Stop it, Evan. Just... stop it.
“Happy birthday, Cal.”
I stand stock still, not believing what I’m seeing. Pop is a lawyer in the city, one of the best ther is. He hates people as in, can’t stand them. There’s only me, Dad, and Livvy that I’ve ever seen him talk to properly. But here he is, wrapping Lexi up in a hug. Have I entered another universe?
“I didn’t know you knew each other.”
Pop pulls back and leaves his arm hanging around Lexi’s shoulders as he smirks. “I’m guessing you two met at the community center?”
“I… yeah.”
“Livvy… I live with Livvy,” Lexi blurts out. “I mean, she’s letting me live there.”
“Lexi?” Livvy calls.
“Yeah?”
“He gets it, lovely. Now, who wants wine?”
“No, thanks,” Lexi answers.
“Oh, go on, Lex. One glass won’t hurt,” Dad says, a mischievous grin lifting his lips.
I don’t know whether to look at Lexi or not and pretend like she’s not even here, or whether to go and sit next to Geena because there’s no way she missed that exchange and I can almost guarantee that I’m now in the bad books, again. Simply the way that Pop acted with Lexi will be all my fault. I can imagine the whole argument now and I’m already tired of it and I haven’t even looked back at her yet.
“Evan?” Geena calls and I wince before grabbing my bottle of beer and making my way over to where she sits at the table.
“Sorry.” I don’t know what I’m apologizing for, but it seems like a good place to start from the look in her eyes.
“Who is she?”
“She works at the community center, and is staying with Livvy apparently.” Geena looks over to where they’re all standing in the middle of the kitchen and then smirks, her eyes flashing before she lays her hand on my thigh and leans closer.
“I wondered how she knew Mal.” I frown but before I get to ask her what she means, she whispers, “It doesn’t matter,” in my ear, her hand climbing higher. What the hell is she doing?
“Geena.”
“Shhhh.”
I cover her hand with mine and pull back, shaking my head at her. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” she answers innocently, her voice rising.
“Food’s ready!” Pop announces which causes Geena to move her hand as she leans back in her chair, sneering at Lexi as she sits opposite me.
I place my knife and fork down on the plate, not able to eat another bite. When Livvy told me that I had to come with her to Cal’s birthday meal, I had reservations. Birthdays are family occasions and I’ve only lived with her for just over a month: they couldn’t possibly want me to be there with them.
Thirty minutes before we were meant to be there, I had a message from Cal, telling me that he knew it was my night off and if I’m not there, he’ll carry me over to his place in my pajamas. Needless to say, I got dressed and made my way over here with Livvy.
I lift my eyes from my plate, and my gaze immediately focuses on Evan before turning to Mal. He knew all along that I knew Evan and didn’t tell either of us if Evan’s reaction was anything to go by.
Is that what he meant about the jacket looking familiar?
The harshness of his voice when he asked why I was here still rings around in my head. Maybe he doesn’t trust me in his parents’ house? Maybe he doesn’t want to be around me at all?
That’s okay though, because I’m not here for him, I’m here for Cal’s birthday.
“So, Beccie—” the woman sitting next to Evan says.