Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers 3)

For a fleeting second, I think about who may have bought this for him, but then the thought vanishes. I trust when he said there hasn’t been a woman in his life. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t women close. His mom, Darby, Stephanie, Ashlyn, his niece Maya, he’s surrounded by women at home that probably keep him stocked in things as simple as cologne. I make a mental note to find the cologne before he leaves so I know what to buy him.

My attention turns back to the bar, taking in the opulence of the place. A group of women strolls through, and I pick up immediately on the bride in the middle. It may be only Wednesday, but Vegas bachelorette parties happen every night. The large square diamond on her finger gleams in the thousands of lights hanging. My thumb goes to the base of my ring and I spin it, circling the diamond.

I’m lost in thought, thinking about how Evin will never know how much this present means when my phone vibrates in his jacket pocket.

I take it out and my blood runs cold. All thoughts of cologne, rings, and everything perfect about Evin dissolve.

I grabbed the wrong phone. And it’s not Ryanne.

Rina—I understand how seeing me with another man may have given you the wrong idea. He’s gone. I couldn’t stop thinking of how right I felt when we were together. My actions were irrational and selfish. I’d like to see you when you get home from Vegas, and I’ll be patient this time.

Bile rises in my throat and jealousy like I’ve never known blisters through my veins. Tears well up and my nose stings right as an arm wraps around my shoulder. Evin’s lips press to my temple and he tenses.

“What the fuck?”

“I didn’t mean to read this. I thought it was my phone and Ryanne was…”

“Baby—”

“I think we should go.” I suck in a breath and shrug his jacket from my shoulders. “And I’m going home.”

“Fuck me. Baby, this isn’t what it seems.”

I glare up at him and barely wipe the other tears that fall. “I’m a virgin, but I’m not a fool! You haven’t dated, yet this woman feels comfortable texting you at midnight her time to tell you she’s waiting for you at home? I know how this shit goes. Been there, done that before.”

His face goes hard, his jaw ticking and the beauty of his eyes growing to a deep brown in anger. Without a word, he rips his wallet out and waves his credit card at the bartender.

“You’re not going home.”

“I am going home.” I slide off the chair and slink by him. “This is over.”

“No, you’re going to listen to me explain why that text means nothing.”

My instincts are telling me to get my phone and get away. I can go to Dante’s for the night and get my things from the hotel tomorrow when Evin’s gone.

A low growl rumbles from his throat as his arm goes to my waist, tucking me to him. “If you run, I’ll catch you. Whatever you’re thinking is wrong.”

I peer up and a tear escapes. His hard glare softens and fills with regret. “Shit, don’t cry.”

Swiping the tear, I look away and swallow the emotions clawing at me.

When the check is paid, he grabs his jacket and links my hand in his. Outside, the strip is revving up for another big night. I mindlessly take in the people, the lights, the sounds. All the years I’ve lived here, it’s never made sense how people can get swept up in the hype. Now it makes sense.

We pass the fountains as the music begins and I tug Evin’s hand to stop.

“Not in the mood for the show tonight,” he clips.

“Please?”

He studies me, his hand squeezing tightly. “Fuck, I can’t say no to you.”

I find myself back in his hold, my back pressed to his front with his chin on my shoulder. While the water, music, and lights all dance to a beautiful tempo, I think about what happened. My heart stammers in my chest, but my brain clicks into rational mode.

What the hell was I thinking? Out of nowhere, a vicious memory from long ago slams into me.

The starry-eyed young girl staring at the man she thought she loved. The man she planned to surprise with a night of romance that would lead to everything he’d been waiting for.

The same man that had another woman in his arms the last time I saw him.

Evin doesn’t deserve to be punished for him.

The show ends too soon, shutting down before I can figure out exactly how to apologize. He keeps me close through the crowd of people and I’m thankful the elevator ride is full, giving me the extra time to think.

We get into the room, and I’m immediately swarmed with thoughts of the last few days. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have read your private messages. It was intrusive and inappropriate. This has been wonderful—”