MISSING YOU; Bradley Simpson

23.

BRAD

I can't listen to this anymore. I don't know how Evelyn is doing this. This man walked out on her and her family when she was still a little girl, yet here she is, on the verge of forgetting that and letting him stay in our apartment.

I stand up and leave the room with Faith in my arms. If my dad was coming here to ask for my help, I would kick his ass and he'd land in China. Evelyn should do the same. She shouldn't forget that this man ruined her mother emotionally and their family.

I put Faith into her crib and debate if I should go back out there or not. I decide I should, maybe Evelyn needs some support. I walk back into the living room, hearing the man's voice as he speaks. I sit down next to my fiancée and take her hand in mine, resting them on my lap.

"...and they just fired me," the man says, completely defeated. I didn't hear the beginning of what happened, but it must be hard for him. For a minute, I feel sorry, but then I look at Evelyn and remember how much he ruined the three of them when he left them.

"I'm so sorry," Evelyn says in a whisper. Why is she sorry? That's the last thing she should be for this man. "Brad, could we talk? Please?" she looks over at me with pleading eyes. My gaze shifts between her and her dad, then I nod and we stand up. Evelyn takes my hand in hers and leads me into the hallway, making sure the man can't hear us.

"You're not considering letting him stay here, are you?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Brad, please. He's my father," she sighs.

"That doesn't change the fact that he practically ruined you and your family when he left," I cross my arms.

"I know, but... I have to help him."

"No, you don't have to," I shake my head.

"Brad–" she starts, but I cut her off.

"Baby, you can't help everyone out. You'll get hurt one day," I put my hands on her shoulders.

"I don't care. He is my father, he deserves another chance," she shakes her head and looks back to the living room.

I let out a sigh and hang my head down, thinking for a moment. I pull her into my arms after a few seconds, resting my chin on the top of her head. "If you want it so bad, do it," I say and feel her letting out a long breath that tickles my neck.

"Thank you," she pulls away and pecks my lips before giving me a thankful smile.

"I'll be in our room," I kiss her forehead and walk inside the bedroom. Before I shut the door, I can hear their voices from the living room, but can't make out a word.

I decide to work a little before I have to go down to the studio in an hour. The boys and I are working on our next album now. We only have like, four songs, but those are probably my favorites so far. I can't wait to finish this album and release it.

—

I decided to take Faith with me to the studio. Thankfully, when I walked into her little bedroom, she was still awake and playing.

I climb out of the car and take my daughter inside the building, heading towards the studio, where the boys are waiting for me. When I enter, they all greet me and Faith as well, being more excited about her arrival than mine. I put the small girl down and she slowly walks over to my manager, Joe, who picks her up and puts her onto his lap.

"Evelyn?" Connor asks.

"She's helping her father move in," I sigh. When I notice them all looking at me with puzzled looks, I add, "Long story, I'll tell it later," and shrug it off.

I pull out the sketches I wrote an hour ago and show it to the guys, who read it over and over, until they finally say something.

"This is amazing!" Tris says and I smile.

"Yeah, it really is. I already have some beats in my mind for it. Unless, you wanted it to be a slow song?" James asks, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I intended it to be fun and something you could dance to," I tell them and we begin working on this new song.

—

EVELYN

My father had some stuff with him which he saved before he got evicted. Not much stuff, only a few clothes, a tooth brush and his phone. I let him have the guest room and neatly folded his clothes and put them into the wardrobe.

"Thank you again," he thanks me for the millionth time with the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face.

"Stop thanking me," I chuckle. "By the way, if you don't mind me asking, what happened with your wife and daughter?" I ask, trying not to sound too annoyed while saying the roles of those two.

"They left me," my dad sits on the edge of the king sized bed and sighs. "She took everything she could and moved back to her old apartment with her roommate."

"Wow, what a surprise," I mumble sarcastically.

"What?" he looks up at me like he didn't hear a word I said.

"Nothing," I shake my head. "Um... you can take a shower and use whatever you need. I'm sure Brad won't mind you using his shampoo or... whatever," I quickly hurry out of the room.

"Evelyn! Wait!" I hear him shout after me and turn to face him.

"Yeah?" I look at him expectantly.

"Is he treating you right? Brad, I mean," he asks, taking me by surprise.

"Yes," I smile, involuntarily beginning to play with my engagement ring. My father looks down at my hands and a shocked expression takes over his features.

"He asked you to... marry him?" he takes a big gulp as he asks. I just nod and walk inside the bedroom, closing the door. I felt so uncomfortable, I had to escape.