Chapter 4
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That night, the rain was merciless.
It was Evan who drove me home.
Halfway there, his phone rang. Austin.
“Evan, we’ve all left. Don’t bother coming if you’re still busy.”
Evan raised an eyebrow, not mentioning that he’d already stopped by the club.
“You said it was urgent, then bailed without a word. So, what’s so important?”
Austin gave a careless laugh. “Honestly? Ruth wanted to see you. You know how she is–I never know how to say
no.”
Evan’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile. “So if she wants something, you just give it to her? Even if it’s your broth- er?”
Austin didn’t answer that. Just chuckled.
“I’ve loved her since we were kids. I’d give her anything–everything.
“And anyway, it’s not like you date anyone.”
There was a pause. Then Austin swore under his breath.
“Shit. I forgot about Miley. I gotta go.”
Evan looked at me briefly. “Yeah,” he said, then hung up.
At least Austin remembered me.
Eventually.
I stared out the window, silent.
My phone sat untouched in my bag. Normally, I’d have checked it a dozen times by now.
But tonight, I didn’t move.
The silence between us felt heavy.
Like everything I hadn’t said was pressing against my chest.
That’s when I remembered–I’d put my phone on silent mode for a meeting that afternoon, and never turned the sound back on.
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Chapter 4
When we reached my apartment, I exhaled quietly, as if I’d been holding my breath the entire ride.
The rain hadn’t let up. Evan reached into the back seat, took out an umbrella, and handed it to me.
“Thank you,” I whispered, reaching for it.
But he didn’t let go. His fingers tightened just slightly on the handle.
I looked up, startled. “Mr. Vancott?”
His gaze held mine, unreadable. Then, softly, almost gently, he said-
“If you’re upset, it’s okay to cry.”
My throat tightened.
He paused. “And if you ever need anything… You can come to me.
“I won’t tell anyone.”
My heart gave a painful jolt.
That was when I realized–my hands had been shaking the entire time. Ever since I heard that call.
When Austin said he’d give up anything…
He meant me.
I clenched my fists and forced myself to smile. A bitter, hollow smile.
Seven years.
Seven years, and every time Evan saw me, I was a mess.
And suddenly, I was done pretending.
For no real reason, I felt this reckless urge to just let it all go.
Just to see what would happen, I looked him straight in the eye.
My voice was steady, but something inside me cracked.
“Evan… what if I told you I wanted to date you?”
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