Page 25 of Waiting For Ever
Groaning, I ask, “Can we not call him that?”
“Speaking of . . .”
My heart lodges in my throat thinking—hoping—I’d turn and see Julian. It’s Sylvie Dixon instead. She takes one look at us through theglass wall of the kickboxing room, tosses her flawlessly styled hair and hops onto the treadmill.
“That’s my cue to get the hell out of here. Gotta get to the marina anyway.” I move toward the door and toss over my shoulder, “Talk later?”
“You know it. I’m gonna want all the dirty details. Make me proud,” she calls as I roll my eyes on my way out. I shoot my arm in the air in a backward wave as I move through the main workout area.
In the locker room, I douse my face and pits with water to cool down and attempt to freshen up before heading to work. If I wasn’t in such a hurry, I would’ve planned better. Swiping the towel down my face, I startle when I see Sylvie standing a few feet behind me, watching me in the mirror.
“You know he’s out of your league, right, Evvie?”
She says my nickname like it’s making her point for her and inspects her polished, probably fake, nails as she speaks. “Something tells me you think he’s your knight in shining armor," she says as she meets my eyes in the mirror. “Well, I assure you, he’s not. He prefers . . .uncomplicated.” She fans her hands out, palms up, in a gesture that implies she means like her. “Maybe he feels sorry for you and wants to help Allie’s latest project, but he’s incapable of the storybook ending every girl your age is so obviously looking for. Trust me.” With a pitying smile, she turns and leaves me standing there, face dripping.
And I thought only male dogs marked their territory. Because that woman gives some serious female dog energy. My body involuntarily shivers—toshake theickoff.
***
Avoiding Lilly on my way out, I walk back to Allie’s to change before heading to Brew for the day. Julian is already gone as I expected, but our shared bathroom still smells like him—which only reminds me of Cougar Bitch Sylvie and pisses me off more. I mean, I know these women all throw themselves at him. I’ve seen it. I just can’t quite wrap my brain around him hooking up with them. It doesn’t track with the guy I know and see when we’re together. Then I remember his cryptic behavior with Allie on the phone this morning that sent me running, literally, out of the house.
She isn’t one of them, is she?
Aware that my trust in people is reasonably skewed at the moment, I want to give Julian the benefit of the doubt, but between Sylvie coming at me in the Fit locker room and my recent past, and why I’m even in Blue Lake to begin with, I leap to distrust and anger first. Not letting people in seems like a reasonable plan to avoid a repeat of Oak Valley. Although Lilly feels safe. Not only safe but like water in a desert. She just makes me feel calm and seen. Her snark and candidness hit like a favorite song on repeat. I want to be more like her. Owning my inner snark. It’s my brain’s default setting. It just rarely slips out of my mouth. Except with Julian. He puts me at ease much like Lilly does. I’m not just freer in my actions, I speak my mind with him, and I’m feeling a little too exposed on both fronts right now. I need to reel it in. Or better yet avoid him as much as possible, which is my new plan—at least until I can cool down from my cougar encounter. I can’t stand the thought of him withthatcougar especially. Not that I could with any of them, but the rest seem kind of sweet in an attention-seeking kind of way. Sylvie is straight-up mean. And lookingat him now would just make me picture them together. Like I am right now.
Ugh!Upchuck reflex activated.
***
“Hey, Pete.” I step inside Brew and spot him behind the counter. I exhale.No Julian.“What can I help with?”
“Wanna inventory the new shipment of supplies? In the kitchen...” He points through the swinging doors.Perfect!A solo job away from everyone else and hopefully enough stock to keep me busy all day. I dip into the modest café kitchen and prepare to go through the boxes stacked next to the back door.
I missed Allie’s call this morning because I left my phone in my room when I jumped up to rush to Julian in the middle of the night. Instead of calling her back, because I knew she was on the phone with him, I texted her to confirm—okay, lie—that I was in the shower as Julian suggested. She texted back that she was thinking about staying another couple weeks but wanted to ensure me she’d rush home if we wanted or needed her to. I know from hearing the stories over the years that Allie has essentially been married to this place since she took it over from her grandmother. She’d never miss camping season unless necessary. I’ve never heard of her missing one, so I’m curious what would prompt her to do so now. Maybe it’s classic burnout. Maybe it’s that she has Julian now to help her run things. Isn’t that what she said before he went all cryptic on their call this morning? Yesterday, I would’ve relished her extended absence. Now I wonder how I’ll avoid my houseguest for two more weeks. Maybe I can suggestI don’t need him there now that I’ve settled in. Surely I can handle the house maintenance on my own. If I can’t, maybe I can ask Lilly and Noah to help me.
As if my thought spiral summoned him, Julian pokes his head in through the swinging doors. I see him in my peripheral vision but use my earbuds as an excuse not to acknowledge him. A tad bitchy maybe, but I’m not sure how to face him after his secret conversation with Allie and Sylvie marking her territory this morning. If I’d have thought it through, I would’ve looked up and acted natural. Fake ignoring him got him to come into the kitchen and place his hand on my lower back where he rubbed lightly to get my attention. I want to act aloof, but my body betrays me. Goose bumps cover my skin at his touch. It ignites where his hand rests. I look up, trying not to get lost in the pools of deep blue. I lower my gaze and freeze on the sweetest smile from the most perfect lips. A genuine smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes and raises his cheeks. My heart flips like the traitor it is.
He acts completely normal, if not a little extrafamiliar in front of Pete.
Granted, he doesn’t know about Sylvie, but I left this morning without saying a word and it’s now noon. We haven’t seen or spoken to each other since he was on top of me, and we got interrupted by Allie’s call. Pulling out an earbud, I look up from my task, take a step back and smile. I try to sound unfazed when I greet him. “Hey you, what’s up?” I sound squeaky, even to my own ears, and my smile feels plastic.
“How’s it going in here? Wanna break for lunch? Pete said he’s making sandwiches.” His smile looks genuine andhopeful.
I look over as Pete comes through the swinging doors. “Hey, Ev. You’re killing it in here. Want a sandwich?”
“Uh, sure, Pete. Thanks. If I’m not in the way, I’ll just keep working until they’re ready.”
“Just like Allie. No off switch.” He flashes his teeth with a grin. “Suit yourself. But it’s okay to take breaks.” He reaches into the fridge, grabbing lettuce, tomatoes and sliced turkey, and dumps them onto the counter across from me.
I can feel Julian watching me and I know I should acknowledge him asking too. But Pete’s presence is throwing me a lifeline. I smile and turn my face to meet his gaze. “Thanks for asking.” I turn my lips up in a closed-mouth smile and add, “I’ll just finish up here while he makes lunch.”
He watches me intently as I place my earbud back in my ear and turn around. I don’t see him leave, but I feel it. I know he can’t question me in front of Pete, so I’m spared for now. When I see the swinging doors flapping in my peripheral, signaling his exit, I exhale and continue counting.
By the time I finish, I look up at the clock and see it’s almost five p.m. I’ve successfully avoided him all day. When it’s time to call it quits, I head to the bathroom to wash my hands and try to come up with the best way to leave undetected. Turns out there was no need. Julian’s Jeep is gone when I walk outside. I don’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. Kicking a pebble, I begin my short walk home. As much as I don’t want to be a burden to Allie or need anything from her, I admit I need to ask if I can use her car. I know she’ll gladly let me; I just prefer not to need it. I pull my phone out of my hip pocket on the way home and find our text conversation.
Me:Hey Allie. Would you mind if I use your car when necessary? Like for turning in schoolwork or driving to the store?
She answers immediately.
