Chapter 52

Evan's P. O. V.

I prepared to pick up Annie along with Mike and Lily. My heart felt heavy, but this time it was because I was so happy, I could explode.

"Stop smiling like that, it's creeping me out," Mike said.

"Yeah, me too," Lily agreed.

"I can't help it. She will finally be mine," I grinned. I really can't stop smiling even if I tried.

"Yeah, don't mind the rest of our feelings," Lily sounded bitter.

I snapped out of it a little bit. I've been selfish. I wasn't thinking about Lily. She must be hurt that I chose Annie over her again. I asked Mike to leave the room for a second so I could talk to her.

"Hey Lily, I am really sorry. I want you to know that I do care about you as a friend and I didn't mean to take things so far with you. I just can't live without Annie. I thought I could when she left but I was miserable the whole time. Don't tell me you never noticed," I said.

Lily sighed. "I know. I get it. It's not your fault. I was the one who kept pursuing you even though I knew full well that you would never love me," she said.

"So... will you forgive me? Are we good now?" I asked.

Lily smiled. "We are good, don't worry. I can see how you feel about Annie so I am willing to let you off the hook," she said.

"Thank you," I said and hugged her.

My smile got even bigger as soon as I saw my Annie. She looked even more beautiful than yesterday.

"Evan!" she chirped and threw herself at me. I wrapped her into a big hug and squeezed her. God, I missed her.

"My grandma said she is okay with me going with you," she said excitedly like I didn't already know.

"I know little hamster," I whispered.

"I am all packed up I just need to say goodbye to grandma," she said and broke our hug. I started to let her go but paused as I saw a big red bruise on her arm. It wasn't there before.

"Wait a minute, what the hell happened to your arm?" I asked, suddenly turning serious.

"What? Oh this," Annie hesitated. "I... it’s nothing," she said.

"It doesn't look like nothing. It looks painful. Who did this to you?" I asked. "Did your grandma..."

"NO! She would never hurt me. I told you it's nothing," Annie insisted.

Mike was listening to us quietly the whole time but he stepped forward. "I think you should tell him what happened, Annie," he said grimly.

"Huh? Did you know about this? What the hell is going on?" I said. I was already starting to get angry but I softened my gaze when I looked at her face which was turning sad. "Hey, I am sorry Annie. But I want you to tell me who hurt you. Please?" I pleaded.

"James...he got angry when I broke up with him yesterday and grabbed me, but I am okay. I swear!" she exclaimed.

Rage boiled inside of me. That motherfucker hurt her!

"Evan please.... don’t try to do anything. Let's just leave okay? Then we will never have to see him again!" Annie wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me. I started to calm down.

"Fine. Let's just go," I said and took a deep breath.

We said goodbye to her grandma who didn't say much and gave us cold treatment but I knew she cared about Annie. I see right through that stone heart, granny, I thought and smirked.

But before we could make it to the car, we were interrupted.

"Annie! Stop!"

We all turned around and saw James standing there, glaring at us. Oh, you've got to be shitting me.

"What the fuck do you want?" I barked.

"I want to talk to Annie," he declared.

"I don't think so," I said gruffly. I looked over at Annie who was standing next to Lily, looking down. She didn't look like she had any desire to talk to this asshole.

"I just need to say something to her," he insisted.

Annie walked over and grabbed my hand.

"Annie, don't go with him. I am sorry for what I said to you yesterday. I didn't mean it. Your home is here, with me," the jerk said.

Annie looked at him quietly for a moment. "Go to hell James. You only want me because you think I am some quiet and timid girl you can control. So just do me a favor and fuck off," she said calmly and walked away.

Damn, I've never seen the feisty side of her but I think I love it.

"You heard her. It's over so goodbye," I said dismissively.

"I won't let this happen asshole," he stepped closer. Does this scrawny bitch really think he can win a fight against me?

Mike came and stood next to me. "You are not going to win this fight shithead. It's two against one so just leave already," he said irritably.

James gave us a final glare and stormed away.

"Can we start driving already? I can't handle any more drama," Annie sighed.

"Of course, sweetheart. Start driving Mike," I ordered.

"Why am I on driving duty?" Mike complained.

"Just do it, jeez..." I muttered.

Mike gave flipped me off and got on the driver seat. Lily rolled her eyes and went in next to him.

"Are you sure you wanna do this with me?" I asked Annie for the last time and smirked.

She smiled and tiptoed to plant a kiss on my lips.