Page 17 of Sure, Pal

I shrugged, feeling a blush creeping into my cheeks. “This is like my happy place. I come here to play guitar all the time when I don’t want to be at home or at Ava’s.”

Evan smiled. “I’m not making fun of you. It’s my happy place, too.” He pointed toward the soccer field.

Oh. Well, I mean, that was another reason I loved this park. I liked watching the guy I loved play soccer without my best friend hanging all over him.

We got out of the car, and Evan reached into the backseat to pull out my guitar. When he handed it to me, I asked, “Why did you ask me to bring that?” Another question hung on my lips, one that I was too afraid to ask. Why isn’t Ava here?

Evan grinned at me. “I wanted to hear you play.”

I was blushing hard now. I knew it. I was grateful that the sky was dark enough to hide my red cheeks. We headed toward the picnic tables straight ahead, crunching leaves under our feet as we walked. Our hands brushed against each other, and my breath caught in my chest.

I climbed up and sat on a picnic table, holding my guitar across my body. Evan climbed right up next to me. Our legs were touching, and I couldn’t breathe.

Shit. What would Ava think of this? Nothing. Evan and I weren’t doing anything wrong. I cleared my throat. “I only know like three songs.”

“Then play those.” Evan’s eyes held an intensity that I’d never seen before.

“Okay.” My voice sounded weak and breathy. I cleared my throat again and started playing Yesterday by the Beatles. My fingers fumbled over the first few chords, and my voice shook, but after a minute, I found my stride and let myself fall into the music.

I could feel Evan’s eyes on me, but the longer I played, the less I was rattled by his gaze. It stopped making me nervous and started making me feel warm and encouraged. By the end of the song, my voice was strong and clear.

When I finished, Evan almost whispered, “Sienna, you’re amazing.” He gazed at me like I was more than his pal, and then his eyes settled on my lips.

My heart was racing out of control, and I struggled to draw breath. I set my guitar down on the table behind me and gazed back at him. I knew the way we were looking at each other wasn’t okay. I knew something was happening between us.

Then Evan whispered, “I’m breaking up with Ava tonight…”

A mix of hope and despair soared through my chest. I desperately wanted to press my lips against his, but I pulled away and slid off the picnic table. I wanted Evan more than anything, but he was about to break my best friend’s heart.

“You’re going to kill her.” I shook my head and paced. “She thinks everything is perfect between you guys. She loves you! This will seriously kill her, Evan!” I ran my hands through my hair and felt tears burning the corners of my eyes.

Evan watched me with his sad, beautiful blue eyes. “Isn’t it worse to keep faking it?”

I stopped walking. “Keep faking it?”

Evan shrugged and kept his eyes trained on mine. “I liked Ava at first. I thought she was hot and fun, but I never really loved her.”

My mouth dropped open. “What?”

Evan gazed at me like he was trying to tell me something without speaking. My heart pounded against my ribcage.

“There was always someone else, Sienna.” He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “But I was a dumb kid and too scared to go for the girl I really wanted.”

I swallowed and looked down at my trembling hands. “Who?” I asked.

Evan let out a dry laugh. “Why do you think you’re the first person I wanted to see when I got the Camaro running?”

Evan wanted me. A hundred different emotions washed over me. Hope. Despair. Elation. Guilt. Heartbreak.

“Evan…” I whispered. A single tear slipped down my cheek. “What am I supposed to say? How can we…” I shook my head, and more tears fell. Another emotion bubbled up. Anger. “What the hell am I supposed to do with that right now? What are you trying to do to me, Evan?”

Evan slid off the picnic table and groaned. “I don’t know, Sienna. I’m sorry, okay? I fucked it all up, and I asked out the wrong girl two years ago. I know that. But I’m tired of being an idiot and, and I just want you!”

I let out a tiny sob. “Fuck, Evan!”

He reached for me, and I backed away. Sadness filled his eyes. “Do you feel anything for me?”

I buried my face in my hands and shook my head. “I can’t, Evan.”

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