Chapter Eighteen
Evie
I overslept, and now I’m driving down the street like a bat out of hell. It seems to be a common theme for me since I’ve met Colton. The car in front of me slams their brakes even though the light just turned orange. Dammit. My coffee which is sitting in the middle console of my car spills over onto the carpet. Luckily the students’ assignments are sitting on the passenger seat. At the red light, I quickly check my phone to see that I missed a text from Carter saying, ‘Mommy I love you. Have a good day.’ When the light turns green, I press the gas pedal. I’m worn out this morning obviously, I mean after the night I shared with Colton how could I not be? I don’t even remember falling asleep at the crack of dawn but I woke up enveloped in Colton’s warmth, and it was heavenly. If his morning erection weren’t so inviting, I would be on time right now and not racing against the clock. School starts in five minutes, and I pride myself on being on time, but more than anything I’m hoping to catch Jake before class. I want to ask him a few questions that have formed in my mind since last night. Like why he thinks his scar is from a bike accident when it’s clearly a burn. I believe Jake has always been honest with me so either he doesn’t remember how he got the scar or he’s lying. I hope it’s the former. Now I won’t be able to ask him until lunchtime which only heightens my anxiety. I don’t know why the reason for his scar suddenly bothers me so much, other than the fact that it’s odd for such a young child to have a scar that looks like the one Jake has.
I pull into my parking spot at school and grab my half-empty bag. At least I was all caught up on my grading. I rush down the halls feeling my heels clacking against the floors. I don’t have to but I like to dress professionally for my job, and I love high heel shoes; maybe because I never had a mom whose shoes I could play with like some of my friends at school. I get to my class just as the clock strikes five to nine. Phew! I made it. Flopping my bag on my desk and placing my half-empty mug of coffee beside it, I blow out a breath and straighten out my blouse before addressing my students. I rarely use my voice here at school. Except when I’m speaking to the principal who is hearing although she tends to sign and talk at the same time.
I’m blessed with excellent students who are eager to learn except for one boy. He’s new to the school. He developed an illness that’s causing him to go deaf. His parents felt it would be better to start him in a deaf school before he completely loses his hearing so he can learn to sign and become part of a community. Only he isn’t accepting his fate. I don’t blame him. I remember when I lost my hearing, I remember how my world turned silent. It took a long while to get used to the quiet world I now live in. It sure didn’t help that my mother never wanted to learn how to sign. She tried a little and would get frustrated and would just speak to me. I remember trying to keep up with her at first. I couldn’t. It was a losing battle.
The first part of the morning flies by in a whirlwind. I spend some time over recess speaking with my new student while trying to introduce him to some school activities which I hope he will participate in so he can make some friends. He’s very closed down though so I don’t know that I’ve helped all that much.
By lunchtime, I’m sitting on pins and needles anxiously waiting to see Jake. I’m making my way to the physical education office as fast as my heels will take me but when I arrive at Jake’s office, it’s empty. Lucky, I slipped my cell into the back of my skirt. I pull it out and shoot him a text asking where he is.
I wait a moment and realize Colton sent me a text this morning.
Evie, I had a great time last night. Dinner tonight? Don’t tell me you’re busy. I can bring whatever for Carter.
His offer for dinner sounds nice, and the fact that he’s thinking of Carter warms my heart, but he’s brought us dinner twice already. I feel the need to cook for him. I’m not much of a cook, but I learned a few meals from Jake’s mom.
Dinner sounds nice. Come on over. Carter will be happy. I’m cooking tonight. Your fate rests in my hands.
I like the sound of that. See you later.
I smile to myself.
A moment later a text message comes in from Jake.
I’m with Mom at the deli around the corner. Come have lunch with us.
Shit! He’s with his mom. I don’t feel as comfortable asking questions around her.
Okay on my way.
I head back to my classroom at a fast pace and change into a flat pair of shoes so I can make the walk. Chicago parking can be so tenuous this time of day.
Within five minutes I’m at the deli. The place is crowded with regulars and students from the school. Jake waves me down and signs that he ordered my favorite turkey club sandwich. Veronica stands up to kiss me. We make small talk as we all sit down to enjoy our lunch. Veronica tells us about California. How she got sick of trying out for different roles. She also mentions she just broke up with a boyfriend. An actor who had a few good runs as a guest on some popular shows. I know who she’s talking about. He’s very handsome.
“So that’s it. I said to myself it’s time to spend some time with family,” she signs then places each of her hands over mine and Jake’s and gives a loving squeeze.
“We are happy you’re here.” I smile even though I’m waiting to get Jake alone even for a few minutes. The waitress walks by and asks if we would like a refill on our coffees.
“Yes, please.” Veronica is the only one to accept. She loves coffee. I usually just drink my one cup in the morning to wake up, although today I opted for a second because after my workout with Colton last night I need help keeping my eyes open. I wait painstakingly hoping Veronica needs to leave or use the ladies room, but that doesn’t happen. She remains in her seat all through lunch. When the waiter finally brings the bill to the table, Jake offers to pay. I’m hoping to get Jake alone, but suddenly I relent thinking maybe it is better to ask Veronica about the scar. I mean Jake has been clearly misinformed so she would be the one who would know the truth…I know my mind is running ahead of itself, probably from all the James Patterson mysteries I’ve been reading lately.
As Jake gets up, Veronica gives me a warm smile, and I can’t bring myself to ask. It would be disrespectful of me. This woman has treated me like a daughter since the day Jake brought me home after school for the first time. She wouldn’t be lying, and my questions seem accusatory.
“So how are things going with the governor?” she signs while moving her lips.
“Good,” I speak and sign too.
“Just good?” she signs and waits for me to answer. I guess my goofy grin gives me away.
“Very good,” I sign.
“I can see that,” she answers and takes a long draw from her coffee cup. She still seems on edge. Crap. She places the mug back on the table. “Do you think it’s a good idea, Evie? I mean, he is a public figure, and I know you. You hate attention,” she says, and it’s true I hate attention. I guess Colton has caught on, and that’s why most of our dates have happened in my apartment where I feel safe. Where I have control. I feel the need to drive the conversation in a different direction since I still don’t have Veronica’s support. I hate that she doesn’t support my relationship with Colton, but it won’t change anything anyway. Even yesterday I met my friend Becca for lunch, she’s deaf and teaches music at school. She used the same cautionary words that Jake had for me. I don’t know why they can’t just be happy for me because I am delighted. After last night, Colton and I are in a good place. He trusts me. We are growing closer. I love spending time with him, and the chemistry between us is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
“All paid.” Jake returns to the table and signs his words. “I can walk back to school with you,” he looks to me and signs. Then he turns to his mom. “I’ll see you at home later.”
“Yes, it was good having lunch with you two.” She smiles warmly while signing to us. Jake is not big on reading lips. It feels like old times.
“Nice seeing you too.” Jake takes my hand and leads me outside. When we get out to the sidewalk, I have to shield my eyes from the bright sun. As we walk, I catch his attention then ask, “How did you get that scar on your left shoulder?”
His brows furrow together wondering why I’d ask him such a silly question out of the blue. “I told you how. I fell off my bike when I was five. I was riding fast, and the road scraped my skin off,” he answers, and yes, I’ve heard that story before, and I don’t sense that he’s lying to me at all.
“Do you remember falling off the bike?” I ask with my hands. If he isn’t lying, then something is off.
His response is a concerned look. “No, I don’t remember. Mom told me, why?”
My stomach sinks at the thought that Veronica made that story up.
“Because your scar looks like a burn mark,” I respond, knowing full well I’m not a doctor or any type of professional to make that conclusion. I only go by what I see, and the bumpy skin on his shoulder resembles the burn scar on the palm of Colton’s hand. Carter fell off his bike many times when Jake was teaching him how to ride on two wheels, and none of his scars look anything like the one Jake has on his shoulder. Also, a shoulder is an odd part of the body to hurt on a bike.
“A burn mark?” he asks, and I take in the flabbergasted look on his face. “Evie, what on earth is going on with you?”
“Nothing.” I try to shrug it off because I’ve apparently made him think I’m losing my marbles.
“Evie, you’ve been off all week. Does this have to do with the governor?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Well, maybe I don’t know…he has a burn mark on the palm of his hand that looks a lot like your scar. Carter has fallen off his bike more times than we can count. Do any of his scrapes and bruises ever look like what you have on your shoulder?” I ask motioning with my hands.
He pulls his gaze from me and stares straight ahead. His warm chocolate brown eyes considering my words. Then he motions. “You have a point. I never did question Mom,” he says, and then he looks back at me like he doesn’t know me. “Do you think my mother lied to me?”
As soon as he asks the question my stomach sinks. I don’t want to make him doubt the only family he has. Shit. Now I feel bad.
“No, No, just forget it. I swear. I’m watching too many investigative shows. I don’t know what’s got into me,” I sign.
He nods his head as if he’s accepting my answer only I can see the questions rolling in his mind and it’s too late. I’ve opened up that can of worms.