Page 17 of All I Have Left

“Uh-huh.”

9

EVIE

The night ends shortly after midnight. Walking off stage, okay, stumbling, I’m scooped into a big hug from Ethan for a thank-you. “I can’t thank you enough for that.” As he holds me, he leans down to my ear. “But seriously, be careful. I don’t think Shane’s in his right mind tonight,” Ethan warns. “I don’t want you leaving with him.”

And here comes the concerned brother. I try to pull away but he squeezes tighter. “I fuckin’ mean it, Evie.” He pulls back, eyes intent on mine. “I. Do. Not. Trust. Him. Period.”

I wish it was that simple. Before I can think of what to say to Shane, or how he’s going to react, I feel him behind me, his hands on my waist, his words in my ear. “Why are you wearing this dress?”

Unprepared for his presence behind the stage, my eyes dart from Ethan in front of me to Grayson, who’s talking with Frankie, although his attention is directly on me.

The smile disappears from his face and he drops his gaze down to my hips, to the protective hold Shane has on me from behind.

Grayson’s temperament is volatile at times. Often his mood can flip in a matter of seconds. Just as his sister’s. But it’s nothingcompared to Shane’s. No, he would never, ever hurt me. His love was never circumstantial, and never with infliction. But judging by his stony expression, and the way Grayson’s smile fades, and the glare that rearranges his facial expression, I’d say he’s not pleased by what he sees.

I look away and twist toward Shane, my hands on his chest. He disarms his glare, his brow softening. His jaw clenches, his focus drifting over my shoulder. By the lazy movement of his eyes and the flush of his cheeks, I can tell he’s drunk. Obnoxiously so. And I hate, fucking despise, this side of him. I know where it leads. “What are you doing?” I ask, annoyed he’s making a scene.

“You don’t want me here?” he asks, confusion marking his dark eyes. And then without so much as a heartbeat, his expression turns so cold I don’t even recognize him. “Why is he here?” He lets go of me, folding his arms over his chest.

I return his heated stare with fury. He has no right to even question it. “His family lives here.”

He looks down at my dress, his heated glare returning. “Did you dress up for him?” he asks with a smug grin. His cruel words are a punch to my gut.

“Fuck you,” I spit through clenched teeth, my arms cradling my stomach. “You have no right to say that to me.”

He sways on his feet and knocks his hat up with knuckles so his eyes are visible. Shadows dance across his cheeks when he whispers, “Bet you wish he would, don’t you? Is that why you blew me off? Because he’s home?”

I bite my lip and hold my breath, fighting back tears and knowing whatever I say next could dictate how the rest of the night goes. “I didn’t know he was coming here. And I blew you off because we’re not together anymore.”

Shane closes his eyes, his nostrils flaring as he rubs his hand over his face, groaning out of frustration. His hands clasp together behind his neck and I notice he’s shaking. He doesn’t say anything.

I try to think of something to say that will get him to leave when a voice comes behind me. “Evie?” Frankie calls out. “Are you okay?”

I turn to face her, my eyes wide, unprepared for how close she is. I don’t look at Grayson. I can’t, but I force a smile on my face. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Yeah, she’s fine,” Shane says, wrapping his arms around me from behind. He draws me flush against his chest, his breathing erratic, his scent smoke and whiskey.

Frankie’s stare moves to Shane’s. “I wasn’t asking you, asshole.”

“Like I give a god—”

I cut him off. Twisting in his arms, I place my hand gently over his face. “Okay, that’s enough.”

Frankie releases a pained laugh and reaches for my hand. “You should come with us.”

“What are you, her mother?” Shane snaps, his hold on me tightening.

“Knock it off,” I say, walking him backward a few steps.

He spins us so that his back is to them and he has me trapped against the side of the bar that connects to the stage. We’re in the shadows now and though I’m relieved I’m no longer in view of Grayson, fear pricks my skin. He hooks his fingers under my chin and forces me to look at him. “I love you. Come back to my place with me.”

The word looms in the air like a dark cloud threatening. I search his tired bloodshot eyes. I lift his hat and touch his hot cheek. “Shane, this isn’t love.”

His chin shakes and he blinks rapidly. “How do you know? Love is forgiveness and you never give it to me.” I drop my hand from his face, my body frozen. My chest hurts, literally squeezes and twists. Shane’s eyes grow darker. “Come with me.”

I normally don’t cause a scene with Shane, especially not in front of people in fear they will see this for what it is. I also can’t deny the fact that I’m pissed at him for doing this, tonight, infront of everyone. I’m furious with him. And I’m angry at myself for not ending it sooner and getting to the point where he ended the life inside me and constantly threatens the ones looking out for me. Though he’s never followed through, there’s going to be a day he does.

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