Page 2 of The Air You Breathe

“Evan, you said you weren’t going to do this. You weren’t going to take that man's offer.” I started to panic.

He stared at me with indecision. “I have no choice, Darcy. If I don’t do this my sister dies. We need that money”

I wanted to say everyone does, but I knew that was really insensitive. He didn’t see that he was selling himself to the devil. Lucio was a vile man who preyed on people in need to trap them in his web.

“You won’t be helpful to anyone if you’re dead,” I whispered, knowing full well it was a possibility. “If that happens, who does your debt go to? Your father?”

Evan clenched his jaw as I pointed out things he probably hadn’t thought of. “I’m not going to die, and my sister won’t either,” he said, full of confidence.

I knew right then it was over and nothing I said would change his mind. The thought hit me so hard in the stomach I began to panic.

I walked up to him wanting to break down and cry. Each step was painful and hurt to breathe. I took in his handsome face. His dark hair and dark eyes that had a slight slant to them; his sharp cheekbones.

“I love you. Please don’t push me away.” I cupped his cheek, then slid my hand to his neck to bring him down to kiss him. I was about to pull away when he didn’t reciprocate but then he threaded his hand through my hair and pulled my face in to deepen the kiss.

I kissed him with everything I had, hoping this last effort would make him hesitate and see what he was really doing. He pulled away, resting his forehead against mine.

“You won’t see this now but I’m doing this to protect you. I—I can’t lose you too. One day we'll be together but for now, I love you, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure you’re safe and happy.” He kissed my forehead and left my dorm room.

I struggled to breathe through the tears that kept coming. Gasping for air, I tried to settle myself down, but I knew without Evan it would hurt to breathe every day.

1

DARCY

No matter how much time had passed, seeing Evan walk out of my life still hurt. I used to let myself believe time healed everything but that was a crock of shit. The wound still felt fresh three years later. It didn't help that seeing him at the new club in Monroe, the next town over, a week ago brought back all these memories.

After I graduated college and moved back to Mountain View, I had only seen him a few times from afar. The pain from the break-up always seemed fresh, never lessening, never dying. Seeing him up close was more than I could handle. The years had been kind to him, and he looked so good, maybe even better. Back when we were dating, he still had that boyish face but now, Evan looked all man. He still had that killer smile with that small dimple that just drove me insane.

Working for the local thug Lucio didn’t look like it was wearing him down at all. He looked like he was flourishing. He was obviously somebody high up because they let us into the club with no questions asked. I wondered what he was doing for him and why was he still with him?

Once his debt was paid, I assumed he would leave him, but I wondered what made him stay or worse, if hehadto stay. Maybe the money was too good to pass up?

I always pictured him paying off his debt and coming back to me. He would finish college and we would go back to normal. Waiting for the first year had been hard, but what kept me going was the possibility that it was going to happen.

After the second year, I lost hope. I decided that I needed to let go of that dream and start living my life. I couldn’t wait for a man who obviously didn’t want me and why would I want a man who broke his promise?

I sighed as I made a latte for a customer. No matter how many times I tried to not think of Evan, it was like I couldn’t stop myself. He had infiltrated my brain, making sure I only thought of him.

I handed the coffee to the customer with their pastry and thanked them for stopping by. I helped the next customer with their order, thankful I was busy enough that Evan only slithered into my thoughts a few times. As the morning went on, our pastries dwindled, and I had probably caffeinated the whole town of Mountain View.

It was eleven in the morning and the coffee shop would die down until we closed at three since it was the weekend. I wiped down the counters, cleaned the espresso machine and took some dishes into the back.

“You ok there, hon?” Mary, the owner, looked at me in concern as she closed the container of icing. She was also our pastry chef, preferring the silence of the kitchen instead of the customers. Somedays I was jealous that she got to hide out back here.

“Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about things I shouldn't be,” I said, leaning against one of the counters.

Mary raised her brow at me like she wanted me to continue but I shook my head, not ready to tell her I saw Evan at the club. She was the only one who knew what really happened between us, not the story I let everyone else believe.

Mary had been my neighbor ever since I was little. She was always the one who brought treats over, spoiling me like a parent would. When I saw her struggle with the coffee shop when I was in high school, I volunteered my weekends until she could pay me.

I worked here through college and once I graduated, I stayed. She baked and cooked delicious things behind the counter, while I took care of the business side of it, making sure the money was flowing in the right direction.

“Go home, you’ve been working way too hard since we lost Mason,” she said, taking off her apron. “I can handle the front for the rest of the day.”

I couldn't help the yawn that escaped my mouth. We had been working really hard, but this past week I needed it. If I was home my thoughts would eventually wander to Evan.

“You can watch the front while I do inventory,” I said, as I walked to the office to grab my clipboard. “We need to prepare for the winter anyways and make sure we have enough product for the influx of visitors with the upcoming ski season.”

---