Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
John glanced over at Evangeline who was sitting in his passenger seat chewing on the inside of her left cheek. He looked at the radio and remembered he had turned it off when Darius was on his cell phone earlier.
“You want to listen to some music.” John asked but he didn’t wait for a reply. He pushed the on button for the radio.
Evangeline glanced at the radio when she heard Al Green. When she realized it was his song “I’m Still In Love With You”, she started to push the button to change the station. She froze when John’s hand gently grabbed her wrist.
“Let it play.” He pleaded when she gazed into his blue eyes. “Please.”
Evangeline pulled her arm away and focused back out the passenger window. She refused to believe John was saying the words to her. She was thankful it ended until the next song started. She rolled her eyes when she recognized Nat King Cole’s “Love Is Here to Stay”. She ran her hand through her hair and refused to look at John. When the song reached the instrumental interlude, she hit the off button before he could stop her and shifted in her seat to face him.
“Let’s talk.” Evangeline suggested wondering if he was smiling because of her discomfort to the music. “What’s funny McBain?”
“Nothing. Nothing.” John shook his head as she eyed him. “What do you want to talk about counselor?”
“Well...well.” She ran her hand through her hair again. She really didn’t have anything to talk about. Then again, she was curious to how he knew her soon-to-be cousin-in-law. “How do you know Darius? And why does he call you JD?”
“Darius was actually a college friend of Caitlin. She introduced us.” He supplied with comfort she noted. “We became good friends.”
“And JD?” She asked again not sure how to take how willingly he was talking about this part of his past. With John she usually had to pull things from his past out of him. Maybe, he found peace solving his father’s case.
“That nickname came from one of Caitlin’s student.” He laughed at the fond memory.
“I remember…she was a Special Ed teacher right?” Evangeline studied him.
“Yea. I went to visit her one-day at school in the early stage of our relationship, and she had one little fellow in there that couldn’t say John. So, he looked up at me with a great big smile and called me JD.” John smiled at the memory. “Caitlin tried to help him, but he just called me JD the whole time I was there. So, I told him from that point on Caitlin would call me JD.”
“So, when she introduced you to Darius, she introduced you as…”
“JD.” He finished for her. He glanced at her and smiled. His heart warmed as she smiled back.
“Well, that wasn’t so hard was it, McBain.” She teased as she turned around in her seat. It was nice to know John had learned to open up even just a little.
“What?” He sounded confused as he pulled into her condominium garage.
“Opening up.” Evangeline turned in her seat as she ran both of her hands through her hair. He parked then watched as she looked down for her purse then unfastened her seat belt. “I remember you had a hard time with that.”
“Had.” John unfastened his seat belt. He didn’t have a chance to say anything else before she snapped her head up.
“John, you don’t have to get out.” Evangeline had a determined look on her face. “I can make it upstairs by myself.”
“Evangeline, I’m not letting you go upstairs by yourself.” He opened his door.
“John, I have a door man.” She followed his actions and stepped out of the car. “I appreciate the ride, but I don’t need an escort upstairs.”
“Don’t argue with me.” John was standing beside her. “I’m bigger than you.” He stated as he took the car door out of her hand and shut it.
“McBain…” Evangeline prepared to go to war. She didn’t need John McBain going upstairs with her. She had to be honest with herself otherwise she was going to find herself in the same situation at the club. She was still strongly attracted to John. That much she could admit. They never had a problem in that area. “John, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“What?” John played innocent. “I’m just walking you upstairs.”
“Just like you were just dancing with me at Ultra Violet?” She confronted.
“You analyze way too much, Counselor. Come on.” She allowed him to place his hand in the small of her back and guide her towards the elevator doors. “I’m getting scared.” He teased.
When they got on the elevator, Evangeline allowed John to press the button for her floor. She started thinking about how she was going to force him to stay on the elevator. That way she didn’t have to worry about him getting into her place. When they finally reached the fourth floor, she stepped out and turned to him before he could get out.
“Thank you, John.” She rushed as she blocked his exit. “Your job is done. I made it home safe.”
“You didn’t mean what you said at the gym?” John questioned and smiled inside when she offered him a puzzled look. “You told me you would listen if I ever wanted to talk.”
“And you want to talk now?” Evangeline bit her bottom lip as she fought the feeling in her gut that was telling her to run.
“Ve…Cris interrupted us at the gym…” He searched her face to see if she was buying it. He wasn’t ready for the night to end. “I figured we have a second chance now.”
“John…it’s getting…” She ran her hand through her hair, looked at him, and sighed. How many times did she try to get him to open up to her? Now, he wanted to. She couldn’t turn him away. “Okay, but only for a little while.”
John smiled when Evangeline turned away and walked towards her door. He stood quietly behind her as she fished her keys out of her purse. He followed her in when she finally opened the door.
“Make yourself at home.” Evangeline said flipping on the lights then punching in the code for her alarm system. “I’ll be right back with some drinks.”
John walked over to the couch and sat down. He glanced at the Black Enterprise, Essence, Vibe and Ringside magazines on her coffee table. He looked around the room then decided to help Evangeline in the kitchen.
Evangeline walked into the kitchen and tossed her purse on the kitchen table. She exhaled then ran her hand through her hair as she walked over to the fridge. What was she thinking letting him come in? This wasn’t a good idea. She opened the fridge door then closed it. She sighed and decided she was going to ask John to leave. This wasn’t right. She was with Cristian now.
She turned and grabbed the edge of the island as she studied the top of it. She allowed herself to remember how good it felt to be in John’s arms at Ultra Violet. “Damnit, McBain.” She blew out a heated breath. She didn’t realize the moment John walked into the kitchen, so she continued to talk to herself out loud. “You’re still the man who can take me in your arms and make me forget about the rest of the world.”
“I can’t believe I still have feelings for him.” Evangeline shook her head. “Evangeline Williamson, what are you doing? You have moved on. You’re with Cristian now.” She started playing with her bottom lip with her left hand. After thinking silently for a minute, she ran her hand through her hair and glanced up. Her startled expression quickly turned into anger when he didn’t speak. She knew then John heard what she said. He was waiting to see her reaction, so he could counter. It was like the calm before the storm. She really wasn’t surprised by his actions because she knew him so well. She was however confused by hers. A part of her wanted to be pissed off that he was eavesdropping on her private conversation even if it was with herself. The other part of her was relieved that he heard her. If his journal entries were true, she wanted him to know she still loved him.
“No!” She said out loud surprising him. She looked at him and shook her head. “I have moved on.”
John was so overwhelmed by the fact she still had feelings for him. He was right to follow his gut. He was glad he moved into the building and started taking steps to show her he could be the man she deserved. Now, it was time to test the waters. Before he could stop himself, he asked her, “Whom are you trying to convince counselor, me or yourself?
“John, it’s time for you to go.” She barked as she stormed towards him pointing with her right index finger. “Now!”
“Evangeline…” John attempted seeing how upset she was.
“John, I can’t do this. We can’t do this.” She touched her forehead with her left hand and started thinking to herself. This is crazy. Why am I letting John get inside my head again? I buried…No, I have moved on. I survived the hurt and pain I felt over him. I can’t allow him to do this. I need to set some things straight and now. “John, I’m with Cristian. I love Cristian. You are my friend. That is all.”
Evangeline felt guilty for the hurt that surfed in his deep blue eyes before he could hide it. “I can’t…do this.” Her heart started overflowing with emotions. She felt a strong desire to hug him, but instead she turned and moved towards the fridge.
John studied her as she walked over to the fridge. He wasn’t sure what she was doing until he saw the chardonnay bottle she pulled out. He frowned when she opened it and started to drink from the bottle.
“Evangeline, I know you’re upset with me.” He said concerned. “And, I’m not a doctor, but I don’t think you should be drinking in your condition.”
Evangeline had the bottle to her lips but stopped suddenly trying to register John’s words. Did he just say my condition? What condition, and why would he think I had a condition to be concerned about? She pulled the bottle away from her lips, snapped her head in his direction and glared at him. “What condition?”
John swallowed realizing any confused emotion she may have had was now replaced with anger. He knew that look and didn’t envy anyone who she offered it to. He didn’t say anything as she placed the wine bottle on the island top and slowly walked over to him.
Evangeline walked over to John as though she was preparing to cross-examine someone on the witness stand. He has seen this particular demeanor of hers several times in the courtroom.
“What condition, John?” She repeated the question glaring at him and daring him to avoid the question.
“I…I heard…” John wasn’t going to tell on Layla, but he wasn’t sure how he was going to talk himself out of this either.
“You heard what John?” Evangeline snapped. “What?”
“You remember when you saw me at Rodi’s with Michael?” John decided he would distract her with something he was sure she was more curious about. If he took this approach, he could discover if he was in a win-win situation or not.
“John…” Evangeline tried to warn she wasn’t in the mood. When she looked into his eyes, she softened, sighed, and then answered. “Yes.”
“Well, I wasn’t drowning my sorrows because of Natalie.” John paused praying for the courage to continue. “I was drowning my sorrows, because…
Evangeline waited for him to finish, but he didn’t. Anger flared up in her, as she remembered this was the same thing she had to deal with before. This is why she ended things with him because he couldn’t express himself verbally. Earlier in the car, she thought he had changed a little because he opened up, but now she knew better. “What John? Why were you drowning your sorrows?”
John stared at her.
“You still have problems verbalizing your feelings.” She snarled then ran her hand through her hair. She shook her head as she scrutinized him. This wasn’t her problem any more. She didn’t have to deal with John and his expression issues. “John, all I want to know is who told you I was pregnant.”
“I’m a detective.” John supplied feeling helpless. He wanted to open up, but he didn’t know how. He didn’t know why the words wouldn’t come out. He tried it once with liquid courage (whiskey) in his system, but it didn’t work then either. Now, he’s trying it with all he has in him. He wants to offer it to her, but he still can’t.
Evangeline glared at him. She allowed his words to replay in her head. “I’m a detective.” She remembered walking up on Antonio and Cristian at Rourke’s, and even though Cris said he didn’t tell his brother, she knew he did. Antonio, Cristian’s brother, recently rejoined the Llanview Police Department. He and John are friends, and she was sure he was the one who told him. Besides from Antonio, Nora and Layla were the only other people who knew. And, she knew neither one of them would have told him.
“John, it’s late.” She sighed then started for the kitchen door.
“Williamson, are you pregnant?” John asked sheepish.
“What business is it of yours?” Evangeline questioned short as she turned to face him once more. She was physically and emotionally tired. She didn’t want to deal with John and this anymore. “What if I am?”
John gazed at the floor.
“Why would it matter so much to you?” She searched his face as he continued to avoid eye contact. “John, it’s late.” She waited for him to look up. When their eyes met, she felt guilty again. She could see the inter turmoil in his eyes. Deep down she knew John wanted to and maybe even tries to express himself verbally, but it wasn’t enough. He asked her on more than one occasion to be patient with him, but she couldn’t anymore. She wouldn’t at the expense of herself. She knew what she wanted, and John wouldn’t give it to her. She knew he could. Before she could think about it, she answered him. “No, I’m not pregnant.”
Evangeline frowned when she saw relief flooded his face. Why did he care? Why was John doing this to her when he still couldn’t be the man she needed? And, he knew she was with Cristian. Her head started hurting from the emotional roller coaster going on inside of her. She massaged her right temple as she watched John studying her.
“You look tired.” He whispered. “You still look good but tired…maybe I should go.”
“I am John…I am…but you said you needed to talk.” Evangeline sighed then touched her forehead as she watched him stare at her. She looked up at the ceiling. She could read so much emotion in his eyes, but she still didn’t have a clue to what was going on in his head. She never did. “I’ll make us some coffee.”
“Okay.” John walked over to her. “I’ll help. You still keep the coffee cups here.”
“John…it’s okay.” Evangeline jumped when his body brushed up against hers. She spun around trying to stop him and found herself in his arms and her hands resting on his chest.
John gasped softly as Evangeline spun into his arms. He wasn’t expecting her to object, so he walked over to the cabinet. Standing behind her, he reached for the cabinet door beside her. He never had a chance to open the door.
Evangeline studied his face as his eyes slowly looked down to view her face. His eyes connected with hers briefly before zooming in on her lips. When he looked back up and locked his eyes with hers, he captured her lips with his.
At first, Evangeline was overwhelmed by his action and wasn’t sure what to do. As he slowly savored her taste, she knew he was trying to tell her what his body on the dance and his eyes failed to. Her hands involuntarily hide themselves in his thick tresses as his traveled down to her petite firm waist. His hunger for her made hers erupt, and they both deepened the kiss. When she heard John moan, she forced her mind back to reality.
“Why did you do that?” She broke the kiss and tried pushing him away, but he tightened his hold on her as he studied her. “Why did you kiss me John?”
Evangeline looked into John’s eyes and saw expectation. She pushed him again with more force. He let her go this time, and she rushed across the room. As she fought to gain control, she chewed on her bottom lip until her breathing was slightly normal. She stood at the kitchen table focusing on the floor.
“Evangeline?” John mumbled.
“Why did you kiss me John?” Evangeline turned feeling more in control of her emotions but still confused. “What are you trying to tell me?”
“I…I…I have…” She witnessed him struggling with his thoughts and words. “Evangeline, I have come…Damnit!”
John looked up at Evangeline and saw the disappointment in her eyes and on her face.
“It’s time for you to go John.” Evangeline turned and left the room.
John silently cursed himself as he followed her. When he joined her in the front room, she had the front door open and waiting for him. He tried to make eye contact, but she focused on the floor. He paused then walked through the open door. As he turned to speak, a closed door greeted his face.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered then walked towards the elevator.