Shadows (7 page)

"Who are we calling, beautiful? I know you
need more than me right now. I don't want you to go, but you need
your friends and family. So who's it going to be?"

"What time is it?" I wipe my nose on my
sleeve. It's not very lady like, but I don't care.

"It's a little after five, babe. We got in
early this morning. I let you sleep for a couple of hours. You took
a shower around one and then I distracted you some more before you
fell asleep again. You needed your rest. I won't apologize for
that."

"My brother should be home now. He's staying
at my parents. Can you call Robert for me? I'm sure he would come
get me."

"No one is coming to collect you, beautiful.
I'll take you wherever you want to go. I need to clear up one thing
from earlier though." Taking a big breath he moves to sit beside
me. He's running his hands through his sexy locks and I can tell
he's nervous. The one gorgeous lock of hair defies him again, and
falls on his forehead making me smile.

"I noticed your reaction to my last name. So
you know, yes, it's that Rowe. That was my Grandfather's company,
but now it belongs mostly to my dad. My mom had shares in it when
it first started, back before it became a takeover company. When
she died, her shares became mine. I worked for my dad for about two
years after college. I will spare you the details, but I quit. I
sold my shares and I used the money to travel for a while. My gram
had a heart attack last fall, so I moved in the guest house to help
her. Originally I did it as a favor to my dad. At the time, I
couldn’t figure out why I would want to help the bastard, but I'm
glad I did. My gram is amazing and nothing like my father. I often
wonder if he was switched at birth. Anyways, I just wanted you to
know where I stand. I'm not a multi-billionaire and I don't run my
own company. I'd rather not be associated with him." He lets out a
deep breath and looks at me. Does he think I want his money? That's
not me. I am not that kind of person.

"I could care less what kind of money you
have. I know who Thomas Rowe is. I did a report on him my last
semester of college. He's arrogant and ruthless. He monopolizes
small businesses until there is nothing left and them sells them in
pieces to the highest bidder. My brother is a whiz in finance. He
had an interview in their New York City office, but turned them
down for an ecological analytic group in California. I'm sorry, but
I am not a fan of your father's." I'm not exactly sure why, but
Theron looks relieved, smiling a huge toothy grin. His teeth are
perfect just like the rest of him. He kisses my nose and then my
forehead.

"Well, thank God for that. I was worried there
for a few minutes, but I figured if you could make my skin buzz
just at the thought of you, then it wouldn't matter."

I'm taken back by his words. So his body does
it too? It's not just me. He takes my phone and calls my brother.
The phone call is short and direct. I bet it's awkward for both of
them.

"Right, well, I got the address in my phone
now. It shouldn’t take us too long to get there. I haven’t really
eaten anything, and I know you haven’t. I was thinking of making us
something light to eat before we go.”

“
You don’t have to.”

“
I know, but I want to. I'm going
to make us a couple sandwiches really quick and then we will be on
our way. Is turkey and cheese okay?" I'm not sure I can eat, but my
stomach proves me wrong by growling loudly. "I will take that as a
yes. So we will eat, and then we will head out. Come have a seat
and I'll set our plates." Walking over to the island, I sit on a
barstool making sure not to wrap my feet up in it this time. We
finish our light meal and I grab my purse.

Theron holds my hand as we walk to his car.
This is the first time I've taken notice of it. Being a mechanic's
daughter has definitely left an imprint on me. I love cars. It's a
red metallic BMW x6 four door coupe. I absolutely love it. It looks
like badass sex on wheels. He opens the door for me and I slide
into the white leather seats. He starts the car with a push of a
button and we are on our way. The drive is quiet except for the
beautiful melody coming through the speakers.

"Theron, who is this playing? It's beautiful."
I love that there are no words to the music right now. It's
comforting.

"Simply Three. This is their cover of Fix You
and Clocks by Cold Play."

"I love it."

Neither of us speak again for the remainder of
the drive. I'm getting nervous as we get closer and I start chewing
on the inside of my cheek. Theron lays his hand on my left thigh
and makes small circles with his thumb. It's such a simple gesture,
but it eases my nerves.

"This is it on the left."

Theron parks the car in the gravel driveway. I
go to reach for the door handle, but he stops me. "Wait, I'll come
around."

I nod my head wishing I could smile at him,
but I feel nauseous. I am desperately holding back tears. Giving me
a soft smile, he opens my door. We are hand in hand as we walk to
the front door.

"You can go…I mean I'm sure you don't want to
stay and watch me freak out again. So you can go…if you want. You
don’t have to stay." I don't attempt to look at him. Keeping my
head down, I bite my lip. I am trying so hard to hold on to my
sanity right now.

"What? No, Eve. I'm not going anywhere. I
already told you, I am going to keep you. You are mine, beautiful.
I won't ever leave you." Lifting my chin, he places a soft kiss on
my lips. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Before either of
us can knock, the door opens and Robert is staring at us. He holds
the door open for me. The intense look he gives Theron does not go
unnoticed.

"Everyone else is in the family room. Mom made
some tea and cookies."

Of course she did. My mother would never let
anyone go thirsty or hungry. She loves feeding people. We walk into
the room and immediately my mom rushes at me. She hugs me tightly
and kisses my cheeks. Smiling as best as I can at my mom, I take a
look around the room. It's not just us here. Paul and Kayla are
here as well. She looks just as bad as I do. Her face is puffy and
her eyes are red from crying. Taking an unsteady breath, I wipe my
cheeks. They are already wet from my tears. Kayla won't look
directly at me. I wonder if she is afraid she will break down. It's
why I'm not looking anyone directly in the eye. We stand there
awkwardly looking at everyone until Theron clears his
throat.

"Mrs. Davidson, I'm Theron Rowe. I'm sorry we
are meeting under such saddening circumstances. If there is
anything I can do, at all to help, please let me know." He places a
kiss on the back of my mom's hand and she is instantly
blushing.

"It's lovely to meet you. Please call me
Linda. This is my husband Phillip."

My dad appears over my mom's shoulder and
gives Theron a once over. "Thank you for bringing Evelyn to us. I
hope you found it easily enough."

"It wasn't any trouble at all, sir. She is
very upset, as to be expected. I don't think she should be alone
right now." Splaying his hand across my lower back, he kisses my
temple. It instantly makes me feel more at ease.

"Right. Well, then I'm going to assume you
will be staying here for a bit until Evelyn is comfortable. Why
don't we go out to the garage and give the girls some alone
time?"

"You'll be okay?" He squeezes my hip. I'm
afraid for him to let go, but I don't show it.

"I need to talk to Kayla right now. So, I'll
be fine." Theron and Paul follow my dad outside, but Robert
lingers. I know he's not happy with the situation between me and
Theron, but I want him to leave it alone.

"Look, Eve, I'm not sure I like this guy. He's
taking advantage of you. If you want him to leave, just tell me.
I'll make sure he's gone. You won't have to ask twice."

"This isn’t a cock fight, Robert. You don’t
need to puff out your chest like a pissed off rooster. Go outside
with your dad. Now." My mom has quickly put him into his place. He
follows the rest of the men and heads outside. No one argues with
my mom, well at least no one that wants to live to talk about it.
"You girls need each other more than you need me. I'll be in the
kitchen making dinner."

"Mom, I'm fine. We had sandwiches before we
left."

"Sandwiches are hardly a meal, let alone
dinner. Like I said, I'll be in the kitchen." I watch my mom walk
into the kitchen. I'm afraid to look at Kayla. I have been a
complete shit of a friend to her in the last twenty four
hours.

"Eve, I just…What are we supposed to do? I
don't want to go home. All of his stuff is there. It's all over our
apartment. I don't want to be reminded. What happened? One minute
you guys were talking at the table, then I look up and you're gone.
What the fuck happened? Why were you guys outside?" Kayla's tone is
iced with anger. She's mad and I don't blame her. I'm so fucking
mad at myself. If I wouldn't have ran, if I would've just stayed
there and talked to him, neither of us would have been outside.
Matt would still be alive. I'm sobbing uncontrollably and I can't
breathe. Everything feels like it's crushing me, my lungs are
burning and then everything goes black.

I can hear people arguing, but their voices
are low and muffled. Opening my eyes, I look around. I blink a
couple of times to help focus my eyes. I'm lying on my mom's couch.
Sitting up, I rub my face. I'm not sure I can handle this.
Breathing is hard and I'm trying not to cry again. The arguing is
getting louder and I can finally make out the words.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You don't
know her. How could you possibly know what's good for her? She's
completely wrecked right now. She watched our best friend die. No
one should have to do that. Then you come into the scene and all of
sudden, you're her care taker? Fuck you. You have no right to be
here. You have no right to come in here demanding to know what
happened. She fainted, you moron. What the hell do you think
happened?"

"I'm not demanding anything. I came back in to
get a drink and all I see is Eve fall to the floor. I want to know
what you said. I had her okay. She was the best she could have been
given the situation. You weren't there when she flipped out in the
hospital. It took everything in me to hold her still. She was
frantic. She was knocking around chairs, hitting me, clawing at my
arms. You didn't see what I did. Then after she finally fell into a
deep sleep, she wakes up screaming. She woke up crying and
screaming his name. She couldn't breathe. It was the scariest thing
I have ever seen. I know what it's like to have the world dropped
from underneath you. I watched my mother die slowly for two years,
and I still felt like crawling into her casket with her. I know
what it feels like to be so angry and gutted. All I'm asking is
what you said. Whatever you said is probably the same thing that
triggered her earlier. I only want to help her."

"I am going to tell you something and you
better listen. I've never seen Eve hold onto someone like she was
holding onto you at the hospital. It was like you were her life
line. I don't know where you came from or what you're intentions
are, but if you hurt her, I will fucking kill you. That is not an
empty threat, Theron. I will hunt you down, I will kill you, and I
will hide your body where no one will ever find it. Don't doubt me.
I love Eve, and I will do anything for her. If for some idiotic
reason she feels the need to have your stupid ass around, than
fine. Her family and I will be watching your every fucking move.
"

What the hell happened? Why are they yelling
at each other? I hear every word they say and all I feel is their
love for me. I wish it was enough to erase this pain and guilt I
feel. Looking into the kitchen, I see Kayla and Theron in a
standoff. Neither one of them is speaking or moving. I can feel the
tension from here. I'm not sure how to get their attention so I
cough. They both turn to look at me. Kayla shoots Theron a look and
he stays where he is. She walks over to me, pulling my feet into
her lap as she sits beside me.

"Please don’t do that again. I about had a
heart attack. Eventually we will need to talk about it, but I will
let it go for now. I'm so mad at Matt for putting himself in that
situation. I know I shouldn't be, but all I feel right now is
anger. This sucks so badly. His dad wants to meet with us tomorrow
to let us know about the arrangements. I don't want to go alone.
Please just make sure you are there, okay?"

"I'll be there. I'm sorry I've abandoned you.
Please don't hate Theron. I don't understand it, but right now I
need him." I wipe my nose on my sleeves for the umpteenth time
today. I should really just be wearing a shirt made out of tissues.
"My whole body reacts to him even if he's just walking into the
room. He came into the laundromat yesterday. We talked and he
helped me carry my baskets to my car. Our hands touched and I swear
I felt a spark. I had goosebumps head to toe…I shouldn't be feeling
like this after what happened with Matt."

Kayla is wiping her tears away as she looks at
me. I need to tell her what happened, but just the idea makes me
nauseous. Puffing out my cheeks, I let out a breath. I can do this.
I have to do this. This isn't fair for her not to know what
happened. Theron looks at me from the doorway and I nod to him. I
need him here by me when I do this. I can't explain or rationalize
my draw to him. All I know is right now I need him to breathe, he
keeps the burning sensation that fills my lungs at bay. He sits on
the edge of the armrest behind me and starts twirling my hair
around his fingers. I may have told him a little of what Matt said,
but he needs to know everything. He needs to know where I stand.
Closing my eyes, I take a breath and relax my shoulders.