Borrowed (Embracing Series) Read online

  Lila gave Alyssa that whole “Hello Doll” routine she had been doing. Alyssa spoke back this time, only because she had her arms intertwined with mine. I could feel Lila’s eyes burning deep into us both. Alyssa was all over me, hell she was making me uncomfortable.

  I had just moved my arm from Alyssa’s and she excused herself to the ladies room. Lila looked so beautiful, she never over dressed and that’s what I liked about her. She was wearing tight jeans, with a little sweater and those damn fur boots she loved. Her long blonde curls was wrapped into a bunch on top of her head.

  She kept biting her bottom lip, she would pull it into the little gap she had in her teeth. I could see her cringe when Alyssa came back and kissed my cheek. We all ordered dinner and I could see Lila hadn’t really touched her plate. She had drank all of her wine, plus Nikki’s.

  “I had a nice dinner, but I need to get back. I have a test in the morning.” Lila said as she stood up and threw her napkin in her full plate of Chicken Parmesan. She was annoyed, and I knew it was because of Alyssa’s actions.

  “I’ll take you home Lila.” I said as I pushed my plate to the side. Alyssa looked at me like she was going to punch me.

  “No, that’s fine. I will catch a cab. Enjoy your date!” Lila seethed out.

  “Yeah, let her catch a cab. We have plans tonight, I thought anyways.” Alyssa said, I looked at her like what the hell are you saying.

  “Yes, Alyssa I hope you take Evan back to where ever and finally fuck his brains out like you have been trying to do all fucking night!” Lila whisper yelled as she threw her purse over her arm.

  Every ones mouth dropped open, and Alyssa just kept batting the spider looking lashes on her eyes. I didn’t know what to do. Lila started walking away, I looked at Nikki, like what the hell. Should I go after her or should you. I stood up and started to walk after her. I called her name but she was gone.

  I did not take Alyssa home with me. I went home alone and so did she. I thought about calling Lila, but I didn’t. I knew she was pissed about something, so I would give her time to chill out.

  I wanted to see Lila so I could apologize. I knew it was disrespectful to everyone the way Alyssa was acting. I waited for her outside of her class.

  “Lila, I’m so sorry about last night. Just so you know Alyssa wasn’t going home with me last night or any night. She and I are over, she would love to get back together, but that isn’t happening.” I said, I don’t know why I felt the need to explain the situation with Alyssa and me to Lila, but I did.

  “Evan, I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have acted that way. I will be completely honest, I do not like that girl.” She said as she shook her head.

  “I understand, how about we grab lunch? No more talk about her.” I said as I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. I wanted to talk to her about Christmas anyways. I wasn’t going home, I knew Brody and Nikki leaving, but I hoped Lila stayed. I had already been Christmas shopping for her. I knew exactly what to get her. I also knew she would love it. We went to the café for lunch. We both had become to love that place. Lila loved bacon. She ate more BLT’s than anyone I knew.

  “Lila, what’s your plans for the holiday? Would you like to stay here with me? Of course as friends.” I smiled as I took a drink of my sweet tea.

  “I don’t know what I’m doing yet, I know Liam won’t be home till the first of the year. So I may just stay here, until then.”

  It was Christmas time, Lila didn’t go home. I was so excited that she was going to spend the holiday with me. I couldn’t wait to give her, her gifts and spend this alone time with her. No Nikki, Brody, or Alyssa. It was going to be great. We got a small tree and was going to decorate it, I knew it was kind of late, but we couldn’t have Christmas without a tree.

  “Evan, I’m really glad you are here with me. I would have been lonely if you would have left.” She said as she hugged me.

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, I love spending time with you darlin’. Your friendship means a lot to me. Now present time!!” I said as I rubbed my hands together.

  “Evan, you didn’t have to buy me anything! I love them. You know that Uggs are my favorite.” She said with a huge smile.

  “I wanted to and there is more to open.” I said as I shoved another gift in her arms. I knew she would love this. It will match her new purse she got last month when we went to the mall together.

  “Oh Evan, it’s beautiful! How did you know? Omigosh, our mall trip. Okay now open your!” She passed me a small perfectly wrapped gift.

  “Oh Lila, you know me so well!” I laughed it was a new recorder for my notes, I always seemed to break or loose mine. “Thank you so much,” I said as I hugged her.

  We ate and talked about all of our families and she asked about Alyssa, I almost told her everything, and that I hadn’t never really dated Alyssa it was just sex. I didn’t feel it was the right time. I will eventually tell her, I knew there were things she wasn’t telling me though. I could see that there was so much that she wanted to say, but couldn’t or wouldn’t, I should say.

  “So is Alyssa your first love?” Lila asked as she plopped her legs in my lap.

  “No, she isn’t. My first love was a girl named Brynlea. We dated some of middle school then high school. We thought we would spend forever together. But she ruined it all. We both were seventeen, I was the star quarterback and she was the caption of the cheer squad. I honestly thought I would marry her. But they say everything happens for a reason I guess.” I said as I felt the unshed tears in my eyes.

  “I’m sorry, we don’t have to talk about this. I was just curious. I’m sorry that you are hurting.” Lila said as she raised up to hug me.

  “It’s okay, I just haven’t told anyone other than Brody. Bryn was pregnant and her parents hated that she was. They made her abort the baby and move away. I haven’t seen her in four years. That’s what my tattoo stands for. I would have had a four year old child right now. But she listened to her parents and did exactly as they said. That was the last of us.” I said as I wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “Oh Evan, I know you would have made a great father.” She said has she wiped more tears from her face. “Okay, I’m going to cook. I am starving.” She said as she headed to the kitchen.

  “So what’s your story Miss Carls?” I asked as I followed her in the kitchen.

  “Well, as you know Liam is Ashton and Ads cousin, he lived with them. He had always liked me and of course I was with Ashton, and after we broke up, I started seeing him. He is a great guy. I know you would like him.” She said as she popped a piece of cheese in her mouth.

  “So he is okay with our friendship?” I asked, I knew I wouldn’t have been.

  “Yes, he trust me and knows that we are only friends, Evan.”

  We ate and laughed and talked. That girl can put away some wine. I think we drank three bottles. Dinner was great also. I was surprised she could cook so well. She looked like a natural in the kitchen.

  “Evan, it’s getting late I should go.” She said as she yawned.

  “Why don’t you stay, I will sleep in Brody’s room and you can have mine. It’s late and we both are drinking so we shouldn’t drive.” I said in hopes she would stay but from the look on her face she wasn’t going too.

  She thought about it for a few seconds then she said, “Okay you have a point I will stay.”

  I fixed my room, for her. I changed the sheets and made sure everything was perfect. I laid her out fresh towels, in case she wanted to shower. I got everything I needed and headed to Brody’s room. I can’t believe she was finally sleeping in my bed. But without me.

  “Lila, are you asleep?”

  “No, everything okay?”

  “I just wanted to check on you and talk. Can I sleep with you? I promise to keep my hands to myself.” I said with a little laugh.

  We talked for hours, she fell asleep before I did. I had wrapped her in my arms, so I could snuggle her. She felt so good in my arms.
This Liam dude is one lucky fucker. I could feel her staring at me. I opened my eyes and smiled.

  “Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?” I said as I kissed her nose. Crap, I didn’t think before I did that. She didn’t hesitate. She just giggled and got up.

  “I better go Evan, I have a lot I need to do.” She said as she got out of bed.

  “Come on, at least have breakfast?” I begged. Hell, I wanted to spend the day with her but I knew she couldn’t.

  “Okay, breakfast, and then I’m leaving.” She said as she threw a pillow at me. She was so damn sexy when she woke up.

  “I’m going to shower quickly, then I will meet you in the kitchen.” I said as I got up.

  I started the shower and wished she was joining me. I knew that wasn’t possible. I tried to be quick, but I’m a man and there was something I needed to take care of, I had just had a beautiful woman sleep next to me all night. I did my thing and finished showering. I walked into my room, to get dressed.

  “Omigod, Evan I’m so sorry.” Lila said with a blushed face, just then she drops her purse. She didn’t take her eyes off of my crotch. She stood there staring and licking her lips. I had imagined kissing those lips, the way she bites the bottom one makes me go hard instantly. I would love to bite, and suck it for her. Damn I was hard already, down boy I said to myself.

  “Lila, you like what you see?” I said as I crossed my arms over my chest, I knew she was staring at my man parts. The look she had on her face, she had never seen one that looked this good. Hell yeah, Army boy isn’t built as well as I was.

  I got dressed and walked out to find a calmer Lila, sitting on the couch. I guess we wasn’t having breakfast because she was ready to go. She stood up when she seen me and a smile spread across her face. I was ready to tease her about our little run in, but she was already to tell me to shut the hell up.

  “Do not bring it up.” She said as she waived her finger in front of me. I threw my head back laughing. She was embarrassed I could tell. I thought it was funny.

  “Call me when you get back so we can have dinner.” I said as I placed a small kiss on her cheek. She smiled and said she would. I loved spending time with her. There was something about her, she made me happy. We had so much in common, I could just sit and talk to her all day long and not get bored.

  Since Lila was gone and classes hadn’t started back yet. I worked at the firm a couple days. I missed my co-workers and my daily routine. I hadn’t talked to Tatum in two months. I was sure she was fine, if not Zander would have told me. I thought about texting her, but if that bastard had her phone and seen my name, he would hurt her more.

  My parents kept calling, wanting me to come out and visit. I just couldn’t. I was completely over Bryn, I just didn’t want to run into any of our old friends. They always ask too many questions that’s none of their business. That’s how it works in small towns. I was surprised no one knew about the abortion.

  I had been singing at Zeb’s on a regular basis now. Mainly when I had nothing else to do. Brody was so wrapped up in Nikki that he never had ‘bro time’ as he calls it. Tonight after I sang a few times, I was going to have a few beers before going home. I heard someone yelling my name and couldn’t recognize the voice. I ignored it, I thought maybe I was hearing things. Then the voice got closer and was still calling my name.

  “Evan, is that you?” I heard a female voice say. I had no clue who the hell it was.

  “It’s me, Audrey Ridge!”

  “Audrey, how the hell are you, and what are you doing in New York City?” I asked hoping not to pry.

  “I just moved here, I will be attending NYU, in the spring. Tatum, said that you and Zander both lived here along with another friend?”

  “Yes, we do. We all three go to NYU, also.” I started looking around for Tatum. I didn’t see her anywhere, I would love to see her right now.

  “Evan, if you are looking for Ta, she isn’t with me. It’s just me. I got a loft, off of Tenth St. and Central. I’m hoping to find a roommate soon. I wished Ta, would’ve came with me. She is worried about that dicktwat Thayer. You know how he treats her don’t you? I can’t believe she keeps taking him back.” She said, as she sat on the stool next to me.

  “Yeah, I know all about him. I have asked her to leave him also. But she must really love him. Is she happier now? I haven’t seen her in months.” I asked hoping that she wouldn’t know about Tatum and me.

  Hell, who was I kidding, she is her best friend. Chicks tell each other everything, they like to talk about which guy had the bigger cock, or when their aunt floe visits. The best one is how good a kiss is. Why the hell do they do that I wondered? I could never understand that. There is no way, I would want to know every intimate detail about Brody’s sex life or anything going on with his body. Some things you just keep to yourself.

  “I don’t think she will ever be happy with anyone, well unless…umm... Any who, how is it here? I know it’s nothing like back home.” She said as she took a handful of peanuts from the bar.

  “I just hope she is happy and he isn’t hurting. I wish her nothing but the best.” I said as I pulled at my beer label. She looked at me with an odd expression and a jaw full of peanuts.

  “Holy fucking shit, dude you are so in love with her. I knew it. Omigosh, I knew it. She told me about y’all, but I just assumed your feelings wasn’t the same as hers. That little hoetart, she never told me that you loved her too. I know she wanted to bang the shit out of you and you turned her down. She said you gave her the best damn orgasm she ever had and the things you could do with your hands would have any girl begging for more. I’ve begged her to leave douchetwat for you.” She said as she took a swig of my beer.

  What the hell, she doesn’t care what she says and she is drinking my damn beer. I ordered another one for myself while she finished my previous one off. I can’t believe Ta, told her about all that. I couldn’t be embarrassed, hell I think that was a compliment.

  “Hell yeah, I care about her. Who the fuck wouldn’t? I would do anything for her, including beat the shit out of that jerk.” Thinking about him was pissing me off. I needed to go home.

  “You okay to get home? I can give you a ride. I think we are in the same building.” I said, I hoped she didn’t talk as much all the way there.

  “That would be great, I don’t like taking cabs. There are so many fucked up people out here. I tried to bring my guns with me and Pops wouldn’t let me. He said I was too dangerous with them, I do have a couple bottles of pepper spray and my knife in my purse. I will not be afraid to use them either. Not that I have to worry about anything living next to you and Zander. Now he is one fine man.” She said as she shoved more peanuts in her mouth.

  “Okay, let’s go. I’m very tired.” I said dropping hints I did not want any company.

  I drove to the loft and I went one way and Audrey went the other. I don’t know how much more I could take of her mouth. She talked a damn mile a minute. She cussed more than a dude. She was a very nice girl though. I wanted to call Tatum. I was sure she already knew about Audrey running into me. I decided to send a text to her, just to say hi.

  Me: Hi, I just wanted to see how things, where going with you. I ran into a friend of yours tonight. It’s been a while since we talked. I miss you.

  I waited for a few minutes, then figured she wouldn’t text back. I laid my phone on the counter and started heating up some Chinese food, I got a few days ago. It may be a bad idea to eat it this late, but what the hell. I will probably be up all night anyways.

  Tatum: I think, it would be a good idea if you leave my fiancé alone. You had your chance years ago and ruined it. Now find your own woman. -Thayer

  Who the fuck does he think he is, I threw my phone so hard it shattered everywhere. Just fucking great, it’s almost midnight and no one will be open this goddamn late. I threw my food away and headed off to find Audrey. She could call Tatum for me. I hoped that bastard doesn’t hurt her. Of course when Audr
ey calls, she tells her she is fine. So I texted her again from Audrey’s phone.

  Audrey: Okay, he won! Have a nice life…Oh it’s Evan btw!

  I woke up and realized Lila would be home, so I went and got a new phone and sent her a quick text. She was home and I wanted to see her. I stopped by the café and grabbed breakfast. I was excited to see her. I had been wanting to go ice skating, and hoped she would be up for it.

  “Hey pretty lady, you look like shit!”

  “Thanks Evan you are such a good friend.” She said as she punched my arm.

  “Lila, I’m kidding you look fine.” I said as I hugged her, she did look a little unhappy. I wondered if it had to do with Army boy.

  “Everything okay, darlin’?” I asked in hopes she would tell me what ever was bothering her.

  “I’m fine, it’s just hard leaving Liam, not knowing when I will see him again.” She said as she wiped a tear from her face.

  “Well, let’s eat then I have a surprise!” I said as I unpacked the food. I knew she would be hungry, this girl could eat some bacon. After we ate, I figured we would just go for a drive. I could tell she wasn’t in a good mood. This is the saddest I’d ever seen her look. Ahh hell, I was taking her ice skating.

  “Lila, can you skate?” I asked as I raised my eyebrows looking at her.

  “Yes, I can. Why?”

  “You will see.” I said as I smiled and grabbed her hand.

  We arrived at the rink, it wasn’t that full. I guess it isn’t normally busy this time of year. I rented our skates and we sat on the bench to put them on.

  “Evan, thank you! You seem to always know how to make me smile.”

  “Anytime darlin’, I enjoy seeing you smile.” I said with a wink.

  We skated out on to the ice holding hands. It was so funny, Lila looked like a timid fawn learning how to stand. She was everywhere. I was doing pretty well, trying to skate and hold her up was the challenge.