He shrugged.Maybe I misread some of the conversation, but she was definitely asking about us having sex.You looked upset and said something with the word stupid.I know we’re not actually doing it, and never will, but I guess I got a little hotheaded about the comment.
Did he really think they’d never get there?That made her sad.I never said what you thought.She asked about us sleeping together but wanted to know if it was different because you were Deaf.I told her I wouldn’t answer the question because it was stupid.That was thenoyou saw.
He shuffled his feet, and his lips twisted to the side.Oh, okay.Sorry again.Guess I misunderstood.You didn’t interpret it, so I figured I was right.
I didn’t interpret it because you were in the other room, but also because it was a crude question and I was embarrassed.I’m sorry you didn’t have a good time tonight.She hadn’t really either, mostly because she was worried about him.
Thanks for clearing that up.He glanced around the now clean kitchen.Heading to bed.Good night.
Her heart dropped as he walked out.She’d been hoping they’d get to that kiss again, but with his mood, and hers, it wasn’t going to happen.
Chapter Eleven
The last few days had been awkward between Evan and Mercedes, and he hated it.Where was the safe, enjoyable relationship they’d had for years?Okay, he’d always been super aware of her, but it had never been uncomfortable.They were good friends.
Dinner tonight had been leftover meatballs from the party.They’d eaten quietly, and she’d moved to the living room to read a book before he’d even been done.Usually, they chatted for a bit throughout supper, but it hadn’t happened.
He cleaned up the dinner dishes, washed, and put everything away afterward.He even spent extra time scrubbing the counters from the sauce spills he’d made when he filled his rolls.Mercedes glanced over a few times but remained silent.She looked sad, though, not mad.Did she think he was upset with her, because of what happened at the party?He figured she was ticked off because he’d walked out halfway through.Maybe it was time to bridge the gap.
She had a stack of books on the end table, so he picked one up and plopped onto the couch next to her.He flipped through the pages, pretending to read.He stopped at a phrase here or there, but the words rambled and he got bored.He glanced over at Mercedes.She was staring at him.
“I love that book.Have you read it?”
Evan gave a curt nod and shrugged.
“What was your favorite part?”
She was actually talking to him and excited.This was better.He took a quick peek at the title.The Grapes of Wrath.Crap.Wing it, stupid.
“Well, I always loved grapes.Green are my favorite—though I’ll have purple if I have to.I like that they make wine.”He voiced so maybe she’d feel like she was having a real book discussion.He knew she loved that kind of stuff.
Her face softened, and her nose wrinkled as she laughed.“Silly.Really, what did you think of it?”
Double crap.He’d obviously guessed wrong.What had he seen when he’d been flipping through?He opened to an early page and did a quick scan.Oh, man, this was painful.He stood and dropped the book on the couch.“A turtle crossing the road.Doesn’t keep my interest.How do you read this rubbish?”
Her lips turned down and she sighed, which made him feel like a turd.He reached for hisHeavy Equipmentbook.Might as well see if he could focus long enough to get through a few pages.Attempting to make peace, he held the book up.“If I want to get a promotion or make more money, this is what I need to be reading.Sorry I’m not the literary sort.”
Her sweet smile warmed him.“No one said you had to be the literary type or even read the same books that I like.We’re all different, but different isn’t bad, Evan.I hope you know that.”
He gave her one of his charming grins, the one that usually got him out of trouble with his family.“Thanks.I guess I get a little defensive when it comes to reading and being smart.I don’t have a fancy degree from an expensive college.”
“You don’t need to.I still like you.”
Heat rose in his face and neck.What the heck was that from?He was blushing.Because a girl said she liked him.Was he twelve?“You’re okay, too.”He had to get back to teasing her, or it would get weird again.
She nodded, and he nodded, then they both went back to looking at their books.He managed a few pages about safety issues—he’d had those rules drilled into him from his boss a million times—but math formulas for area and volume?He’d never get through this.He didn’t even understand what half of these words meant.
Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back on the couch.A few moments later, something touched his arm.Mercedes had slid closer.“Are you okay?”
“Some of this stuff is harder than I want to work.You know how lazy I am.”Best to make fun of himself first before anyone else did.
Instead of laughing, she squinted at him.“What are you talking about?You aren’t lazy.I’ve seen how dirty you are when you come home, so unless you’re rolling around in the mud at work, you’re doing something.Plus, I’ve seen you play baseball, and you help me fix stuff around here and at your parents’ place.Not lazy.”
He did put in an effort, so why did it often feel like he still couldn’t do things?He could have used a cheerleader like Mercedes when he was in school.Could he confide in her?Tell her the absolute truth?What’s the worst that could happen?She’d laugh at him and make him feel bad.Plenty of other people had done it.He just wasn’t sure if he could handle it from Mercedes.She wouldn’t, though.He knew her too well, and she didn’t have a mean bone in her body.
Pushing aside his book, he faced her and took a deep breath.“I can’t read.”
She froze and stared at him strangely.“What are you talking about?I’ve seen you read.I’ve left notes for you and texted you.You text me back, so you can not only read, you can write.”
