Wishing for the Girl Next Door (Piney Brook Wishes Book 3)

10. Evan

When I walked into the Coffee Loft and spotted Karlee sitting with another man, hot fire burned in my belly. The fact that she looked so uncomfortable only added to the boiling in my gut. I forgot all about my errand to bring Tracey coffee and a donut, and went into protector mode.

Then she introduced the man as Patrick, and I wanted to punch him square in the nose. Who cheats on their girlfriend with her best friend?

“What are we going to do?” Karlee asks, looking at me as though I have all the answers.

I shrug. “Nothing.” I have no intention of correcting the baristas behind the bar. That churning feeling in my gut told me not to walk away from this. I’ve never felt that way before. It makes me wonder if Karlee’s it for me.

“What!” she nearly shrieks, breaking me out of my train of thought. “How... but...”

I gently move the wet napkin from her neck to her forehead. “Sit tight for a minute. I’ll be right back.” Going to the counter, I quickly place my order to-go and pay the bill. When it’s ready, I grab the tray of drinks, complete with another iced latte for Karlee, and head back to where she’s sitting with a worried crease between her eyes.

“Come with me?” I ask. “Please. We can talk more, away from listening ears.” I tilt my head toward the counter where Lacey and Ashlan stand wiping the same section of countertop.

She stares at me a moment before standing. “I think I’ll just head home. This has been a crazy day.”

“I have coffee,” I say, not above bribing her right now. After seeing her so upset, I’m not ready to let her go.

She glances at the to-go tray I’m holding. “Why so many cups?” she asks.

“I’m taking some coffee to my sister and brother-in-law this morning. I’m going to babysit and send her and her husband out for a lunch date. It’s been rough since Brody broke his arm and they need a break.”

She stares at me for a long moment, metaphorical smoke pouring from her ears at how hard she’s thinking. Everything inside me freezes, waiting for her answer.

“I think I need to go home.” She looks at her feet. “I’m sorry. Today’s been too much for me already.”

My heart slams into my chest. “Disappointed” doesn’t begin to describe how I’m feeling. “Okay, but I’m going to stop by later with takeout from Beats and Eats. I don’t know that you’ll feed yourself in this state.” Please don’t say no.

She hesitates a second, but then nods her head. “Okay, thanks.”

Together, we walk out the door and to her car.

“Here,” I say, handing her one of the cups. “At least take your coffee.”

She takes the cup and places it in her center console. “Thanks, Evan. I’ll see you later.”

I wait until she’s pulled away from the curb and heads back towards the apartment before getting everything settled into my truck.

I lean back in the seat and close my eyes. Opening them, I start the truck and hit the button to call my dad as I pull out onto the road.

“Evan. Didn’t expect to hear from you today, son.” Dad’s voice booms in the truck.

“Hey, Dad, I have a question for you. Are you with Mom?” As much as I love my mother, she won’t rest until I’ve put a ring on Karlee’s finger if she thinks there is so much as a chance that she might be the one.

“Nah, she went to play bridge down at the church. Why?”

I sigh. “How did you know Mom was the one for you?”

The line goes silent for a moment. “Well, I hate to say it, son, but I just knew. One day I looked at her and everything had changed. She wasn’t the cute girl from math class anymore. She was everything.” He chuckles. “Convincing her wasn’t as easy.”

I laugh, imagining him trying to convince eighteen-year-old Mom that she was it for him. “Hard sell?” I ask.

“She came around,” he says, joy evident in his voice. “So, any particular reason you’re asking?”

I debate telling him no, but he’ll find out soon enough. I never was good at keeping secrets, and the wedding we’re going to means I’ll miss family dinner. “I’m figuring it out,” I say, unwilling to give anything more just yet. “I won’t make it to family dinner next time, though. A friend needed a plus-one for a wedding, and I agreed to go.”

Dad grunts. “A plus-one to a wedding,” he says, pausing. “For a friend.”

“Yeah,” I say, holding my breath, hoping that he won’t push it.

“All right, are you telling your mother, or would you like me too?”

I let out the breath in a big whoosh. “I’ll call her later and let her know.” If he tells her, she’ll be calling me anyway. “I just pulled up to Tracey’s. I’m going to watch the kids while she and Lawrence go out for a while to take a break.”

“That’s nice. I’m sure they’ll enjoy that.”

“I hope so,” I say. I know it can’t be easy to get adult time with two little kids running around. “Okay, Dad, I’ll let you go so I can go in and get mauled. Thanks for the advice. Talk to you soon.”

“Evan?” Dad calls. “If you’ve found her, don’t let her go. Louise wasn’t it, son. I hope you see that now.”

I cough a bit, trying to think of what to say, but Dad hangs up before I do.

Hopping out of the truck, I grab the tray of coffee and head to the front door. Tracey’s white ranch-style house sits back from the road a bit, giving her a spacious front yard. Hibiscus bushes line the front of the house, and a small porch leads to the deep green front door.

I knock, careful not to spill the coffee, and wait. I hear a little kid yelling from inside, and laugh. From the sounds of it, a broken arm hasn’t slowed down Brody’s superhero moves.

The door swings open, and Tracey eyes me warily before noticing the coffee. “You brought the goods, you may enter.” She stands back from the door and waves her arm toward the mess. “As you can see, we are making memories. Or something like that.”

I laugh at her use of the corny line everyone says once they have kids’ toys littering every surface of their home. “Where’s Lawrence?”

“Right here.” Lawrence pops up from behind couch cushions that are arranged upright in a semicircle on the floor. “Are you good, or evil?” he asks seriously. Brody giggles from behind the cushions.

“I come bearing gifts, and an offer of free babysitting. So, I think that means I’m good.” I laugh when he pops to his feet.

“Seriously?”

“Yep. You two go get dressed and get lost for a couple of hours. Uncle Evan has some bad guys to catch.” I hand Lawrence the tray of drinks and the bag of donuts and make my way to the fort on the floor. “May I join you in your quest to rid the world of evil?” I ask in my best superhero voice.

Brody giggles. “Yes!”

Tracey takes a big gulp from the coffee cup in her hand and moans. “Have I told you lately you’re my favorite brother?”

I laugh. “I’m your only brother.”

“Emelia is down for her nap, but she will be up in about forty-five minutes. Then they’ll need lunch, and . . .” She pauses and looks at Lawrence. “Nevermind. You’ve got this.”

Lawrence grins at her and ushers her down the hall to their room to change.

“Let’s get the bad guys while your sister sleeps. When she gets up, we’ll make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and have a picnic outside. How’s that sound?” I ruffle Brody’s curls.

“Yeah!” he says before crouching behind the pillows. “Careful, Uncle Evan, there’s a bad guy, just came around the corner.”

I duck down, just in time, according to Brody, who pops up and vanquishes the bad guy with his sword. A pool noodle that Lawrence cut down and decorated with tape. Smart idea if you ask me.

Several hours later, Brody and Emelia are worn out and resting on a pallet on the living room floor, watching their favorite animated movie when Tracey and Lawrence come in looking refreshed.

“Hey,” Tracey says, spying the kids on the floor. “How did it go?”

I point to them and raise an eyebrow. “Good. They’re great kids, Trace. They’ve just got a lot of energy. Nothing wrong with that.”

She grins and comes to stand in the living room. “Thanks. We really needed that.”

“What are uncles for?” I ask, getting to my feet. “I’m going to get going, though.”

“You sure you can’t stay for dinner?” Lawrence asks.

“Nah, I’ve got some things to do tonight. I appreciate the offer.” I bend down to tell the kids I’m leaving and notice they’ve both fallen asleep. Standing back up, I take a moment to soak them both in. Being an uncle is amazing. All the cuddles and fun, without the late-night screaming.

A few minutes later, I’m pulling into the Beats and Eats parking lot. My stomach growls when the smell of hot fries hits my nose. I head to the counter and take a seat. May as well be comfortable while I wait.

“Hey there, Evan,” Gabby says, handing me a menu. “What can I get you?”

I hand her back the menu and place our order. Hopefully Karlee is a creature of habit, because I order her what she had the day we picked up her furniture.

“Hey, Gabby?” I pause, while she finishes punching in the order—two burgers, fries, and two chocolate shakes to go.

“Yeah?”

“I know it’s none of my business, but what happened with you and Heath?”

Her back stiffens, and the smile drops from her face. “You’ll have to ask him.” She turns and walks away without a backward glance.

I rub my hand over my face and groan. Maybe I should have left it alone, but clearly they are both still upset.

A few minutes later, Ms. Daisy, the owner, hands me my order. “Here we are,” she says, smiling. “Sometimes, when hearts get broken, it’s hard to talk about.” She nods her head toward Gabby, who is busy rolling silverware in the corner.

“Thanks,” I say, taking the bag. “I didn’t realize.”

Daisy pats my hand. “I know, dear. You take that on to Karlee, and you two have a good night.” She winks and walks away.

I grin. It seems the rumor mill has been busy this afternoon. Then I remember how worried Karlee was at the Coffee Loft and the smile drops from my face.

Leaving the diner, I decide now’s as good a time as any to tell Mom I won’t be at family dinner next time. If I wait too long, Dad will tell her.

Pulling up her name, I hit the dial button and listen to it ring through the car speakers.

“Hello, son.”

“Hey, Ma. How are you?”

“Better now that you called,” she says.

I love my mom. No matter what happens, she always makes us feel special and loved. I hope I can be like that with my own children one day.

“Thanks, Ma. Listen, I won’t be at the family dinner next Sunday.”

There’s a pause at the other end of the line.

“Why not?” she asks. Family dinners are important to my parents. It was hard on them when Tracey moved out and got married. Even harder when I eventually moved out, too.

“Well . . .” I hesitate, unsure how much to share. “My friend needed a date for her sister’s wedding.”

“Your friend?” she asks. “Is she a special friend?”

I sigh, resigned to my fate. “She is, Ma. She’s very special, but it’s new,” I say, thinking it’s so new Karlee doesn’t even know yet. “And I’m still not sure how this will go.”

She squeals and calls for my father. “Did you know Evan has a special ‘girl’ friend?”

I hear my dad’s voice mumbling something in the background.

“When can we meet her?” Mom asks. “What’s her favorite food? I’ll make it for the next family dinner. Should we have an extra one this month since you’ll miss this one?”

“Mom . . .”

“Maybe I could talk to Tracey and Lawrence about changing the day, just this once. Since this is such a special occasion.”

“Mom!”

“What, dear? You don’t need to yell, my goodness.”

I laugh. If I didn’t love her so much, her excitement would annoy me. “Mom, I think we need to be patient and hold off. I don’t want to overwhelm her with too much at once.”

Mom huffs. “Evan Christopher Thompson. Are you calling your family too much?”

“No, Ma. I’m not. I’m just saying, let me take her on more than one date before I bring her home to meet the parents.”

She sighs, and I know I’ve upset her. “I’m sorry, Ma. I know you’re excited . . .”

“You’re right. After the number Louise and her parents pulled on you, I wasn’t sure you’d ever date again.”

I sigh and grip the wheel harder. “Well . . .”

“I know what her parents said to you at the hospital, Evan,” she says, interrupting me. “But you have to know they were hurting and lashing out at anyone they could. They knew full well that accident was her fault for doing it and their fault for not listening to you to begin with.”

“But . . .”

“No buts, son. This new friend must be pretty special if she got you to come out of your shell again.”

I smile. “She is special, Mom. I think she’s it for me, but I have to take it slow. Her ex really hurt her, and I don’t want to rush her.”

“I understand,” Mom says, finally calming down a little. “Can I at least know her name? Is she from Piney Brook? Do I know her?”

I chuckle. “Her name is Karlee. She moved to Piney Brook at the beginning of June, so I doubt you would know her.”

“Okay, son. I don’t love that you won’t be here, but I understand. Call me when you get back from the wedding and we can make plans then.”

I shake my head. “Will do. I love you, Ma.”

“Love you, too.”

I hit the disconnect button just as I pull into the parking lot.