Page 20 of Ever's Last
“You’re out with a new girl every night, how is it lonely?”
“My life is an open book. I mean, I thought marrying my high school sweetheart was a dream come true. I don’t believe in dreams anymore. I’m the best at my game. And look at where I’m at.” He winces at that last part.
“You mean this show or here in Hickory?” Dick.
He chuckles sadly. “I never even agreed. I’m starting to think Sal set me up. He told me I was getting too old and I had an image problem. I’m not that old, but I was getting into fights and, as you said, with a different girl each night. I don’t know what he thought I would find here.”
No mention of the kiss.
“What are you looking for?” I ask him. I don’t think I’ve ever asked myself that.
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Well, until you know that, you can’t move forward. That’s the problem with problems. You sometimes have to face them head-on to understand why they are happening.”
He just stares at me. He might have people in his ear telling him what to do, but he’s never had someone as real as me.
For some reason, I can’t stop talking. “I think you might have been hurt in your life at some point. There might be holes in your heart, but that’s where the light comes in, that’s where the healing starts. It starts with you.” I know all about his hurt. It has to suck when your life is played out on the news every night.
“Ever, I miss you.” Still not ready to hear that. I wish it meant more. I do the one thing I’m good at— I leave, patting him on the chest and putting the cup and feed away. He’s just standing there, staring at the woods. Did I hurt his feelings when I didn’t say anything?
“I was always told we make our own happy endings. I hope you find yours, Memphis.”
I wipe a tear away. I can dish out the best advice but never take it. Maybe I should go to college or travel. I’ve hardly been off the homestead other than for pageants.
I find my dad in the kitchen, Ivy at his side. She’s a year or two older than me, and while the age gap between her and my dad should make me gag, it doesn’t. They make a cute couple.
“Oh shit, Ever.”
“Hi, is the dinner almost done?”
“Just waiting on him to take his place,” Ivy says as my dad squeezes her butt and she giggles.
“I thought you went home last night after the lake. You disappeared.” Let’s see if they at least tell me the truth.
She looks at my dad and shakes her head. “Your dad asked me to stay on to help out.” There’s a faint blush on her face.
I just smile.
“He’s starting,” Ivy whispers. We crowd the window since we can’t go outside.
I don’t know what he’s saying but all the girls look nervous. He starts handing out daisies one by one. Sasha gets one and Ariel does too. He’s eliminating two tonight. Natalie gets a daisy. And shocker, so does Skye. Why? I can see her smirk in my direction, tossing her hair.
Destiny and Lexie are the two that don’t get a daisy. Destiny hugs him, whispering something in his ear, waves at us and walks away. She was okay. Sometimes, she said things that made me go hmm, but she wasn’t as bitchy as the others.
Lexie walks up to Memphis, slaps him in the face, and walks off. There are stunned looks everywhere. Wow.
“What a bitch,” Ivy whispers.
“Yep. Your turn to serve.” I point her to the table. Memphis has to choose someone to eat with him tonight.
He picks Ariel. Good for her. She glances in my direction and I nod. My walls crumbled a little bit for Memphis today. I want him to pick me even though I’m not in the running.
Chapter Sixteen
Memphis
Dinner is pleasant. Ariel is easy to talk to, but I don’t get a romantic vibe. Plus, she’s becoming friends with Ever and I don’t think she really wants to be here. We never dated. We met at a party once, I think. So I’m curious as to why she is here.
