Chapter 12

 

The door opens, and a teary-eyed Everleigh walks out. When she sees me and Haylee hugging, she cries harder. Seeing her mom like that, Haylee looks up at me when I whisper, “We need to give mom a hug.”  Jumping out of my arms, she runs straight toward her as I shove off the couch.  I walk slowly, unsure of what happened in that room. My heart slams into my ribs, threatening to break every one of them.

“Everything ok?” I ask. Everleigh holds Haylee tight before setting her down.

“Nessa is making sundaes. She said you better get in there and help,” Everleigh says, and that was all Haylee needed to hear. She took off running before Everleigh could even finish. I can’t stop the chuckle that escaped me.

“I don’t know what to say to you, Dragon. This isn’t my world. We don’t belong here.” She said no. She said she didn’t want to stay.  I can feel it. I’ve mentally played that over in my head. I didn’t like the idea, but I knew it was a possibility. Nodding, I take a deep breath, stepping back slightly.

“I’ll get you a bus ticket or have one of the guys take you wherever it is you want to go. No questions asked.” I turn around. I need space. I need to walk away, but my stomach is trembling.

“I didn’t say I wanted to leave.” Her voice calms me slightly. Turning back to look at her, she smiles.

“I’ve been in a marriage that I’ve hated and feared since I was eighteen years old. I have wanted out of it since the day he first laid a hand on me but to turn around and jump back into something serious; I don’t know if I can do that.” I understand that, but I’m not sure I’m worth waiting for.

I don’t know why, but I feel like this needs to be said, and now. So I go for it.

“I had a daughter. She was almost Haylee’s age. Me and her mom got into a fight, and she left. There was a car accident not long after. Neither of them made it. I’ve never looked for anything else. I never thought I’d want it. Somehow findin’ someone new wasn’t in the cards for me. Then you showed up, broken and lost lyin’ on my lawn, and I thought for just a second that God was givin’ me a second chance.” Everleigh steps closer to me, grabbing my hand in hers.

“Do you always jump to conclusions like this?” I’m confused, much like I always am. She just said she didn’t think she was ready.

“I’m still married, Dragon. He’s hunting me. I know he is. I never said I didn’t feel something when I’m with you—because I do. I’m just scared, Dragon.” Pulling her into me, I take a deep breath.

“We can go as slow as you want. Fuck, I don’t even know what I’m doin’ anymore, Ev. I’ve never felt a connection like I do with you.” Snuggling her face into my shirt, I hear her inhale deeply.

“I like it when you call me, Ev.” She says with a hint of a smile in her voice. Chuckling, I guess that’s a start.

“Is that anytime, or when I’m fuckin’ you in the shower?” Ev pulls back as her face reddens.

“Anytime. Although, the shower is the sexiest.” Pressing my lips to her forehead, I pull her back into my chest.

“I’m glad you decided to stay. We have a lot to talk about, though. You have to know that I will go after that motherfucker if he comes anywhere near you.” Ev pulls back once more, resting her chin on my chest as she beams up at me.

“They already told me that. They also said that there are things that I shouldn’t ask about, and I won’t. They said that you hold a lot of love inside of you.” I could thank them for what they said, but I don’t know what else they actually did say. It almost makes me laugh.

“What else did they tell you?” Narrowing my eyes at her, she laughs.

“That you’re a good person. You have a good heart, and it’s easily broken. That if I wanted to stay—I need to be sure about you.” The one I could hear saying that is Devil.

“Devil?”  I ask. Ev nods her head with a smile.

“He’s a lot of talk, darlin’. If at any time, you don’t want to be here, say the words. I understand this life isn’t for everyone and you don’t know shit about me. I don’t want you to feel forced in any way to be here, or with me. You want your space, that’s cool. I won’t lie, and say that I don’t feel things and I don’t want to be near you, but I won’t do shit you don’t want to do either.” Her eyes sparkle with understanding. I just hope she doesn’t ask me to stay away from her.

I don’t know if I can.