Chapter 5 Now
I don't know what shocked me more. The fact that Evie Perez was standing in front of me, or that I drunk dove into the water at my sister's wedding. I didn't really have time to process though, because Wes was hauling me away, and into the small building we were in earlier. I went willingly, but it didn't stop me from looking over my shoulder. I was smashed, but I'd know that woman any where.
When Wes and I were safely shut behind the door, I was waiting for him to let me have it. To tell me I'd ruined Zoe's perfect day. And I deserved it, I really did. But I needed to see Evie. I needed answers. “Look Wes-” I started, but he held his hand up stopping me.
“There's a change of clothes in the closet. I brought them for me, so I didn't have to spend all night in this monkey suit, but it looks like you need em more than me brother.”
“I- thank you.” I stammered, turning towards the closet.
“Oh, and buddy before you go out there and make an ass out of yourself with the girl, you might want to swish around a little mouthwash.”
“It's Evie.” I said, in a way of an explaination. I told Wes all about her when he enlisted, and he was by my side when she disappeared. So having him here now, helping me get my shit together, meant a lot to me. If anyone understood what it was like to love someone whole heartedly it was Wes.
“I know brother.” He said, patting me on the shoulder. “Go get her.”
And just like that, he was gone. I took a deep breath, and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were red, and I could barely stand straight. The water had woken me up, but it didn't wash away the stench of alcohol that seemed to permeate from me. I peeled my wet clothes off tossing them to the floor, and walked stark naked to the closet. I found a pair of Wes' jeans, and a white tee shirt. I decided to leave the boxers alone, and go it commando. There were some things you just don't share with someone, even your best friend.
After splashing water on my face, and using the small bar of soap to cover some of the ocean's scent I took a deep breath. It was now, or never, and I hoped like hell that when I walked back out onto that beach that Evie was still there.
I found her easy enough, she was standing beside Zoe laughing at something Wes had said. I couldn't help but smile at the sound, it had been years since I'd heard it, and I missed it. She looked beautiful in a pink flowy dress, her dark curls hanging down to the middle of her back. It was short, the last time I seen her. I made my way slowly toward the trio, clearing my throat quietly when I reached them.
Zoe reached for Wes' hand, and mumbled something about needing to talk to the caterer, leaving Evie and I alone, face to face, for the first time in almost three years. “You look good Evie.” I said, awkwardly running my hand through my dampened hair. “ How are you, how have you been?”
“Do you want to go somewhere and talk?” She asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. It was a nervous habit, one that I had come to think was adorable, and I couldn't help but smile.
“I'd like that.”
The two of us walked a ways down the beach, away from any prying eyes, or ears, and when Evie sat down in the sand, I sat down beside her. “I imagine you have a lot of questions.” She said, nervously.
“You could say that.”
“Look. I'm sorry about the way I left things. I should have left a note, or something. I know you were probably worried. I know I would have been.”
“So why didn't you? Why did you just run away? What happened?” I asked, the anger rising in my voice with each unanswered question.
“Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.” She said, standing, and turning away from me.
I tried to keep a level head. I tried to remember where I was, and to think about how losing my grip on my sister's wedding day wasn't an option, but I couldn't. She ran away. She left without saying one God damned word, and now she's acting like she doesn't owe me some kind of explaination? I couldn't take it anymore. “Maybe you running away from your feelings like a coward wasn't such a good idea!” I said with bite. “Did you ever think about that?” I regretted the harshness, the minute her shoulders slumped, and she began to cry.
I wanted to reach for her, to turn her around and pull her into my arms like I used to do to comfort her, but too many years had passed. I wasn't even sure if I knew who she was anymore. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone off like that.” I said on a sigh.
“No. I'm sorry. You have every right to be angry. I messed everything up Jake, and I've been paying for it ever since.” She sobbed, still facing away from me.
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I slowly spun her around to face me. Tears were streaming down her face, and she quickly covered her eyes with her hands. I couldn't help it, I reached for her, pulled her into my chest, and let her cry. Her sobs only got louder then, and when she wrapped her arms around my waist, squeezing tightly, I smiled. It had been over two years, and yet I still remembered the way her body fit against mine, like we were made to fit together.
“Lets get out of here huh? Go grab a cup of coffee at that all night diner you were always so fond of?” I asked, in an attempt to stop her tears.
Before she had the chance to answer, the sound of a man clearing his throat had her pulling away from me. “Sorry to interrupt..” He started, looking a bit disheveled. “It's just, the sitter called, and uh Gabe's not feeling well.”
I looked from Evie, to the man now standing directly in front of us, and was suddenly hit with a realization. Not only had Evie moved on, and found love, but she also had a child. I wanted to say something, anything, but instead it felt like I'd just swallowed a glass of sand from the beach. I opened my mouth, but the words just wouldn't form. Instead, I turned and began to walk away. I could hear Evie calling my name faintly from somewhere behind, but I kept walking. I thought I was ready for some kind of explaination, but clearly I wasn't.
I managed to make it all the way to the other side of the beach, and into my car without anyone following me, and I was grateful. I had a lot of questions running through my head, and I just ran away from the woman who held all the answers. The longer I sat in my car, with my hands on my steering wheel, the worse I felt. I had just done the same thing to Evie, that she had done to me, only I didn't know how to find her again.
I started to panic then. What if she left again? What if she never came back? What if I never found the answers that I so desperately needed? I had to go back. There was no other option. Unless.. maybe she already left. Getting out of my car, I ran as a fast as I could in the direction I'd just come from. I heard the murmurs of guests as I brushed past them rather uncerimoniously. I had almost made it back to the spot on the beach when Zoe stopped me.
“She left this.” She said, handing me a small scrap of paper.
“Her number.” I said, shoving the paper into my pocket. “I screwed up Zoe.”
“You were upset, it's only human Jake. Listen, I don't know all the details about you and Evie, but she showed up here tonight for a reason, and it wasn't for my wedding. Do yourself a favor. Go home, get some rest, sleep off the booze, and call her in the morning. I love you.” She said, pulling me in for a hug.
“I love you to Hermana.” I said, kissing her on her cheek. “I'm sorry I ruined your reception.”
“You didn't ruin anything. In fact, you helped me out in a way.”
“How's that?”
“You took Wes' only change of clothes for the night. Makes my honeymoon that much easier.” She winked.
“I am so glad you two are off to Hawaii for a week. Even though it's been over a year, it's still hard getting used to my sister and my best friend.” I teased, pretending to get chills.
“Get out of here.” She laughed, giving me a little shove, before turning away, and returning to her new husband.