Bullet Wound

Chapter 20: Discoveries

Evan crawled out of bed, rubbing his eyes sleepily. He stretched and walked out into the hallway, making his way to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, slowly his body began waking up.
As he closed the bathroom door a sweet aroma filled the apartment, his stomach growled. He plopped down on the coach, relaxing against the soft cushions. Most mornings he felt exhausted, but he felt more energized than he had in weeks.
Willow was sitting next to him, texting someone but she looked up from her screen. "Did you just wake up?" she asked, bewildered, Evan yawned in response. She smiled, " You sleep well?"
" Best sleep I've had in weeks," he said purposefully loud enough for William to hear. Willow looked at him then at her brother, as if connecting the pieces.
"Did you guys hoo-" she started but William harshly cut her off, "No," She grinned, and hummed in response.
She scooted closer to Evan, "Great, In that case can I get your number?" she asked flirtatiously, Evan suddenly started to feel extremely awkward.
As he struggled to find the right words to say he was both relieved and confused to what William said next, "I'll give it to you later," he said bitterly.
He stared at William, knowing fully well he did not have his phone number. Truth be told he was glad he didn't have to answer, and part of him was grateful for William's lie.
He watched as William set down the plate of pancakes with such force the table rattled, Evan quickly took a seat at the table, his overwhelming hunger showing.
"Thank you," Evan said as Willow sat across from him, William smiled at him as he took a seat right next to Evan. Willow glared at her brother, a mischievous grin on her face.
"You're such a malewife," she said smugly, William stared wide eyed at her, "Excuse me?" He said harshly, "Prove me wrong."
She laughed, Evan also found himself choking back a laugh. William sent her a nasty look, she merely blinked.
"How in the world are you older than me?" he said as if he was seriously wondering, "You see my dear brother, our parents conceived me first," she said in a sarcastic tone.
"Enough," William said angrily, taking a sip of his drink, "Yeah I'm done talking to you anyway," she shifted her gaze back to Evan.
"How long have you known William?" she asked her brown eyes fixating on Evan, them alone could've devoured him whole. "I'm not exactly keeping score."
She laughed, "He gave you a hard time didn't he?" she asked, "What?" Evan said nervously, "You don't have to lie, he's not exactly like you in a sense," she said as if William wasn't sitting right there.
"What does that mean?" William asked coldly, she spread her arms as if the answer was standing right in front of them. "You know what, forget it."
Willow jumped back into conversation, mostly only talking to Evan. As soon as he finished his meal, William set their plates in the sink. He looked fairly agitated as he put on his coat, he rushed out the door not even bothering to say goodbye to Willow.
Evan fought the urge to ask him what was wrong, they both stood in silence.
"How do you feel about Ms.K?" He finally asked, his voice brash. Evan blinked in surprise, "She's horrible," he spat, with any other person he would have sugar coated his words.
However there was something about William that just made him want to tell him everything, he held nothing back.
"I agree," he said abruptly before the elevator doors opened. Evan knew there was more William wanted to say, but if he would ever say it? That was out of Evan's control.

____________

The car came to a stop, as Evan shut the car door he realized the scenery was different. There were trees and people walking their dogs, not that there were many people to begin with.
It was probably late afternoon and the cold air brushed against Evan's skin, he shuddered. "What are we doing here?" he asked, tucking his hands under his arms for warmth.
"We're at a park," he said bluntly, Evan rolled his eyes, "I know i've been here before. I mean we're supposed to be at work," he said loudly. William tucked his hands into his coat pockets, "I think you could use a break."
Evan's face shifted, he suddenly felt warm & fuzzy inside. He smiled, "That's really nice," he said quietly, William nodded.
Evan took a deep breath and stepped forward and grabbed William's hand, "Wh-" before he could finish his sentence Evan dragged him away.
Laughing as he ran through the park, his hand linked with William's as he struggled to catch up. The wind blew through his hair but in response Evan only clutched William's hand tighter. He was always cold, even in summer, but especially his hands. William was the opposite, he always took off his coat anywhere, Evan was surprised he even brought it. As he ran Evan savored the warmth of William's hand on his own, it made him calm down, it made him smile. He would never admit it to Williams face, he didn't think he would be able to.
Evan finally slowed down in front of a coffee stand, William's chest rose and fell rapidly almost matching Evan's heartbeat.
"What are you doing?" William asked once he finally caught his breath, "Buying coffee?" he said as if it were obvious, "Correction, I'm buying you coffee."
Evan shook his head, "No Will, it's fine," he said politely, but it was too late by then William already had a cup of coffee in his hand. He begrudgingly took it, savoring the drink's warmth and taste. It left him feeling cozy and relaxed.
He sat down on a wooden bench, William sat down next to him. "Why do you even need coffee, we already had breakfast?" he asked, tilting his head.
Evan smiled as he wrapped his hands around the cup, "Well you offered milk and I'm lactose intolerant," he shrugged it off, "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked quietly, "It's no big deal."
William sighed but dropped the topic, Evan sipped his drink when he looked back at William. He was just staring at the park, not blinking. As if he were taking all of it in, the slight rustling of the leaves and the crisp air that brushed against their faces. It was simple, but pretty nonetheless.
"What are you doing?" he asked, peeking up, "It's this thing I do when I like something," he explained, "I try to understand it, or just admire it."
Evan took a sip of his drink, "Yeah, it's nice here." he said, suddenly he heard a woman call out, Evan turned around to see the commotion.
She was holding a leash in her hand as a dog excitedly ran around her feet, she was shouting its name trying to get the dog to calm down. Evan laughed, as he turned back around he found William looking directly at him. Eyes entirely fixated at him, like earlier.
Evan smirked, "Am I something you like?" he asked smugly, he had no idea where this sudden confidence was coming from, maybe it was since he was over the moon in comfort. Maybe just for once he forgot to hold back his words.
A faint pink spread across William's face, he inched his face closer to Evan's. He could feel Williams breath centimeters away from his own face, Evan's breathing hitched. "Maybe..."
He wanted to look away but his eyes refused, they stayed on the pair of chestnut brown eyes in front of him. Evan's phone buzzed, William backed away leaving Evan sat there wide eyed like an idiot. He already felt himself getting hot but he unlocked his phone to see tons of messages.
Evan rolled his eyes at one of the messages, William raised an eyebrow. "It's Red, she's saying Kristen is apparently throwing a fit trying to find us," Evan told him, his face dimmed with disappointment.
William went stiff, "I guess tell her we'll be there in 5," he said getting up from the bench, Evan raised an eyebrow. Something was off, something big.