Page 35 of Sure, Pal

16

Evan

“Hey, mom!” I called when I walked into my parents’ house.

“Sh!” Charlie appeared at the top of the stairs, shushing me. “Dad has a headache!”

“Sorry!” I mouthed and headed up the stairs to our parents’ bedroom. I looked through the open door to see my mom clearing away a breakfast tray, and my dad leaning against his pillows with his eyes closed.

He already looked weaker than when I arrived almost a month ago. His headaches were increasing, and his appetite dropping, so he’d lost a lot of weight.

My dad opened his eyes and said, “Son, I’m going to take a little nap, and then let’s give your Camaro a nice tune-up.”

I gave him a weak smile. “That sounds great, dad.” Two weeks ago, I would have held him to that promise. One week ago, I would have kindly tried to convince him that I didn’t have the energy for a tune-up session. Now, I could feel it in my bones that no amount of his stubbornness could get him downstairs and leaning over a car engine.

My dad closed his eyes, and I slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind me. It was hard to look right at him. Looking at him and admitting that he was getting worse was like admitting that the doctors were right. I couldn’t do that yet. I couldn’t accept it.

Charlie still stood at the top of the stairs, looking half frozen. I rested my hand on her shoulder and asked, “How is everything?”

Charlie shrugged.

We’d taken my dad in for more scans last week, and we were still waiting for the results. His doctors were already convinced that his tumor was inoperable. This most recent scan was because they were concerned that the tumor was growing too quickly.

Charlie and I headed down the stairs and walked into the kitchen, where our mom was busy washing dishes. Her phone rang, and we all froze.

My mom’s tense shoulders were almost up to her ears as she turned off the water and slowly dried her hands. She picked up her phone with shaking hands and let out a sigh of relief. “It’s Bea,” she announced.

Charlie and I released the breaths we were holding. It wasn’t the hospital. It wasn’t more bad news… yet.

???

Sienna’s text came in eight hours later, as I was leaving work, and my heart sank even lower than it already was.

Sooo… Ava’s coming tonight. She was already beyond pissed that I didn’t tell her I was doing public shows. She’s been trying to talk me into it for years. So, strike one. Then, I haven’t answered her last few calls, so strike two. Finally, Rob told her that you’re back in town. I told her I’d seen you, and she landed at a 10.5 on her wrath scale. Strike three!

There was a pause, and then another text came in. I haven’t told her about us yet. I swear I’ll figure out what to say to her. Just give me a little time.

I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. I couldn’t deal with any bullshit tonight, and Ava was the queen of bullshit. I texted back. How about, “Evan fucked me into my headboard last weekend, then again in the shower. Then I rode him ‘til he came in the Camaro. We’re together now. Get over it.”

Sienna replied, That would go over so well… Are you mad?

Was I mad? A little bit. Sienna deserved a better best friend than Ava. Sienna needed to stand up for herself, and I fucking wanted her to fight for me. But, I, of all people, knew how convincing Ava could be. I knew that Ava’s main redeeming quality was how fiercely she loved people, and Sienna was her number one. It was hard to resist Ava’s mad love.

I couldn’t hold that against Sienna, could I? I wanted her more than anything, but I could be patient, as long as she chose me in the end. I replied, No, I’m not mad. I’ve waited this long for you. I can wait a little longer.

I went home to change and headed to Sienna’s show. The little coffee shop was packed. Sienna wasn’t on stage yet, but I spotted Ava’s golden blonde head right up at the front. I rolled my eyes and decided I should get it over with and say hello to her.

I made my way through the crowd, and Ava turned as soon as I reached her, almost like she could sense my presence. Her big blue eyes sparkled with sheer excitement, and she squealed and flung her arms around my neck. “Evan! Oh my God! Sienna told me you were coming, and it is so good to see you! It’s been way too long.” She planted a big kiss on my cheek right as Sienna walked out with her guitar.

Sienna’s eyes flickered with something that looked like jealousy. I pulled away from Ava and tried to catch Sienna’s eye, but she wouldn’t look at me. She didn’t think I was still into Ava, did she? There was no way…

Sienna addressed her little crowd. “Wow, I can’t believe there are so many people here! Thank you for coming!” She flashed them her gorgeous, easy smile, but her eyes were filled with wild nerves.

Ava leaned over and whispered to me, “I invited half of these people.” She smirked like I should be impressed that she invited all of these strangers to make Sienna nervous. Then she said, “Sienna’s so damn good! I’m so excited to hear her sing!”

I watched Ava for a second. Her tiny frame, beautiful features, and sweet voice made her seem like an angel, and the confident vibe around her could have fooled anyone. But Ava was insecure, and starved for attention. I finally spoke. “Yeah, Sienna is incredible. She can draw her own crowd, though. I don’t think she needs you to fill up her shows.”

Ava pouted at me. “Sienna is shy! I’m trying to help!”

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