, Katie is more complicated than I am.

"I'm not sure. I mean he's sweet and all, but I'm having second thoughts about this."

I nod. "Okay, I see what's going on here."

"Huh!?"

"You're catching feelings"

"What!? No. Of course not"

I laugh. "Whatever makes you sleep at night darling"

"Where is that coming from?"

I remain quiet munching on my food pretending as though she wasn't there anymore.

A loud bang made me shriek for a sec. "Evelyn Johana Jones you better speak!"

I sent her a glare proceeding to eat and before I could register what was happening my plate of pancakes was gone.

My sweet creamy pancakes.

Okay, I take back every compliment I made earlier, Katie is a meanie.

"Okay okay. I'm sorry, now can I please get my food back" I plead like a needy wolf.

She shakes her head. "Not until you explain---"

"What? That you're falling for Felix?"

She narrows her stare at me.

I wave her off, suddenly losing interest. I didn't realize I was full I guess.

"I don't believe I am. Or am I?" She asks her tune laced with worry.

I smirk, "You worry too much"

She shot me a look of, 'See who's talking

Okay, I find that offensive. It's true though but you need not mention that at least.

Katie's shoulder slumped her expression dropping into a scowl, "I believe he's infatuated because ever since we had sex, he's been extra mushy"

"You're overthinking this"

"I am?"

I nod, consuming the remainder of my juice and getting up. "Yes. Relax and let fate do its thing. I may have not met him but I have this feeling, he's good news and if he tries to do anything funny, inform him that you have a crazy best friend that won't hesitate to break bones"

She laughs, her lips pursing in awe. "That's so sweet of you but Um...I will appreciate having my man in one shape"

I place a hand on my chest overdramatically, "My man?"

She rolls her eyes. "Yeah yeah! Now shoo I have to go call him and tell him that It's on."

"Yes! That's more like it" I gloat.

She offers a quick hug finally letting me have my pancakes, too bad I lost interest.

I made a mental note to order pizza for lunch.

Netflix here I come...