I want to protect Evie from her, but protecting her will become a hell of a lot harder if Ava knows I care for her.
“A friend,” my mother echoes. “And does your friend have a name?”
Evie seems to come to life, the hurt quickly masked in her eyes. “I’m Evie Taylor.” She steps forward, holding her hand out to Ava. “It’s really nice to meet you, Mrs. Gunner.”
My mother looks down at her hand. Then, ignoring Evie, she sweeps past her and into the living room.
Evie’s face drops. And it’s another blow to my gut.
I really fucking hate my mother.
“So, this is what my money’s paying for,” Ava says, looking around the beach house.
Ignoring her, I say in a quiet voice to Evie, “I’m really sorry. I had no idea she was coming.”
“Why do you need to be sorry about your mother turning up at your house?”
I run a hand through my hair. I should have told her before what Ava was like. I just never wanted her to know the kind of fucked up my family is.
“Because she’s not a good person, Evie.”
Evie only knows good people. She doesn’t know the kind of evil my mother is or what I grew up around.
“I can’t explain now, but I will later, I promise.”
I just need to get Evie out of here—now. She can’t drive, so I’ll have to take her home and then come back and deal with whatever Ava wants from me. Because, without a doubt, she wants something.
“Ava, I’m just going to take Evie home, and then I’ll be back.”
“No need for her to rush off. Stay, and visit with me a while.” Ava sits down on the sofa. A false smile is plastered on her face as she pats the space on the sofa beside her.
Evie glances at me in question and then tentatively walks into the living room before taking the space beside Ava.
I sit on the arm of the chair, facing them.
“Oh, happy birthday, by the way,” Ava says to me.
“My birthday was three weeks ago,” I respond blankly. “You know, September thirtieth.”
My fingers go to the pendant around my neck that Evie got me.
It says, Surf. Sleep. Repeat.
It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.
“Of course I know when your birthday is.” Ava fakes a laugh. “I was there. Most horrendous day of my life. I’m not forgetting that in a hurry.”
Evie’s horrified gaze lands on my mother.
I just let out a sigh.
“So, what brings you to Malibu, Ava?” I say in a bored tone.
“We’ll get to that soon.” She flicks a hand at me. “First, I want to hear all about this one here.” She turns her body toward Evie, who still has a look of absolute horror on her face.
Evie clears her expression and offers my mother a smile.
“So, how long have you and my son been seeing each other?”
“Not long,” I answer. “And we’re not really seeing each other. Are we done here?” I stand up.
Ava ignores me, and I try to ignore the look of devastation in Evie’s eyes, the devastation that’s crushing my insides.
“Hush, Adam.” Ava gives me a look before turning back to Evie. “He’s always kidding around like this. Don’t take him seriously. You must be important to him. I know my son, and I’ve never seen a girl with him at four in the afternoon. He usually brings them home late at night, and then they’re gone before breakfast.”
I didn’t know Ava paid enough attention to me to know my routine with girls. Then again, she never lets anything slip by that might be useful to her.
“So, how long have you two been seeing each other?” She reaches over and squeezes Evie’s hands, which are clutched firmly in her lap.
Evie looks like she doesn’t know how to answer the question. Maybe she doesn’t. I am treating her like shit, and she’s probably unsure of what to say.
“Since July,” she edges the words out slowly.
“Since July? Wow…” Ava’s eyes meet with mine, and I see it written there.