Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
He gives me a look. “Callie, come on. You love him.”
“And I love you.”
He holds my gaze, and I notice the tautness of his jaw. “I know, but you’ve known him longer than me, and he’s always going to be—”
“And I feel you are too,” I say simply, holding his gaze. “Yes, I’ve known him longer, and yes, he has become such a huge part of my life, but so have you.”
His eyes burn into mine, and his voice is calm as he says, “I’d understand if you wanted to do as he asks. I don’t want to come between you two, that’s all I mean.”
“What the fuck?” I say, gawking at him. “I don’t want to agree with what he thinks of you, and neither does Aviva. I mean… Shit, Evan, do you not feel what I feel?”
His eyes hold mine. “That’s not what I mean at all.”
“Then why would you say that?”
“Because I love you so much that I would step aside if it was best for you. I’m not saying it would be easy, or that I would handle it well, but I would do it if it meant you had the family you deserve.”
“I know what I fucking deserve,” I say, standing up and glaring down at him. “I know what I want, what I need, and no one needs to tell me one way or another.”
Evan looks up at me, holding my gaze as we both breathe in deeply. He sets the guitar beside him then reaches up, taking my wrist in his hand and pulling me into his lap once more. I don’t go willingly, but when he wraps his arms around me, I don’t want to fight with him. There has been enough fighting tonight. I lean my head into his chin, and he kisses my forehead, holding me close. “I want for you to have everything, Callie. The family, me, and more, but I also don’t want to be a source of stress to you, or even Aviva.” He kisses my forehead again, his lips rubbing against my skin as he speaks. “I don’t want to think of my life without you, and my heart aches knowing you’re upset over this, which is why I said what I said.”
When tears leak out of my eyes, I close them tighter.
“I don’t want you to lose Aviva in all this.”
I hadn’t even thought of that. If I stop talking to Nico because of Evan, does that mean Aviva will stop talking to me? Surely not. But if so, would I be okay with that? I’ve only ever had Aviva, but she has her own life. It makes no sense. I know in my heart that she’d never cut me off because of Nico. But if I feel for Evan what she feels for Nico, doesn’t that mean she would since I’m almost ready to cut Nico out?
What the hell am I even thinking? No. None of this will happen. Nico will get his shit together, he will see how wonderful Evan is, accept him, and everything will be fine. We’ll all live happily ever after.
Right?
“It’s so frustrating! All because things didn’t work out with Shelli. Doesn’t he realize he wouldn’t have Aviva if they had?”
He nods, his lips against my head. “I said the same thing.”
We sit like that for a long time, the fire burning down as we hold each other. All I’ve ever wanted was to be loved. Completely. I missed out on it when it came to my parents. Aviva did her best, but she was going through cancer and trying so hard to keep me in gymnastics, and sometimes, I felt like I was a burden rather than her sister. When Nico came along, it felt like things shifted and I became her sister again and not her burden. She didn’t struggle anymore, she got to love me for me and not as an obligation, and I thought that’s what I wanted. To be loved by my new family. But being on my own, learning who I am, I know I want more. I want to be loved completely for who I am, and Evan gives me that. No one has made me feel loved in the way I know Nico loves Aviva until Evan.
Nico will see that when Evan and I are together.
Nico will have to feel it.
Surely.
I kiss Evan’s jaw. “Evan.”
“Yes, my love,” he whispers back.
“Will you come to breakfast with Nico and Aviva so he can see how great we are?”
He pauses, and his jaw goes taut under my lips. He moves his hand along my leg, pulling me closer to him as he thinks it over. “For you, I will.”
Evan turns his head, and our lips meet as the waves crash against the shore in such a beautiful rhythm. We kiss, and I’m sure tomorrow will be better. I’m sure Nico will come around. Because I know, after everything I’ve been through, it’s time for me to get all the love I deserve.