Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers 3)

“Let me rephrase. You may have added me to all your accounts, but I want to contribute. Especially living in separate places.”

His thoughts are clear in the way he’s staring at me. “We’re not living apart, are we?”

“Not after this.”

“Evin, I have a wonderful support system you can trust.”

“You will pull through this.” He evades my statement, which I’m learning is a Graham trait.

“I hope so.”

“You need to trust me to protect and take care of you. Your focus is recovering.”

There’s something in his voice that’s off. “Are you hiding something?”

“No,” he answers too quickly.

Suspicion settles in my stomach and I cup his jaw, scrubbing my nails lightly in his soft stubble. “What are you keeping from me?”

“Nothing that you need to worry about now.”

“Is it about the surgery?”

“No.”

“Then what? Evin, what aren’t you telling me?” My heart races faster and my chest tightens at the possibilities.

“Hey, calm down.” He cups my cheek, strumming his thumb over my jawline.

“Tell me what your hiding.” The high-pitch tone in my voice gives away my panic.

“Baby, you’re freaking out.”

“Because—”

His thumb covers my lips and he leans in to kiss me. “I want to take you home.”

Out of everything he could say, this was not what I was expecting. “What?”

“Home to Charleston. After your surgery and when we have a better idea of what kind of rehab we are facing, I want it to be at home in Charleston.”

“I don’t think that’s possible. All my records and doctors are here. Not to mention the physical therapists and trainers on-staff.”

“It’s complicated, that’s why I haven’t mentioned it. You don’t need to worry or think about anything but getting better. Leave the details up to me to handle.”

“If you’re worried about going back to work, I’ll have Ryanne, Dante, and my other friends.”

“Work is the least of my worries, Poppy.” The resolve in his voice, his expression, and the instant tension in his body alert me that there’s something else going on. My mind flashes back to the one time I’ve seen Evin like this.

“You’re scared,” I whisper.

“More than anything in my life. You are my world, and tomorrow, I have to trust someone else to take care of you. There’s not a fucking thing I can do about it.”

I realize everything has been about me and not once have I thought about how this may affect Evin. “Sweetie, maybe you need to tell me where your head is?”

“I saw you go down and my heart literally stopped. Then that scream, that fucking scream chilled me to my bones. You looked at me, and I knew it was bad, but you knew it was bad. You were broken, hurting, and mourning something I didn’t understand. There was nothing I could do. Never felt so powerless in all my life. Tomorrow will be the same.”

A new understanding washes over me and makes my heart want to burst. I never doubted Evin’s love, but at this moment, it’s different. While I’ve been concerned about my dancing and what this means for my future, he’s been thinking about only me. My dancing is a part of me he supports, but he wants me anyway I come. Dancer, dreamer, crazy free-spirited bohemian—he loves me. A new sense of determination takes over. I urge his face forward, laying my forehead to his. “I’m going to be okay. Even if I don’t dance professionally ever again, I’ll have you by my side. That’s all I’ll ever need.”

“Any more questions?”

I glance at Evin, whose face is hard.

“No, thank you.” I force myself to be polite to the perky nurse who’s ogling him with little stars in her eyes. “You can go, like now.”

Her head snaps, and a flush fills her cheeks before she scampers out of the room.

“Meowwwwww.” Ryanne slashes her nails through the air.

“Shut up. That woman was shameless and should be fired. I’ll be under anesthesia wondering if the little twat is flirting with my husband.”

Evin lifts my hand to his mouth, not hiding his smile while the room erupts.

“I get it. Barbara flirted with Edward during my hospital stay,” Annie adds curtly. “I had a long talk with her boss after my discharge.”

“She’s exaggerating. Besides, I’m an old man,” Edward defends, not hiding his grin either.

“You may be an old man, but you’re my old man. That hussy should learn respect.”

All my irritation drains and I giggle, too.

Maya is the only one not amused and looks on the verge of tears. “Maya, honey, what’s wrong?”

“I want to stay, but no one will let me.”

“You have to get home for school tomorrow. This will take hours.”

“I don’t care.”

“Come here, sweet girl.”

She slides in front of Evin and bends in to hug me.

“I’ll be fine, and if allowed, we’ll chat tonight. But swear you won’t make fun of the drugged Poppy like the rest of these people.”