I shrugged. “It feels right. We’ve gotten really close over the past few weeks.” I turned in my chair to watch Evan at the bar with Donna and Jerry. My parents had joined them there and were shaking his hand. They laughed and talked as if they’d known one another for years. “Look at him over there. My parents love him. Austin’s parents love him. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Philip grabbed my hand. “I see that, but you have to be careful. I’m not the only one who watched the game last Sunday. It looks like Evan has enemies out there.”
I squeezed his hand reassuringly, though the thought of what had happened bothered me as well. I still wanted to know why Levi had targeted Evan the way he did. “Stop worrying about me. You’re not my doctor anymore, remember?” Letting his hand go, I sat back in my chair. “Now tell me about you. Did you bring a date tonight?”
He smiled. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t have time to date. I’m divorced and I work twenty-four/seven.”
“Then I suggest you get out more. I’m sure I could find someone for you. We could double-date.”
Chuckling, he shrugged. “Maybe. I’m a little picky when it comes to women.”
“Oh, yeah?” I said, cracking my knuckles. “Tell me what you like and I’m sure I can find someone.” Before he could open his mouth, Lara rushed over, breathless. I shot up out of the chair and grabbed her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“I need you, now. Luke texted that he’s in the parking lot.”
“You have got to be kidding me. What does he want?”
“To talk to me. I can’t do it, Sum. I…I just can’t.”
“Do you need me to go out there?” Philip offered, getting to his feet.
“No, I can handle Luke. Just stay here and I’ll be right back.” I left Lara with Philip and rushed quickly to the back door. Even though he deserved it, the last thing I wanted to do was break Luke’s heart.
Chapter 19
Evan
After having a couple of drinks with Summer’s parents and Jerry and Donna, I figured it was time to find Summer. I introduced them all to Derek and Cooper so I could sneak away. But I hadn’t even gotten out of my seat when I was bumped in the arm by a man who sat down beside me.
“Sorry about that,” he apologized.
I grabbed my beer and stood. “Don’t mention it.”
“Wait, you’re Evan Townsend, right? I’m Philip Parker, a friend of Summer’s.”
“Her doctor,” I corrected.
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Used to be until she cut me loose. It’s nice to finally meet you. She seems happy now.”
“I’d like to think so. I’m sure she has you to thank for helping her through the past couple of years.”
“That I did. At first, I thought it was going to be impossible to bring her back. She was so broken.”
“Yes, I know.”
His mood completely changed, his gaze hardening. I stiffened. “Do you? Because I don’t think you do. I watched the game on Sunday. It looks like you have some enemies out there, Mr. Townsend. Did you for one second think about what that could mean for Summer? What if she ends up a victim again?”
Clenching my teeth, I moved closer, lowering my voice to a growl. “She won’t. I appreciate your concern for her safety, but your opinion isn’t wanted. I’m not going to let anything happen to her.”
He ordered a beer and took a long, hard gulp. “I sure hope not. Because if something does, it won’t be easy to bring her back. I was there in the beginning. You weren’t.” Getting up from his seat, he glared at me one more time before disappearing into the crowd.
“I see you met Summer’s hot-ass doctor,” Lara teased.
I guzzled down the rest of my beer and slammed the bottle on the bar. “Has she ever mentioned that he has a thing for her?”
She shook her head. “No. She’s never talked about him like that. Before you came along, I always joked around with her about going out with him. Why? Did he say something?”
“A lot, actually. And I don’t fucking like it. Where’s Summer?”
Biting her lip, she sheepishly backed away and said, “I don’t know,” before darting through the crowd.
I followed close behind her. “You’re lying. Where is she?”
Releasing a heavy sigh, Lara let her shoulders slump. Taking my hand, she led me to a secluded corner, her face pained. “She’s outside with Luke. I asked her to get rid of him.”
“What the hell is he doing here? He knew he wasn’t invited.”
“I don’t know. He’s been texting me today saying that he needs to talk to me.” A tear fell down her cheek and she hastily wiped it away. “It’s too late, Evan. There’s nothing he can say that’ll make me forgive him.”
Sighing, I pulled her into me and hugged her. “He’s an idiot, Lara. He fucked up and now he has to live with it. Honestly, you’re doing the right thing. As much as I love him like a brother, he needs to learn that you can’t screw around with people.”
“Thanks, Evan. I’m glad you’re not like him.”
“And what if I was?” I asked, letting her go.
She wiped away more tears and smiled sadly. “I’d kick your ass. Because there’s no way in hell I’d let you anywhere near my sister.”
“I guess it’s a good thing I’m not. I’m going out there to talk to Luke. Is there anything you want me to tell him? I don’t want to leave Summer out there with him alone.”
Her lip trembled. “No. He wouldn’t listen anyway.”