Treasured (Embracing Series Book 1) (15 page)

“Oh, Lila, I don’t feel like a stand in. I know you will do what is right. You will have to make your choice when the time comes. Until then, you're mine.”

He kisses me. When he stops, I pull him in and kiss him some more. I want him right now; God, do I need him. “Evan, do you have condoms?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Great, now make love to me.”

We don’t leave the bedroom at all. The next morning, I forget Brody is here and I walk out in just a T-shirt.

“Good morning, sleepy head.”

“Oh, good morning, Brody. I need coffee.”

He laughs and hands me a mug.

“Good morning. Do you still want to go somewhere?” Evan asks, crossing his arms.

“I wasn’t that drunk. I remember everything. Yes, let’s go to Paris,” I say seriously.

“Paris?”

“Yes. You want to go or not?”

“Well, I’ll have to check my schedule. When would we go?”

“Tomorrow. Stay a week?” I say.

“Why don’t we go to another state?”

I want to go to Paris, but going to another country on such short notice might not be the best idea. He's right. Maybe we should just go to another city or state.

“Okay, let’s go to Ohio. We can visit Nikki.”

“We can do that today.”

We drive to Ohio; it isn’t so far. “I love our little adventures. I’m so excited to spend the next week with you and Nikki.”

“I’m glad you’re having a good time.”

We stop in Pittsburgh and stay in a very fancy hotel for the night.

I receive a text from Nikki saying right now isn’t a good time for us to visit. I can’t understand what the hell is going on with her; I know it has something to do with that damn Cam guy.

“Evan, plans have changed. Nikki isn’t up for company.”

“We can stay here and just see the city. They have a candy factory. Maybe we can find you some chocolate-covered bacon.”

“Bacon, yum! You know the way to my heart, Evan Martin. What’s your middle name? You’ve never told me.”

“I don’t share that much.”

“Come on, you know mine and I’m not just anyone. I’m your girlfriend.”

“Oh, my girlfriend? I like the sound of that.”

He steps closer and kisses me, then starts kissing my neck.

“Wait, mister…what is it? You aren’t getting any of this,” I say, rubbing my chest, “Until I know exactly who you are.” I giggle.

Evan sighs. “My name is Evan Lawrence Martin. Happy?”

“E.L.M.? Not bad. Okay, now make love to me.”

“Any time and any place, darlin’.” God, I love when he calls me darlin’.

~Chapter Twenty~

We had a fantastic week in Pittsburgh. I think we ate at every restaurant possible. Evan found me some chocolate-covered bacon and we went to the zoo. On the way home, he took me to the subway station. This man has stolen my heart.

The days keep flying by and we still haven’t heard from Liam. I take spring semester off as well. I’m not going back to class until September. I have the entire summer to think about what I want to do. I miss Liam so much. I call the army base he was last stationed at daily; still no recovery.

Nikki and Addison fly in so we can have a girls’ week. Since one of our favorite songs is “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton, we decide to go to his concert. I bought a cute pair of cowgirl boots and a denim skirt. I don’t normally wear hats, but Nikki found some great cowboy hats. It’s going to be a blast.

We all need this night. I wish they both lived here; I miss hanging out with them. We get tattoos before going to the concert since Nikki was upset we went the first time without her.

“Are we really doing this, bitches?” Addison asks.

“Yes!” I squeal. “But I need a drink first.”

We end up getting matching tattoos again. We all get a star on our left wrists. The star is so small, a watch can cover it. Mine is pink, of course. Ads gets a purple star and Nikki a teal one.

When I get home, I see a text from Evan. He wants to spend the night, but I don’t think that’s a good idea with Addie here. I hope he understands. They are leaving in a few days; he can stay after they leave.

We have a great time. We shop so much, I buy clothes I probably won’t even wear.

***

When summer break rolls around, I go with Evan and Brody to Utah so Evan can see his father. I also meet Brody’s family; they are so nice and funny. I can see where Brody gets his sense of humor.

After leaving Utah, we decide to go to Cali to see my parents before their vacation. My parents love Evan. I can’t say that Eric does. That's because he was good friends with Liam.

Evan and I just keep growing closer. He’s still so understanding about me wanting to find Liam. I've come to realize it's been over a year and I won’t see Liam again. I still love him with everything I have, but I also love Evan. I can’t imagine life without him.

Evan was offered an internship with a huge law firm, even bigger than Harrington and Bissell, and he accepted it. I don’t mind; it gives me more time to study. I think we've been spending too much time together anyway.

The days just keep flying by and I still think about my Liam daily. I miss my family and friends.

Evan asked me to move in with him. When I told him I wasn't ready, he understood.

It’s almost Thanksgiving; this year, I’m going home. Evan is going with me. Even with him by my side, I’m not ready to go back. Being back home forces me to face the fact that Liam has been missing for a year and a half.

I haven’t really announced that Evan and I are a couple. I’m sure everyone knows anyway. It’s not a secret; I just don’t tell everyone.

Dinner is always great at my parents’ house. Eric, Addie, Ashton, and his pregnant wife are all here.

We invited Addison’s parents, but they declined. Addison and I are going to do our normal mall trip the day after Thanksgiving. The guys are all watching football. I’m not sure if I should leave Evan with them, but my mom tells me that he'll be fine.

***

“Lila, I need to run to the store,” Ads says.

“We’re going to the mall, doll,” I reply.

“No, I need a pregnancy test.”

“Oh my God, no way!”

“I haven’t had my monthly for two months now.”

“Let’s go.”

We go to Walgreens and buy some tests. Sure enough, after six tests, we discover that Ads is pregnant.

“Do you think Eric will be okay with this?” Addison asks, tears running down her face.

“Hell yes, Addison. You’re his life. He couldn’t breathe without you.”

“I’ll plan a dinner when we get home and surprise him,” Addison says.

“I’m so happy I’m going to be an auntie! You should move to New York.”

She hugs me. “We aren’t moving to New York, doll.”

We have a blast. We even invite Christabella, Ashton's wife, along. She isn’t that bad. Addie just doesn’t like her. We shop and shop, as we always do. I love spending time with Addie.

***

When Evan and I get back to New York, there's a limo waiting for us. “A limo?”

“I have a surprise for you.” He takes me to the limo. Inside, there are roses everywhere and “Marry Me” by Train is playing over the radio.

“Lila Rae, I love you so much. I’ve wanted to spend the rest of my life with you since the day I saw you at the pizza joint. I can't imagine my life without you. I promise I’ll spend every day that I breathe making you the happiest woman on earth. Will you marry me, darlin’?”

At first, I don’t know what to say. I love Evan, just not the way I love Liam, but Liam is never coming back.

“Yes! Yes, I will!”

He seems so happy. I can’t believe I said yes. The ring is huge! A little too flashy for me, but I love it. It’s a pink princess-cut diamond.

“I know your favorite color is pink and you're my princess.”

“Oh, Evan, I love it and I love you. I can’t wait to share this with everyone.”

I think about calling everyone, but I want to dedicate this night to just the two of us. We make love in the limo. Evan is so sweet and knows exactly what spots make me scream.

This man gives me chills in places I didn’t know existed. After our sex-a-thon, we have wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, and chocolate-covered bacon. He'd ordered the bacon from the candy factory we stopped at on our last road trip.

I awake in his arms, smiling from ear to ear. “Good morning, handsome,” I say as I kiss his forehead.

“Good morning, soon-to-be Mrs. Martin.”

“I love the sound of that.”

He kisses me. “Me too, my love.”

We make love again before ordering room service. How was I able to find such a great man after losing Liam? I decide to call Nikki first. She's so excited. She tells me Brody already told her. They must be talking again. I’m nervous about calling Ads. I know she wants me with Liam, but she wants me happy. That’s all that matters.

I call everyone else to give them the news, but no one answers. I don’t hear from anyone the rest of the day. Evan and I go shopping and back to his loft. The next day, I receive a call from my mother. She says I need to fly home; It’s an emergency.

I don’t tell her about the engagement. I don’t know if I should take Evan with me. We'd just left two days ago. What could be wrong? I hope it isn’t my father. He has a dangerous job, and I've always worried about him and his safety.

***

All the way home, I wonder if it’s Liam. Have they finally found him? Is he dead or hurt?
Oh God, please let him be alive
. I pull into my parents’ driveway and see all kinds of cars there.

Ashton and Eric run to the car. I can tell that they've both been crying.

“Is it Liam? Did they find him? Where is he? Is he alive?” I ask.

“Lila, calm down, it’s not Liam,” Eric says, huge tears rolling down his face. “It’s Addison. She’s in the hospital. She was shot yesterday.”

“What?” I shout.

“We were on our way home yesterday and stopped at a gas station. Some guy was robbing it and shot Addison. I saw him and tried to stop him, but as I did, he shot Addison and took off running. They still haven’t found him.” My poor brother watched his girlfriend get shot right in front of him.

“Take me to her now,” I scream. On the way to the hospital, all I can think about is Liam and how he's not here.

Addie’s on life support. She's lost so much blood she can't breathe on her own. I sit next to Addie, crying and talking to her. I'm not sure if I can feel her squeeze my hand or if I’m just squeezing hers too tightly and think she is.

“Addie, you can’t leave us. We need you. I need my best friend. Evan asked me to marry him. I need you to tell me what to do. Please, don’t leave me too.” I can see the numbers on the machine declining. “Addison! Open your eyes. Please, please don’t leave me too. I can’t lose you too.” No, No, No, I need her! Please God, don’t take my best friend. “No, Addison Marie, wake up! You hear me? Get up! We're going to find that stupid mother fucking bastard that did this to you.”

I drop to my knees. “Dear God, I know I haven’t been on my best behavior lately, but please don’t take my best friend. I need her and my brother needs her.”

Ashton comes in and pulls me out. He holds me in his arms as tight as he can. “I need her; she can’t leave us. What about her baby?”

“We will all miss her. What baby?”

Oh no, she hadn’t told anyone yet.

“Ashton, she just found out she was pregnant only a month or so ago. Oh God, Eric doesn’t know, does he?”

“I’m not sure anyone knew. Are you sure, babe?”

“Yes, I was with her when she took the test.”

I see Eric sitting next to Ads, rubbing her hair. She has beautiful hair—everything about her is beautiful. How could someone shoot her? Why didn’t she run? That's the way she was; no one messed with her or her loved ones.

We all just sit there in silence and stare at Addison, hoping she'll start breathing.

“Eric, did Ads tell you about the test?” I ask.

“No, what test?”

“Oh dear God, I’m so sorry. She's pregnant. She just found out on Thanksgiving. She was planning to surprise you.”

Eric falls to the ground. My dad runs to him. He and Ashton take Eric to another room.

***

“Evan, I’m going to need you to come here as soon as you can. I need you, babe. It’s not looking good. Ads isn’t going to pull through.”

“I’m packing now and I’m on my way. Do you need anything?”

“Please call Nikki for me. You have her number?”

“Yes, I’ll call her.”

“Lila, I love you and I’ll be there soon.”

“I love you too.”

As I stare at the white walls, I wonder where Liam is. I know how much he loves Addison; she's like a sister to him. I wish he would just come walking through the door. I would love for him to hold me in his arms and tell me everything will be okay. I sit there, not talking to anyone.

I’m not sure when I fell asleep or how long I've been asleep, but when I feel a man putting his arms around me, I jump up.

“Liam!” I yell.

“It’s okay, sweetie, I’m here. Wake up. Lila, it’s me. I’m here for you.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Evan.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

The doctor comes in and says Addie's condition isn't good. He thinks it's time to let her go, that it isn’t even her in there anymore. She's an organ donor and they need to prep her to take any organs that they can. Though they find out she's nine weeks pregnant, there's nothing they can do for Ads or the baby. Unfortunately, she wasn't far enough along to save the baby.

That bastard took my best friend and my niece or nephew. He's going to pay.

A week after the shooting, when we're all gathered in the room, the Ellis' decide it's time to turn the ventilator off. I can’t believe this—my best friend is dead. I can see the hurt in Eric’s eyes as he approaches me.

He falls into my arms, almost knocking me over. Evan has to hold me up.

“Lila, I loved her so much. I was going to propose to her. I have the ring. I was waiting until next month. Why didn’t he shoot me? Why did he take my Addison and our unborn baby?”

“Oh Eric, I’m so sorry. She loved you more than anything.”

I hold my brother and we cry together. Evan is standing behind me, also crying. I know exactly how Eric feels because I lost Liam. I’m lucky enough to have Evan, but he isn’t my Liam.

The next couple days are some of the hardest days of my life. Nikki and Brody fly in. I’m confused about their relationship, but I don’t ask questions. I can’t eat or sleep. I've lost my very best friend and my brother has lost his love.

***

At the memorial, I try to keep it together while reading a poem I wrote for my best friend. I can feel tears streaming down my cheeks as I choke on my words. The lump in my throat is so big I struggle to breathe. I want Addie back. Why did that guy kill her?

As I struggle to speak and breathe, Ashton wraps his big, tattooed arms around me and whispers, “You got this, babe. Addison loved you more than anyone. Lila, you can do this. We will get through this together. She was your sister too and she would want you to be strong and do this.”