Page 75 of As the Rain Falls
Kill me.
Kill me now.
Beckett’s grip tightens on the towel as he clears his throat. His father’s head snaps to look at him. I don’t think they get along very much. This feels awkward.
“I’ve got it from here, Dad,” Beckett says with a stern face, and his voice is firm enough to get his father to back off.
“Got it,” Mr. Evans whistles slowly, retreating away from the doorway. “Don’t let me bother you two, I guess.”
Beckett rolls his eyes, the very top of his cheek tinged with a pinkish tone. I’m guessing from the shower, probably. He wouldn’t be blushing because of me. That’s a ridiculous assumption to make.
“He is so annoying. I’m really sorry, Cass.”
“No, I’m the one who should be apologizing.” I wet my lips, smiling awkwardly. “Maybe I should’ve texted first, but I got a little excited about the good news.”
“Good news?” Beckett steps aside, giving me room to step into the house. Pepé bolts toward me, tail wagging furiously. Honestly, I’m impressed he waited inside this long. “What’s going on?”
“I talked to my dad.” I bury my nose against the dog’s fur, inhaling his warm, familiar puppy scent. “He said I can bring Pepé home while you’re away at work.”
“Really?” Beckett’s face lights up, a single dimple making an appearance on his right cheek. I smile, too. “Man, that’s a relief! I was about to call in a favor with Well, but he already has so many dogs at the farm. Didn’t want Pepé getting bullied by a chihuahua.”
Pepé barks like he knows we’re talking about him.He is the cutest dog in the world.
“I spent the whole afternoon getting ready to take this little guy home,” I explain while shaking Pepé‘s ears gently. The dog immediately barks in response. “Are you excited to spend some time with me?”
“Wait, come with me. Let’s go upstairs. I’ve got to show you all his stuff.”
Beckett wraps the towel around his neck like a cape as he walks. I trail behind him, taking in the house, observing how it looks from the inside.
It’s bigger than ours, for starters.I think it might be the biggest house in Port des Ondes too, and it’s not even their biggest estate on the island.
Before moving to Port des Ondes, the Evans lived in some kind of mansion nearLes Salines, a few hours away from the city.They only had to move closer so that the kids could attend school, but I’ve seen a few of the pictures on Lucia’s page.
The Evans are old money type of rich. According to Kayla, Beckett even has his very own gym built in somewhere in the property. I mean, it must mean they have enough to spare if they can think about paying for all that.
I can’t help but notice Mrs. Evans also clearly has a talent for decorating. She made everything look incredibly welcoming, warm lighting popping against beige walls. Their setof Christmas family portraits still hangs on the walls, Beckett seemingly awkward and stiff in most of the pictures, avoiding staring at the camera. Lucia always beams happily beside him.
It’s cozy.
“Did you know I was an adorable baby?” I keep my tone light, grinning at Lucia’s chubby baby pictures. “Very chubby, too.”
“I wasn’t that chubby,” Beckett mutters while scratching his chest. My gaze drops, catching on the tattoo carved on his chest, right above where his heart should be. Lucia’s name is written in dark black ink. “Not in the pictures, at least.”
We reach his room, and I linger by the door, unsure whether to step in or stay outside.
“It’s okay, Beckett,” I say playfully. “I won’t judge baby you for his un-chubby-ness.”
Beckett chuckles, already rifling through his closet and taking out random boxes from inside it. His smile is easy when he is around me. I find the fact devastating.
“I feel like you’re just making words up at this point,” he jokes.
“Maybe I am.” I smirk, crossing my arms over my chest. My bracelets get caught in the fabric of my dress and while I try to set them, a piece of thread is attached to the hook. “Shit, I can’t ruin this dress. Do you have any scissors?”
“Over the desk.” He points at a corner, and I take it as an invitation to go get it myself. I find the pair of scissors over a bunch of papers, pick it up, and cut the thread before my dress gets ruined. “I think I have everything you need here.”
“What’s in it?” I ask.
He answers, “Just dog shampoo, dog treats, toys, his leash, and medicine in case his eye allergy starts acting out again.”
