Page 26 of Falling Inn Love
“You know, Evan is one of the least complicated people I’ve ever known. He’s worth staying for.” She takes another sip and leans back.
I think about her question, and I don’t know if it’s the liquid confidence or what, but I finally open up to her a little bit. “I’ve had a lot of loss and complication in my life. I guess I’m scared. Scared to try again. Scared to lose everything again.”
She sets her drink down, reaches across the table, and covers my hand with hers, her eyes never leaving mine. “I’m sorry. I have a little bit of experience with complication myself and it’s not fun.”
“I’m sorry, too,” I say, nodding. “But there’s something about this place,” I say, looking around. “It feels different here. Like a good place to come and heal.”
“It is different here. I’m going to share something with you. And you can’t ever tell anyone, okay?”
I nod, worried about what she’s about to tell me.
Mellie pauses for a minute as if she’s thinking of how to respond. Finally, she takes a deep breath before she speaks. “You’ve heard the jokes about how Evan finds us and keeps us.” Her tone is jovial but I can tell she’s not joking. She glances over at Evan and smiles. “It actually is kind of true.” She turns back to me. Now her tone is serious. “Kase’s father isn’t a good guy. We left a very scary and dangerous situation, and we were basically homeless and on the run until we landed at the inn. The Harpers are very special people to us. They’re like family.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you, but I’m glad you're safe now. Where did you come here from?”
“I’d rather not say. But, please never tell anyone about this conversation. Kase’s dad doesn’t know where we are, and we need to keep it that way.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” I say solemnly.
“I told you that because I really want you to understand the kind of person Evan is. He’d do anything for the people he cares about. He’s worth opening up to. And staying for,” she hedges.
I glance over at Evan, who leans in to say something to one of the lead singers.
Mellie continues, “He’s protected us. He keeps us safe. He’s like a big brother to me.” Then a panic washes over her. “Oh, and also, please never post anything about me or Kase on social media. We need to stay under the radar.”
“I get that. I don’t like to be on social media much, either. I won’t post anything and I won’t tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks.” She nods toward the band. “He likes you so much,” she says. “I can tell.”
I take a sip of my Old Fashioned and try to appear calm, but inside I’m a mess.He likes me.My drink is starting to make me feel more loosened up and relaxed, something I haven’t felt for a very long time.
In less than sixty days, I am leaving. And I know the longer I stay, the harder it will be to go. I don’t want to hurt him or disappoint him. Then again, why am I so dead set on leaving? This is stupid.
THIRTEEN
EVAN
I really like you.
* * *
When she walks into the tavern, the energy changes. It feels suddenly charged with electricity, like my body knows she’s here. I spot Mellie but almost don’t recognize Beth. She’s dressed in tight jeans that make her ass look fantastic. Her hair is down in messy waves, and I almost can’t breathe when I see her. Her lips are red and when she smiles at me, my chest tightens.
My heart races and I play it cool by smiling and waving, but inside, I’m anything but cool. I’m charged up like a high-voltage electrical grid. I want to go sit with her, eat dinner with her, then take her for a long drive in my truck and go look at stars. I committed to Sam, so I’ll play, but my mind isn’t on our set. It’s on her.
I thought she was beautiful before, but tonight she’s made me fall in love with her. I smile at her occasionally from across the room, trying to play it cool. Don’t make it weird, Evan. My chest fills with heat and excitement, and I can’t stop thinking about that kiss earlier. I’m nervous, and I never get nervous before a gig. Playing is just fun and casual for me. But playing in front of Beth is nerve-racking.
Sam and I sit at the front with our guitars and start to sing “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young. My eyes gravitate to Beth and hers lock on mine; I can only sing to her because I can only focus on her. This seems not lost on Sam as he gives me a subtle elbow shove. I’m sure he’ll give me shit after this.
This song is special to me because its lyrics have resonated so much for me since I got out of the Marines. I have been waiting to find someone like Beth, and now I want to see where this goes.
I smile at her and play some more. She and Mellie are chatting, but Beth rarely looks away for very long. She watches me, sending sparks right through me. Our chemistry is fire. I’ve always thought it was bullshit when I’ve heard people describe attraction this way, but now I understand it completely.
At the end of the show, after most of the place has already cleared out, Beth waits for me, chatting with a server who’s stacking chairs on tables and cleaning up for closing.
“Hey,” I say. My pulse skitters as I get closer to her. I scan the room. “Where’s Mellie?”
“She apparently got a ride on the back of some guy named Toad’s bike. I was a little leery of letting her go, but she convinced me he’s in fact a stand-up citizen and a sober ride.” Her cheeks color under the heat of my gaze.
