“Then I’ll do it for you.”
I smiled at that. “You remind me of Teo.”
A tiny smirk cut across Evan’s lips. “Well, same family tree and all that.”
I nodded.
Definitely the same family.
“Did Rosalie call today?” I asked.
“Yeah. We talked for only a few minutes. She sounded exhausted. Said she spoke to E and that Cole had been a dick in the background. Apparently, that’s an ongoing thing with him whenever she calls E. Cole thinks she’s some girl named Emily, so he’s giving E shit for it. I’m not surprised. Cole always was an ass and overly possessive, even of us guys.”
I rolled my eyes. “Pricks don’t deserve to know her anymore.”
“It’s her call. I do miss E. We never had any closure after everything. I’d like to tell him I’m sorry and…” his voice trailed off, and he looked down at his lap. “I don’t know, I guess. It would be nice to hear from him. Who knew death could suck so much?”
“I’ve heard it’s not the best,” I murmured, thinking about my old friend Teo. “But this is your call, too. You don’t have to stay dead.”
He nodded. “I know. I guess fuck them if they’re pissed. Hurting Rosalie like that…” He shook his head and drank again. “Almost five years and I’m still pissed over it.”
“But you wanted her free from them. Seems odd to me to be OK half a decade later and be willing to fall back in.”
He said nothing as he drank more. Finally, he wiped his mouth.
“Death does fucked up shit to people.”
I chuckled at that. “I only want to make sure your head is in the right place. And your heart.”
“I’m good, man. I’ll kick their asses if they try anything. If Ellis wasn’t in the picture or asking about Cole, I’d maintain the course and not bother with any of it, but she matters, and so, I’ll endure whatever hell is out there.”
“You’re a good man,” I said. “Better than me.”
“You’re a good dude, Klaus. Don’t sell yourself short.”
I smiled at that. “I appreciate it.”
We drank more in silence, the TV quiet in the background as a cartoon played.
“I’ve not seen this episode,” I said.
Evan laughed. “I fucking hate this show.”
I grinned. “The joys of being a dad.”
He continued to smile. “I honestly can’t wait to have more kids. I love Ellis so damn much, and Rosalie…damn.”
“Girl or boy?” I asked.
“We have a girl. I’d like a boy this time. Name him Legend if Ro allows it.”
“She will give you anything you want,” I said with a scoff. “She lives and breathes for you.”
“And you.” He gave me a pointed look. “So what about you? Girl or boy?”
“I have sons. I havemein ballerina. I do not care if I have more children, but if I did, I wouldn’t care about the sex. I have both already with Ellis, Stefan, and Levin. I’ll adhere to the cliche as long as they’re healthy.”
“Good answer.”
