Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(49)

having this girl for my own. But I have to tread lightly. I already know her well enough to know she won’t pursue “us” seriously

while anything with him is unsettled; she won’t hurt him...it’s this very character I adore. Laney’s a good person, she’s loyal

and she’s honest.

She takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. “I told you a lot tonight; things I don’t talk about, ever. I feel exposed now,

vulnerable. Just when you were convinced I’m all cool anti-drama girl, I spew pretty much everything wrong in my life, all at

once.”

Her chuckle is insincere, she doesn’t really think this is funny and she’s horrified that I might suspect she’s crazy; I don’t.

I think she’s radiant and mesmerizing; and all alone for the first time, a bit scared.

“Don’t. I will never use your weaknesses against you. Besides, I have plenty of other weapons in my arsenal.” I wink at her to

lighten the mood, but inside I know it’s a monumental step—she already opened up to me so she trusts me on some level; and I her.

“Would you like some more wine?” I’m not trying to get her drunk; I truly just want to see her relax. I want to hear anything

she needs to unload. I want to see her smile.

“I better not; I’m not really a drinker.”

“Laney, you’re safe here. I’m not trying to seduce you, I promise. If one more glass would make you feel better, have one.”

It only takes her a few seconds to think about it. “Okay. One more, please. It really is helping me relax.”

I go get her another glass of wine, and when I return, she asks me what time it is. I know she needs her rest because of school in

the morning. “Just after one, what time’s your first class tomorrow?”

“I’m not going,” she gushes.

“Well, while one day of missing won’t ruin you, I’m more interested in why you’re not going. Won’t you get in trouble with

your coach?’

“No, not over one absence, as long as I’m at practice; or I could say I’m sick. I don’t know. I don’t even know if I’m

staying. I was serious before. I could just say to hell with it and go home, right?”

I’m not sure if she’s asking me or asking herself out loud, but I can see she’s getting herself worked up again, and I

definitely don’t want that, nor do I want her to leave. I want her in my house, in my care. I never bring girls here and yet this

girl...I’d give her a key right now if I thought she’d take it. I’d give Laney the key to a lot of things.

“Ya, Laney, you could quit, but you don’t strike me as a quitter. You could also stay and be great. It’s up to you though. What

do you want?”

“Maybe that’s my problem. I’m not 100% on anything. You know what I mean?”

“Not yet, keep talking.”

She proceeds to tell me about ball, how she’s not sure if she plays for herself or her dad, how she’s not sure if it really feels

like a chore or she’s just telling herself that. But then, the more she talks, the more her eyes sparkle and I can see she loves

it. She loves coming out on top of the pitcher, she loves how she feels when she knows she’s got it on point, sending it over the

fence. So I tell her what I see when she speaks, and she agrees she needs to give ball just a little more time.

That means I have to take her to practice tomorrow late afternoon, but until then, she’s here with me and I can’t even comprehend

what that does to me inside. One thing she said earlier really bothered me, though, and I have to know, the thought of this

exquisite creature being unsafe makes me ill. I knew she was guarded the minute I met her, and I want to know why.

“Laney, can you tell me what you meant earlier about a stalker and a head in a box?”

Her expression completely changes to cold and hesitant. “It’s nothing; I was being a drama queen when I said it.”

“Explain it to me anyway.” The sternness in my voice lets her know I’m serious. I’m not conceding on this.

“Just every once in a while I get a card or a note or gift from like a secret admirer. They never say anything mean or

threatening, they’re actually always complimentary. And the arrivals are sporadic, have been for years. Evan knows about it, but

that’s it. I got a card when I first started at Southern, that was the last thing.”

“I’m not sure that’s something to take lightly, Laney. I’m glad I know now, and I’m really glad I took you to a self-defense

class.” Wow—what are the odds? The anger I feel that Evan knows about it shocks me. Of course I’m glad he knows and has

undoubtedly looked out for her. But why do I feel like it’s now my job and I don’t need his help?

“I know, I thought the same thing. You should take up gambling.”

Oh, I guess I said the odds part out loud. I have to admit, as uneasy as this whole discovery makes me, I feel a small twinge of

something. I read her correctly and gave her something meaningful.

“Anyway, let’s talk about something else.” She waves her glass in the air to dismiss the topic, and I’ll let her think we’re