No one's more surprised then Chase Stokes when his estranged step-sister shows up on his doorstep in South Carolina. They haven't talked in almost two years, but something has caused her to quit school, leave Maryland, and take up residence on his...
Waking up the next morning Evaline smiled seeing Rudy's sleeping face. After they had finished eating last night they'd sat down by the dock talking about anything that came to mind while watching the sun set over the water.
Eventually they'd headed back towards the house and joined the others all piled into the family room to watch a movie. Half way through the movie she'd felt herself nodding off and had excused herself to head up to bed.
She'd barely begun to stand up when Rudy announced he was heading for bed too. As the two headed out of the room they missed the looks the others passed between themselves.
Once the two were out of sight of the others Rudy had taken her hand as they walked upstairs to their bedroom. They had barely said a word to each other as they got ready for bed, but it was a comfortable silence not awkward.
Watching the boy sleep Evaline only hoped their relationship stayed comfortable and didn't get awkward. Biting her lip she thought about what would happen when he'd get sick of helping with an infant. She didn't think she'd be able to handle it. She couldn't imagine not having this boy in her life.
"You're overthinking again," Rudy stated, opening his eyes to look at her. "How do you know?" she questioned. Laughing, he rolled to his back and stretched, "I've been living with you for three months. I know you're an overthinker," he replied.
"I just don't want things to be awkward," she told him quietly. Rolling back to his side so he was facing her again Rudy smiled, "It's not going to get awkward. Nothing's changing other than maybe me holding your hand has more to do with me liking you then anything else."
Biting her lip Evaline rolled to her back staring at the ceiling as she twisted her hands together. Recognizing her nervous gestures Rudy asked her what was wrong.
"I'm just having a hard time believing you'd like me like that. Like you do remember what happened to me, right? And I'm going to have a baby and I'm sorry, but you don't need that in your life. You'd be twenty-one years old and you expect me to believe that you'd want that responsibility? You're supposed to be going out to bars meeting girls not changing diapers," she rambled out.
"Evaline," he began before she cut him off. "No, it wouldn't work Rudy," she told him as she got out of bed, "It's just better to stay friends," she decided moving around the bed to go hide in the bathroom.
However, before she could make it safely inside Rudy had rushed in front of her, "No, you don't get to make my decisions," he told her sternly, "I may not need this baby in my life, but I want it so get that through your thick skull. Even if you're never ready to have anything more than friendship I still want you and Baby Bean in my life so just stop trying to push me away," he told her.
"And of course I remember what happened to you," he continued, "It's why I've kept this to myself because I know you're dealing with all of that still. I'm not in a rush here Evaline. I just don't want to pressure you into anything you're not ready for," he told her.
Sighing, Evaline blinked back tears, "You've become so important to me, Rudy, and I don't want to lose you from my life," "You're not going to," he interrupted her, "Look, let's put this away. We'll go downstairs, join the others, and have a good time just like we always do," he said.
Nodding Evaline agreed before going to get ready for the day. Once they were both dressed they headed downstairs to find everyone else.
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