Wingless, book 1 of Wingless Series

You need to understand

The best thing for us to do is leave. We say our goodbyes and head back to Evan's for the night.

I watch him drive, his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel.

I trail a finger against my window.

"I think I should call my parents when we get back, let them know I'm with you still," I say, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I was about to tell you that." He clears his throat, pressing his lips together.

"Whose car is that?" I ask Evan as he pulls into his driveway.

"It's Kenny's," he says. A black Camaro sits in his parking spot.

I drop my sandals at the front door and go into the living room while Evan looks for Kenny. I'm surprised to see the girl from Carlo's curled up on the couch.

"Hi," she says. She has a few battle wounds from her round with Evan's brother. But she is pretty.

I smile, but the memory of Kenny attacking her is still etched into my memory.

"Hi, I'm Eve." I extend my hand. She quickly squeezes mine, her knuckles are scraped and red.

"I'm Ari, Kenny's girlfriend," she tells me, her long eyelashes blanketing her expression. She is awfully calm for someone who has just been attacked by a man.

"Kenny told me Evan met someone." She gives a quick smile, glancing around nervously.

"That would be me," I nod.

"He's a great guy."

"Yes, he is a great guy." My hand flutters to my neck. I'm not used to talking to strangers about my love interest.

"I've known Evan for a long time. He's a sweet guy." She runs her hand through her hair nervously.

"I think so too. How long have you and Kenny been together?" I hope for the sake of her that it's not a serious relationship.

"Since I was fifteen, our families have always been good friends."

"Oh." Is all I say. I feel bad for her.

"When we were younger he was always bossing me around, and so protective." She smiles. "And once I was out of training bras and braces he was determined to win me over. I knew him for so long it seemed like fate."

Fate is not cruel, I wish she knew that.

"What did you think of Carlo?"

I press my lips together. "He's interesting."

"He cares about all three of his boys a little too much sometimes."

"What do you mean?"

"It can be hard dealing with Carlo and his ways." She sits up.

I shake my head. I have only met him for a few short minutes and I totally understand how hard it is.

"Here's a little advice." She looks over her shoulder. "Stay on Carlo's good side."

"Thanks." I raise an eyebrow, seems a bit strange to give someone such advice.

"Evan is a great guy. He treats the people he cares about like gold." She smiles.

"That's sweet of you to say."

"He's a good guy," she says again.

She jumps at the sound of Kenny and Evan coming into the room.

I tell Ari how nice it was to meet her and follow Evan to his bedroom. He shuts the door and hands me my phone, which I totally forgot I left behind. There are six missed calls.

"Call your parents. I'm sure they're flipping." He leaves me to it.

"Dad?"

"Eve," Dad says, his voice is tense. I can imagine him pacing the floors, coming up with a million scenarios.

"I'm sorry I didn't call. I went with Evan to meet his father and I forgot my phone," I explain.

"You don't drop off the face of the earth and not give someone a phone call. And since when do you stay the night with guys you barely know?" He sighs.

"It was late. It's no big deal," I assure him. "I met his dad today." I hope that is enough for him to feel at ease. I'm eighteen; I don't have to answer to anyone.

"I understand you're eighteen. But you still have a family to think about. When are you planning on coming home?"

"Dad, it's summer. I'm supposed to be having fun." I roll my eyes. "And right now this is fun."

My dad sighs again. "It's not like I can drag you home by your hair anymore."

"Nope."

"I love you. Are you sure dragging you home wouldn't be a possibility?"

"Dad, I'm fine. Evan is a good guy."

"Maybe we can meet his dad sometime. What did you say his name was?"

"Um, I think Evan is calling me. It's Carlo. I'll talk to you soon. Love you. Bye."

I end the call before his detective skills take over.

Evan taps on the door. He hands me a glass of iced tea.

"Thanks." I kiss him, realizing I haven't eaten anything in a while.

"We need to talk." He takes a seat on the floor, his back against his bed.

"Okay. Is everything alright?" I sit down next to him.

He reaches for my hand. "I know you think you're doing the right thing. But there are some things I need you to understand before I let you make that decision."

"I understand enough." I touch his face. "Evan I don't think you're a bad person. You're not steering me wrong."

"Just let me talk and you listen," he says.

I scrunch my nose at his snappy mood.

"Listen, before you say anything else." He raises a hand, silencing me. "I will never be the kind of guy your parent's want you to be with."

"And I don't care about that," I say, forgetting he shushed me.

"This is my life. All of this is normal to me. It's hard to try and be something I'm not. I don't want to be fake for the sake of your parent's or anyone."

I nod.

"My dad wants us to be happy, and sometimes he's pushy. But that's decision is mine, not his. And I want the two of us to decide on our own. Not because we were forced into it."

He sighs.

"What are you saying?" I slip a hand through my hair.

"I know what Carlo wants. And I want the same thing. I guess what I'm saying is, I want to be with you. And the safest place to be is here with me if you want to be a part of my life."

"I'll do it." I jump in his lap without giving it a second thought.

"Eve, think about it. Most people aren't excited about getting involved in this lifestyle. Most are trying to get out."

"No. I want to be with you."

He shakes his head. "Alright, I hope you don't regret this."

His lips are inches from mine. And I wonder what he's waiting for. My heart starts doing backflips in my chest; I look into his beautiful blue eyes.

And he kisses me, like I am the most precious piece of flesh he's ever had his hands on. I welcome his tongue, his hands, and every part of him. I want all of him.