The Prince Of Highland Park (4 page)

Evelyn Chapter Five

Getting up early I drove to the lakeside trying to clear my head and figure out what I should do about Ryan.  I walked down to the lake slipping off my sandals and sinking my feet in the sand, enjoying the way it feels between my toes.  The few nice days we get in the springtime here in Chicago calls for celebration. The sun is shining and the temp is cool, perfect for this time of year.  I plop my butt on the sand watching the waves rolling on the lake, knowing I’ll only be here for around three months or so before I have to leave.

I am starting UCF in the fall. I was hoping to find a part-time job that will work around my studies to help with the expense.  I must say I am a little scared to go away to school, especially knowing that I know Ryan is going to the same school.  This may sound weird, but I want to see him and scared to death at the same time.  It’s times like these when it’s the hardest accepting that Kevin was no longer here.  I know I should try and let go, but I can’t.  He was everything that meant something to me.  I can’t see pass it; I’m just not ready to let him go.  He would know how to make this transition better.  Now I’m lost trying to find my way in this fucked up place alone, not knowing where to start.   He would know how to calm and reassure me that everything would be ok.  Kevin had sacrificed his schooling to stay home and raise me, after what happen to my parents.  Thinking of school brought a smile to my face because Julie and I will be roomies. At least I’ll have my best friend sharing a room with me and not some stranger with bad habits.

Remembering when I got my acceptance letter from UCF, I screamed… Kevin ran from the living room asking
, “What’s wrong baby girl?” I handed him the letter of acceptance watching as he read it, waiting for his reaction.  When he looked up I saw the pride written on his face.  He reach over embracing me in a bear hug, so tight I think my breath was about to be cut off.  I needed to know if he was ok with me going so far away from him, knowing what he gave up for me.  When he let go we jumped up and down in the kitchen excited, I got a full academic scholarship. I was beyond excited. I picked up my phone and dialed Jules, and when I heard her voice, I screamed; telling her I got into UCF on a full ride. I was going on and on when I stopped and said, “What! Did you just say you got in UCF…please tell me I’m not hearing things.”

“No Ev; I got in too, I was just about to call you when I heard my phone.”   I heard
her screamed so loud; I had to pull the phone from my ear in fear of her bursting my eardrum with her screaming. Laughing at her, I imagined her jumping up and down on her bed, hair all over the place throwing her hands in the air screaming. 

I was so relieved that we were going to the same school and be roommates, I didn’t want to think what I would do if she didn’t get in. We are like the two amigos; well that’s what my brother used to call us.  You didn’t see one without the other. I brush my teeth and Jules spits, we became the three amigos my brother included, because we were inseparable ever since we became friends in the third grade. 

The first time I met Julie, it was the first day back to school during recess.  She came up to me and asked if I wanted to play with her; I looked over my shoulder thinking that she was talking to someone behind me.  When I turn back around, she looked at me and said. “My name is Julie but my family calls me Jules.” I replied.

“Mine’s Evelyn
and my family calls me Ev.”  Julie looked at me and asked “What are you?”

“A girl
,” I answered knitting my brow. She laughed, “I know that silly, you are very pretty,” I didn’t know what to say except, “Thanks; so are you.”   We’ve been friends ever since
. Hearing the waves crashing against the stones, I snapped out of my head.   My phone chimed. Looking down I see a text message from Ryan.

Meet me after your shift at the club today

I instantly replied

Sure just let me know where

Should I say I am excited to hear from him
? Let’s just say there are no words to describe the feelings that are running through me knowing that he wants to meet up with me.  I can’t wait to see his beautiful face; he’s all I’ve been dreaming about lately.  I don’t want to get ahead of myself and I do want to play it safe, but I’m willing to see where this leads with Ryan if that’s what he wants.

Ryan Chapter Six

“Hey man I need you to cover for me if my dad asks where I am.”  I said hoping he will do this for me.  I’m trying to avoid being interrogated by my folks about why I’m not with Sam. I just can’t deal with his shit today; also I’m planning on taking Evelyn out tonight.  “Why can’t you just tell your parents where you’re going? It’s not like you’re a kid man, stop letting them run your life dude.”  Mitch stops paying attention to the golf ball in front of him and looked at me.  He was just as tall as I am, was blonde where my hair was dark. I was bigger in build than he was, because I worked out more frequently.  “I’m asking as a favor.  Consider us even for all the times I bailed your ass out of a jam.”  Mitch looked at me and said. “She’d better be worth it.”  I know he wanted to know what was up to with me and Evelyn, but he wasn’t going to ask straight out.  He knows I’ve been feeling Evelyn for a while he’s the only one who does, but I don’t want to go into too much detail with him at this moment.  I know he won’t say anything to anyone.  I still don’t know where this is heading and I don’t want to jinx it. 

“The both of you looked cozy last night by the gazebo. Don’t worry no one else saw you but you need to be careful. I had to distract Samantha when you left the party,” he said smiling like the cat that got the canary.

“Thanks for covering for
me that could have been a disaster if she caught up to me.” I sighed.

“Are you planning on sleeping with her? He said with a grin plastered over his face.  “You are
, aren’t you; you devil that’s what this is all about?”  I hit him in the stomach.

“No that
’s not what this is all about creep.”

“I see the way she looks at you man, that girl is straight up feeling you big time, if she hasn’t already fall
en in love with you.  So if sex is what you want I don’t think you’ll have a hard time getting it on with her.”  I was so excited to hear Mitch say that, he has no idea how hung up on her I am.  I don’t talk about much and if I do I would come off as a pussy.  I know she doesn’t believe me now, but I check for her big time and sex has nothing to do with it.

I see the way she looks at me when she thinks I’m not looking.  I can feel her eyes on me stripping me bare, she always has that dreamy look on her face.  I love the see the flush on her face when she is caught looking at me, like she was caught doing some naughty things with me in her thoughts.  It’s going to be tricky trying to get to know Evelyn without having all these uptight motherfuckers all in my business.  I don’t want to jeopardize her job at the club. If Sam finds out I know she and her girls would do everything to get her fired. 

I headed home and jumped in the shower and changed into a pair of jeans and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows.  I can’t wait to see her, I told her to meet me down by the lake at Addison Park.  It’s quiet over there and no one knows me, at least I don’t think so. It should be safe to hang out there for a bit.  I drove down to the beach.  When I got there I saw that she was already there waiting for me.  “You’re late” she said looking nervously around.

“I’m sorry I ran behind on a couple of things I needed to get done
, but I came as soon as I could get away,” I said walking toward her taking her hands in mine.

She looks down at our hands her cheeks turning pink as she tries to look around at anything except at me. “Don’t worry no one will see you here with me, if that’s the reason you are so nervous?”  Her pink shade deepens even more. Like she was busted doing something she shouldn’t.  “No that’s not it I…I’m not use to…never mind,” she whispered trying to get her thoughts together.  I smiled loving how she reacts around me. “I figure we could talk and get to know each other better, what do you think about that?”  

“Why do you want to get to know me? I’ve seen you around the club for years now and we never exchange words more than hi and bye.  What change now why you are talking to me, wanting to get to know me?” She asks looking me dead in the eyes. I know she was skeptical, but damn.

“I’ve notice you from the first day you started to work at the club.  I’ve always wanted to talk to you, but I never thought you would give me the time of day.  I thought you would judge me thinking that I might have ulterior motives that are not on the up and up for wanting to talk to you.  What changed? I can honestly say I just can’t keep watching you every day and not talk to you, because I feel like I’m losing control.  I’m not going to lie, I want you and I can’t get you outta my head, and so we are

c
lear, I don’t just want to fuck you, don’t get me wrong, I want to fuck you in every position imaginable to man with some of my own creations, but that’s not what this is about if that’s what you are worried about.  I know if we make love, and that’s exactly what it would be, I won’t be able to let you go and I won’t want to either. So I finally took a risk so here I am.”   I keep looking at her; watch as he chest moves faster with my declaration.  I watch her as she ponders all that I just said.  Looking at her she is breath taking, no make-up, and no enhancement, nothing just beautiful.  She seems ignorance to her beauty which adds to her appeal.  I hear the whispers at the club, the young and old members all would like to get a taste of that, well that’s their words not mine.  In my eyes she should be treasured and respected.  If by any chance I get the opportunity I will do just that.  I want to kiss her so bad, I just don’t want her to get the impression that I just want to get into her pants.  I do want to, but I’m willing to wait until she is ready. 

Evelyn Chapter Seven

His confession left me speechless.  There is no avoiding what he is saying, the true implication behind his words.  I feel all tingly inside, because what he said is how I’m feeling and I’m scared shitless that if I give into hoping it can be I would end up broken beyond repair.   I smiled going against the turmoil in my head “Nothing else you could have said would have made it more perfect.  I do feel the same way, I am scared though. I’m scared that I’m going to get hurt, because of where I come from.  It’s not the norm for people like us to feel his way, and there is nothing you can do about it.  With that said I want to get to know everything there is to know about you and we can take it from there.”   Brushing my hair from my face he said, “It’s more than enough, I can work with that.”  Releasing the breath I was holding I looked into his eyes and said. “Let’s go sit over there so we can talk.”   He reached out and took my hand intertwining or fingers together.  It feels so good and natural for us to be here walking hand in hand. 

Sitting in the sand I looked up at the sky, the color of pink streaks with white mix with orange where the sun is going down on the horizon it’s perfect.  “It’s beautiful don’t you think?” I said pointing at the sky.

“Yes it sure is” he whispered
. When I looked over at him he was not looking at the sky he was looking at me.  I felt the heat rising to my cheeks I quickly looked away as not to tip my hand that I am affected by his words.  I failed because he said, “I love when you blush, and it’s pretty and addictive.”  Trying to change the direction of this conversation I ask “How’s school going, I know you got into Yale, but turned it down to follow your dream of playing football at UCF?  Why did you turn down Yale?”  A cloud of sadness covers his face, and I knew this is not a subject he wants to address so I continue “You don’t have to tell me, I was just curious and fascinated all at the same time.” Snapping out of his cloud he ask, “Fascinated; why?”

I looked at our hands still joined together and answered, “It’s no secret your father went to Yale, and wanted you to follow in his footsteps. When I heard that you went to UCF I knew you went against your father wishes and did what you worked so hard for.  I know you must have gotten a lecture from your folks, but you held tight, I’m impressed.   I thought you would have caved when I heard.”  He look relieve, I get the feeling what I just said made an impact on him.

“I did get into
Yale; I only applied because my dad wanted me to, and so I did.  I’ve always wanted to play football, I love the game. I work hard to be the best quarterback I can be for my team.  When I got a full ride to UCF I took it without thinking, because I wanted to come out from underneath my parents’ control.  I wanted my independence; something that I’ve earned that was not given to me due of my last name.”  When he was finished I was stunned that he felt trapped.  I also understand why he did it and I respect him for it.  Not because he went against his parents, but because he was happy with the decision he made for himself. 

I can see that this conversation is a downer for him so when he leaned over hitting me with his shoulder, I knew he wanted to change the subject. “What are your plans for your future?” He asks as I look in the distance and replied “Go to school and make something of myself.” I could feel his eyes on me willing me not to stop there so I continued. “I got into UCF on a full scholarship.  I want to pursue my dream to become a doctor. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, I’ve never thought of any other career but that.  I have been told over and over I can’t do it, I guess I have something to prove to myself…you know?” 

“I know you can do it.  I also
understand proving something to yourself.  We all do that, sometimes people let proving something consume them, taking away from the real reason they are doing it and turn it into something else, no matter if it’s the right decision or not.” He looked distance and hollow.  “Are you speaking from experience?”  I asked.  “You could say that.  I want to say congratulation on your full ride, you deserve all the good life has to offer,” he responded.   I didn’t expect congratulation, but I was happy that he believed that I deserved it.

“What’s going on with you and Samantha?” Looking surprise by my question, he said “Wow, that’s a change of subject.” I figured that was a little too personal and he wasn’t going to answer so I said. “I wanted to know, because she made a point to say you’re off-limits, at the party and if I took you upon any more of your invitation, more or less I would

lose my job at the club.”  If the rage in his eye
s was any indication that he was pissed, what he said next did it. “That bitch better stay far away from you or she has me to deal with, I don’t give a fuck if my parents want us to get married.”  Wait, what the fuck, here he is telling me he wants me while he’s engaged to Sam.  “I should go.” I jumped up ready to walk away not believing this shit is happening.  Realizing that he said more than he should he starts to explain, “I’m not engaged to Sam, I know that’s what you’re thinking.” 

“What kind of an asshole do you think I am to be engage
d to someone and tell you I want you?  You think I’m a fuck don’t you? Well let me say this I’m not engaged to anyone and I would not mislead you.” I guess I deserve his raging eyes at me right now, my head is messed up. I did think that he was engaged and just trying to get me on the side until he is tired of me and then move on with his picture-perfect life with Sam.  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t believe everything I hear about you.  I just don’t get what you see in me and it makes me a bit paranoid.”  I said quickly before he gets up and walks away. 

Taking a deep breath to calm himself down he said. “I can understand why you would jump to that conclusion. I see what goes on at the club. Let me say this if I’m committed to someone I would never do that to her.  I see the effect it has on the women and I would never want to hurt my girl in that way … ever.”  Well it’s good to know that he does think what goes on at the club is wrong and not just sum it up as the boys club. “I am sorry. How about we call it a night and talk later or tomorrow?”  He got up from the sand looking intensely at me. “Can I see you tomorrow? I want to spend more time with you,” he asks.

“I’d
like that, call me tomorrow so we can plan where and when.” I smiled hearing that he still wanted to spend time with me.   Holding my face in his hands he leans in planting a tender kiss on my lips.  When he pulled back I wanted to go after his mouth knowing that peck was nowhere enough.  If I didn’t hold my ground I would go after those lips voraciously, I didn’t want to seem desperate so I held myself back. 

Leaving the lake I felt an uneasy feeling wash over me, like we are being followed.  Looking around not wanting to freak out Ryan as he walk me to my car, but I didn’t see anyone or anything weird; it must be my own paranoia.  I must be slowly losing my mind. When we got to my car we said our goodbyes as I try to shake the uneasy feeling, while I got in my car.   Driving home I touched my lips, I wanted so much more.   If he didn’t pull back I would have deepened our kiss.  All the time we were sitting in the sand I was hoping he would kiss me the way he did at the party.  I go weak in the knees thinking about what I wanted to happen.