Of course he had to talk to Mercedes.He didn’t think it was going to be that easy.I don’t think she’ll listen.I said some stupid, hurtful stuff to her, too.
Carli’s eyes widened.“Why?”
Because I was embarrassed and mad.And drunk.
Carli closed her eyes and sat back.“Oh, God.Evan, you are the stupidest drunk I know.Now you really need to talk to her and straighten things out.And apologize for what you said.”
His spine straightened.I have to apologize?What about her telling everyone I’m so stupid I can’t read?
His sister’s eyes blazed into him.“First, stop saying you’re stupid.You’re not, and we both know it.Being a great reader is not the only sign of intelligence.Did Mom and Dad teach you nothing?”
She was right.Their parents hadn’t been college graduates either, but they had good jobs that supported the entire family for years.
Carli pointed in his direction.“Think about this for a second.She’s been helping you with some of your work stuff for years.You told me that yourself a while back.She’s never mentioned it to me, and I was her roommate for a long time.Suddenly, she’s going around sharing your personal information?Does that sound like Mercedes?Does it?”
She had a point, but it didn’t take away the sting of being the butt of her coworker’s jokes.He hung his head and shook it.No, she’s just so smart and so are her friends.
“This isn’t the first time you’ve been in situations like this.You usually get mad but eventually shrug it off.Why is it suddenly bothering you what other people, who you don’t even care about, think?
Evan pondered her questions and gave a shrug.It’s different now.
“What changed?Carli asked.“You’re romantically involved.I know she’s always been special to you, but what exactly do you feel for her?”
I’m in love with her, okay, he blurted out.Which is ridiculous because look at her and look at me.
The smile Carli saved for making sad people feel better showed up.“I am looking at you.You’re a very handsome man who’s sweet and kind at times.You’ve got a good job and decent manners.You try really hard to be the best person you can be, when you aren’t stupid drunk.No one can ask more of you.”
That’s a nice speech, but I’m not the right guy for her.
“How do you know?Have you asked her?”
He hadn’t, and he knew why.She’s the first woman I’ve ever been serious about.I’m scared, Carli.Scared of rejection.
Her fierce expression was intense.“So you rejected her first?That’s a real smart thing to do.”
I told you I’m not very smart.
“About this,” she pointed at him,“I’ll agree.What have you got to lose by telling her how you feel?”
He pressed his lips together.My pride.
Carli shook her head.“Yeah, well, my pride made me walk away from Blake.Sometimes pride is stupid.Don’t make the mistake I did.Give her the chance to explain.”
He didn’t want to lose Mercedes.She was the best person he’d ever had in his life.With his bonehead actions, though, it might not be up to him.
Mercedes made Evan’s favorite meal tonight, though it might not matter if he still wasn’t talking to her.They’d danced around each other yesterday, with him staying out most of the day.In the afternoon, she couldn’t stand the quiet any longer, so she’d gone for a drive to the beach and walked along the sand.It had been a brisk day, but she’d needed the cold air to shake her up a bit.
Today, they’d both gone to work without running into each other.She thought back to this afternoon when she’d blasted Tasha about what she’d done.
“Tasha, what gave you the right to read my emails or texts or however you found out about my sessions with Evan?”
Tasha gazed at her with an air of innocence floating around her.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Really, because Wardell and Ayanna said you told everyone that I was giving Evan reading lessons.”
Tasha’s hand started fluttering like it did when she got nervous.“I might have overheard you telling someone.I didn’t realize it was a secret.”
“I’ve never talked about it at work, so I know you’re lying.And just for clarity, I was helping him interpret some terminology in a heavy equipment book because he has to take a test on it.They weren’t reading lessons.”Not exactly.
