Page 62 of The Wrong Side Of Us

“Time will make this better,” I comforted, wiping her tears.

She nodded. “I know.”

I kissed her temple, holding her tightly, but the one question bothered me…wouldn’t leave me the fuck alone. Something told me Derek had feelings for her. I wasn’t one to beat the fuck around a bush. Even when we were just friends, I’d never done that with Evie. I hadn’t been completely honest with the video, and she didn’t know about my reasons for marrying her sister at first, but other than that, I hid nothing from her.

“I didn’t know he was going to be there,” Evie whispered, already knowing what I was thinking. “I didn’t tell him anything, I promise.”

“I believe you,” I replied.

I did. She’d befriended him, that much was true, but I didn’t think there was anything else on her part. I glanced down to see her, and her eyes fluttered closed, exhaustion quickly taking over. I didn’t bother speaking anymore—she needed rest. Within a few minutes, Evie was fast asleep, her head resting against my chest. Quietly, I moved away from her and decided to go out for a run. I needed the distraction as well.

I ran. Ran like someone was chasing me, ran like I’d find the goddamn answers at the end of the road. No matter how much I ran or how fast, the answers didn’t appear. The questions kept piercing through my mind like little knives.

I wasn’t the jealous type, but the idea of someone else seeing her the same way I saw her…I couldn’t fucking handle it.

“Fuck.” I stopped my run and placed my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath.

It’s just another test.

***

When I arrived back at the house, my mom and dad fell silent. It had been sunny when I left, but now the clouds were out with a storm threatening to begin. Evelyn wasn’t around, and concern immediately set in.

“She’s out by the lake.”

My dad must have noticed my worry. My mom, however, seemed pissed off.

“Is she okay?”

“She needs us,” my mom answered. “She’s lonely, son.”

I sighed. My mom excused herself, obviously trying to avoid a confrontation.

“Did Evelyn eat?”

That question made my dad grin. “Your mom made her French toast; the girl ate for the days she hadn’t.”

“But I’m hungry again.” Evie’s voice cut through the air, gentle yet chilling all at once.

She was wearing a large shirt with a pair of my sweatpants, drowning in the clothing, it was so big on her. My dad excused himself, leaving Evie and me alone. Her gaze lowered as she bit her lip, thinking of what to say.

“Do you want me to cook something for you?” I asked.

“I was thinking we could go get something to eat? Get some fresh air before we go back home?”

I agreed immediately. I’d do anything to clear her mind.

Evie wrapped her arms around my neck. “I love you; I need you to understand that. But Derek is the closest thing to a friend I’ve had in a while.”

I pulled her closer to me, and she stood on her toes, kissing me desperately, trying to show me exactly how she felt.

“I love you,” she breathed between kisses. “I love you so much, Nate. Be patient with me, please.”

Caressing the soft skin of her neck, I smiled. She just would never understand that being patient with her was all I’d ever done.

I placed a kiss on her forehead, lingering there for a moment. “Let’s go home.”

Chapter 24

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