Chapter 7 - EVAN AND ME
Before Vincent surrendered, I needed one conversation.
Evan and I met at a park.
His shoulder was healing.
He brought no ring.
That helped.
“I was angry at you,” he said.
“You had a right.”
“I was angrier at him.”
“I know.”
“Then I realized something embarrassing.”
“What?”
“I wasn't surprised.”
I looked at him.
“About you loving Dad.”
He smiled sadly.
“You watched him enter rooms.”
I covered my face.
“Was I that obvious?”
“To me? Eventually.”
“Why did you still propose?”
“Because I thought choosing me could make it go away.”
There it was.
The same mistake I had made.
I thought loving Evan enough could replace loving Vincent.
Evan thought being loved by me could defeat what I felt for his father.
Neither worked.
“I'm sorry.”
“So am I.”
He looked toward the trees.
“Did you love me?”
“Yes.”
“Just not the right way.”
I nodded.
He laughed.
“That's annoyingly mature.”
“Would you prefer a dramatic answer?”
“Please.”
“I secretly hated your hair.”
He looked offended.
“My hair is excellent.”
“It is.”
We laughed.
Then he became serious.
“Take care of him.”
“He doesn't need me to take care of him.”
Evan smiled.
“Exactly.”
That was when I knew we might someday be okay.
Not soon.
May you like
But someday.
---
