Across the Hall (G.N.D. Sequel)

29

Lexi's POV:

I just stare at Evan for a few seconds, her demand not yet clicking in my brain.

"I said get out." She growls, opening up the bedroom door for me.

Down the hall, I see the kids watching TV and I don't want them to see Evan all pissed off like this. So, as unreasonable as I find the request- I comply.

The shittiest part is- I was supposed to stay here tonight because the place I'm supposed to be moving into isn't ready yet, and my old apartment is now inhabited by a guy and his girlfriend. Evan said I could stay here, but I guess that was before she found out that I "lied" to her. Which I didn't, technically.

I leave the house without a word, but I hear Evan slam the door behind me as I go.

I really didn't see the harm in what I did. I still don't. I did it because I wanted to see Evan and her kids together. I didn't have some sick and twisted motive.

I get in my car and take a drive for a while, but I find myself back on Evan's street, slow rolling past the house. I can't just waltz back in there like I belong there. I know Evan, and being bold and bossy only works for her in the bedroom. She runs shit in every other aspect of life.

I delay my return until the sun starts to set, and I hold my breath as I walk into the house.

"Lexi's back!" Grace chirps, smiling from the table where the kids are having dinner.

"I'll always come back. Where's your mom?" I ask, walking over and ruffling her hair.

"She's right here." Evan's gritty voice says from behind me. "I told you to-"

I look at her and give her a look. I'll argue with her if she really wants me to, but not in front of them.

"Save me some dinner, okay? I'll be right back." I tell the kids as I walk out of the room with their mom.

Evan looks at me with folded arms and displeased face, "what part of 'get out' do you not understand?"

"The part where I have no where to sleep tonight." I explain. "And the part where you don't get to push me away so easily."

Her eyes do a dramatic roll, "oh whatever. Clearly there are no rules that apply in this relationship. You lied to me, so that shows me where your stance is."

I grab her arm as she tries to walk away. "Okay, I'm sorry. I am sorry I paid the fees and didn't tell you, but I can't be sorry for lying because I didn't, Ev. I did it for you and for the kids. I shouldn't have to apologize for that. I care about you, all of you."

"You know how I feel about this shit, Lexi. I trusted you." She grits. "I do not need your help... financially or any other way."

I shake my head slowly. "I know you don't, Evan. I didn't pay Richard because I thought you needed me to. You could have done all of this without me. The fact that you are so damn stubborn, independent and capable of handling your shit is one of your sexiest qualities, but I could not sit around and not contribute to a problem that I feel so responsible for." I explain to her. "I know you trusted me, and you weren't wrong to do that. I would never do anything to hurt you, or them. Just- Look who is sitting at the table in there. I get that you're upset because I didn't tell you, but what I did was not wrong or manipulative. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to think there was some other motive. I was with Mia when I made the decision, Evan." I further explain my reasoning, but her facial expression is still hard.

"It starts with leaving seemingly unimportant details out. Then it progresses into cheating and-" she begins to compare me to Scott, and that I will not stand for.