CHAPTER 9
Evelyn
The next few weeks were uneventful. They consisted of the same routine, going to the university, ignoring Nathan, ignoring my sister and visiting Nana. Josh and I grew closer, spending a lot of our free time together as well. It wasn't the same, but I'd grown to like him a lot. He listened to me, we had fun together.
It didn't matter what we were doing or where we were, we always enjoyed our time. No one seemed to approve of my friendship with him, and it was frustrating. Perhaps it was bad that I was leaning on Josh to forget about my feelings for Nathan, but with him, they seemed to dissipate, he'd be out of my mind…at least momentarily.
Weekends were the most difficult. Some days I'd spend most of the time cooped up in my bedroom, trying to avoid any human contact with anyone.
Saturday, however, I decided that I wanted to not be locked up, that I needed to relax and explore. I went down to the basement where I hoped my old things still rested. I doubted my sister had ever made an effort to clean any of my stuff out after I left.
Looking through boxes my heart clenched with the very few memories I had of my family together, moments that seemed forced. The photo albums were all full of people that I hardly remembered, my parents’ business partners, but not one true friend.
As I took out more things from the boxes, a photo album fell out.
A wedding album.
I swallowed but opened it up, the first image was one of my sister and Nathan sharing their wedding kiss. Ignoring the twinge of guilt I felt, I went on to the next picture with both our families together. Hannah was smiling as was Nathan, but it didn't meet their eyes.
“Feels like ages ago, doesn't it?”
I shrugged, setting the photo album down. “What are you doing here?”
“Saw the door open, figured you were in here,” Nathan said with a small smile. “You've been avoiding me.”
“Yeah,” I nodded, now feeling self-conscious because of what I was wearing. I stood up, pulling down the shirt that barely covered my ass. I had been wrong about being alone in the house and now I was regretting it. “I didn't think you were home.”
“Slept in late,” he said with a frown, sensing my nervousness.
I shifted on my feet, feeling like the walls of the basement were closing in on us, especially after the way his eyes darkened as he trailed down my body. “I should get upstairs,” I said quietly.
I walked past him, making my way upstairs. His hand caught my arm, spinning me around until I was chest to chest against him. “Let's talk,” he murmured.
Without giving me a chance to reply, Nathan led me to the wall, cornering me in, not leaving any chance for movement. “I hate you ignoring me, hate that you try to pretend nothing is going on.” Nathan sighed, placing a strand of hair behind my ear. “That night you looked for me, nothing happened with Hannah.”
“You don't need to explain,” I said quietly.
“I do. You're ignoring me and I know that's the reason why.”
“I'm dating Josh,” I blurted out.
Nathan nodded, pursing his lips before letting out a breath. “So I've heard. Does he make you happy?”
“He does,” I replied.
I saw him swallow before he let go of me, taking a step back. Immediately I felt the air around me turn cold, but it wasn't easier to breathe. His gaze was still unwavering and intense, hungry. He held back though, controlling himself and letting a small smile form on his lips. “Good. You deserve someone that can make you happy.”
His resolve hurt.
Why? I had no clue. There was nothing between us, nothing would ever happen but I was holding on to the idea and couldn't seem to let it go. This was bad, so damn bad, yet as soon as the question formed in my head it was out of my mouth.
“Do you still want to kiss me?
The fake smile disappeared, and his face turned serious.
Determined.
His hand went to the back of my head, pulling me to him and pressing his lips against mine. I moaned as soon as they were on me and my hands wrapped around his neck as he backed me against the wall.