22. Inside Out
I didn’t remember sleeping. But the next thing I knew, it was morning. It seemed unlikely that I made it through the night without a nightmare, especially since I was still exhausted when I pulled the covers back―but I couldn’t remember that either.
It was eerily quiet while I got ready, other than the house's occasional groans. There still wasn’t any movement when I shut the front door behind me. I sat in my car for a minute before starting it, gripping the steering wheel with my eyes fixed on the house like I was expecting it to tell me what to do―how to make everything better. It just remained still, staring back at me.
"Sure," I whispered, "now you're silent." I took a long drawn breath and started the car.
I pulled into the Mathews’ driveway to find more cars than usual. Along with Vivian and Evan’s BMWs and Stuart’s Mercedes were a black Lexus and a blue Prius. I parked in the middle of the long driveway, blocking them all in―figuring we’d be leaving as soon as Evan put on his jacket.
I knocked. No one answered. I knocked again and waited longer―still no one came to the door. I turned the knob and slowly let myself in, cautiously scanning the kitchen.
“Hello?” I called out, creeping further into the large kitchen. That’s when I heard laughter. I stopped to listen and then moved toward the voices―leading me down the hall.
One of the doors along the long hallway, a door that was always shut when I visited, was cracked open. I could hear the voices coming from inside. I recognized Evan’s.
“You are far from awkward,” he said.
“Believe me, he knows awkward,” Stuart teased with a light laugh.
“Dad!” Evan scorned, but with a playfulness in his voice. “She’s not awkward either.”
“She’s something else entirely,” Stuart chuckled.
“What do you mean?” she asked. Analise―of course.
I knocked. All conversation ceased as I became visible at the entrance.
“Hi.” I scanned each surprised face and noted the stacks of envelopes piled on the large conference table where they were sitting.
“Hi,” Evan acknowledged with a dazzling smile. “It’s ten?” I nodded. “Sorry. Lost track of time. Do you want to help? I promised my mother we’d stuff all of these envelopes before we left. We’re almost done.”
“Oh.” I glanced from Analise’s bright eyes to Stuart, who wouldn't look at me at all. “Um, I need to get my things together for the hike. I just kinda threw them in my car so I could get here. I'll meet you outside, if that’s okay.”
“Okay, sure,” Evan replied hesitantly. “I won’t be long.” I nodded and slowly walked away.
I’d obviously interrupted something, and I wasn’t about to ruin it with my awkwardness. I couldn’t believe I’d heard Stuart laugh. I’d never even seen him smile. I closed the kitchen door behind me, shutting out the voices and laughter with it.
I walked toward the garage instead of my car, leaving my expertly packed backpack resting on the backseat. I made my way up the stairs to the rec room, plopping down on the couch.
I lay there, staring at the beamed ceiling.
My phone beeped. How are you this morning? lit up the screen.
Tired. And you?
Same, he answered. I'm really sorry about last night. How is she today?
Didn't see her.
I'm going to talk to her. Going to be honest.
I stared at the last text, not sure what part he planned to be honest about. Before I could respond, I heard, “Here you are.” Sara stood at the top of the stairs.
“Hi,” I sat up in surprise. “What are you doing back?”
“We’re going hiking with you,” she revealed in excitement.
“Great,” I responded, but my voice fell flat.
Sara eyed me suspiciously. “Do you not want us to? Did you want to be alone with Evan?”
“No, it’s great,” I smiled weakly, truly not concerned with the added company.
“You’re not right," Sara observed, coming around to sit next to me on the couch. “Spill it.”
“It’s nothing really. Just tired. My mother and Jonathan had a fight last night, and I thought they broke up…”
“I heard,” Sara gawked. “I thought Jill was exaggerating.”
I groaned. Of course. Jill had front row seats to most of the debacle. "Did Jill say anything else?" I asked, suddenly concerned that the drinking part was leaked as well.
"No," Sara returned. "Why? Is there something else?"
“No," I lied. "That was enough drama for one night.”
“That’s why today is exactly what you need,” Sara gleamed, jumping up and pulling me to my feet. “Fresh air with your best friend and your boyfriend. And, of course, my boyfriend too. I’ve missed you. We all need this.”
“True,” I agreed, a smile eventually taking shape without effort.
I followed Sara down the stairs. Anna's SUV was parked behind my car, and Jared was tossing two backpacks into it. I added my backpack to the pile and eyed the bags, coming up with one too many.
“She’s what?!”
Sara stood on the bottom step, eyeing Analise, who was standing next to Evan on the porch, all bubbly and excited. With Sara’s reaction, Analise’s smile deflated. I walked closer to hear what was going on.
“Come on, Sara,” Evan countered. “What’s one more person?”
I realized what they were discussing, and my shoulders sank. Evan looked to me for support. I forced my cheeks up and cheerily contributed, “Analise, you’re coming with us, right?”
“Is that okay?” she questioned, looking from me to Sara. Sara tightened her eyes in my direction, not appreciating my betrayal. Then she turned back toward Analise with a sugary smile.
“Sure,” Sara exclaimed with forced excitement. “It’ll be great.” I couldn’t help but smile wider at her exaggerated reaction. “Jared, why don’t you drive? That way Emma and I can get to know Analise.” She tossed him the keys.
After moving my car onto the street, I jumped into the backseat of the SUV and we headed north along the Connecticut-New York border into the mountains.
For ninety minutes, Sara interrogated Analise. Of course she did it in her own Sara-way, laughing and getting excited when they liked the same things. But every so often, she’d shoot me an are you kidding me glance that kept a smirk on my face.
We headed out along the trail, adorned with backpacks. Analise kept up alongside Evan and Jared, allowing Sara and me to follow behind―evidently she’d had enough girl time.
“What’s with her?” Sara asked, watching as Analise giggled and swatted at Evan’s arm. “She seems nice enough, but I just… I just don’t like her.”
I laughed―probably louder and harder than I should have, making the trio turn back toward us.
“Emma!” Sara scolded, chuckling. “Stop. She’s going to think we’re talking about her.”
I continued to smile, keeping enough distance between the two groups so we wouldn’t be overheard. “I’m sure she knows we’re talking about her.”
“She’s way too excited for my taste. Like a pathetic puppy dog.”
“If she’s too excited for you, then that’s an issue.”
“A huge issue,” Sara laughed. “And if she touches Evan one more time, I think I may have to take her out for you. Why aren’t you bothered by it?”
“Oh, I am,” I told her. “I just thought I was being a stupid, jealous girlfriend.”
“You’re not,” she assured me, but that only made me feel worse. “She needs to take those big brown eyes of hers and back the f*ck off.”
“Sara! Omigod!” I laughed. Sara joined me.
“What’s so funny?” Evan asked, stopping to wait for us to catch up.
“Sara,” I stated with a smile, like that was the only explanation needed.
Evan grabbed my hand, and Sara quickened her pace to catch up with Jared, sliding her arm through his. Analise, being the odd person out, continued along the trail, feigning interest in the tops of the trees to avoid looking at us.
Evan slowed down as we neared a bend, allowing the rest to disappear before stopping completely. “Hi,” he smiled, vanquishing the jealousy that seared under my skin. He leaned down and sent my heart into convulsions with the touch of his lips. “I’ve wanted to do that for way too long.”
“I’ve needed you to do that for way too long,” I breathed.
"How are you after last night? I heard about the argument at the game." He studied me intently.
"It's hard to watch," I admitted. "I have a feeling they're on the verge of breaking up, and I don't want her to get hurt."
"I know," he said, kissing me softly. "Well, it's good to get away from the tension then." I nodded. Evan squeezed my hand and we continued along the trail. This was exactly what I needed, despite Analise’s presence.
"Can I ask you something?" Evan climbed up next to me on a rock after handing me our lunch.
"Sure," I answered, unwrapping the sandwich.
"What was that sweater thing all about the other night?"
I stopped mid-bite, not having considered how it may have looked to Evan. I pulled the sandwich away and said, "It was a misunderstanding." I took a bite, and Evan waited for me to continue. Before I even thought about what I was saying, I added, "It wasn't my sweater."
"Oh," Evan replied, dismissing the subject as he unwrapped his sandwich and began talking about how we both had one more game next week before the championships.
I forced another bite out of the sandwich, having lost my appetite. Lying made my stomach volatile. I didn't know why Jonathan had my sweater. But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to tell Evan that.
We returned to the car just as the sun was hiding behind the trees. Evan and I sat in the back with Analise. I made certain to sit in the middle. She really was nice, truly. But it was so very evident that she had a thing for Evan, and I wasn’t going to pretend to be oblivious.
I nestled in under Evan’s arm, resting my head on his chest. I breathed in his clean scent swirled with the mustiness of the outdoors and closed my eyes. He kissed the top of my head and played with my fingers, running his through mine and lightly drawing circles on my palm. I let the tingling of his touch lull me to sleep.
I looked at his face as he held my hand, walking with me along the beach. He hadn’t shaven for a few days, making him look like he should be camping, not collecting seashells with his daughter. The ocean air ruffled his dark brown hair but his smile was permanent, making the lines along his eyes crease, like they were smiling too.
I held the pail in my hand, swinging it lightly. My eyes flit everywhere except the ground―the birds darting along the shoreline pecking at the sand, the dark rolling water crashing into the rocks, then back to my father’s face that looked so relaxed and peaceful.
“There’s a good one,” he said, stopping to bend down and pluck a white pearly shell from the sand. “What do you think of this one, Emma?” He held it up for me to inspect.
I took the shell in my hand and ran my fingers over its smooth surface.
“It’s perfect…” I looked up, but he wasn’t there. I turned around, searching, but I was alone.
“Emma?” the smooth voice whispered in my ear. “Emma, we're home.”
I blinked my eyes open in a panic. I was still wrapped in Evan’s arm, but the empty car was quiet and dark. I inhaled deeply, and stretched to sit up.
“I wish I could've let you sleep,” Evan said softly, still holding my hand in his. “You looked so peaceful. You haven't been sleeping much, huh?"
"Not really," I admitted. "I can't believe I slept the entire car ride. Did everyone leave?"
"Sara and Jared are inside."
He opened the car door and held it open until I stepped out.
“Wanna sleep over tonight?” Sara asked when Evan and I entered the kitchen door.
“Of course,” I answered, deciding I’d already witnessed way too much strife between my mother and Jonathan, and I didn't want to be there for whatever was about to happen tonight.
After saying our good-byes, Sara followed me to my house. Seeing Jonathan’s truck in the driveway, I parked along the street since I planned to leave my car at the house. I just needed to run in to grab my books and clothes for the next day. For a moment, I considered jumping in the SUV with Sara and forgetting about my things―having no idea what I was about to walk in on―but I had assignments due that I couldn't leave behind.
“I’ll be right out,” I told Sara before jogging up the walkway. I stopped at the front door and hesitated. I couldn’t hear voices; I could only hear music. I assumed they were in her room since the downstairs was dark.
I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door, planning to slip in and out so they didn’t even have to know I was there. I closed the door and concentrated on the stairs. I just need to get my things and I’ll be gone, I kept thinking over and over.
I clenched my teeth as the loose board squeaked beneath my foot halfway up the stairs. I froze, listening. A caressing voice came from the speakers, filling the entire house, but then I heard… a moan? I held my breath as I slowly turned on the stairs.
The breathing became louder. There was movement on the couch. I focused in the dark and my mouth dropped as the intertwining of legs came into view. I remained frozen, unable to look away, scanning the length of his body. His muscles rippled above her as she gripped his back. Her eyes were closed as her mouth rounded.
A moan escaped him, releasing me from my paralysis. I practically flew down the stairs and out the front door. I ran to Sara’s SUV and slammed the door behind me, panting.
“What’s wrong? Where’s your stuff?” Sara asked in a panic.
“I couldn’t…” I huffed trying to catch my breath, the image seared into my brain. I tried to shake it away, but I couldn’t.
“Are they fighting?’ Sara asked, her tone anxious.
“No,” I replied adamantly. “They are not fighting.”
“Omigod,” Sara gasped. “No way. You didn’t just walk in on…” She started laughing in amazed disbelief.
I flopped my head against the head rest. “Yup,” I breathed, “I guess they didn’t break up.” Sara laughed even harder. I looked back at the house as we drove away―an uneasiness washing over me.