After leaving Evony, I went straight to the person who would know exactly what she was talking about.
Colonel Jake O’Keefe.
They had a flight back to Kansas but he wasn’t going to be leaving without giving me the answers I needed.
It was three in the morning when I banged on his hotel door. It took him a few minutes and when he only opened the door a few inches, his eyes were small angry slits. Well, they are about to get real fucking angry after I get my say.
“What are you doing here, boy? It’s three in the damn morning.”
He opened the door just a little bit more and that was opportunity enough. My punch was swift as it landed over his eye.
“YOU KNEW! HOW COULD YOU?”
“You think I’ll let this slide? Punching a superior officer?”
“I don’t give a shit. You knew she was stripping. Knew she wasn’t living the life I tried to provide for her!”
“She made her choices. Your mother—
“Yeah. My mother. The woman who promised me she’d make sure Evony was taken care of. The woman who lied to me over and over again telling me how happy Evony was and loving her life. What the fuck, man? That girl was my best friend.”
“After what you did for her—
“I don’t care that I killed her father. I’d do it over again and make him suffer for what he’s done to her in her life. With or without having help, which yes, I will always appreciate you for that, that isn’t in dispute. What is, is the fact that the woman who borne me, betrayed me. Evony was the only other person that meant anything to me. And look at her! That’s my girl, Jake. My girl. Don’t you understand that? Is there nothing you wouldn’t do for the person you loved most?”
He sat down and sighed heavily. “Get me some damn ice, would you?”
I gritted my teeth, but did as he asked. The door next door opened and Lieutenant Colonel William Bask nodded his head to me and I let him proceed me into the Colonel’s room.
“What does he need in here?”
“Gavin, I understand. Your dad, William and I were a team when your dad was alive. Along with other men, but Cody was the only one who knew. He really found out by happenstance. William and I were careful.”
I looked between them and holy shit. Did not see that coming. Jake put his hand on the Lieutenant Colonel’s neck and looked at him with what I guessed was love. Then he looked back at me.
“I am sorry. Your mother told me you two were good friends, but since you were so much older than her that it wouldn’t really matter too much to you or her.”
“Well, you thought fucking wrong, didn’t you? That little girl was my world. I beat her father to death. I feel no remorse over that. If that meant going to jail, hell. I’d go to that limit for her. That’s how special she was—is to me. Now, I don’t know how to get through to her. She should have never had to do what she’s doing now. Never should have had to drop out of school at fucking sixteen! That’s my girl, Jake. I’m not losing her again.”
“You know he’s right, Jake. We should have never interfered in their lives. Look at us? We didn’t let anybody stop us. Not even the Army.”
“They suspect, but they don’t know for sure.”
“Jake.”
“Billy. I thought I was doing what was best for him.”
“Yeah, well, he is me and I’d like to think I controlled my own life.”
“Alright. Sorry. Now for the love of God, since we’re awake, could we please go get breakfast? I’m fucking starving and we got a flight to catch in a few hours.”
I wish I could ask why my mother did it, but there was no chance of that ever happening. I hadn’t slept yet, but I wanted to send them off. Now that I knew their secret, whoa. Blew my mind. I never suspected that. I don’t really get the politics of the Army, but I didn’t think they’d have any lingering issues with their relationship. Especially after being together for so damn long. Not to mention the service.
We went to IHOP near the airport and it was already dawn. I purposefully put a tracking device on Evony’s Mustang so I’d could know where she was going throughout the day. Was that bad? Probably. But when she talked about teaching a class—even pole dancing—she sounded excited about it. I wouldn’t mind seeing her dance. Not in front of a bunch of lewd men but last night on that dance floor she was magnificent. I’ll hand her that. I’ve been to strip clubs and I can guarantee no one danced like she did. Hell, she could be a professional dancer the way she moved.
She said she had a class in Houston. I’d love to see her teach. If she looked anything like she did last night, God. Seeing her up on that stage was mind blowing. She’s sexy as fuck on that stage. I had to admit that. Her dance moves and strip tease made my dick harden to titanium. Then she started taking off her clothes and the thought of every other dick in that room hardening because of her made mine fade quicker than a tornado in a trailer park.
Her body was stunning. She had a long torso, those sky high heels made her short legs look long. Her ass was high, perky and round. Her breasts the same. Her nipples never hardened but then having men objectify you must not be very arousing. Because last night back in my room I felt those sharp little tips as I kissed her. She felt perfect in my arms. Any brotherly thoughts I’ve ever had flew out the window the moment I saw her at the funeral. She was just so perfect. Then at Gentleman’s Fancy. Sweet Jesus, she had such a sweet little body. After all this time, I was her first kiss. I kissed her cheek dozens of time when we were kids but last night my kisses were anything but innocent. I wanted her as a man wanted a woman. Fiercely.
Even with the French script written on her body, it looked perfectly placed. ‘You’re only a memory’ ran down between her breasts, ending right at her navel that had a small glittering jewel in it.
Her waist was small, but her hips were wide, made for a man’s large hands to hold. My fucking hands.
And her hair. I loved her hair when she was a little girl and I was glad to see she kept it long and silky. She seemed to keep it braided and it made me wonder what her black mane would look like spread over my pillows.
I would love to take her back to my home in Kansas. Would she be willing? Maybe get out of here for a while and see how life could be? Maybe make it permanent?
After meeting Evony, I never imagined my life without her. Of course back then it was only in friendship. I never thought I’d feel like I’d want her in an intimate way, but I did. I do. I want her all for myself. I don’t want her to strip or do anything else with any man except me.
“Gavin?”
I was shaken out of my reverie by the Colonel’s voice.
“Yes, sir?”
The earlier punch in the face long forgotten because he knew how I felt about her. He’d always been there for me when I had needed guidance.
“If you pursue her, it will be like catching wind.”
“Maybe, but I know her. Deep down to the bone, know her.”
“Do you even know where she is?”
“Right now? Yes. I put a tracker on her car.” I looked at my phone and opened the app an Army buddy designed and saw where the tracker was. “Still at her trailer.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear what you just said.”
“It’s not anything Army made.”
“Still sounds stalkerish, son.”
“She’s going to Houston today for a class, I want to see her.”
“Alright. Get out of here then. Try and see her before she leaves.”
I put a few bills down and got out of the booth we sat in.
“Thank you, for telling me the truth.”
“Your mom really did think she was doing what was best for you.”
I nodded, not ready to get on the subject of my mother yet.
“Gentlemen. Two weeks.”
They nodded and I walked away. Ready to go see Evony.
Not that I didn’t feel shame and guilt for not even trying to get a hold of her. I was a grown fucking man.
Now…now I was going to show her just how grown up we both were.
It took a little over an hour with traffic to get back to Dayton and I turned down the dirt road to the trailers. I wouldn’t say our trailers because I hadn’t lived here in a long time and I hoped when it was time for me to go, she would come with me. I knew how much I had to make up for. And I wasn’t going to waste any time.
When I saw her mustang in the drive I was surprised to see it. I thought she said she had a class in Houston around noon. It was almost eleven. She would have a heck of a drive ahead of her if she hadn’t left yet.
I went up to her door and knocked. Waited and knocked again when there was no answer.
“Evony! Mrs. Summers?” I hated to even acknowledge her mother but if it got me to Evony, I didn’t give a damn.
“EVONY!”
A few minutes later I was about ready to try her bedroom window when a scantily dressed Mrs. Summers opened the door.
Oh, God. The look she gave me almost made me laugh.
“Never gonna happen, Mrs. Summers. Where’s Evony?”
“What time is it?”
“Almost eleven.”
“Then she’s already on her way to Houston.”
“No, she’s not. Her car is still here.”
“What?” She came outside and looked to where their cars sat. “Hmm…hey! She’s blocking my car!”
“Really? That’s your first thought? God, I left Evony so fucking alone, didn’t I?”
“She survived.”
“Barely.”
“Tit-for-tat. I don’t know where she is then. There isn’t anyone in this trailer park I’d sleep with so I know she probably wouldn’t either.”
“Thanks.” I stepped down when a door from the trailer across from here opened and an older woman, not much older than Mrs. Summers came out.
“Thank God you’re here. That, that, woman was trying to break into your home!”
“Excuse me?”
“That little tramp tried breaking into your momma’s home. But oh boy was I waiting for something to call the cops on her for.”
It didn’t take me but a few long strides and I had to keep extreme control not to throttle this woman.
“Never, and I mean never, let me hear you call her that again. Or any other name.”
“But! But!”
“I don’t give a fuck about your excuses. You people make me fucking sick. She wasn’t breaking and entering.”
“Yes, she was. I caught it all on my phone.”
“Where’s your phone?”
“The cops had to take it as evidence.”
“Listen carefully, if anything happens to her, you better hide. I’ve killed before and there’s some people here I wouldn’t mind putting them in their place. So you better watch your back, old lady.”
“Oh my goodness! Get on out of here! I was just trying to keep your mother’s place—
“Ain’t nobody wanna hear you run your mouth, you old crotchety bitch.”
Mrs. Summers words went passed me and the old woman turned mean and ready to shout right back, but I interrupted her.
“Get back in your house, ma’am, if you know what’s good for you.”
She slammed back into her home.
I turned and made my way to my truck.
“Where’s the jailhouse?”
“Down the road, you can’t miss it.”
“Oh, change of heart, have you?”
“No, but she’s never been to jail before and I don’t want that on my conscience also.”
“What conscience?”
“Exactly.”
Even if she tried to hide it, I saw the guilt written deep in her eyes. Obviously she thinks it’s too late to change.
“Mrs. Summers, if you love your daughter, you’d change. What’s gonna happen if she gets married? Has kids? Don’t you want to meet your grandchildren?”
“Too late for that.”
“It’s never too late to change. You’re gonna miss being the mom you could have been.”
Then I turned and walked back to my truck. I’d never understand some women. I got in my truck and found her leaning again the small railing on the steps, looking at me with an emotionless expression on her face.
I needed to get Evony out of this place. But first, I headed towards the county jailhouse. Breaking and entering? What did she need at the trailer? Thinking back I don’t remember her leaving anything—oh fuck. Her stripper bag.
I got there and when I asked for Evony Summers, the clerk on duty smirked before picking up the phone. Then an officer walked around and he looked vaguely familiar.
“Gavin! How you doing, bro?”
“I’m good, thanks. Sorry, can’t place your name.”
“Ethan Womack. We played soccer together.”
“Oh, yes. How are you?”
“So much better now.” He turned to the clerk and said, “So who’s looking for my little Evony?”
His little Evony. What the hell?
He pointed over towards me and I knew the look on my face was bordering on rage, but I was able to keep a tight rein on it.
“You? Why do you need to see her?”
“It was my mother’s trailer she allegedly broke in to.’
“Allegedly? We have proof.”
“Who does that trailer belong to?”
“Your mother.”
“Actually, no it doesn’t. When I got into the service I eventually had it transferred into my name so I could pay it off for my mother. And I’m not pressing charges.”
“Well, she has other charges against her.”
“And those would be?”
“Something that she needs to take up with her lawyer. If she can find one to take her.”
“Hmm…I know someone.”
I turned away and called the Colonel.
“We’re about to board, Major.”
“I need the Lieutenant Colonel. He’s still a defense lawyer, yes?”
“What did you do?”
“Not me. Evony.”
“What did she do?”
“I don’t know and officer fucktard isn’t telling. Just get to Liberty County Jail please.”
“On our way.”
I disconnected the call and looked back towards Ethan who had his jaw clicked tight with rage. I don’t give a shit if he overheard my conversation. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to bar my way from seeing Evony either.
“Can I at least see her?”
Then it was like this calm settled over him and he shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t see why not.”
He took me back towards the visitor’s booths.
Then a moment later, Evony came out, wearing a fucking orange jump suit. Then I got a good look at her face. Her bruised fucking face.
I knew my face was turning red, probably purple with uncontrollable rage. No one, and I mean no one laid a hand on my girl.
She sat down and just shook her head, rolling her eyes.
I picked up the phone and indicated that she should too. She rolled her neck around. And slowly as you please, picked up the phone.
“Can I help you, Gavin?”
“Yes, you can tell me what these other two charges are against you. And tell me who the fuck touched you.”
“Oooh, so angry. Ha. There are three and don’t worry about my face. It’ll heal. It’s not the first.”
“No, only two. I’m not pressing charges and you will tell me who touched you.”
“It’s your mothers trailer and she’s a town official.”
“My name is on that trailer. I thought I was taking care of my mother but it seems like I’ve been misguided. Evony, who did that to you? When I left you, you didn’t have any bruises or scrapes on your face.”
“Misguided, huh? Sucks for you.”
“Evony. Try and be serious.”
“Ha. What makes you think I’m not?”
“We need to bail you out and I have a lawyer coming.”
“Uh, no.”
“What do you mean no?”
“I don’t want a lawyer. If I wanted a lawyer I’d get one. Trust me, Ethan’s only doing this because he can keep me here for seventy-two hours.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because he wants to fuck me. And I’ve rejected him. Several times.”