FIRE | H.S.

Chapter 30

Once I close, I rush home to take a shower, and get ready for my date with Evan. We're going to a wing place located downtown. I chose that place because I'm tired and don't have the energy to put much effort on my outfit. Plus, the wings are very good.

After my shower, I blow dry my hair and change into a pair of jeans, a decent top, and white Converse. I check the time and rush to apply mascara, brow gel, and perfume, and by the time I'm done I get a text from Evan saying he's outside.

I grab my purse and make my way outside, locking and checking the door like I normally do. I walk toward his car and open the door.

"Hey, babe," he says without looking up from his phone.

"Hey." I buckle my seatbelt and wait for him to finish typing.

Once he's done, he leans over to kiss me. "Sorry, babe, I was texting my players the schedule for practice. It starts in two weeks, and I just finished putting it together today. I just need to see the schedule for try-outs but that's not until school starts, so I've got some time." He shifts the car to drive and steps on the pedal a little too hard.

When we're at the restaurant and our waiter leaves with our orders, we talk about how busy our days have been lately. He tells me how his classes are going, how his professors are, and the heaps of homework and projects he has. I tell him about work and all the appointments I've been having, and it just seems like this is all out conversations consist of. Work and school and how exhausted we both are. I guess this is adulthood. Great.

"God, I needed this," Evan sighs, leaning back on his chair and dropping his used napkin on his finished plate. "I needed a mental break from all the work."

"Yeah, me too," I say, biting into my food.

"I've missed you, baby," he says, leaning forward.

I smile at him. "Me too." I'd be lying if I said I didn't. "Our lunch breaks aren't enough time to fully enjoy your company."

"I know, the whole time we're just checking the time, so we won't be late."

"I know, it's been crazy. I—"

I'm cut off by the sound of my phone ringing on the table. Harry's name flashes across the screen, and I feel bad, but I end the call. Not even a second later after I hang up, the phone rings again.

"Why is the fireman calling you? I thought he was away in England," Evan's voice hardens.

"It's Leilani," I explain. "She calls me every night around this time."

The ringing ceases for another second before it starts again.

"Why?" he's annoyed now.

"Give me a second, okay?" I clean my fingers with my napkin and answer the call. "Hello?" Evan rolls his eyes, calling for our waiter.

"Hi, Ava! How are you? You took long to answer. What are you doing? Did you see the pictures daddy and I sent? Aren't they soooo nice?" Leilani fires at me.

"Can we get the check?" Evan tells our waiter.

"Hi, Leilani. I'm good, listen, sweetie, can I call you back? I'm a little busy right now but I promise I'll call you back, okay?" I silently plead Evan to not be mad, but he ignores me and starts scrolling on his phone.

"What are you doing?" she asks.

"Leilani, what are you— did you call Ava?" I hear Harry's voice. "Leilani, I told you Ava would be busy. Why did you grab my phone to call her when I said no?" He says, sternly.