Not Without You [Chris Evans]

12

Megan's POV

"Ooof!" I stalked out of Chris's door only to take a step and run into a wall somehow. It only took me a moment to realize it wasn't a wall at all; it was another tall, well built man. I really needed to stop meeting people like this, I decided. Twice in one week was more than enough.

"Sorry!" I said, unable to move - I was that off balance. I wasn't sure how it had happened, but the heel of my shoe was stuck.

"Good evening," a smooth, cultured British voice said a moment later. "My apologies. I wasn't expecting to see anyone just yet." I knew I'd heard that voice before - very recently - I just wasn't sure where.

"Me either," I said with a sigh, feeling his chest shake with laughter. "I was just leaving."

"So I gathered," he said dryly, moving forward while holding onto me until I was fully upright. "Please allow me to assist you." He let go of me as soon as he was satisfied I wasn't going to fall over again. I gave up trying to get my shoe free and crouched down to pry my shoe from the doormat and slide it back on.

"Bring her in with you Tom," Chris said from behind me as I stood up again.

"Are you all right, Megan?" Sadie asked quietly, stepping out into the hallway.

"I'm fine - I only hurt my dignity," I replied, not looking at either of them, certain my face was currently as red as my hair. I wasn't sure if this was worse than Chris seeing me in just a towel or not. "Thanks for catching me, sir." I said in the stranger's direction, my hair having fallen into my face when I bent down, keeping my face hidden.

"You're quite welcome - Megan, is it?" He said quietly, his accent pleasant. "Glad I could be of service."

"Yes. You must be the other Tom they were waiting for. Have a nice night." I swiftly stepped around him and continued down the hall, still set on leaving, only to be caught by the forearm after a couple steps and stopped in my tracks, my arm behind me. He hadn't grabbed me hard enough to leave bruises, but his grip was firm enough I couldn't slip free. I could feel myself starting to feel trapped. "Let go of me," I hissed quietly, trying to pull my arm from his grasp. "Just leave me alone already!"

"I'm really sorry, Megan," Anthony pleaded. "Please don't go on account of me. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or insult you. Really."

"Are you done making fun of me?" I asked, refusing to look up and blinking rapidly. "I just want to go now."

I was moments away from tears and just wanted to get away from them, not wanting to let them know just how upset I was right now. Sadie understood and put her arms around me, making Anthony let go of me. I hugged her back, letting out a shaky breath.

"You've done enough already; go inside," she said to the guys before lowering her voice to murmur in my ear. "I'm so sorry, Megan. They were being stupid idiots. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I lied, my voice catching and my throat aching. "I'm fine."

"Oh, Megan," Sadie said sympathetically. "I will kick your sorry asses if you don't give us a minute, guys," she threatened them when they must not have left. "I'm so sorry, honey. They're not normally like this - I don't know what got into them tonight!"

"Maybe it would be best if I just went home. I don't belong here."

Sadie stroked my hair just like my mom always did when she held me like this, making me miss Mama even more. "Yes, you do, honey. Tommy and Lizzie would be so disappointed if you left now; I know they're looking forward to hanging out with you tonight and showing you around. Tommy hasn't stopped chattering at me since the moment he met you."