Trust

✍ Shock

"Do you need help with anything? Like the zipper or something?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, everything's going well, Evan."

"Are you sure? Those things can be such buggers, getting stuck and all." I could hear the slight edge in his voice and it made me smile. I pulled the zipper up, the metal teeth snapping shut all the way to the top. It was weird to have Evan fuss over me as if he was my real, biological dad, but it was a good kind of weird. I liked that Evan took his position of godfather seriously.

"Okay, Evan. I'm coming out now. Try not to die of a heart attack or stroke or something, okay?" I tried not to snort with laughter. I heard him mutter something through the bathroom door before I unlocked it and came out. Evan took a long look at me then wolf-whistled.

"If I were a seventeen-year-old boy, I would definitely have a crush on you."

I laughed out loud this time. "I can't decide whether that statement is creepy or sweet."

Evan grinned. "It's both." He took a slow walk around me, taking in the dress. "I'm serious though, Pops. You look beautiful."

I ducked my head so a curtain of dark hair fell and shielded my face from Evan's blue eyes.

"Thanks for the dress, Evan," I said. "I can't believe you had it shipped all the way from England. When dad finds out, he's going to throw a fit."

Evan shrugged. "So let him. I just want the best for my daughter."

"Goddaughter."

"Minor detail." Evan dismissed it with a wave of his hand.

"Don't let dad hear that."

"Who's gonna tell?" Evan raised his eyebrows in a challenge.

My room door was opened then, and Adam walked in with a packet of chips in one hand and a can of Coke in the other. He was still in his sweaty football gear even though we'd come back from his match over an hour and a half ago.

"Adam, don't you dare bring that drink into my room," I warned. "If you spill it, I swear to-"

"Oh chill out, Pops. I won't spill anything." Adam shrugged. He placed the can on my desk and looked at me. He kept staring for so long that I began to wonder if I had spilt something on myself.

"What? What's wrong?" I looked down at the dress. Adam grabbed a handful of chips and tossed them into his mouth before sitting down on my bed. I grimaced.

"Adam, get your arse off my bed," I hissed. "Your clothes are filthy and-" I stopped when I saw Evan's amused smirk. "What?"

"Nothing. I was just noting that ever since I came, you've started saying 'arse' instead of 'ass'." He looked smug, like he'd accomplished something amazing. I rolled my eyes, barely reining in a smile.

"Want some?" Adam offered me his bag of chips.

"No thanks. Ems should be over shortly." I glanced at my clock on the bedside table. "She wants to do my makeup and hair or something."

"I could do it for you."

I shot my brother a deadpan look. "Really."

"Yeah. I mean, I did the makeup for Laura's Halloween party last year."

"Thanks for the offer, Adam, but I don't think zombie makeup is going to be such a hit at the dance."

He shrugged. "I think it would be cool." He got off my bed and took a long sip of Coke.

"So what's the plan, Pops? What time's Chase coming over?" Evan was perched on my windowsill. The sunlight bathed his face in a whitish-yellow light that made him look incredibly attractive. I could definitely see how women fell for him at every look he sent their way.