Page 46 of The Diávolos: Part Two
“If it’ll get you to talk, yes.”
I release a breath. “Fine. You start. Truth or dare?”
“Truth.” He doesn’t take his eyes off the road, but I notice a tick of his jaw, as if he’s preparing himself.
I wasn’t expecting him to say ‘truth,’ so I’m caught off guard with no question in mind.
“Hmm. Why did you stay in Antium this past year, knowing I wanted space?” I instantly regret the question, not ready to hash it all out here and now.
Evan’s hands grasp the steering wheel tighter and he blows out a sigh.
“You needing space from me didn’t mean I needed space from you.”
I mull over his answer, deciding whether it’s a self-centered response or a sweet one.
Evander notices my skepticism and lets out a quiet, humorless laugh. “Look, Angelica. When I hurt you, it was the most shame I have ever felt,” he explains, his gaze back on the road ahead of him. He clears his throat. “I never wanted to betray your trust or make you doubt my feelings for you. I was just soblindedby revenge and hatred, and I didn't realize what I had in front of me until it was too late.”
His confession does something to my chest, a fluttering I try to control. I want to reach out to him and touch his fidgeting hands, but I don’t.
“When you asked for time, I knew I had to respect your wishes, but no inch of my being would allow me to stay apart from you. I’d rather be close to you and deal with your silence, than far away and not be able to see you at all.”
I exhale sharply. “That was a selfish move, Evander. As much as I empathize with your feelings, you disregarded mine.”
“How so?”
“By visiting me anyway,” I assert, my heart rate speeding up.
“It’s not like you ever complained,” he dismisses with a scoff, his eyes flashing.
My temples pulse with growing irritation, and the air in the confines of the car feels heavy. “That’s not the point!”
Evan lets out an exasperated breath, his shoulders slumping forward, as if all the fight has suddenly gone out of him.
We reach a red light and he turns to look at me. Grabbing my hands in his, he rubs the rough skin on my wrists in a calming gesture.
“I had no right to decide how far that space extended to. I’m a very selfish man when it comes to you, Angelica. And for that, I will never be sorry. What I will apologize for is putting my needs before yours. I’m sorry for making my own rules. I just can’t help it when you’re involved.”
I know Evander means well, but his actions are a constant reminder of his betrayal and how he used me. I don’t respond and he moves off at the green light with one more glance at me.
“Dare,” I say after a few minutes of driving in silence, attempting to break the tension.
A crease forms on Evan’s forehead, but it quickly disappears as he catches on.
He makes a right turn and, with a little smirk, says, “I dare you to tell me you don’t want me here.”
“That’s not fair!” I shout, smacking his shoulder. “That’s cheating.”
He raises his shoulders in a casual manner. “You should’ve come up with some rules, then.”
I huff out a breath, hiding my smile. “Fine. I pass.” I can’t lie to him.
Evander’s posture relaxes and he flashes me a shit-eating grin, as if he’d anticipated that very response.
I cast him a scornful look, but his smile only envelops me in warmth, giving me butterflies in my stomach. And I wonder if there’ll ever be a point in time when I won't react to our connection.
As soon as Evan drops me off, I text my friends to invite them over, telling them I have big news to share.
Time flies by and a knock at my door interrupts my packing.
