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" If I were you, Evelyn, I would put that gun down and stand back. "
Her sickening voice traveled to my ears. I turned around to look at her dead in the eyes. She gulped and cowered a little at the direct eye contact. Keeping my eyes locked...
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"Yeah, Ryan, I'll be there. I promise. " I sighed into the phone, flopping back down on my bed, my other hand landing at my side with a thud, and heard him chuckle at the other end.
" Well, hello to you too, girlfriend, " He said, his voice laced with humor. I rolled my eyes and huffed again. No, you don't know anything yet, don't call me dramatic!
" What do you want, Ryan? " I exhaled closing my eyes, massaging my temples, and heard him laugh again. " Somebody's grumpy today. Let me guess, Mom's been calling you all day about that Christmas thing, isn't she? " He guessed.
I groaned loudly and nodded my head furiously as if he could see me, " Yes! She's been calling almost every hour, Ryan, can you believe that? I thought she got you on her case too! " Ryan laughed loudly before I heard a little commotion around him followed by a loud thud. " You okay? " I asked carefully. " Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I was just... doing something. "
My curiosity peaked at his words, " Really? What are you doing? " He chuckled dismissively, " Nothing you should be concerned about, babe. " I pouted. " I know you're pouting like a five-year-old, love. " He said in an amused voice making me gasp, " I swear you have spy cameras around me, Ry. " He snickered, " Naah, I just know you too well. "
" Yeah, yeah whatever. Now tell me what to do with Moma. She's hell-bent on the idea of making me stay till New Year's. You know I can't do that right? With the concert and everything, I'll have to leave right after Christmas Eve. The concert's in Paris this time and the management wants to be there in time for some practice runs and sound checks. I wish I could do something, I really do, but I can't, Ry. " I ranted out while he listened patiently not interrupting me once.
" Babe, don't stress it. I'll take care of mom. She's just excited to spend time with you. She'll understand, don't worry. " I sighed at his words. I know he was right, but I was so new at all this family stuff that I just didn't know how to say no.
" I miss you, Ryan. " I whispered in a small voice. " I miss all of you guys. The house is just so... silent and lonely without you all. I don't like being... alone. " I could almost feel him smile at me sadly through the phone. " I miss you too, Sunflower, but you know it's just a matter of days and then we'll all be together, right? " He said in a reassuring voice.
" I know. I know. " I sighed sadly. " Oh don't be like that, Cheesecake. You're coming home tomorrow, it's just one more night. " I scoffed, " Can you stop calling me odd nicknames? It's kinda cringy! " I scrunched up my nose as I said that and Ryan let out a booming laugh making the corners of my lips lift up of their own accord.
Just as he was about to say something a loud voice called out in the background and Ryan sighed, " I'm sorry, Eve, I gotta go. Dad needs a hand with the Christmas tree. The twins have been going crazy over getting more lights on it this year. " I laughed fondly and shook my head, " It's okay, go help the old man. I'll call you tomorrow when I'm about to board the plane. " " Yeah, I can't wait to see you. Goodnight, Cupcake. I love you. " I sighed dramatically, " I don't know why but I love you too, dork. " I heard him laugh before the line went silent abruptly.
