Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

... I Never Left - Not Truly

Simultaneously, Reggie and I cry out and run to the front door. I reach it just before he does, my nerves causing me to fumble with the doorknob for an extra few seconds before successfully pushing it open, the two of us pouring out the door in tandem and onto the porch, down the steps, sprinting at lightning speed towards the two of them. As we near, Evan straightens up and stills, his hands coming to rest behind his back. My father Liam, meanwhile, grins like the Cheshire Cat.

Out of breath, Reggie and I come to a hard stop in front of the two of them. As we stand there staring at him expectantly, I suddenly become aware of the sensation of the blades of grass, moving with the breeze and tickling at my bare ankles.

Clearing his throat, my father smiles and gestures from Evan to Reggie and I, "... Mr. Evan Rosier."

No kidding!

Because,

After all -

Only Evan-freaking-Rosier would show up in such a manner as this!

As Reggie remains completely still beside me, I bring both hands to my hips, inhaling sharply as I struggle to keep my voice calm and even, "... You don't say."

Laughing at this, Liam glances back towards Evan, extending his hand to him. As Evan takes it, my father smiles, "You're welcome to stay here as long as you'd like, son. Our home's small, but a welcoming place."

And then, seeming to pick up on the unspoken tension in the air, the prolonged silence as Reggie and I continue to stare at Evan and he back at the two of us, my father steps back and clears his throat, "... You know what? Feels as though El's taking an epically long amount of time brewing that tea. I'm off to check up on him."

As he begins to walk off, I call out after him, my voice authoritative as I force my gaze away from Evan and towards my father, "... The three of us, going for a walk -"

Turning back to face us as he continues moving backwards towards the house, I see the way my father glances between the three of us, registering how Reggie and I are both still in our pyjamas, slippers on. But rather than question me or say anything about our attire, he simply nods, "Certainly."

"... Might be quite a long walk. More of a hike, even."

"Sure."

"... So perhaps, tell Dad to only make enough tea for the two of you, then. Hold off on ours."

"Of course, Pumpkin."

Sighing loudly at this, Evan crosses his arms and meets my eyes again, his thin lips quivering as he fights back a smile, "Actually ... I was rather looking forward to a cup -"

This man!

The unparalleled cheek of this man!

... Not that I'm not secretly elated that he's here -

Because of course I am!

I want him here with us more than anything -

... But showing up like this?

Completely unannounced, after weeks of avoiding us steadfastly - weeks of literally no contact whatsoever -

IS HE JOKING?!?!

"We're going for a walk first, Evan."

Because we need to talk -

You know we do -

Biting at his lip, Evan stares back at me with an unmistakably pained expression, "... Right. Of course."

That's when I realise Reggie is still right beside me, still as a statue, not having said a single word. As I glance over at him, he shakes his head in disbelief and whispers under his breath, "... Evan?"