A Thorn In A Game of Roses

Chapter Five: Unexpected Happenings

(Evelynn’s POV)

It was finally the weekend, and I was so happy; the house was quiet, as my sister usually slept in late, so I basically had the house to myself. I sat in the living room binge-watching my favorite show on TV while eating some chips and being lazy and comfortable on a Saturday morning. My hand moved to my phone as I gave a small wince, looking at the wrap cut on my hand, remembering what happened last night. I wanted to forget, but this damn wound was making it hard to do so.

My sister, Sam, woke with a loud yawn as she walked out of her room and into the living room, rubbing her eyes as she plopped down beside me, her head cuddling against my lap as she lay down on the sofa. I smirked at her, running my fingers through her hair.

“Up all night?” I asked her as I pushed the button to pause the show so we could talk.

“Yeah, I went to bed around two. He is fun to talk to on the phone. I don't know, but I feel like I can be myself around him.” Sam smiled as she talked about Nate.

“That late? Dang. What the heck did y'all talk about anyway?” I asked, chuckling as I combed out her small knots in her hair with my fingers.

“Basically, everything. He did ask how your hand was, and I told him you didn't get it checked but have it wrapped and kept clean.” She admits with a yawn. “You should have told me that Noah guy was letting that dumb Barbie push you… I hate her with a passion.” She says gently, huffing in annoyance.

I gave a smirk seeing her care so much for me, and hearing Nate was worried about me made me happy too; he wasn't like his i***t brother. He was kind and sweet and cared for others, and I could tell he liked my little sister a lot.

“As do I, he needs to put a leash on his girlfriend before my fist finds her pretty little face,” I mumbled, rolling my eyes as she giggled.

“Not her face, she will just go to Daddy and get a new one,” Sam said, making us both crack up laughing at how true her words probably were.

I pushed play on my show as we just chilled on the couch watching some flicks. Even some YouTube videos, the knock on the door startled me as I wasn't expecting anyone to come by. I gave Sam a look as she didn't say anything as I gently stood up and moved to the door, unlocking the door and opening it, shocked to see Nate standing there with a hood over his head as it was raining.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, shocked, before I gave a face and turned, looking to Sam, who made an innocent smile, and I groaned, knowing damn well she told him where we lived.

“Ah… your sister invited me over, but I was also wondering how you were doing… Can I come in?” He asked as I sighed and nodded my head, opening the door for him to come in.

He walked inside quietly, taking off his wet hoodie and holding it in his arms. Sam was excited to see him as she patted the couch. I rolled my eyes and walked over, sitting in my spot as Nate followed, sitting beside her on the other side.

“So, I should have told you I had invited him.” She said, looking at me more innocently than at him. She gave a small laugh, poking my sides, knowing I was irritated by her inviting him over, not knowing him much, but also not wanting his brother to find out where I live, which would only make me more angry, but I trusted my sister.

“It's fine, just don't tell your brother where I live. I don't care to see his face.” I said, simply covering myself with my blanket.

Nate nodded his head. “I won't tell a soul. Promise.” He smiled at me as I nodded my head, looking away from him to the television, watching my show as I felt his eyes on me for a bit before he looked away to watch the show with us.

“He told me what happened… what that i***t did. Glad it wasn't my brother who hurt you, but it still doesn't make it any better, though, as you shouldn't have gotten hurt,” he said to me, looking over me, upset that I got hurt, as my stomach flipped a little knowing someone cared that wasn't my family. I nodded my head slowly, looking away from his stare.

“I'm fine. I kept it clean, and I didn't need stitches. It will heal.” I said, simply watching the show as it got quiet before he spoke up again.

“He gave her well when you left. It was crazy, but don't worry. She won't be a bother anymore,” he said, almost in a whisper, while not looking at me, but I knew I had heard what he said. I gave a small eyeroll, not really caring if he said anything when I left or not. She shouldn't have been there to begin with. Hell, I shouldn't have been there, but I was because I needed the money. I was embarrassed that he even put my business out there that I needed the money, making me look like a joke in front of her. That was the difference between me and Noah. He didn't need to work for anything in his life, he didn't need to worry about anything, as he had his daddy to pay for everything for him, and make things disappear where I had to face reality and work for what I wanted. That’s what made us different, he never faced real struggles other than his side piece finding out about his current girlfriends.

He rolled his neck gently as he looked at his phone before standing up and looking at us.

“I have to head out, something comes up, and I need to go, Range check Sam… Sorry.” He said, looking at us as I simply nodded and Sam frowned, standing and walking him to the door as he put his hoodie on, I watched their interaction on the porch and her watching him get in the car. A part of me wondered what was so important that he needed to go, why did he look so worried and tense over a text message, all these thoughts in my head, but did I really care? No. I was just nosey. I turned away from them and watched the television, though my eyes lingered on my phone as I was getting a call.

When I picked up the phone, it wasn't someone I knew either.

“Hello?” I said gently.

“Hi, this is Middlesboro Hospital. Your father has been brought in after a bad accident. I can't go over details on the phone, but I was told to call and let you know where he is currently.” The woman said on the phone as my heart fell, and I stood from where I was running to my room and grabbed a hoodie.

“O-okay, thank you.” I hung up and ran to the living room, where my sister was as she came inside and looked at me, worried, seeing me dressed as I threw her a hoodie.

“We need to go, Dad… he had an accident,” I said simply as she looked pale but nodded her head. I turned off the TV and grabbed the keys as we ran out the front door and ran to the car, getting inside and heading to the hospital. While I drove, I was praying, I was praying that god wouldn't take another parent from me, I couldn't do this alone, and I needed my father. I don't care how bad things were between us; I needed him, and he wasn't allowed to take him. I swallowed the lump in my throat and kept driving, as I didn't give up on my hope.