Page 41 of Playing With Forever

And I never would’ve heard Josie’s ‘oopsie.’

CHAPTER ELEVEN

It had been six days since I’d picked Evan up from the hospital, and in those six days, he’d let me defer the discussion we needed to have about our argument. The deferment wasn’t me avoiding the topic, I knew we needed to hash things out and clear the air—but it had to take a backseat to me and my staff managing the grief of the kids who knew Sam. Not to mention the shock and concern from the parents.

Drafting an email to send out to everyone—sans Diane—had been difficult. All of the women who ran Womens, Inc had come in to speak to me, give their condolences, and ask how they could help Diane. Phil sat with me as I explained to them that it was unsafe for us to offer Diane or the kids any real services until the police had a better understanding of the situation. Phil’s relief was palpable, as was the women’s outrage, but they were all accustomed to police work, so while they were unhappy, they understood.

Oh, and the email I sent out… I’d forgotten my sons were both on the center’s newsletter list, so they’d both received the lengthy message I’d sent out about how heartbroken we all were at the loss of one of our own, as well as the safety protocols that were in place.

That resulted in a “What the fuck is going on?” call from Kane that lasted forty-five minutes, and at no time did he calm down or stop cursing; it only ended because he was at work. Mercifully, DJ’s call didn’t include the excessive use of four-letter words that had me cringing. He’d limited his cursing but was still unhappy that I was once again in danger, and he made his thoughts known about how he wished I would go back to teaching—even though he loved that his mother had a big heart.

I’d had dinner at Evan’s house Wednesday night, which of course included Lindy, but she’d left straightaway after we ate to get back to painting. Evan and I watched TV on his big sectional and made out until I started yawning. Then he reluctantly sent me on my way after I explained I needed to be up early and wasn’t a fan of getting up earlier than I had to in order to get ready for work.

Last night, Evan took me out to dinner. Not the steak dinner he’d planned for our first date, but to an Italian place. Frankly, I was happy I didn’t have to get dressed up after the crappy few days I had, and I thought it said a lot about Evan that he’d thought of that and taken me someplace casual and quiet. Well, as quiet as a restaurant could get. He was a gentleman and kissed me just inside my door, then scooted me off to get a good night’s sleep. I wasn’t sure if I was wearing my stress on my face or if he just knew I was exhausted.

The last big thing that happened was today, Echo and Evan had come to the center to update me on what was happening with Tyler Havarth.

I figured that, after our argument on Monday, Evan brought Echo along as backup, though truthfully he didn’t need to.

I hadn’t lied when I told Evan I’d had enough time to think—once I’d gotten over my initial stubbornness and had a moment to think about the situation rationally, I understood the difference between Dameon bossing me around because he was an arrogant prick and Evan being high-handed and out of line in his delivery. However, the emotion behind his demands was out of concern. And that was what needed to be discussed.

But I digress; the update was not good. Tyler had run away, whereabouts—his father’s house. I was warned again, this time gently, with a fair amount of pleading from Evan to stay away from Diana as well as Bella. I reaffirmed that I would not go to their home, and I wouldn’t invite them to come to the Hope Center. I promised to call them immediately if Tyler, any of the other boys he was seen with, or if Diane and Bella showed up. Though I knew they’d also spoken with Phil and got the same agreement from him, so really mine was moot. Phil would be on the phone with Evan before I could so much as pick mine up to make the call.

Evan left the center a few hours ago with the promise he’d see me later.

Now I was gathering my stuff and leaving for the weekend. This would not be a Sunday workweek for me. I needed two full days to recover. Not to mention, Sam’s funeral was on Sunday afternoon, and in the very slim chance I could talk Evan into it, I wanted to go.

I grabbed my phone off my desk, but before I dropped it in my purse, I made a decision. All week, Evan had been watchful. He’d kept our conversations light, not touching on anything that would lead us into a heavy discussion. He’d kissed me, but nothing else. On the nights I hadn’t seen him, he’d called me to check in, and those, too, were light and gentle.

I pulled up our text thread, which was now full of daily chats, and sent: I’d like you to stay tonight. That is, if you want to.

I held onto my phone as I turned off the light in my office and made my way through the lobby. I was just at the front door when my phone chimed: I’ll pack a bag. Need me to pick up anything on my way over?

Before I could tell my fingers to stop, I replied: condoms.

That earned me an immediate call.

I felt my face flaming when I picked up, “Hello, Evan.”

“Fuck, but I love when you purr my name.”

I hadn’t realized I’d purred, but nonetheless, I loved that he loved the way I said his name.

“I’m walking to my car now. What time will you be over?”

I heard his chuckle, then his answer, “I’m leaving my house in ten.”

Perfect, he’d be there at the same time as me.

“I’ll see you then.”

“Drive safe, baby.”

“You, too, Evan.”

We rang off, and I made my way through the parking lot. I bleeped the lock to my Audi when I felt someone watching me. I quickly glanced around but didn’t see anyone. Though the feeling didn’t subside. I would swear there was someone there; I just couldn’t see them because they didn’t want to be seen.

It wasn’t until I was halfway home that the feeling started to wane, but it wasn’t until I saw Evan’s Ford at the curb in front of my house did I feel safe.