Her non-negotiables were another reminder why she was the only option. Her family loyalty was everything I respected and always wanted.
I groaned, already imagining how that conversation was going to go and knowing I was likely going to have to dodge a fair fewstrayhits in boxing. She grinned, brushing her wild curls from her face, and her eyes sparkled as if she could read my mind.
“If my brother agrees, we have a deal,” she shrugged, her smile slightly evil. She knew this was the first hurdle and it was damn high.
“Well, that shouldn’t be an issue,” I replied with forced sarcasm and this time we both laughed.
I was overcome with a sudden urge to hug her again. To pull her into me like I used to do so easily. My gratitude was instant, but it was the contentment I felt with her which was my favourite part.
“I will also need a ring.” She said, murmuring how she couldn’t believe she was agreeing to this.
“Only the best for my fiancée,” I joked, before pausing and adding a serious tone to my next words. “Thanks, Evy.” It had been almost fifteen years since I’d spent any quality time with her, but it felt as though no time had passed at all.
Her soft, “You’re welcome,” mumbled almost shyly. “Thank me once he agrees,” she added, her tone laced with a humour which told me she lacked all confidence in my persuasive abilities. But there was nothing I loved more than a fight and this was one I was desperate to win.
“Let’s go see him now,” I exclaimed suddenly, wanting to get this over and done with. There was no time like the present. “Unless you have plans?”
She took a step back and pulled her hair over one shoulder. “That works. I was heading over for dinner anyway and I definitely want to be there to watch him decimate you,” she giggled, and I paused, wishing I could bottle that nostalgic sound and replay it every morning before I first opened my eyes. It was melodic and instantly brightened my mood just like it always had. For a moment I just stared at her, trying to piece the cute little girl from all those years ago with the woman who stood before me now. Confident, stoic and calm.
“What?” She asked, her eyes darting around nervously, suddenly uncertain.
“Nothing. You just aren’t a kid anymore, are you?” I questioned softly.
She stilled, her face losing the playful lilt of moments ago.
“Nope, not a kid,” she retorted abruptly, her voice sounding like ice as any warmth evaporated from her eyes.
What the fuck?
Just as I went to ask what I’d done, her phone rang, and she flicked the screen towards me where it clearly displayed her brother’s name.
“Hey, Sebby,” she greeted with renewed happiness.
“Yep, leaving now. Is it okay if Cooper comes too?” She asked, listening to his reply before she gestured towards the door, indicating I should follow, although I noticed the way she avoided meeting my eye. I was going regardless, and thoughts of what I’d done to upset her were shelved as I began thinking of ways to tell my mate I was going to pretend to date his very attractive, very much off-limits little sister.
CHAPTER 8
Eva
“You good, Evy?”
I dug my nails into my palm, willing myself not to cry.
I hated this place.
I wanted to go back to the safety of my primary school. Where I knew all my teachers. Where I knew my way around the buildings, bathrooms and the library like the back of my hand.
I fidgeted with the thick waistband of my stupid, ugly skirt. I'd already rolled it twice because it was much longer than everyone else's and still it wasn’t sitting properly. Mum made it herself because she didn't have enough money to buy both Sebastian and I uniforms this year. But the button was on the wrong side and the colour was a slightly different red making me more of a target than my stupid glasses already did.
“I'm good.” I sniffed, nowhere near okay, standing so close to the building I was hoping to become one of the bricks.
“Where are your friends?”
I wanted to scream and tell him I had none. That I would rather sit in the library and do my algebra homework than try to talk to anyone my own age. Maybe even ask him if it was those types of things which made everyone here think I was weird.
Or what it meant when someone calledme a ‘Waylay’.
So many questions and for once, no energy to ask any of them.
