Chapter Thirty-Seven
Evangeline
My phone dingswith a text message from Carter.
Please talk to me.
Why, Carter? I told you, we can’t just pick up where we left off. There’s just too much history between us.
Do you remember the time we spent down at the lake when I got my acceptance letter?
I sigh, dropping my head back against my couch. How could I forget? Our whole relationship started with that one night.
Of course I do.
That’s why. I loved you even before that night. And when you found out I was leaving you were scared. I saw it in your eyes. I see that same fear every time I see you now.
I close my eyes, fighting the burn of the tears that want to come alive.
It’s been ten years, yet nothing has changed.
Yes, it has. Everything has changed.
No, Evangeline. Nothing has. You knew it when I kissed you. Please don’t fight it anymore. Please don’t punish me for going away.
I’m not punishing you.
I promised you I’d come back for you, and we’d stand at the starting line together. I’ve kept my promise.
He sends me a picture that nearly rips me in two. I had joked around our last night before he left saying once we were able to get back together we should add to our tattoos. At that point, we could turn our starting line into an infinity sign with the line running through it, to prove our line is as thick as steel and nothing could ever break it.
He got the tattoo.
I sit in silence, staring at the picture. I can’t believe he remembered.
Can I please come over? I’ll make you an early dinner.
Okay.
Is all I responded after a few minutes. I couldn’t think of what else to say. Biting my inner lip, I stare out the window of my place. Maybe it’s time to finally open that side of me again.
Cole
After spendingall day Sunday sulking by myself, I finally got shit-faced drunk until I passed out on my couch.
She hasn’t answered any of my calls, and today is a holiday, so our class is canceled. Saturday night was bad, but I thought I’d give it one more shot to see if I have any chance of winning her affection.
I’m sure her work is closed too, so I took a chance and headed to her place, hoping I could surprise her and take her out for dinner. What I didn’t plan on was Carter beating me to the punchline.
I didn’t see his car, but after knocking on her door, she answered only for me to see Carter standing right there in her kitchen. I look around the room and by the empty plates on her table and the sink full of dishes I can tell he’s been here awhile.
“Hey,” I say to her.
“Hi,” she responds, glancing back at Carter before me.
I hate to see the two sets of eyes both searching mine for an answer. Carter sets the towel down he was holding, and Evangeline takes a deep breath in, gripping the door like she’s waiting to slam it shut if things arise.
And yes, she would slam it shut on me in a heartbeat. I can see it in her eyes.
