“Why are you calling at this hour? Is everything okay,” Evie’s voice finally answers after my third attempt at getting through.

“I’m just about to leave Brooklyn Medical & Urgent Care, and I think Court could use a friend.”

“Elliot, what happened?”

“We got home, back to her place and she found her mom unconscious and bleeding on the bathroom floor.” I take a deep breath, trying to regain some sort of composure. “And we got here and I guess you could say I found out why she keeps her cards so close.”

“You know about her sister?”

“I shouldn’t be surprised you know,” I say accusingly. “Anyway, I can’t be here, or around her right now; but I’m not a complete asshole. She needs you.”

“Okay, I’m getting ready as we speak. Lior will drop me off.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem, just don’t leave till I get there. I want to see you.” With no energy to argue, I drag the cell off my ear and place it on the seat next to me. I shouldn’t be surprised, I knew she’d break me, I just didn’t think I would be the one to walk away.

* * *

“Hey.” Someone kicks my foot, and my eyes fly open as my body jolts. There standing in front of me is Lior, looking as disheveled as I feel.

“Hey man, thanks for coming.” He nods and I stand up, toe to toe with him. “Is Evie with her?” I ask.

“Yeah, she went straight in.” I see the concern written all over his face, but I’m too tired to indulge in conversation.

“I’m gonna head off,” I tell him. “Tell Evie I appreciate her coming.”

“Do you need a ride? I can take you home,” he offers.

“It’s okay, I’m not good company right now and you should stay here anyway.”

“Come on,” he says ignoring my warning. “I’ll text Evie and let her know. I’m sure it will be awhile till Court leaves her mom anyway.” At the mention of her mom, my curiosity is piqued. Did everyone know but me?

The drive back to my place is quiet until Lior’s meddling interrupts the silence.

“What are you going to do?”

“Did I miss something? What do you mean, am I going to do something?” My voice rises in irritation, and I have to remind myself he’s already going out of his way to take me home, and I don’t need to bite his head off.

“I’m just asking, is it over? Completely?”

I think about what he’s asking and realize I don’t have the answer. I can’t switch my feelings off, but I also don’t know what needs to be done to make it okay. It seems like when we’re together we’re both on the same page, but when the rest of the world gets its claws in, everything gets crazy and cluttered. The only thing that keeps echoing in my mind is she loves me. She said it. And I felt it. In my heart, my veins, my skin; I know she meant it, but I can’t help the fact it doesn’t change anything. Sometimes it’s easier to admit defeat and call it a night. Not all things are meant to last, at least I know we tried.

“I just think you should at least talk it through, hear her side.” His comment reminds me I didn’t answer his first question.

“Maybe.”

“Definitely, not maybe. She deserves for you to hear her out, just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean it’s over.”

“Who are you, Dr.Phil?”

“Whatever man, do what you want. Just remember punishing her won’t make you feel any better. You’re still going to be miserable without her.”

I lean my head back on the headrest and close my eyes and try to process the evening. It’s like day and night. One minute, I planned on getting her into bed, worshipping her and reminding her there’s nobody else in the world I would rather be with. And in the next breath, my future looks so dismal. Bleak. And I hate that I’m angry with her because I made plans. My mind got away from me and I visualized our future. And now it’s burned into my brain and no amount of anger will get rid of it.

“Did you know?” I ask, surprising the both of us.

“Know what?”

“About her sister or her mom, any of it?” I say, frustration bubbling out of me.

“No, I didn’t, not until I got a very short and sugar-coated version on the way to the hospital tonight. You know how serious Evie is about everyone telling their story in their own time.”

And usually I am too… Hell, I waited years for Evie to utter a word about James to me. So, why is this different? Maybe it isn’t that we’ve lived through similar experiences, but rather why she wasn’t comfortable enough to tell me.

After a long fifteen minutes of silence, we finally arrive outside my apartment, and I can’t wait to be alone. Opening the door, I climb out and close the door behind me. The window slides down as Lior leans over to say something. “You should talk to her,” he urges.

“Maybe. Can you do me a favor?”

“Yeah, man, whatever you need.”

“If she needs anything, can you guys promise to be there for her?”

“Of course. This is Evie we’re talking about, she’s not going to leave her side.”

“Okay, thanks. I appreciate the lift.” He nods, and I raise my hand before turning and making my way to the apartment.

Stepping through the doorway, the heaviness of the whole night settles on me like a blanket. I head straight to my room, walking in the dark; too exhausted to turn any lights on. Collapsing on the bed, I lie down in silence.

A loud beep sounds in the room, and I realize my phone is still in my pocket. I drag it out and two rectangular pieces of photo paper fall beside me. Picking them up with one hand, I press the middle button on my phone with the other. The light reveals her name on the screen and simultaneously shines on the pictures, giving me a clear view of our faces. Bombarded with the two reminders of my night, my head and my heart battle on what to do next. Fuck it. I open the message and whatever is left of my heart shatters completely.

Court: I’m sorry. I love you.

I drop my cell and the photos on the side of the bed in frustration, as the pain in my chest becomes unbearable. The contrast between the highs and lows of tonight consumes me, and I beg for sleep to take me. I close my eyes and dream of everything I want and will never have.