Page 61 of Falling for You
Once alone in her room, CeCe tried calling Evan a dozen times. Her texts went unanswered, and she felt bile rising in her throat. Had she blown it? Evan was so easygoing; she couldn’t imagine him not wanting to hear her out. But then she thought back to their trip to his parent’s house. How adamant he was that he wanted a partner, someone he could trust. And here she sat, a liar who withheld the full story.
A quiet knock sounded, and CeCe bolted to answer it. Standing on the other side was Max, his features tired. “C-c-can I come in?” he asked.
CeCe looked over his shoulder, hoping against hope that he wasn’t alone. He was. “Sure.” She sighed, holding the door open for Max to join her.
“Sorry, it’s just me. I know I’m probably the last person you want to see.” Realizing what he said, Max laughed. “Well, maybe not thelastperson.”
CeCe sat on the corner of her bed and gestured for Max to join her on the other side. He eased himself down and grimaced, an expression filled with bad news. “Have you heard from him?” she asked, fearing the answer.
“I can’t get a hold of Evan, but I asked Helen to swing by his place. His car is out front, but he’s not answering the door. Frankly, I’m relieved we know where he is.”
CeCe couldn’t disagree. “No, you’re right. I’m glad he’s home safe.” Not able to sit a minute longer, she stood and began pacing the room. “Do you think I should go see him?”
Max chewed his bottom lip, trying to figure out the best solution. “Honestly, I don’t know. Evan’s pride was hurt, and he’s probably upset you didn’t tell him yourself. But he’s crazy about you. I say give him the night to sleep it off. I’m sure he’ll be back tomorrow in time for the competition.”
The competition.
The whole reason she was in this mess. “Oh God, the competition.” CeCe groaned. “Can we do it without Evan? Hell, should we do it without Evan?” CeCe remembered all the cell phone videos of her confrontation with Eric and she paused. “Do you think my tirade made it online? Is it possible they might cancel the competition?”
Max rubbed the back of his neck, taking a moment to think. “You know, that’s a possibility. We’ll have to see in the morning when the video goes viral.”
“I guess. Who knows?” CeCe wasn’t sure if she wanted to do it at all. She had nothing to prove to Eric, and she didn’t know if she could be in the same zip code as him anymore. All of the reasons she fled Chicago were still valid.
“That’s the other reason I’m here. CeCe, we don’t have to do this. We can hop in the food truck and drive it back to Buckeye Falls.”
“But you paid for that truck for this competition. What’s the point if we’re not going to use it?”
Max didn’t seem concerned. “How easily you forget. Do you know how many summer festivals we could use that truck for? The competition might be why we got the truck now, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only reason. Right now, I’m more worried about you and Evan. Screw Eric and this competition. It’s your call.”
CeCe paced a little more, wracking her brain for the right decision. Should they compete and show Eric what she could do without him? Or should she pack up and go after the man she loved?
Yep, that’s right. CeCe knew from the pit in her stomach that she was in love with Evan. She knew he was more important than anything else in this scenario. The trouble was, how was she going to tell him now?
CHAPTER 16
Evan woke to the soundof pounding on his front door. Easing himself up to sitting, he felt his hangover sharply. Groaning, he slowly padded to the front and peered through the peephole. Fearing it was Helen again, he was relieved it was Mallory.
