My Demons (The Angel Trilogy #2) (11 page)

“Hey,” Abby whispers as she walks through the glass doors that lead to the large deck her parents and I are standing on.

“Hey,” I answer, probably because my mouth’s on the floor and I can’t get anything else out.

Her eyes meet mine and I can see that she’s lost in thought, deep progressive thought and I wish that it was me in her thoughts, in her arms, and life, but tonight’s probably just a brief entrance to an exit that I’m sure is yet to come.

She’s standing before me in a royal blue dress that hugs her tight and while I don’t mind that it fits her like a glove; I know who’s going to be here later and I don’t want that shark seeing my angel like this.

She’s pulled her hair up tonight and her neck is bare and ready for my kisses. God, I need to pull my thoughts together because I need to touch her before I kill someone.

“Are you deaf?”

“Huh?”

“Geez Evan you’ve got it bad,” Amy laughs to my left. I didn’t even know she was here. I must’ve really been lost in Abby.

“Yeah,” I whisper back not even sure if Amy hears me.

“Understatement cowboy.” I guess she did.

“Ha, I’m damn sure I’m nobody’s cowboy.”

“What’s up, bro?” Dom reaches out to shake my hand.

“Just enjoying the scenery,” I answer.

“Ok inside, inside, our guests are here.” Alison clears her throat. “On your best behavior.” She waves to all of us. And then winks at Abby.

She loves that girl, she’s such a great mom.

Alfred reaches his arm around me as we walk in. “You going to be all right?”

“Yes sir,”

“Just don’t have a pissing contest during dinner, eh.” Alfred pats my back.

“Will do. I mean
will not
do. You know… what I… mean,” I stutter.

I’ve never been nervous before, but I want to impress her parents, because one day, I’m going to ask this man a very important question and I want him to say that he trusts me enough to say,
‘yes.’

Abby slows her steps as I approach from behind and her hand glides across my arm. The chills that attack immediately send a gasp from my lips that I bite back and clear my throat as I down the last of the bourbon in my glass.

I needed that!

I look down at the most important person to me in this world seeing something in her eyes, but I don’t know what it is. I don’t think she knows either.

I wonder how attraction and love can be in every cell of someone’s body, so much so it affects them to the core of everything that makes them who they are.

I used to think that I possibly would never find love and if I did they wouldn’t want me. I don’t think that I’ve ever considered myself worthy of love. Maybe that’s why I never thought it was possible to begin with.

When I saw Abby for the first time, at the accident that took her sister, something happened to me. The minute I touched her as I pulled her away from her sister the electricity hit me in a way I still can’t explain.

Then I saw her again on the arm of the man I consider my arch enemy. I drop my head at that memory and squeeze the glass in my hand so hard that it breaks into three large pieces cutting my hand. I clamp my jaw for a second because it surprises me. I ignore it because I don’t want to explain this shit, ‘cause, after all, how would I explain it?

I raise my head to investigate if anyone’s noticed and no one has. Abby’s talking to Amy and everyone else has already walked inside. I’ll just excuse myself to the bathroom.

I enter through the doors. “Hey, where’s the bathroom in this place?” I ask Dom.

He shifts his body and looks down at my right hand.

Damn it!

“Bro, you all right?” he whispers.

“Uh yeah dude, I’m cool. Bathroom?” I ask in a rush, the blood’s dripping on the floor.

“Yeah, through the dining room to the hallway and then like the third door to your left.” He holds his jaw as he remembers.”

“Thanks, man.”

“No problem.” I don’t even turn to see what everyone’s doing, I just head off in the direction he’s said to go.

What the hell am I going to do?
I know from the amount of blood that it’s deep, and there’s blood every fucking where.

“Oh, excuse me you’re bleeding all over the place.”

“Oh shit.” I lower my head and turn toward the voice behind me.

“Uh yeah, I’m really sorry about that,” I apologize.

“Oh honey, don’t worry about that. Are
you
hurt dear?” a small woman asks me. Her name tag reads Sue.

“Sue?” I lean my head down asking.

“Yes dear, let’s get you fixed up,” she says taking my hand in hers.

She finds broken glass still embedded my palm, looking up she scrunches her brows.

“What did you do, silly boy?” She shakes her head while still holding my hand.

I shrug because I don’t even know the answer.

We enter the bathroom and she closes the door behind us and reaches for a trash can. I drop the glass pieces into the empty can.

She fumbles in the cabinet and drawers. “So you’re in love with my Abby, huh?”

I wasn’t expecting that question. “Yes.” I take a deep breath.

“This will only hurt for a moment.” She turns the knob and then takes my hand under the warm running water.

It stings like a son of a bitch. “Shi—” I hold my tongue when she looks at me. “Sorry,” I offer.

“Mhmm, well you men are big babies when it comes right down to it, aren’t you?” She laughs, reaching for the glasses that hang from her neck. “This looks pretty deep dear, I think you’re going to need stitches.” She holds her hand on her hip.

No, I’m not!

“You lucky that there’re two surgeons in the other room.”

“No, I’m good. Do you have gauze or something?”

She straightens, this time holding both hips. Her mouth opens and I think she’s going to say something, but then just shakes her head. “Scared of the doctor, huh?” She laughs again pulling something out of the cabinet. “This should do the trick, but… you do need stitches. Here,” she scolds, holding my hand over the sink again as she starts pouring peroxide over my palm. “Damn it!” That shit hurts.

Looking at my palm she leans over shaking her head again and reaches for the gauze. “What are you intentions with Abigale?” She begins wrapping my hand.

“My intentions?” I squint my eyes.

“Yes, your intentions,” she mocks looking up over the rims of her glasses.

“First thing, I want her to remember that she loves me, and second, I’m going to love her for the rest of my life.”

“Oh dear, you don’t know?” She laughs again.

Oh shit, what don’t I know?

“Honey, that girl already knows she loves you she just hasn’t admitted it to herself yet.”

“What?” I’m totally on the edge of my seat with this info. Why don’t I know this?
I do know this, I think.

“What makes you so sure?”

“I’ve known Abby since she was born and I’ve never seen her look at any boy the way that she looks at you,” she says taking a deep breath. “I can see her soul waking up at just the mention of your name and I want to thank you for that.” I see a tear fall from her gray eye.

I don’t say anything and silence fills the room, but hope fills my soul and I’m at the edge of everything when that happens.

Yes! There is hope, after all…

Chapter Twelve

Abby

I turn toward Evan and he isn’t there.
Where did he go?
I wonder. “Hmmm.”

“Abby, how are you feeling?” Hollister enters through the door as we stand in our usual places during a guest’s arrival. “You look beautiful,” he says kissing me on the cheek when I don’t respond.

Dom clears his throat from the other side of the foyer.

“Yeah ok, you said hi, let’s go doll.” Amy snatches my hand separating the two of us. “What the fuck?” she hisses under her breath.

“Where did Evan go?” I whisper as we walk to the living room.

“Abby dear, you didn’t meet Holster’s guest,” my mom’s voice echoes.

“What?” Amy asks surprised.

I shrug, turning to see what’s going on.

I’m blown away by what I see standing in the entryway.

The woman standing before us is at least five nine, long curly auburn hair, beautiful tan, blinding white smile, and the biggest, but perkiest breast I think I’ve ever seen. Her curves are out of control and the ridiculous off the shoulder red dress that she’s wearing says she intends to share every bit with anyone willing to look her way.

I have to admit that I feel very unattractive and very mundane in her presence. I wrap my arms around my not so perfect body in hopes that no one will notice me.

I imagine a red, shiny brand new Porsche compared to the dull Honda that I am.

“Abby, Amy, this is Eva,” my mom announces.

“Hello, it’s so nice to meet you,” she says in our direction probably not knowing who’s who.

“Fake as hell,” Amy whispers as she turns, not even acknowledging Eva.

I nod my head feeling very miniscule in her presence, turning when Amy grabs my hand pulling me along with her.

“We need a damn drink before Barbie makes me want to rip her weave out of her head.” She huffs rolling her eyes.

“Amy,” I laugh too. “That’s awful.” I try sounding serious because I am, but that was so funny.

“You don’t think her hair is real?” It looks real to me.

She turns giving me a ‘
you’re-a-dumb-ass’
look.

“What? It looks real.”

“Sue?” my mom calls behind us. “Where is she?” she mumbles to herself.

Dom grabs Amy from behind pulling her to his chest. I watch quietly. They are so in love and I have to admit I’m a bit jealous that I don’t have that right now.
Who wouldn’t want that?
I mean I don’t need it, but it would be nice.

I imagine Evan reaching from behind me pulling me into
his
amazingly decadent chest wrapping his arms around me. The smell alone would have me wrapped in every possible sin a girl could hope to commit in her life.

I want him. I know I want him. What do I do or say though? Marco hasn’t been around and I know what everyone’s told me about him and I know I can trust what they say, but I still have feelings for him I can’t just turn them off no matter what everyone seems to think.

“Wine?” Amy offers.

“Please, thank you.” I sigh

“Oh doll, what’s wrong? Did her big boobies knock you in the head?” she asks with pouty fish lips and then cups her hand to her mouth breaking out into laughter.

“Oh good, they’re here,” my mom hums.

“Oh God, who now?” Amy rolls her eyes.

“Hey, sorry.” Evan approaches.

I take a deep breath because
damn
! My heart skips so many beats when this man enters a room.

I get excited and grab my belly grounding the butterflies that’re taking over.

The corners of his lips lift and I wonder if he has any idea what it feels like. I wonder if he’s ever felt like this around me.

Nah, I seriously doubt it.

And once he gets a look at the
‘supreme being’
Hollister’s brought, he’ll forget all about me that’s for sure.

“What did I miss?” he asks, standing so close I can feel the heat from his body.

“Oh, thank God you’re back because I can’t stand it.” Amy laughs nodding in the direction of Hollister and his perfect girl.

“Yes, I’m so glad.” My mom laughs. “Everyone, this is Dr. Walter Daily and his wife, Layla. Abby, you remember Dr. Daily from the hospital?”

“Please, Walter.” He extends his hand.

Dr. Daily is a very distinguished man in his maybe mid-fifties. He’s very youthful in appearance and was very kind to me during my stay in hospital.

“Hello Abby, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Layla is a bit younger than her husband. She reminds me of my mother with similarities in the conservative nature they dress and the neat way her blonde hair hangs around her shoulders.

Yes, it’s great to see you again Dr. Daily, and it’s lovely to meet you Layla. I reach my hand to his and then Layla’s as my mom continues with introductions.

Hollister, Walter, and my dad come together quickly as the doctor says something about a drink.

“Hi there,” Layla says taking Evan’s hand.

“Hello, I’m Evan. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Mhmmm.” She smiles, turning her eyes to me and winks.

“All right let’s take this into the dining room,” my father’s voice breaks through the chatter erupting throughout the large room.

Evan’s large hand finds the small of my back gripping tightly. And I like it. I feel a tingle travel down my spine finding that much-neglected place between my legs.

I suck in a large gulp of air, trying to manage the overwhelming and out of control feelings I’m having.

Evan’s mouth finds my ear. “You look absolutely amazing Abby and you smell even better.”

His hot breath finds my skin and his breath on that area of my neck makes me want to jump out of my skin.

I hope I can extinguish this or I’m in big trouble.

“I’m so glad your back,” Amy says and I see that her wine glass is already empty.

“Oh really?” He laughs.

“Hey, what happened?” Amy asks pointing to Evan’s hand.

I move my eyes in that direction seeing his right hand wrapped in gauze.

His eyes fall as he holds out his hand and then puts it back down behind his back.

“Are you ok? What happened?” I ask.

“Nothing just a little cut. My glass had a crack in it and it shattered in my hand.” He shrugs.

“Do you want my mom or dad to look at it?” I reach for his hand pulling it into mine.

“Abby.” My name drips from his lips and I can’t move because the look in his eyes is pulling me in.

“Huh?” I ask, never having seen eyes that pierce me as warmly as his do.

He continues staring not answering my question.

“There’s nothing to see here, out you go,” Amy says, herding everyone out of the room.

His eyes never leave mine through the movement of the crowd and I feel like my head’s spinning.

“Touch me.”

“What?” He smiles.

“Huh?” I shake my head realizing I just said that out loud as I’m attempting to come back to reality, but then he smiles and his dimple destruction sucks me into a never-ending free fall.