The Way to Game the Walk of Shame(48)
But that didn’t mean I wanted to take sides between Evan and Brian.
Deciding to put Oreo and me out of our misery, I swooped down and scooped him up in my arms. He let out a sharp yelp at the sudden movement, but I just held him close to my chest and backed away from the two surprised guys. “Uh, I still have to study for that … test I have tomorrow. Don’t want to be unprepared or anything. I’ll—I’ll see you two tomorrow.”
Before either of them could respond, I raced back into the house without a second glance. Slamming the door behind me, I rose onto my tiptoes and peeked out of the long windowpane at the top of the door. Brian and Evan had both turned away from the house and were walking back to their cars. And within minutes, they were gone. Each drove off in the opposite direction.
Oreo let out a loud bark to get my attention. And I swear, I could see pointed accusation in his eyes.
“What? I’m not being a chicken. I just—well, you didn’t pick, either.” He cocked his head to the left and just kept staring at me. Great, now I was arguing with a dog. “Oh, shut up.”
My brows wrinkled together in frustration, and I slid down the door. Oreo wiggled closer until his head was tucked beneath my arm so he could snuggle against my body.
15
-Evan-
With a towel wrapped around my neck, I grabbed my keys and got ready for the beach. I hadn’t planned to go today. The rumbling clouds outside should have been enough for me to get back into bed. But I needed to do something. Anything to get my mind off Taylor and that stupid-ass idiot.
Okay, so Brian wasn’t actually an idiot. If anything, he was too damn smart. And he could be nice. Sometimes. But that didn’t make him any less of a stupid ass. I mean, what kind of guy goes after another person’s girlfriend? Or sort-of girlfriend. Or—
Screw it. I needed to surf. I needed to get out on the water and forget everything and everyone. Even if it was just for a few hours. After I texted Taylor that I couldn’t drive her today, I grabbed my board and headed downstairs to grab a bite.
Too bad Brandon was sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast when I came downstairs. Already, this day had gone from crappy to worse. “Skipping school again. That’s no surprise. I actually didn’t think you knew how to wake up before noon.”
I grabbed a couple of blueberry muffins that Mom had baked the day before from the plate on the counter. Without reacting to his jab, I turned around to face him and stuffed half of one into my mouth, knowing that he hated when I talked with my mouth full. One of the few hundred things he hated about me. “And I didn’t think that you knew how to be a douche bag 24/7, but somehow you managed that,” I finally commented without swallowing.
He glared at me over his plate. “I don’t understand how that Simmons girl could stand being around you. She should be smart enough to know that she deserves better than that.”
“Yeah, well, you would know all about smart women staying with jerks, wouldn’t you?”
Brandon slammed his hands on the table and glowered at me. “If there’s anyone who was a jerk to your mom, then it was your deadbeat dad. She should have left that bastard before he even ended up in jail. Thank god she finally realized it in the end. Just like your little girlfriend will soon realize that you’re going nowhere. She’s about to get out of this town and make something of herself. Do you really think she needs someone like you weighing her down?”
In a burst of fury, I grabbed his shirt collar and yanked him toward me. His fists punched at my arms and shoulders, but I didn’t care. I didn’t feel any of it. “Shut the hell up before I beat your ass so hard you—”
“Brandon! Evan! You let him go this instant!”
I loosened my grip, but I still didn’t let go. “Great timing, Mom.”
She dropped the groceries at her feet and pulled at my arms. “I said let him go!”
Scowling, I finally released him, and Brandon stumbled backward. His face was purplish red. He massaged his shoulders and neck with both hands and glowered at me. “That’s it! I don’t care if he’s your son, Eva. I won’t take this anymore. I meant what I said before. Once he graduates, I’m kicking him out of this house.”
I took a step toward him. “Why don’t I save us both the trouble and just leave right now?”
“You said it. Now, pack your bags and get the hell out of here before I call the police on you. You ungrateful piece of—”
“THAT’S ENOUGH!” Mom suddenly burst out. “Both of you!”
Brandon and I were so surprised that we both stopped yelling and stared at her. In the four years that Brandon and Mom had been together, she had never yelled at him before. Hell, I never even heard her talk to him in a loud voice, much less her “You better listen to me before I get even more pissed off” voice. Even I rarely got that voice. Only once, when I got in a fight with Brandon’s nephew at their wedding. (I won. Although it didn’t feel like much a win after Mom was through with me.)
She let out a shaky, deep breath and shook her head. “Brandon, don’t you have a surgery this morning? You don’t want to be late, do you?”
Brandon looked like he wanted to argue, but for once, he was smart and decided to keep his mouth shut. He just nodded and left the kitchen.
Mom closed her eyes and massaged her forehead with one hand before bending down to gather the dropped groceries. “Great, you made me break the carton of eggs I just bought. How am I supposed to make treats for you and Taylor now?”