Evan (Novella): 3.5 (A Carter Brother Series) (8 page)

“I’m sorry, but who are you?’’ Then I pause, her words hitting me like a truck. She’s Evan’s nan. Oh my gosh. And I didn’t invite her in. How terrible of me. She’s going to hate me more now, thinking I’m bad mannered.

“Let me just go get...’’ I start, but she drops her bags and turns to me.

“No, honey, you go and take a seat, put your feet up and I’ll go get her. I bet my grandson has had you worn out in the bedroom,’’ she winks before leaving me to stare at her back.

Did she just say what I think she said?

Oh my gosh! She thinks I’m sleeping with Evan. Good blimey. She thinks I’m a hussy. I straighten out my clothes and wish I made more of an effort this morning when I got dressed. I’ve just pulled on my leggings and my overlarge cream jumper that hangs off the one shoulder. My hair has been thrown up in a messy bun and I didn’t bother with any makeup. I hardly wear it anyway.

Fiddlesticks.

She’s even seen the bruises that are still clear on my face. Evan swore they’ll fade soon enough, but they still look angry to me. The colour is the only thing that has changed. I’m just glad the swelling has gone down. It makes me feel somewhat better.

When I hear her talking to Imogen I snap out of my thoughts and rush across to the sofa. Evan and I were watching some movies and eating junk food before he went out, so all the wrappers are still scattered across the floor.

Quickly picking up the empty wrappers, I shove them in the empty Doritos packet. Then grab the empty glasses before taking them to the kitchen. I make it just in time for the lady to come down the hall carrying Imogen. I’m surprised she’s stopped crying. She’s been due a bottle for half an hour, but I didn’t want to wake her. Plus, I’ve learnt in the time I’ve spent here that Evan loves feeding her. He loves doing everything in fact, but I see this look in his eyes whenever he thinks I’m not looking when I’m feeding her. He looks like he wants to tear her out of my arms, but mostly it’s like he feels empty not having her in his arms. I laugh just thinking about it.

I quickly put the bottle in the hot boiling water to warm up when the front door knocks again. I look to the lady who I still don’t know for sure is Evan’s nan and smile.

“Can you watch her bottle for just a second, please?’’ I ask shyly.

“Of course,’’ she smiles back and starts talking to Imogen about something.

Opening the door, I find Evan’s next door neighbour standing under an umbrella. It’s not the first time since the day she found out about Imogen that she’s been over. In fact, if I was honest, I would think she was doing it on purpose.

“Um, hey,’’ I smile, not sure what to say to her. She’s always spoken to Evan when she’s popped over, so I feel uncomfortable standing here.

“Is Evan here?’’ she asks, and she looks troubled which has me curious.

“No, he just popped out. Is there anything I can do?’’ I ask, then look down to find her wearing a dress of some kind. Not to sound like a B.I.T.C.H. but why on earth would you wear a dress in this weather? You’d be lucky not to catch a cold, let alone pneumonia.

“No. Can you tell him I need him to come around as soon as he’s back please? It’s an emergency,’’ she asks kindly, and I smile nodding my head. When she turns I shout her name, calling her back. Instead of walking back, being polite, she just stops and turns, looking at me curiously.

“If it’s an emergency are you sure I can’t help? I’m sure there’s something I can do?’’

“Trust me, you can’t,’’ is all she replies before walking off.

“I’d watch your ass with that one. She’s obviously trying to steal your man,’’ the lady behind me says and I jump squealing.

“Sorry, you scared me. I’m Kennedy by the way,’’ I tell her, introducing myself, hoping she’ll return the favour.

“I’m Evan’s, nan,’’ she tells me and I groan inwardly. I can’t call her Evan’s nan. I need to know her name. I’m about to ask her what it is when she looks up from Imogen and smiles. “You can either call me Nan, or Mary. Both are fine with me.’’

“Nice to meet you, Mary,’’ I beam, thanking God for answering my prayers. I shut the door behind me and move into the front room, following Mary.

“I don’t want to sound rude, sweetie, you seem like a sweet girl and all, but are you using my Evan?’’

“What? No! Why would you think that?’’ I ask, feeling my throat close up. Will all his family make assumptions about me just because of my sister?

“Because, honey, you have bruises on your face that tell me you’re in trouble and it just seems too much of a coincidence that it happens to be the same time Evan finds out about Imogen.’’

“Oh... um... no! I’m not one to speak out of term but I feel like I need to get this out there,’’ I tell her firmly. My hands are shaking but I clear my throat and move on. “When Imogen was born I didn’t know anything about Evan, who he was, where he lived or anything. The only thing my sister said about him was that he was a rat and didn’t want anything to do with the baby. I had no reason to doubt my sister,’’ I half lie. Everything that came out of my sister’s mouth I took with a pinch of salt. “It wasn’t until my sister died that I found out his name and looked him up. As soon as I was free to, I sent him a letter. Imogen was still in the hospital so all my time was focused on her. I wrote more than once, never getting a reply. Then I turned up here. You know the rest. He done the DNA test for me, which, may I add, I paid for. When he turned up at my flat it was the day I was beaten, threatened and scared for not only Imogen’s life, but my own. It seems my sister left me more than Imogen when she died and now I’m paying for a debt that she owed someone. If I don’t pay then he’s going to sell Imogen. That’s the reason I’m here, and the only reason,’’ I tell her, but even as the words leave my mouth I know they’re a lie. Me being here may have started because I wanted to protect Imogen, but now I’m also staying to find out where this is going between me and Evan.

I really like him. And spending the last two days with him has only intensified that feeling.

“Well, I don’t believe that’s the only reason you’re here,’’ she winks and just like that, she throws me off guard again.

Seriously! She basically just accused me of being here for alternative reasons, but then when I explain, she answers with that? She’s off her trolley.

Thankfully the door knocks again, but this time it’s opened seconds after. I turn in my chair to see a soaking wet Evan walk in. I don’t get any farther than that because I’m too busy staring at him. His black hair is dripping wet and droplets down his face, along his lips before falling to the floor. My eyes are captured by a single droplet that is dripping from his top lip. I have to fight the urge to go over to him and lick the droplets of rain from him. He’s looking freaking hot and I can’t help but stare.

He coughs, gaining my attention, and he gives me a smirk and a wink. He opens his mouth and I wait for him to say something sexy, to say anything, but then he turns and frowns at seeing his nan sitting down feeding Imogen.

“Nan, what are you doing here?’’ he asks her, but doesn’t wait for a reply before turning back to me. “And I wanted to feed Immy,’’ he pouts. Yes, fudging pouts. So darn cute.

“Well, Evan, it’s nice to see you, too.’’

“And who’s this?’’ he asks, pointing his thumb behind him. My eyes look behind him to find a man standing by the door looking sheepish. He’s wearing a grin on his face, his eyes staring holes into Mary.

“We’re sex buddies,’’ she giggles and Evan groans covering his face with his hands.

I look open mouthed towards Mary to see if she’s joking, but the look on her face as she eyes the gentlemen behind Evan tells me that she isn’t.

I want to be sick for him. No people their age should have sex. It isn’t right. I would hate to be Evan right now. She’s his nan. But even so, I can’t help the giggle that escapes my mouth. Evan sends me a warning look which causes me to smile.

“Please, Nan. Just....just don’t talk about anything to do with other men.’’

“Well I only had a onetime fling with a woman, but I was too drunk to remember it, so I can’t talk about women,’’ she shrugs.

“Jesus. Fuck, Nan, tone it down before you scare poor Immy and Kennedy away.’’

“Alright. Now you can sit and tell me how you’re going to help my girl,’’ she demands all serious.

“What on earth are you on about?’’ he asks taking his jacket off and sitting down on the arm of my chair. I scoot over and he notices. Instead of sitting next to me, he slides down, lifts me up and places me over his lap. I’m shy at first. I mean, his fudging nan is right in front of us.

“Peter, come, darling, sit down,’’ she tells him tapping the sofa. The man, who must be the same age as Mary, if not younger, sits down next to her and places his hand on her leg.

“Oi, hands to yourself,’’ Evan barks causing Mary to giggle. I just stay quiet, fascinated by the whole thing. This is so weird and not at all like the families I grew up with.

Peter moves his hands with a frown and places them on his own lap. Mary gives Evan a glare but doesn’t argue with him.

“Now, Nan, explain,’’ he demands.

“Well I was talking to Kennedy here and she explained her situation. Now I want to know how you’re going to keep our girl and my grandbaby safe,’’ she explains and my chest expands. Is she putting on a show for Evan because a few minutes ago I wasn’t sure she even liked me, now she’s calling me her girl?

“We’re dealing with it,’’ he groans, and looks to me with a look I can’t figure out. It’s probably him silently telling me I should have kept it shut, but then if he knew what she asked me, he would likely understand. Not that I’d tell him. He’s already argued with one family member over me, I’m not causing another argument. Believe it or not, I actually want Imogen to grow up with a loving family around her. It’s something I never had. The family I grew up with after my parents died were nice enough. But the minute I hit sixteen I was on my own.

Out of all the days my nan has to show up, it has to be the day I decide to make a move on Kennedy. I made an excuse to go get some shit from the store, which we did need, but I needed condoms more.

She’s been slowly driving me insane over the past few days with her curvy, tight body, her tits, her hair, the way she speaks so softly and the way she mothers Imogen. Something about seeing her attend to Imogen turns me on. It makes me want to see her with a rounded stomach, bare feet, and cooking in our kitchen.

I’ve officially gone crazy.

It’s the only logical explanation I can come up with for all these thoughts running through my mind.

I’d been prepared to jump her as soon as I walked through the door, not able to hold back another second. But then I got back to the house and it all went straight out of the window. A man had knocked on the door when I walked up. He was there for nan. But still, at first it nerved me wondering who he was and why he was there.

Then to top it off, my nan not only ruins my moment to seduce Kennedy, but ruins my sex life for good when she mentions her own. She’s always been like this. The woman has no filter. I’d avoid her at all costs, but she’s the kindest, most loving and loyal person you could ever know and I love her. She’s always been there for us, especially Denny, since we were little. She could always see through everything going on at home and knew that they made Denny’s life hell and, although she lived hours away, she still tried her hardest to make things better for both of us.

“So he won’t hurt her? Because I’m telling you now, Evan Smith, if she gets hurt...again, it will kill me. My heart can’t take it anymore. After Denny’s assault I haven’t been the same,’’ Nan tells me with a sad face, and I officially feel like shit. I always expected my Nan to outlive us all.

“Nan, I promise, I got it handled. And have you had your heart checked out?’’ I ask gently, and Kennedy gives my thigh a squeeze. I turn giving her an encouraging smile before turning back to my Nan.

“Trust me; your nan has years left in her, Son. She has more stamina in her then what any woman did when I was your age,’’ Peter brags, winking at me.

Fucking winked at me.

She’s my nan, asshole.

I growl in anger, but Nan laughs it off and puts her hand on fucking Peter’s thigh, giving it a squeeze. “Why don’t you get the bags, darling, they’re by the door,’’ she tells him smiling.

He gets up like a good lap dog, grabbing a hundred bags from the hall.

“What the hell?’’ I ask, seeing baby brand names on most of the bags.

“Why don’t you finish feeding Imogen while I show you what I got? She needs winding,’’ Nan asks, smiling at Kennedy. Kennedy stands up and I follow, quickly grabbing her by the hips to sit her back down. I kick the foot muff next to the chair she’s sitting on before walking over, quickly grabbing Immy.

“Hey, princess, you enjoyed meeting your, Nana?’’ I coo, smiling at her.

She doesn’t make a noise, but that doesn’t bother me. She’s still so tiny and I know she’s behind in her development. I don’t care though; I know she’ll succeed in the future. With hard work and good parents she’ll do it. I’m sure of it.

“Now, I got this for Kennedy,’’ Nan starts pulling out some ear plugs.

“Nan!’’ I yell, offended. “She’s not going to ignore Immy when she cries.’’

“That’s not why I got them. They’re so she doesn’t have to lose sleep listening to you snore,’’ she snaps, but looks amused. I look to Kennedy for help. For her to tell my nan that I don’t snore, but she just giggles harder. I send her a glare and turn back to nan. I can’t help but wonder if I do. It’s not like I’ll know. But still, Kennedy and I had to share a bed the past two nights ‘cause of how cold it was in the front room. The radiator broke, so only the bedroom ones work.

“And this is for you, grumpy. Hopefully they’ll cheer you up,’’ Nan winks then throws a box at my feet. I look horrified and wish to God I could hide them before Kennedy sees them. I know it’s too late when she chokes on laughter.

“Glad someone finds it funny,’’ I grumble staring down horrified at the box of condoms, but it only makes her laugh harder.

“Peter said to get you some lube. That young ones today love all the backdoor business,’’ she states and I choke on my words. I choke that hard Kennedy has to take Immy off me to finish feeding her.

“Jesus, Nan. You couldn’t have just bought me a watch?’’ I groan. She used to buy me them as a kid and even as a successful detective, who is badass, if I say so myself, she still got them me for birthdays and Christmases. And each one would have some stupid cartoon character on it or some wise saying on the face or on the back of the watch.

“Sorry. Denny has told me to tone it down, but I just want to be
in
with the in crowd. I don’t want to be one of those snotty, knitting, sagging, buggy pushers that need help wiping their own asses and finding out what new is going on in the world by reading a boring newspaper.’’

She’s fucking blunt I’ll give her that. I want to laugh, but it will just give her more ammunition, like Kennedy is currently doing now by laughing. I give her a glare but she just blushes, looking down at her lap.

“Nan, one day you’ll be in a home...’’ I begin, needing her to understand.

“Young boy, go wash your mouth out. If I go in a home you grandkids are moving in with me and your spouses, and your kids, and every fucker else I know. The only way you’ll get me into one of them old bag homes is when my body is stone cold and six feet under, and even then it will be against my will.’’

“Seriously, just, just stop,’’ I plead, feeling a headache forming.

I listen to her go on about everything she bought, explaining each outfit and toy to us. It’s driving me mad, but Kennedy doesn’t seem to mind. When she starts going on about getting Imogen christened, I know it’s time to say goodbye.

If and when we decided to get Imogen christened, I want it to be mine and Kennedy’s decision, not my nan forcing us to.

“It was so lovely to meet you, honey. I promise to get in touch with Denny and explain everything,’’ she whispers to Kennedy, thinking I can’t hear. I give her a growl and gently push her more out of the door.

When they’re gone I shut the door behind us and lean back against it, taking in a deep breath. It feels like I’ve been holding my breath since the box of condoms came out.

The door knocks behind me and I look at Kennedy with wide eyes.

“Maybe if we pretend we’re not here she’ll go away,’’ I whisper to Kennedy, wondering what would bring her back here.

Kennedy laughs and pushes me out of the way to open the door, but soon stops when she sees who is on the other side.

What the fuck?

Peeping around the door frame, my hands automatically go to Kennedy’s waist. Lexi is standing there in the pouring rain. She looks sad, lost, and I can’t help but not feel sorry for her. I feel like she pushed me away as a friend when she started dating. Ever since Kennedy moved in, Lexi has been coming round here more and more, asking me to fix something in her apartment. Even if I wasn’t her landlord I’d still do it, I’m not a complete jerk, but enough is enough. How much more could break in her house?

“Oh, hey, Lexi.’’

“You didn’t come,’’ she states sadly, and I look to her confused when I hear a whispered ‘fudge’ coming from Kennedy. The fact she doesn’t swear is so fucking hot, but the words she replaces them with are fucking hilarious. When she says ‘ohmygosh’ I have to fight back tears of laughter.

“Sorry, we had visitors. I was just getting around to telling him,’’ Kennedy explains brightly, but I can hear the bite in her tone.

Is my girl jealous? I’m grinning inwardly just thinking about it.

“No problem,’’ Lexi answers, and I look away from Kennedy to get the receiving end of a funny look she’d been giving Kennedy. It seems I’ve missed something over the past week that I shouldn’t have.

“What did you need?’’ I ask, keeping my voice pleasant even when I want to shout at her to leave. We got Immy to sleep ten minutes before Nan and her bloke left, so we’ve got a couple of hours at the most before she wakes up. I don’t want to have to spend that time fixing a bloody window latch. I want to spend it with my woman under me crying out my name.

“The, um, the sink is leaking. I can’t get it to stop,’’ she tells me smiling, but looks more like a cringe.

The shift in her mood surprises me and I quickly look down at my watch noticing it’s still before five. They’ll be open. “I’ve got a number for a local plumber. Give him a call and I’ll foot the bill,’’ I tell her, about to turn to grab the card from my wallet.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,’’ she rushes out. “Can you just take five minutes to look at it?’’ she asks, her tone pleading.  I look down to Kennedy and she just looks up at me shrugging.

She’s no freaking help.

I groan.

“Okay, but if it needs work I’ll have to call him myself,’’ I tell her. I move away from the door leaving Kennedy standing there while I grab my coat and wallet, just in case I need to give them a call. Kennedy is still standing by the door when I return and I lean down giving her a kiss on the forehead before ducking under the rain and rushing around to Lexi’s place.

We rush into the apartment, the rain already drenching my skin. Not wanting to mess around with pleasantries I walk straight over to the kitchen sink, noticing there isn’t a leak.

“Lexi, there’s nothing wrong with the sink,’’ I tell her, turning around. “What the hell?’’ I shout, turning back around and covering my eyes. Lexi is standing in the closed doorway in nothing but her knickers. Yes, I noticed, sue me, I’m a bloke.

What I didn’t expect was this kind of boldness coming from her.

Especially her.

This is nothing like the Lexi I’ve come to know. If this had happened a few months ago I’d probably be hard as a rock right now and jumping at the chance, but it’s not. Now I have Kennedy in my life and I’m not foolish enough to jeopardise that. She’s special, but, more importantly she’s someone I can see myself having a future with. It’s just a bonus she’s the mother of my daughter, whether she gave birth to her or not.

“Don’t you still want me? I made a mistake, Evan. I want you,’’ she says seductively, her voice sounding closer. I move around the counter towards the front door. I’m surprised I made it there safely with my hands still covering my eyes.

“Lexi, you don’t want me. You made your choice crystal clear. I have Kennedy and Imogen now.’’

“Then why can’t you look at me? You want me, admit it,’’ she cries loudly and I turn around feeling pissed.

How dare she?

Looking straight into her eyes I switch on my interrogation mask, wanting her to know I’m deadly fucking serious. “Lexi, I’m not looking at you due to respect for you and for Kennedy, who by the way is next door with my daughter. I don’t know why the sudden change, but you don’t want me, and if I’m honest, I never really wanted you. I wanted what my sister had. I have that now. With Kennedy. You need to stop whatever this is and move on,’’ I wave at her.

I sigh, feeling disgusted for staying as long as I have. Turning, I leave, slamming the door behind me and blocking out Lexi’s sobs. There’s one thing I have a huge weakness for and that’s crying women. I hate seeing them upset and hurt. I always want to try and fix it.

Walking back into mine, I give one look to Kennedy who is curled up on the couch and sag with relief. This is where I want to be, where I need to be and with Kennedy, I know I’ll be here until she tells me to leave.

“Hey, what’s wrong?’’ she asks voicing her concern when I sit down after taking my wet coat off.

“Lexi,’’ I groan, wondering how to tell her.

“I’m taking it she told you she wanted you?’’ she says, shocking me.

“What? Huh?’’

“Oh come on, the woman has been pining over you ever since I arrived. She wants me gone, that much is obvious. So, how did it go?’’ she asks, her voice and facial expression dropping towards the end.

“She got naked,’’ I blurt out.

Kennedy shoots up from the couch and I follow.

Shit.

When her eyes start to water I feel like shit and begin to wish I never said anything. Like I said, I hate women crying, but seeing Kennedy cry is tearing my heart out.

“Please don’t cry. I don’t want her, I want you. I promise I didn’t even look at her. I got out of there as soon as I could,’’ I tell her quickly, needing her to know how much she means to me.

“So you didn’t... Nothing happened?’’ she croaks out.

“No. Never! I promise. I’d never do that to you, babe.’’

“Fudging hell! We’ve been giving this a go between us for not even a week and I’ve already gone all territorial on your bum,’’ she groans making me chuckle. If only she knew how unbelievably hot it is watching her riled up over it all.

“I think it’s brilliant, and hot, and sexy,’’ I whisper to her, bending my head down to give her a kiss. She reaches up on her toes, meeting me for the kiss.

The minute my lips touch hers I’m lost. Lost in her and lost in the kiss. Damn this woman. She can bring me to my knees with one simple touch.