Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(53)

m imagining it.

“I did once I realized you weren’t too mad.” He lets out a sigh, running those long fingers through his dark hair. “I’m sorry

Whitley was here, on your bed. She followed Sawyer from their room, looking for me. That’s it.”

“It’s okay. Pretty sure I got her back.” I shrug, laughing. It was way more fun to slaughter her mercilessly in pong than get

catty.

“That you did, that you did,” he chuckles. “You’re amazing when you loosen up a bit.” One eyebrow touches his hairline. “Did

I see Sawyer grab your butt?” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, though he’s fighting it.

“No!” I swat his chest with the back of my hand playfully. “There’s a big difference between grabbing my butt and giving me an

‘atta girl’ slap.”

“So you’re good? We’re good?” His worried brow is unnecessary so I boldly reach up a finger to smooth it.

“We’re fine, Dane, I promise.”

“Can I spend some time with you when you get back?” He runs one finger along my jawline tenderly.

Do not shiver, Laney. “Okay,” I say, taking a deep breath in hopes my next words come out in a normal octave. “I’ll text you.”

“Good night, Disney.” His voice is sultry as he leans over to kiss my cheek. “I’ll be waiting.”

Climbing in to bed, the glow to my cheeks and upturn of my lips can’t be helped. Sleep comes easily and I wake to board the bus

just hours later. If I had known what awaited me on the other end of that ride, I would have never gotten on.





Chapter Twenty-Six


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KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE, AND...

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EVAN

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Laney will be here, on my campus, in just a little while. I don’t care if I have to drive her home for missing the bus, we’re

going to talk. We agreed making some changes was best for our friendship—what friendship? She hasn’t returned my calls or texts

in way too long and I’m going to find out why today. This is unacceptable.

I pull into the parking lot right behind the bus and wait as girl after girl unloads until finally she comes into view. She’s

everything to me. My Laney Jo is ten feet away. She’s even more beautiful than the last time I saw her, if that’s possible. Her

hair is pulled back in a ponytail and she’s in ball gear...so sexy.

Time to figure out just what the hell is going on with her. I jump out of my truck and call, “Laney!”

She turns to look at me and a gorgeous smile lights up her face. She throws down her bags and runs into my arms. I catch her mid-

jump and twirl her around, planting kisses all over her face. There she is—my girl.

I set her down on her feet, already missing the feel of her in my arms. Once she’s over the initial shock of being near me again

after so long, I see her smile fade and she suddenly looks angry. “Evan, why are you here? How did you know?”

“Kaitlyn doesn’t hold her alcohol very well. She let it slip the other night when she was drunk at a party. I texted you right

when she said it, why didn’t you answer? In fact, why didn’t you answer any of my texts, or my calls?” I grip her shoulders and

the mere touch helps calm me immediately. “You said you were fine with our decision, Laney, but how does ignoring me protect our

friendship? How does it make me feel any better to not talk to you at all?” I’m kinda rambling, and my voice could be kinder, but

damnit—it hurts to be ignored by your whole world.

“Evan, what are you talking about? I haven’t gotten a call or text from you in forever...NOT ONE.” She pokes me in the chest and

reduces me to nothing with her glare. “I thought you hated me, or had moved on, or needed time. I would never ignore you, ever,

you know that.”

She holds my eyes as her words linger and the look in them begins to slowly soften. Glancing over her shoulder and back to me she

sighs. “Listen, I gotta get into this clinic; we can talk more after.”

The look in her eyes tells me she’s not lying. She really didn’t get any of my messages? What does that even mean? “Laney, do

you have your phone on you?”

She hands it to me. “Why?”

“While you’re in there working, I’m going to take a look and figure out what’s going on, why you didn’t get any of my calls or

texts.” I look down, taking a deep breath, not wanting to scare her with the intensity of my frustration. “That’s just crazy,

and it killed me.”

“Oh, ok, I’ll see you after then; maybe you can explain this to me.” She picks up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.

“Cause right now I’m hurt, too...and a bit skeptical.” She runs to join her team. Her ponytail bounces and she looks back over

her shoulder at me once, gracing me with a small smile. I could stand here, in this one spot, for the rest of my life, just waiting