Henry interrupts, whispering, “That’s why I was trying to find you. Arthur’s giving mom a lecture about dad’s care. He thinks that they should stop life support.”
My stomach bottoms out. Evan catches me as I stumble back a little at his words. It’s been months now since my dad’s been in the coma and we’ve still not figured out how or why. He’s going to pull through. He has to. Arthur’s been a dick since Alex left for London and he’s been trying to fill in this pathetic role as the CEO ofVosseven though he’ll never be.
“That’s bullshit,” I mutter, brushing past both of the boys to storm into the large dining hall. A long, oversized mahogany table sits in the middle, ten chairs spread around it. On one side, a large window opens into the backyard: a large field containing a miniature golf course. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you not care about our dad?”
My mom and Arthur are sitting at opposite ends of the large table. I’m looking directly at my older brother, his brown hair tied back in a short ponytail. His face is hard and focused, his mouth pressed into a straight line. My mom stands up out of her chair, her arms wide as she tries to trap me in a hug, but I dodge her.
“Have you not got anything to say?” I ask Arthur.
“Scarlett,” he chides before adding calmly, “Don’t cause a scene.” He’s not even looking at me anymore. His eyes are focused on the black placemats, his hand clasped around a cold glass of wine. “We’ll talk about this another time. Preferably when guests aren’t present.”
Evan shifts beside me, still holding the flowers. For a second, I forgot that he was there. That I invited him. I hate that he had to see me like that. What I hate more is the way my mom’s face lights up when she sees him. I don’t know how I’m going to let her down easily when I tell her we’re not actually dating.
“Oh, Scarlett,” my mom exclaims dreamily. “You really brought someone.”
I sigh, trying to push back all my feelings and anger towards Arthur. I link my arm into Evan’s again. “These are for you, Mrs. Voss,” he says, handing her the flowers. I don’t know where mine went. I think I lost it on the way from the door to here. I’d be a terrible girlfriend. He places his hand over mine. It calms me for a second, remembering that when this is over, I can relax. “I heard the big news. Congratulations on your new milestone.”
“Oh, you are lovely. Andtheseare lovely,” my mom says, fussing over the flowers. Evan smiles proudly, puffing his chest out. Of course, he’d be perfect at the boyfriend thing because I’m terrible at it. “And thank you. I’ll put these in water. You two can take a seat.” She walks off through the swinging door into the kitchen, shouting Leo to come back down.
As we make our way over to the table, ignoring eye contact with Arthur, Evan tugs on my arm. Luckily, there’s faint jazz music playing in the room so no one can hear him as he whispers, “What did your brother say before?”
“Oh, nothing. He was just asking when we started dating. Don’t worry. I made a believable lie,” I say, lying straight through my teeth. He hums in response, pulling out a chair for me. He takes the seat closest to Arthur and I take the one next to him. Henry comes stumbling into the room, sitting across from me.
I try to tell myself to breathe. To remember that everything is fine. To stay in the present moment and remember that whatever happens, I’m going to get through this alive. Even if I want to commit murder just by looking at my brother.
Evan’s hand on my thigh is not helping this either. I don’t know when he put it there, but it feels comfortable. Everything about him just feels too damn comfortable. Too safe. I try not to look at his hand, but it’s so veiny, huge, and justright.Why do his hands have to be so fucking attractive?
He leans into me as he squeezes my thigh. My skin is already sensitive there, but coming from him, my whole body feels slightly overstimulated. “Hey, can you relax for me? You’re making me sweat and no one’s even talking to me,” he whispers.
“This is worse for me than it is for you. Trust me,” I mutter. I shift slightly in my chair, slouching a little as I lean my head back, allowing myself to breathe properly. Evan’s hand starts to rub circles on my inner thigh and my breathing picks up again. Great. “Can you stop doing that?” I breathe.
“Doing what?” he asks innocently. He even leans his other hand on the table, staring at the jug of water, all whilestillrubbing his thumb over the sensitive spot on my thigh. “It’s helping, no?”
“No, you’re making it worse, and you know you are so cut it out,” I warn. He stops, finally and places both of his hands in his lap. I sigh, pulling my dress further down. Arthur scrutinises me from beside Evan and I roll my eyes. “What?”
“Why are you wearing that?” he asks, looking at my outfit.
“Wearing what? A dress?”
“It’s too short.”
I bark out a laugh. “Do you think I would wear this if I cared what you thought?” I turn away from him and I can see Evan sticking his tongue in his mouth, trying not to laugh. Arthur ignores and sticks a thumb at Evan.
“Who’s this?”
Evan clears his throat. He doesn’t seem intimidated. Good because he shouldn’t be. Arthur is not scary at all.Alexanderis scary. Arthur’s just trying to fill in that role since he left and he’s doing a fucking terrible job at it. “Evan Branson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I may have left out his last name for several reasons. One reason being the reactions I get from everyone at the table. Henry snorts. Leo smiles, nodding as if he somehow knew all along. My mom grins, a little confused, but prouder. Arthur…looks like he’s about to set the world on fire and is deciding where to start first.
I sit up straighter, matching Evan’s confident stance.
“You brought a fucking Branson here? What are youdoing,Scarlett?”
“I’m doing what I want,” I say, picking up a napkin from the table, trying my best for my hands not to tremble as I lay it on my lap. “Now, he’s my date, so can everyone play nice for one night?”
26
Evan
