Page 90 of The Wrong Side Of Us

“I don’t know what happened, Evelyn. I’m—” Jessica looked like she was about to cry. As much as I cared for her—because I did—I couldn’t talk to her then. I glanced back at Tom, who was just as shocked as the rest of us. “Nate, I need to talk to you, I—”

“Screw you, Jessica,” Evie hissed. “I went out of my way so that you could get your shit together. I even felt bad.” Evelyn attempted to take another step forward, hit Jessica again. “You fucking saw us arrive. I waved at you. I may be too nice at times, but I am not stupid.”

Jessica’s face reddened, her reaction confirming Evie’s words.

“We should leave,” Tom said, taking hold of Jessica’s arm.

“No, Nathan, please listen to me,” she pleaded.

I stared at her in disbelief. “Just leave.”

Evelyn turned around in my arms, hugging me after hours of being apart. In those few seconds, I forgot about what just happened with Jessica and hugged Evie back, her small body trembling against mine as another wave of emotions hit her. As angry as I was about the situation and as frustrated as I was with what just happened, holding her like this was all that mattered. I’d be damned if someone else tried to separate us, be it the police or another person.

Including Jessica.

I raised Evelyn’s face, the need to see her too strong to deny. I cupped her face, thankful I could hold her once again. That I would be able to sleep with her in my arms like it was supposed to be.

“I was so scared,” she whispered, unable to keep it together. “I’m so scared…I don’t want them to take you away again.”

“They’re not,” I assured her.

I wouldn’t allow it.

***

To my surprise, when we arrived at the condo, the place was clean. Evie looked over at Carter when she noticed, and immediately, I knew who we had to thank. She remained quite the whole drive home and didn’t speak when we arrived either. I couldn’t say I blamed her, but her silence was deafening.

I told my parents to make themselves welcome, which, knowing them, meant they were going to prepare a meal for us to eat while I showered.

“I’m so tired,” Evie sighed, pulling the dress over her head.

At first, I thought she was going to join me in the shower until I saw her grab sweatpants and a tank top. There was no hiding her pregnant belly anymore. “You should go to bed, rest a bit,” I said, removing the filthy clothes I still wore.

I’d made up my mind to throw it all away.

“I’ll wait for you in bed. I’m just going to close my eyes a little while.”

I nodded, sighing when she closed the door behind her without a further word. Despite feeling the need to stay under the shower head for hours, I hurried, wanting to be with Evelyn and my parents. We went through long hours of uncertainty; Jessica’s actions hadn’t helped at all. That was something I could deal with later.

When I walked back into the bedroom, Evelyn sat on the bed with my phone in her hands. She had a raised eyebrow and chewed on her lip, a nervous habit she had.

“She keeps texting you,” she said softly. I knew what that tone meant, though; she was pissed, and all hell was going to break lose. “Even after I told her to fuck off.”

I suppressed a chuckle. “You did what?”

“I asked her to fuck off. I added the please to be polite, but she doesn’t get it.”

“What exactly did you tell her?” I asked. Evie handed me the phone as she stood, running her hands through her hair.

There were several text messages from Jessica, and then I came across Evelyn’s.

Evelyn: Jessica, I’m going to ask nicely…Please fuck off. Thanks, Evelyn.

Again, more apologies from Jessica but Evie’s only reply was a middle finger emoji.

I dropped the phone on the bed, approaching her and cupping her face in my hands. Her breathing hitched as I leaned down, finally capturing her lips with mine. She sighed, pressing her body against me, hands settling on my bare chest.

“I love you.”

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