Engaging Evelyn (Blissful Bets #1) Read online

  “Well, he might be there tonight. You are going out for Bets, right? You’re not playing Betty Homemaker already, are you?” Sarah rolled her eyes.

  “Of course I’m playing Bets.” Evelyn’s stomach twisted just thinking about going out to the bar. What if she got drugged again? Tonight, she vowed not to drink anything she didn’t watch made personally.

  “Well, good, because you owe Melissa drinks. She did bet you, by the way, and you didn’t go through with it, so…”

  “I know, I know,” Evelyn said, grabbing her purse. Finally, she could leave. Then it was off to get ready to go out. The guys weren’t planning to come over, so she didn’t have to worry about them. It was time to have a little fun, she hoped.

  They walked toward the entrance of the building, waving at the receptionist on their way out. Another sharp pain had Evelyn paused at the door of her car. Trying to brace herself, she gripped her hand against the door handle.

  “Hey, you all right?” Sarah asked, looking over at her from her car.

  “Fine.” Evelyn tried to catch her breath. She opened the door, got in, and blindly searched for her keys. What in the hell was happening to her? It wasn’t heartburn. The aching feeling made her feel hollow. She wanted to ball up and cry from the immense loss she felt nestling itself inside her.

  The engine roared to life and she watched Sarah drive out of the lot in her shiny red Corvette. Lucky bitch. Oh well, Sarah didn’t have a mortgage. She refused to buy a house when she swore that someday, she’d marry a guy who would do it for her. Her platinum blond friend was more the Barbie type. Everything about her radiated the perfect female. But Evelyn knew she wasn’t what she appeared, no matter how hard Sarah tried to hide it.

  Evelyn drove out, using one hand on the steering wheel while pushing the other against the emptiness in her chest. If anything, she felt like her heart had been ripped out. One minute she was fine, happy-go-lucky, ready to play Bets, and the next she wanted to hide so she could scream and cry at the sadness she felt.

  Port Aransas wasn’t that big. It took her less than five minutes to pull into the resort parking lot. Breathing deeply, Evelyn grabbed her purse and walked to the stairs. Both Stephen and Brandon were sitting in chairs in front of Brandon’s window. When had they become friends? They argued worse than her grandmothers did. Even when they were watching movies, they sniped at each other.

  Trying to climb while she used one hand to clutch the railing and the other to clutch her chest was painful. She didn’t want to talk to them right now. The need to be alone consumed her. If she could use a good hour to cry for no apparent reason, then she’d feel better.

  “Hey, beautiful, how was work,” Brandon asked, looking over at her.

  Evelyn forced a smile. “Good, I’m just tired. I’m going to go in and rest.” She pushed her fist between her breasts harder at the sight of Stephen’s sympathetic smile. He probably thought she was tired, but tired was the last thing Evelyn was. The need to hold Stephen, to ask him why he had left her was like whiplash. It was enough to make her nearly stumble down the stairs. Thank God, she was clutching the railing.

  “Are you okay?”

  Brandon was suddenly on his feet. Evelyn hadn’t even seen him stand from the chair. She looked over and Stephen was standing too. When had that happened?

  Tightness consumed Evelyn’s throat. Hysterics were moments away. What in the hell was the matter with her? The thought that she might cry in front of these two guys was enough to make her angry, which for some reason brought the tears on even more.

  “I’m fine, really. I’m just tired. Maybe I’m getting sick. My chest has been hurting the last few days. I’m going to nap, and then maybe I’ll see you two later.”

  The guys both looked at each other with concern. Evelyn pulled out her keys and shut herself in her apartment as fast as she could. Relief that she had made it inside made her eyes blurry with moisture. Now she could release and no one could see her. Everything would be fine, and tonight she would go and have fun.

  Not once did Evelyn’s head drop. She held it high while she walked to her bed and crawled under the covers. Holding the pillow to her chest and wrapping herself in a ball around it, she let the sobs pour from her.

  Flashes of her past engulfed her mind, smothering her breath. The need to rush to Stephen was almost uncontrollable. The question “Why” kept repeating in her mind. He said that he loved her. He acted like he did. So then why after one weekend of Sheila visiting her brother had Stephen left her? What was it about Sheila that had made him throw away everything they had? Nothing made sense.

  For endless minutes she lay sobbing, confused as to what was happening. Was she having some sort of brain meltdown?

  Evelyn screamed into the pillow as a wave of despair took over her. At the pounding on her door, the pain was suddenly gone. She sat up wiping her eyes and felt absolutely fine. The absence of her sadness left her even more confused. There, that was it. It was out and she would be fine now, at least she hoped.

  Clearing her throat, Evelyn called out, “Just a minute,” and rushed to the bathroom.

  Cool water had her gasping for air while she rinsed off her face. “See, you’re fine,” she said to her reflection in the mirror. But she didn’t look fine. The redness and swollenness of her eyes were a dead giveaway, not to mention her whole face was flushed.

  Brandon and Stephen looked ready to break her door down. It took her a moment to ask them anything. “I thought I told you two I was taking a nap.” Evelyn tried not to make eye contact with either of them.

  “We heard you scream, and you’ve been crying. What’s wrong?” Stephen took a step toward her.

  This was not happening. No way had they heard her scream. It hadn’t been that loud, plus she had screamed into the pillow.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. It was probably one of the kids you heard screaming. Now if it’s all right with you I’m going back to bed.” Evelyn looked up for the first time at Stephen’s face. It was the worst mistake she could have made. She felt as if she had been impaled on a knife. Evelyn gasped, grabbing her chest, and slammed the door.

  It opened immediately. They both walked in, eying her suspiciously. The tears were already rolling down her cheeks, and there was nothing she could do about it.

  “Get out. I don’t want you two here. I want to be…alone.” Evelyn could barely make out the last word, she was crying so hard.

  “It didn’t work.” Brandon sighed. “What now?” He turned to Stephen. “How do you know it didn’t work? Maybe something else is bothering her.”

  Stephen took another step toward Evelyn. She jumped away from him as if he had burned her.

  “Evelyn, come to me,” Stephen said calmly.

  As if her body had a mind of its own, Evelyn walked forward. “No, no, I don’t want to,”she cried. Her legs carried her, but her mind was screaming no. “What is happening? Why can’t I stop?”

  “Fuck, the bond’s not completely broken. I don’t know what else to do. I was just supposed to release it and everything was meant to go back to normal, so I thought,” Stephen said, more to himself than anyone else. “You can stop, Evelyn. You don’t have to come to me if you don’t want to.”

  Evelyn came to a halt at his words. Did she really want to stop? All she knew was if she even so much as touched Stephen she was going to ask him why he left, cry some more, and then beg him to make love to her. That, she couldn’t do. She had way too much pride to resort to begging someone who had left her to begin with.

  “You have to call Ayden and tell him what you’ve done,” Brandon said, never taking his eyes off Evelyn. “Maybe he’ll know how to break it.”

  “Fuck, you’re right. The shit is going to hit the fan. Damn, he’s going to be pissed.” Stephen pulled out his phone.

  “What are you both talking about?” Evelyn was furious that they kept speaking in riddles. Angry, she wiped the tears from her cheeks. She was so tired of feeling this
way. The sadness she’d felt over the last two years kept mentally wearing her down. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

  “Nothing. Why don’t we go and make some coffee?”

  Brandon led her to the kitchen like a child. Evelyn didn’t care. Coffee sounded very good at the moment.

  Chapter 15

  On the second ring, Ayden picked up the phone. Weight settled in Stephen’s chest. There was no doubt in his mind that Ayden was going to be pissed, but all he could think about was if Evelyn was going to be all right. He had never meant to hurt her.

  “Stephen, what’s up?”

  “We have a problem.” Stephen walked to the far end of the living room. He didn’t want Evelyn to hear his conversation.

  “Is it Sheila? Is she all right?” Ayden’s panic was thick in his voice.

  “No, Sheila is fine. I talked to her earlier. This isn’t about her. There’s something I haven’t told you.”

  Ayden got quiet for a few seconds. “So tell me.”

  “Before you ordered me to take care of Sheila, I marked someone. I broke off our engagement and haven’t seen her until recently. A part of me thought she would be fine and that after Sheila was better, I could pick up where we left off. Well, she wasn’t fine, and I released the bond, but she’s worse now. She’s in so much pain.”

  “You did what? Why in the hell didn’t you tell me this before? I could have gotten someone else to look after Sheila. Do you know what you’ve done to this girl?” Ayden growled. “Stephen, you can’t release the bond. I don’t care what you’ve heard. It’ll be there forever.”

  “What do I do? I love her. I loved her from the moment I saw her, but I don’t think she loves me. She just feels what the bond wants her to feel.”

  Ayden took a deep breath. “No, Stephen. If she’s as bad as you say she is, the bond is only intensifying what she feels. She loves you too, or else she wouldn’t be this bad. You have to replace the bond. Having the connection severed is only hurting her more. She needs to feel it or else this will go on and only get worse.

  “I really wish you would have told me. Nicole and I were only separated a week, and it was the most agonizing time in my life. I don’t know how the both of you did it for two years.”

  “I don’t either. Thanks, Ayden. I’ll figure something out.”

  “There’s nothing to figure out, Stephen,” Ayden snapped. “You have two days to replace that bond or else I’ll hunt you down myself. I will not allow anyone from my pack to put an innocent person through that much pain. Two days.” Ayden hung up the phone.

  Stephen looked at it, shocked. “Shit.” Overwhelmed, he stuffed it in his pocket. How in the hell was he going to get her to fall back in love with him in just two days? That was impossible.

  Brandon and Evelyn walked into the living room, both holding cups of coffee. Evelyn handed him a cup made just the way he liked it. The realization that she remembered after all this time made his heart skip. He would find a way to get her back. They were meant to be together, and he wouldn’t stop until they were.

  * * * *

  Evelyn felt so much better now that she’d had what she considered a breakdown. Maybe if she would have had hysterics like these two years ago, instead of crying and drinking her troubles away, she would be over Stephen already. Why was that thought not very comforting to her?

  The red dress Evelyn had on was perfect for tonight. She turned, examining herself in the mirror in the restroom. The dress was one of the many curve-fitting microfiber concoctions she owned. It screamed fuck me. It was perfect.

  A knock on her door had her swinging her hips. She tried her best to run in the red stilettos, but gave up and settled for a fast walk. Melissa looked absolutely stunning in a black little number. Her dark red hair haloed her face in silky waves.

  “Hey, you look great,” Evelyn said, collecting her red clutch.

  “Not as good as you. So how are things? Sarah told me Stephen is back in the picture. I’m not sure what I think about that, but my lips are sealed,” Melissa said, pretending to zip her lips closed. “He’s outside, by the way.”

  “I figured he was. He’s always sitting out there with Brandon now. I don’t know, but I don’t want to talk about it.” The thought that the stabbing pain would come rushing back scared the crap out of her.

  “No problem, I understand. Just be careful,” Melissa said softly. “I will. You ready?”

  Melissa opened the door and they walked out. A whistle had them turning toward Brandon’s door. The men both stood with their mouths parted.

  “Wow, you look amazing,” Brandon breathed out, walking over to Evelyn. “Thanks a lot,” Melissa said jokingly. “I guess I’m chopped liver.”

  “No, you look amazing too.” Brandon smiled at her charmingly, but Melissa didn’t buy it.

  “Yeah, yeah, save it, Romeo. You’re not fooling anyone.” Melissa looked over at

  Stephen. “Haven’t seen you in a while. How’ve you been?”

  “Okay, I guess. I see your little group is going out tonight.” Stephen looked back over at Evelyn. Shyly, she looked down. Something between Brandon and her ex had happened earlier. One minute they were drinking coffee, the next, they excused themselves and rushed from her apartment. It was enough to make her head spin.

  “Yes, we’re going out, and we’re going to be late. Ev, you ready?” Melissa was already heading down the stairs.

  “Yeah, I’m right behind you. You boys have fun tonight. Don’t party it up too hard.”

  “Who, us? No, we’re just going to sit here and drink. Should we save you one?” Brandon asked, smiling down at her.

  Damn, he’s gorgeous, Evelyn thought. “No, I don’t expect to be home tonight. Thanks, though, I appreciate the offer.”

  Brandon’s smile faltered. “All right, well, have fun tonight. Don’t do anything too crazy.

  I don’t feel like bailing you out of jail.”

  “That’s me, the crazy law breaker. All right, bye, guys.” Evelyn took one last look at Stephen, and her heart dropped. She turned quickly and headed after her friend before she did something as unbelievably stupid as throw herself at him.

  Melissa was waiting for her by her car, tapping her foot. “Damn, you took forever. Why are you even going out? There are two guys up there right now ready to devour you. Did you see the way Stephen was practically drooling over himself? He still wants you.”

  Evelyn didn’t answer; she just stepped up into Melissa’s truck and stared out of the window while letting the words sink in. At hearing the loud exhaust, Evelyn drifted into her thoughts even more, letting the sound of the soft music flow through her.

  The darkness helped her focus on the plaguing problems. Why were Stephen and Brandon hanging around each other? Stephen had other friends, didn’t he? He always had before when they were together. They used to joke and call themselves “the pack” because there were so many of them. What had happened? Had helping her out of the car that day brought them together? Or did Stephen truly not have anyone else left?

  The pack… Why was that so familiar? Damn it, there was something to that statement that bothered her, just like with the damn soap she used. It had a pulling sensation on her mind, as if she should remember something about it. Fuck, this feeling was getting annoying.

  Before Evelyn knew it, she was so consumed with trying to remember her lost memories that Melissa had to call her name twice to let her know they were there.

  “Are you feeling all right? It’s like you’re in another world lately. Where’s the fun, crazy Evelyn I know?”

  “She’s here, no worries.” Evelyn climbed out of the truck.

  The bar was packed like always. The girls weaved through people and made it to their booth, where Sarah and Julie were already waiting. Everyone was wearing black but Evelyn. They all noticed at the same time and laughed.

  “Well, we’re not going to lose Evelyn in a crowd tonight. That dress is amazing. Where in the world did yo
u get it?” Sarah asked, scooting over for her to sit down.

  “You seriously have to ask? Where do I buy all my clothes?”

  Sarah nodded and pushed over Evelyn’s drink. “I had the liberty of already ordering.

  Second round is on you. Drink up, woman. We’re going to get you loosened up in no time.”

  Looking down into the drink, Evelyn felt her stomach flip. “No one besides the two of you has been by my drink, right?”

  “Of course not. Why?” Sarah asked, confused.

  “I think someone slipped something in my martini the last time we were out. I have pieces missing from the whole weekend it seems.”

  “Shut up, you’re shitting me,” Julie said, leaning forward, her blue eyes round with fear. “I’m dead serious. I only remember pieces of Brandon and me fucking. He thought I was

  just drunk but seriously, it’s really freaking me out.”

  “That is so scary. Everyone watch each other’s drinks tonight,” Sarah said seriously.

  They peered into their glasses, shrugged, and drank their martinis like they were shots. In one gulp, the glasses were empty.

  Five martinis later, Evelyn felt absolutely wonderful. Every guy who walked by was a potential target. Now who did she want to place a bet on tonight? Julie seemed eager enough.

  Evelyn knew her type—anyone good-looking and in a suit would drive her crazy. It could have been that she was a lawyer and just liked the business type of man, but Evelyn had seen pictures of her ex-husband and knew he wore suits religiously. She was betting that was Julie’s link.

  The bar clientele was a mix of every type of person one could think of, even though it was considered “upscale.” There were only two suits present, and Evelyn was betting neither one of those guys would cut it. Oh well, there was still the rest of the night and tomorrow. It wasn’t but a few minutes after one. No hurry.

  “Well, hello, beautiful ladies,” someone with a deep voice said from beside Evelyn.

  She looked over, and her smile fell a little. “Hey, Paul. I take it you’re having fun tonight?” Evelyn asked, trying her best to keep smiling. Why did this guy make her a little uneasy? He was very good-looking. Was she overreacting?