Will We Talk?

70- Negotiation

"So you're definitely going to look after the kids while I'm gone?" I asked for the thousandth time down the phone.

"Yes man, Evelyn. I'm a retired woman now man." mam scoffed from the other end, "Just go away and enjoy your time, I'll keep you updated darlin'."

"Alright then," I reluctantly mumbled, "If you get tired of them, I can sort somet oot to come back home."

"No. Enjoy your time, please. You need a bit of fun in your life, so let it just happen." she reiterated once again.

"Well, just keep in touch."

"Reet."

"Mam?"

"That's me."

"I love you."

"I love you too, Evelyn Victoria." she laughed, hanging up the phone afterwards.

Well that's the hard part out of the way, now I need to scavenge through all of these boxes looking for my clothes and duffel bag. It's been four months since I bought that flat, yet I still haven't moved out of this one- probably in the hopes that Sam and I would get back together and move out together, which was actually looking promising.

Clothes of the winter and summer variety were scattered around my flat as I chose which clothes I'd take with me, however planning on buying some more when I'm out there. To make life easier, I packed my doc martens, gazelles and a pair of black heels to make space. I'd also be taking my white air forces, but I plan on wearing them to travel in.

My makeup solely consisted of eyeliner, mascara, three shades of lipstick, clear lip gloss, highlighter and an eyebrow pencil, therefore the makeup could just go in the same bag as my toiletries. The less I pack, the better, considering we'd be on a bus for the majority of the time, also I wasn't the strongest of lasses.

Evie: Good news x

Sam: U coming? x

Evie: Well aye xx

Sam: Coming round for u right now xxxx

He wasn't long getting to my house, likely already parked around the corner. There was just him in the car, sat bobbing his head to the songs that were playing on the radio, adding to my excitement. I frightened him with a light knock on the window, making him flinch and hide himself in his hands.

"Morning sunshine!" I greet giddily, laying a kiss to his cheek before clicking myself in, "Where we heading?"

"Meeting the lads, pet." he explained, "Did Cathy react well?"

"Oh is she Cathy now, aye?" I teased, making him shake his head yet smile at the same time, "She was actually alreet, y'kna." I started before pulling out my brick-red lipstick and applying it, "Said she'd call everyday, when she can, and is keeping me updated on Yvonne."

"How is she?" Sam asked.

"The best she can be- her words, not mine." I lifted my arms in a surrender, "To me, she's looking the illest I've seen her, but her surgery is any day from tomorrow onwards so we'll see what she's like from there."

"Mint." he smiled, "And what about you? Have you packed your tablets and stuff, you ate today?"

I just sat there, completely ignoring his question, puffing air into my cheeks and tapping my fingers on the ledge next to the window. After all that he and mam and dad went through, I started feeling bad that I wasn't allowing myself to get better.

"Evie man, you're hurting yourself." he scoffed, "I'm taking you for some food really quick, we'll have to find a compromise for them tablets."

"You don't ne-"

"But I should, I will and I am." he harshly spoke, looking at me with a glint of disappointment in his eye, making me internally cringe at myself and turn away, "Look at me, Evelyn."

Ooooh: the assertive side was coming into play. I quite like that. Fuck. Not in the car. Not as you're about to spend a whole month with him.

Almost immediately, I looked at him and my eyes softened at the mere sight of him, making me weak in the stomach.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Sam." I smiled.

"And that's why I'm taking care of you." he informed.

"Yes, yes, now are you taking me for food or what?" I avoided the whole awkward situation.

"Reet."

*****

We'd been sat in the Low Lights for heaven knows how long, waiting for Drew to turn up.

I'll tell you straight: it's proper tricky to not drink in a pub when it's just you and a few others are there. My eye was constantly drifting over to the pumps, willing for just a drop of it to just dissolve on my tongue and let me feel the alcoholic goodness in my system. Yet this anaemia thing was quite restrictive.

It was mint seeing the lads again, though, finally catching up with them properly after the past two months. Out of everyone, I think Dean was the most affected by the split, mainly because he'd started to feel like another brother figure to me and he put effort into making sure both Sam and I were good. He told me straight, putting me right, and I'm assuming he did the same for Sam.

"Alreet wor kid?" Dean asked, pulling me from the trance I'd found myself in, "Ah and she's back to planet Earth."

"Hello stranger." I smiled, "How's life?"

"Sound." he shrugged, "I'm happy for you and Sam, y'kna. Just please divnt be all over each other for the foreseeable."

"No promises, Thompson." I teased, "Am I designated driver then?"

"Supposing so. We're a rowdy bunch, mind, so good luck with us." he precautioned.

"It's nowt I've not put up with before like." I laughed.

"Aye fair enough."

"Howay then, lads, and the bestest lass, let's get gannin'." Sam announced, pulling me from my chair.

Now I'd have to drive Sam's car to wherever we were required to be, with another three lads in the back. I guess the only thing that'll keep me sane through the journey would be whacking Hypersonic Missiles on full blast, ignoring the bunch. But I could never. I love them like they're my family.