Chapter 57: Unfinished

Chapter 57: Unfinished
Chapter 57: Unfinished

EVANGELINE

Damn it. Luke is definitely the last person I needed to run into today.

I turn back toward the bar, trying to hide.

"I think we'd better go," I murmur to Tess.

"Too late..." she murmurs back. "They already saw us."

I groan inwardly.

"Wait... they? Never mind. Let's go."

"Evan's with him."

Great. The best friend.

I don't remember exactly when we last saw each other, but Luke and I were still together.

I sigh, anticipating the discomfort. I don't have to deal with this. I'm way too drunk for this, and I don't want them to see me like this.

"They're coming over," Tess warns.

No. Please, no.

"I don't want to talk to them."

"I know, but we can't just run away. So try to relax."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to prepare myself mentally, but everything feels hazy and jumbled inside my head.

I shouldn't have drunk so much.

"Teresa Monroe..." The male voice makes me flinch slightly.

"Evan." Tess stands to greet him.

"How have you been?" he asks as I force myself to stand.

Ignoring Luke's presence a few steps behind us, I turn to Evan.

"Eve, how are you?" he asks, pulling me into a hug.

Just as tall as I remember, I think, stretching slightly.

"I'm good. And you?" I pull away. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yeah... Actually, I just got back from a trip."

Of course.

The damn trips.

"I like the new look," I comment before the silence can become awkward, noticing that his blond hair looks different. Maybe longer, but the alcohol won't let me be sure.

"Thanks. You look great."

Liar.

"Well... it was nice seeing you, but we were just leaving, weren't we, Tess?" I say quickly.

"Really? But I just got here, and I was about to ask Tess to catch me up on everything." He drapes an arm over Tess's shoulders.

Seriously... I can't help shooting Luke an accusing look as he continues to watch us in silence.

"It won't take long," Tess says, almost apologetically, before walking away with Evan.

What is she doing?

All we had to do was leave.

A few steps away, she stops beside Luke.

"Don't bother her," she warns, pointing a finger at him before continuing on.

Frustrated, I watch the two of them head toward a table in the back before sitting down at the bar again, ignoring Luke.

But without saying a word, he takes the seat to my right.

Too close.

"So that's it? Not even a 'hi' for old times' sake?" That damn voice still makes my chest tighten.

For a moment, I consider simply ignoring him.

"You should take Tess's advice," I say at last.

"I think it's a little too late for that, considering the way you're drinking."

I don't answer.

"What are you trying to run from?" he presses.

"How about you go mind your own business?" I shoot back, staring at my now-empty glass.

"I hate seeing you like this."

"Oh, please, don't start with that... That's too much hypocrisy, even for you." I scoff, his words stirring my irritation.

"Say whatever you want, but no one knows you better than I do."

I take a deep breath.

Why does he think he has that right?

"Just... leave me alone," I ask.

He falls silent for a moment, almost making me believe he's given up.

"This isn't about us, is it?"

I sigh.

"What do you want?" I ask, looking at his face for the first time and regretting it instantly.

Those damn blue eyes...

Everything about him feels so familiar, almost comforting, yet at the same time, deeply painful.

"I'm just worried."

I hate the way I can still recognize the sincerity in his eyes.

And the way he still looks ridiculously handsome.

"It's a little late for that, don't you think?" I say with a bitter smile, looking away from his perfect face.

"I'm still me, Eve... Just tell me what happened. If it wasn't me, then what or..." He hesitates. "Who?"

"No one," I answer too quickly.

"Fuck... Don't do this to me, Eve. I'm still here."

"Now? Why weren't you there when I needed you?" The thought slips out.

"I've always been here for you."

"But not on New Year's, right?" I taunt, looking into his eyes and forcing a smile as I feel my throat tighten.

"Don't do this... I just want to fix this..."

"You can't. Don't you see? It'll never be the same... not you... not me... never again."

"No... I don't know what happened, but it doesn't matter. I'll fix this, Eve."

"You've already done enough. More than..." I stop myself before the thought can fully escape.

"Who?"

"I have to go home." I get to my feet, feeling sleepy and exhausted.

"Please. I'm already living through hell. Tell me there isn't someone else."

"You have to move on," I say, meeting his gaze.

"Don't say that."

"I have to go."

Doing my best to walk in a straight line, I make my way to the table where Tess and Evan are, aware that Luke is following me.

"Hey..." I say, stopping beside the table. "I'm going home... Are you staying?"

She frowns in confusion.

"But I thought you were staying with me."

"I'd rather go home."

"You can't go alone."

"I'll call a cab."

"That doesn't sound very safe," Evan cuts in. "You live a little far away, don't you?"

"I'll take her," Luke speaks up behind me before I can answer Evan.