“You want me to smile, Evie?”
I didn’t hesitate on removing my jacket and rolling up the sleeves of my button-down shirt. Kicking off my shoes next, I jumped into the deep end and swam straight toward her. My kids probably thought I’d lost my damn mind.
In a way, I had. Evie always had this power of bringing me out of myself, if that made any sense at all. Over a decade later, she still had that influence over my personality. If she wanted a smile out of me, then it would be on my terms.
Her legs kicking through the water as she hauled ass away from me was enough to make me laugh, but I still gripped onto her ankle and tugged her under the surface. I held her down for a few seconds before letting her up for air.
“How about that for a smile?” I taunted, grinning. “Are you smiling now?”
“Not as much as you are!”
I dunked her again. It was then I heard my kids laughing for the first time in what felt like forever.
“Are you done?” I asked, holding her up out of the water.
“Never!”
I submerged her in the pool a few more times until I finally let her go. Unable to resist, I held onto her for a minute. Loving the feel of her body against mine. The memories of another place and time played out like a movie that was happening right then and there and not years ago. There was so much I wanted to say to Evie, yet I didn’t know where to start explaining the last eight years to anybody, let alone her.
I whispered the only thing I could in that moment, “I told you, sweetheart, don’t start something with me you can’t finish.”
She sucked in a breath, aware I did that on purpose.
If I was going to go down memory lane, then I was taking her with me.
Chapter 13
Evie
Then: Three months later
“Evie, that bikini looks amazing on you.”
“Thanks.” I slid off my jean shorts. “I don’t think I’ve ever owned a bathing suit with this little bit of fabric on it.”
“That’s what happens when they don’t have your size. You’re welcome.”
Tessa and I didn’t hang out a lot, but she was always inviting me to sorority and fraternity parties. This was the first one I’d attended since the incident with Ryan. I wanted to enjoy college and not live in fear. I decided today was the day to give this social scene another try.
My school load was intense, and I was busy with classes, therefore hadn’t made any friends yet. Despite parties not being in my comfort zone, I was hopeful I’d meet some new people to bring into my life.
Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of friends. I was definitely more of a loner, being raised as an only child. It was hard on me. The older I became, the more I wanted to know Jax in hopes of having a sense of family in my life. It was why I was adamant to meet him, and waiting eighteen years was long enough.
Now that Jax was living in Miami for the season, I couldn’t continue to isolate myself anymore. I depended solely on him, and it wasn’t fair. Like everyone else my age, I had to step out of my comfort zone to enjoy the college experience or I’d regret it.
It was nice feeling like there were new opportunities that would arise. It was easy to connect with people at the party. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. It was reassuring that I’d made the right choice by attending.
I don’t know how I got dragged into playing “chicken” with a couple of people in the pool, but there I was…
Sitting on Josh’s shoulders.
At least he was in my economics class, so we weren’t complete strangers. Josh had a great smile and laugh. His body wasn’t bad either. We quickly hit it off, getting to know one another. When he asked me if I wanted to go out to lunch with him the next day, I told him I’d get back to him.
Dating was just another thing I needed to do.
I hadn’t been in a relationship since dating Kyle my junior year of high school. Though, for some unknown reason, every time I thought about dating again, I saw Caleb’s handsome face.
As much as I wanted to forget about him and the night we shared, I couldn’t. The last time I saw him was at Jax’s place. However, he did end up getting my phone number from Jax that afternoon. Caleb began texting me a few times a week, asking me how things were going. I never responded. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of my time and energy.
I silently chastised myself for thinking about him while I was sitting on another guy’s shoulders. Instead of focusing on things I couldn’t change between us, I shook away the thoughts of Caleb and concentrated on kicking this girl’s ass in “chicken.”