Chapter 8
RHETT
Fuck, I can’t believe what one night of sleeping in a decent bed, having a bath, and getting some food in her body has done for Evie’s appearance. I almost didn’t recognize her.
Evie Cole. I got her last name from her I.D. card. I would never have believed she’s eighteen if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.
She’s only a year and five months younger than me. Hopeful that I’ll get to know her better, I choose a table at the back of the room, so we’ll have privacy.
I pull her chair out, and the blush creeping over her face tells me she’s not used to this kind of treatment. It’s actually refreshing being around Evie. The women I usually go out with take everything for granted.
After I’ve taken the seat across from her, we study the menu.
“Morning, I’m Beth, and I’ll be your waitress,” a perky blonde says as she smiles welcoming. It’s a nice change from the receptionist.
“I’ll just have coffee,” I say, not hungry at all.
Evie orders the same, and as soon as the waitress is out of hearing distance, I say, “You can order breakfast.”
“I’ve never been a big eater early in the morning. Coffee is good.”
She fidgets with the keycard, and I reach across the table to take it from her. My hand almost covers both of hers as I give her an encouraging squeeze before pulling back.
“Let’s get to know each other a little. I think it will help calm your nerves.”
“Okay,” she whispers, but her eyes don’t meet mine which tells me it’s going to take a lot to get her to feel at ease around me.
“You know my name. Rhett Daniels. I’m nineteen. What else?” I try to think of something else to say that won’t be too personal.
“The other men you live with, are they your brothers?"
Happy that she asked something, I smile as I answer, “We might not be related by blood, but they are my brothers. Carter and I have been friends since our first day of school.”
“Carter seems nice,” she says, and I don’t miss that she’s not as tense as when we sat down.
“Actually, Logan is the nice one. I think you’re the first person to describe Carter as nice.” I might have meant that as a joke but there’s a lot of truth to it. Carter is realistic and doesn’t take shit from anyone.
There’s a moment of uncomfortable silence between us. I’m not used to awkward moments with girls. Usually, there isn’t any time for awkward moments because I never have conversations with any of the women I sleep with.
But Evie is different. If she’s going to be my responsibility, then we’ll have to get comfortable with each other.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” I ask just as the waitress brings our coffee.
While I wait for her to answer, I add cream and sugar to my cup.
“No,” she whispers before she takes a sip of her coffee.
“Do you have any family?” After placing the cup down, I cross my arms on the table, giving Evie my full attention.
“No.”
She doesn’t elaborate, which only makes me wonder more about the life she’s had.
“What happened to your parents?”
She shrugs, and finally, she looks up from her hands. Meeting my gaze, I don’t like the lost look I see on her face. I wish I could change her past.
Just when I think that she’s not going to answer me, she says, “I don’t know. I’ve never had parents.”