Chapter Thirty-Five
Cole
The flowersI brought to surprise Evangeline with mocked me while they sat on the floor next to her door. I saw Carter walking into her complex when I turned the corner and against my better judgment, I still went to her place to torture myself. I never knocked or let them know I was there, but I sat with my ear close to her door for a half hour and heard more than I ever wanted to hear.
I’m fucked. How can I compete with what they have? I couldn’t hear every word, but even I could tell their relationship has picked up exactly where it left off. When they started opening letters about their son I had to leave. I couldn’t take it anymore.
Now I sit here like a little bitch biting my nails in anticipation for her to walk through the door. I’m not the guy who worries about girls or even chases after them.
Class starts at six and here it is, six-oh-two, and she’s still not here. The feelings running through me are exactly why I don’t date.
This sucks to no end.
Pissed at myself for feeling this way, I shake my head and stand up, ready to start the lecture. I write something on the board, and when I turn around, I see her, standing at the door. She looks just as timid as I feel. The look on her face isn’t promising, so I try to put on my game face and announce, “I’m glad you could join us tonight, Evangeline,” but instantly regret the ticked off tone it comes out as.
She slowly takes her seat, and I start the next few painful hours that I hope will fly by. I used to love seeing her sitting front row but not tonight. I try to keep my head up and my professionalism on point, but nothing seems to be working. My gaze always goes right to her.
I write notes on the board, and when I turn around, I notice Charlie has moved a few seats and is leaning over, whispering something to Evangeline. Instantly my blood starts to boil, and when Charlie looks up, his eyes meet mine, and I swear the prick challenges me.
I look at Evangeline, and by the way her eyes won’t look my way I know whatever just happened, it has to do with her and me.
Thankfully she stays after class and slowly makes her way to my desk.
“What did Charlie say to you in class?”
She bites her bottom lip. “He asked if we had a lovers’ quarrel.”
My head drops to my chest, ashamed. “Fuck, was I that obvious?”
She doesn’t respond, which kills me even more. I stand up from my seat and walk to the opposite side of my desk to be closer to her.
Grabbing her hand, I ask, “Have you had dinner yet?”
She nods.
“Want a ride home then?”
“Yeah, that’d be nice.”
We walk to the car, and on the way home it’s quiet with anticipation that’s killing me.
“So, how was your trip home?” I finally say, trying to break the ice.
“It was really good actually. I got to see my friend that I haven’t seen or talked to in ten years. The town hasn’t changed much, but it was nice to see—”
“Carter,” I interrupt, kicking myself the minute the words left my mouth.
How could I be so stupid?
“That’s not what I was going to say, but yeah, he showed up the last day I was there.”
“And…?”
“And what, Cole?” She shrugs.
I sigh, ready to ask more questions but when I park and look up, Carter is standing outside her complex, waiting for her to come home.
“Looks like you have company,” I say, nodding my head to her door.
