He often wondered if he’d still be as stupid if he’d gone to the deaf school that Carli and Deanna had gone to.They’d both managed to get into—and complete—college.Carli had even gone on to get her Master’s degree.Evan had barely managed to graduate high school.Was he really an idiot, or had being around all deaf students and teachers given his sisters an advantage?He’d never know.
He had to stop with the negativity.He wasn’t stupid.He’d been able to learn lots of stuff on his job.But he still sucked at reading and therefore writing.He lowered his eyes to the book again, hoping they wouldn’t glaze over as always.
The diagrams helped him figure some of the instructions out, but still too many of the words and sentences confused him.The exhaustion he’d felt in school crawled back in and made him close his eyes and sigh.Lazy.That’s what some of the staff had called him.He didn’t pay attention long enough to get the information inside his brain.He couldn't help it if he zoned out when the text was too hard for him to understand.
A slight vibration got his attention.Mercedes glanced his way, concern on her lovely features.“Do you need help with anything in that book?”
Her comment about the calendar with the guys reading “real” books and not comic books slid back into his mind.He’d never admit it, but the comment had cut him deeply, had made him feel embarrassed at how low his reading level was.She sat there with some big book in her lap as she waited for his answer.As much as he’d love for her to sit next to him and guide him through the text he was unsure of, he hated appearing stupid in her eyes.He couldn’t bring himself to do it, ask her for help.Not right now.He didn’t need her pity.
Clenching his jaw, he stood and tossed his book on the coffee table.
As he walked into the kitchen, he said, “It’s fine.” Even though it wasn’t.He hunted through the fridge for something to nibble on and peeked back into the living room.Mercedes sat, book in her lap, a frown on her face.
Great.He’d screwed that up, too.Could he win at all when it came to her?Even though she was Carli’s friend first, they’d also been friends for a long time.He and Carli were only fifteen months apart.They’d shared quite a few friends, and Mercedes had been the best of them.There were many times that he’d come over here just to hang out with Mercedes even when his sister wasn’t here.
Now that he lived here, why was it any different?Were they spending too much time together.Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?Should he be absent more often?Yet it was also his home now.He shouldn’t have to stay away to make things more comfortable.
Was he being overly emotional about the reading thing?Overanalyzing their new roommate relationship?Possibly.He grabbed a Swiss Roll from the fridge and opened the package that held two of the chocolaty treats.Might as well share.
Back in the living room, he took one and set the other one—still in the wrapper, because he’d forgotten a napkin and she hated mess—on the table next to her.“There are two.”
When she gazed up at him, the smile on her face nearly knocked him over.It didn’t hold any of the negative emotion he’d just been thinking about.It was pure beauty and grace.
“Thanks.You know I love these.”
He nodded, then settled back on the couch.Once he’d devoured the Swiss Roll, wishing he’d kept the second one, he picked up the remote and turned the TV on.Mercedes threw him another perfect smile, then focused on her book again.Okay, having her look at him that way was definitely worth giving up the other Swiss Roll.
Chapter Five
The dim lights of the bar flickered and brightened slightly.Evan smiled, happy the manager accommodated them during their Deaf Night Out.If it was too dark, it was hard to see what his friends were signing.
He and Mercedes had taken the train into Boston and met Blake and Carli here.Blake was getting them all drinks while Evan saved them a table.This place had been sponsoring DNO for years and usually allowed them to push a bunch of tables together so they could all hang out in the same area.
Tonight, so far, there were at least a dozen Deaf friends and acquaintances here.Evan scoped out the room and noted Adam walking in with Brian and the cute Asian girl who was a very outspoken Deaf Pride advocate.He had a feeling she wasn’t aware that Brian was hearing.When big brother came along, he used ASL the whole night, even when speaking with another hearing person.The thought amused him, wondering what this woman—he couldn’t remember her name—would do if she ever found out.Brian always seemed amused by her as well.
With a drink in each hand, Blake and Carli returned.
Blake’s mouth moved, and Evan was pretty sure he’d said, “Here you go.”With the drinks, he hadn’t been able to sign.He was making such a great effort to learn his future wife’s language, Evan had to give him lots of points.
Is one of those for me?Adam signed as he approached the tables.
No, get your own drink.Evan pulled his draft closer, knowing his ex-roommate had a habit of drinking anything he could find.Why had he ever moved in with the guy?
Adam turned toward Brian, directing him to grab him a beer when he went to the bar.Always mooching off someone.Evan had covered groceries more times than he could count because Adam was often short money until payday.
“Should we order some appetizers?” Mercedes signed.“I love the sweet and sour meatballs they have here.”
Evan nodded and glanced at the printed list on the table.“How about some loaded potato skins and wings, too?”
Carli grinned and bobbed her fist up and down in a “yes.”
Over the next hour, they all snacked and drank and chatted.Adam had cornered him once he’d munched down his share of the food.
How are the new living arrangements?I’ve been told your roommate is a clean freak.
She likes the place tidy.Can’t say it’s a bad thing.Evan had to admit living with Mercedes was far better than his old situation.
Adam downed the rest of his beer and frowned.I’m so sick of living with my parents.They treat me like a four-year-old and have all these stupid rules.I didn’t like them years ago, and I don’t like them now.Not to mention, they got rid of my old bed, and the couch is as lumpy as a pile of rocks.
