Page 74 of From Us, Forever

“Why?”

“Because it’s time out from paradise and time to face the real world,” I said flatly while Strawberry left her mother and settled herself on my lap—a glutton for attention. I petted her soft fur, holding her tight as the jet departed, cutting through the clouds.

“I’m still mad at you,” Evelyn declared.

“Fine.” I was mad too—mad that she still couldn’t understand how much I fucking loved her.

CHAPTER 15

EVY

“Are you sure you’re not coming?” Jay questioned, standing at the foot of the bed while I switched through the channels for something to watch.

“No, I’m not,” I snapped.

I showed no reaction to the disappointment that flashed in his eyes. “Fine, have it your way,” he replied before storming out of the bedroom.

A tiny ball of guilt swam in my gut for treating him this way, but I just couldn’t let it go.

The picture of Jay andherkept flashing before my eyes like a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from—dressed in a tight white dress, draped all over him with his hands over her hips, holding her tight—she was the last person I wanted to see with my man.

And the worst part was their lips were sewn together in a kiss.

Or maybe the next photo was the worst part because he was laughing at whatever she was saying, and she was smiling, looking at himlike he was hers.

My earlier wine surged its way up my chest as my stomach filled with nausea even at the thought of that.

I knew I was being irrational and that it happened a long time ago, and it wasn’t really his fault, but something about him with her derailed me.

Yes, I might have gotten to the point in my life where I had moved on from all the shit that White had done to me, but this was something that made my jealousy spark alive.

But my heart hurt too at snapping at him and being pissy about it for the past two days.

I could tell that he was mad too, but all I could keep thinking was:

His lips on hers. Him laughing with her. Them on a date.

The band was playing for a festival tonight at Madison Square Garden.

Every bone in my body wanted to go and support him, but I adamantly denied just to win over the situation.

I punched the pillow on my lap and screamed into it, thinking how petty I was.

Even the sheets smelled like him—clean, seawater and wood—and I missed him already.

I knew how much he wanted me to go. Instead, I sat here sulking like a bitch.

Minutes turned into hours, and I tuned in to the live stream that played the festival, and the band wasn’t on yet.

A bunch of notifications lit up my phone, and I opened the group chat.

Lily- Evy, where are you?

Katy- Yes, E. I can’t find you.

Gabe- She’s having marital problems.

Lily- Why? What did my brother do? Did he mess up again!? I’ll have a word with him.

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