Chapter Seven
Evie
I’m busy finishing my grading during my lunch period when I feel a presence hovering above my desk. I look up to see Jake’s warm brown eyes staring down at me, and he looks confused.
“Didn’t you say you were going to stay in and grade last night?” he signs to me.
Shit! My stomach sinks. I hate lying to him. He deserves better than that from me. My face scrunches up, and I give him a puppy dog look that is laced with guilt. “I had an unexpected visitor last night. I didn’t get through as much of my grading as I wanted to,” I sign back. He waits expectantly for me to tell him who the said visitor was. I blow out a breath knowing he will be very opinionated about me dating a hearing person although I wouldn’t say that the governor and I are dating. I don’t even know what we are. He took my phone number when he left last night. Sent me a text close to one in the morning saying he enjoyed his evening and that was it. I should know better than to be excited about this but the attraction I feel for him is like an itch that won’t go away even when it is repeatedly scratched.
“So!” Jake motions to me.
“It was the governor, okay? He came to my place last night, and we ended up having dinner.” I sign, and even though I don’t mean for the irritation I’m feeling to come through when I communicate, I know it does and Jake does to.
“The governor?” he signs, and his eyes widen. It’s not every day that someone like me gets a visit from the governor. Even though Jake and I are best friends, we share a complicated past. Despite everything though we’ve remained friends and share in each other’s personal lives. He’s met a couple of the men I’ve dated. It’s only been a couple because I don’t date very much. “Why would the governor come to your house? How does he know where you live? Are you in trouble? Because if you are, I’ll say that the pie throwing was my fault.” His hands move at a rapid pace as he shoots off question after question.
I shake my head. “It’s not like that…well he knows it was me who threw the pie, but he isn’t angry. He wants to get to know me,” I motion and I feel the flush crawl up my cheeks. I can’t stop it even though I wish I could. Jake catches on too. I swear I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never turn into a hot mess like this because of a man.
“Get to know you, as in date you?” Jake waves his hands in the air; his gestures are fast and cut, showing the anger he feels. The warmth in his brown eyes has faded to something cold.
“Jake, I knew you would think it was a bad idea. He wasn’t the one who sent you away for the Habitat project. No one even informed him that you came to his office and I showed him the proposal, and he wants to help,” I explain.
“He wants to help. Huh? I’m sure,” he says, and I sense the sarcasm oozing from him.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I snap back. I don’t like what Jake was insinuating. “If this is because he’s hearing I don’t care. He’s a good man, and he wants to get to know me. He wants to learn to sign,” I argue, wondering why I was even arguing with Jake. It felt wrong. “I want to try and see where this leads. I like him,” I motion more softly.
“I can see that,” he snaps his hands back at me. “What about Carter? Have you thought about how having a relationship with the governor would affect him?” he asks, and I hate that he’s brought our son into this. As I said, we have a complicated past.
“Carter will be fine with whatever decision I make. It’s not like I’m marrying the guy. We only just met and I feel like you’re jumping your guns a little quick here. Besides, it would be nice for Carter to have someone around that’s hearing too.” The motions escape my hands before I can lock them down. Shit. Now I’ve insulted him. That was never my intention. My ten-year-old hearing son is being raised by two deaf parents. Jake is a fantastic father he truly is but…I always have the thought that my boy is missing out because he moves back and forth between two deaf parents. I don’t even know where that comment came from just now, other than it’s passed through my thoughts when I’ve felt lost. Carter is also the reason I can speak so well because I’ve spent hours in therapy learning to read lips and talk for the sake of my son even though he signs quite well. Jake doesn’t like to use his voice, so he and Carter mostly sign. The hurt on Jake’s face seeps through his chocolate eyes, the same eyes that usually look at me adoringly. Now he stares at me as if he doesn’t know me. Truth is I feel like I don’t know myself. I don’t fall this hard for a man and sure not this fast. I hate what’s happening, but I feel powerless to control it.
“Jake, I’m sorry.” I stand from my desk and come around to hug him. He accepts my embrace which is a relief. I would hate for my best friend to be mad at me. I wish he could understand me. I pull away. “I didn’t mean to insult you. I just meant…” I pause.
He waves his hands signing to me. “I know what you meant. Don’t you think I want Carter to have a normal life? I do. I love him just like you.”
A tear slips out of my left eye. “I know you love him. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know you think dating a hearing person will lead to disaster but I want to try…” I sign, and I can’t help the dreamy look on my face although for Jake’s sake I wish I could. “I like him, Jake. I want to see where this can lead and I’m not naïve. Maybe nothing will come of Colton and me, but I won’t know if I don’t at least try.”
“Colton,” Jake moves his hands motioning that name. His brows furrow together. “Just watch yourself, Evie, I’ve heard the governor is a real lady’s man, I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I nod my head and lean in to kiss him on the cheek. Then I pull away to sign, “And that’s why I love you. That’s why you’re my best friend.”
Jake’s lip turns down on one corner like he’s displeased. I know he’ll come around though. He’s just protective of me, and I appreciate him so much.
“I have to go set up the gym for volleyball next period,” he motions. “You’re picking Carter up from school today, right?”
“Yes,” I respond.
He nods and waves and then Jake is gone. I return to my desk only I can’t seem to refocus on my marking. My mind is filled with a mix of what-ifs and fluttery oh-so-happy butterflies. I know the Governor is a real ladies man. Jake isn’t wrong about that but wouldn’t it be dreamy if I was the one to tame him? Better to not get ahead of myself. Colton Mathis isn’t a man to be tamed.