Chapter 16 - Repressed Feelings
660 Words
And with that, she seemed lighter and ready to go. He knew the weight of being in love with someone who kept you at arms length. It was a painful and lonely path. He wished she hadn't chosen now to pull the pin on that grenade, but the damage was done. They both went back to it. They needed to find answers.
"We need to figure this out and make sure no one is in danger. If there's a portal, then maybe something got through. I'm hoping it'll be something harmless. Let's hurry and review this stuff. I don't wanna leave the other two alone any longer than we have to."
"It's ok, Evan. I'm almost done. Do you think Tyler might know anything more to add? He seemed to know everything else."
"I'm not sure. He seems pretty open about everything. He doesn't seem to be dishonest, but it's not impossible."
"Well, let's ask him when we get back. Ok. I'm done. Let's move!" She smiled at Evan. She was beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have her heart. He shook his head. This isn't the time for this. Val smiled bigger. She could read him like a book.
"Ok, let's get going. Sorry, I zoned out."
They headed back towards the house.
Stephen and Tyler were both looking at the same monitor. The EMF had gone insane. It was getting readings so fast that Stephen couldn't keep up.
"I hope Val hurries back. She's always been the brains. I'm more of the personality."
"I kind of get this, but it doesn't make sense to me," Tyler was trying to keep up. The equipment was foreign to him, but he was a quick learner.
"I understand the uses but never had the patience. Val is perfect for the job. I almost think she learned all she knows just to support us. We've been inseparable since she joined our group. We balance each other well. "
"So you don't care that she has feelings for Evan?"
Tyler watched Stephen's countenance change many ways very fast. As if that was the last question on his mind. It was an unexplainable reaction.
"I don't see it. Val is beautiful. She'd never have to settle for one of us. One day she'll find a boyfriend and she'll be done with us. Then it'll be just me and Evan again."
"Dude, I'm not sure if you're oblivious or just in denial. That girl is completely in love with Evan. She is all conversation when he's away, but when he comes around, she goes silent. It's like she doesn't want to say the wrong thing. She's a genius as well. I think she dummies herself down so you guys will accept her. She's in the shadows because she chooses to be "
"I appreciate your input, but you've only just met us. I think I would know if that were true."
"Ok, man. I'm not trying to step on any toes. I'm just making conversation. From your reaction, I'm guessing you haven't told him about your feelings for him?"
Stephen turned white as a ghost and then red as an apple. Tyler thought his initial reaction was strange. That was nothing
"I don't know what you're talking about. We're the best of friends. He doesn't see me that way at all."
"Ok. I'm sorry I brought it all up. I have just lived a life where I don't waste time sharing my feelings. Tomorrow, everything can be gone. Losing my family taught me that. So, if I were correct at all in any assumptions, I'd like to believe this advice could help."
"Well, again, I appreciate it. We have a good thing as a team that we never need to complicate with feelings. Let's just keep looking for and signs of what happened. "
They searched in silence. "How dare he!" Stephen thought to himself. Who was this guy to throw around baseless accusations?
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