15. Amelia

Amelia (Cinnamon Girl — Lana Del Rey)

Oh my God. What is Rachel Lancaster doing here?!

I'm grinning from ear to ear, my heart beating rapidly. I’m still yet to get over what just happened with Everett outside, and now, this?

She's the last person I expected to see standing in the living room.

I stand rooted to the spot, watching as Everett stalks toward her.

Rachel holds out her hand. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He takes it.

My eyes immediately drop to their joined hands and for some stupid reason, my stomach twists.

It's just a handshake, Amelia.

A handshake—so why is it taking them approximately three business days to let go?

I look away.

Trust me, it’s not like I care—pfft.

Not even a little.

“...”

Everett finally turns toward me.

“This is Amelia Hart.”

My heart skips a stupid beat as Rachel's eyes move to me, and I offer her a smile.

“Hi.” I swallow.

I’m talking to my queen!

“Hi, Amelia.” Her smile is super polite.

Gosh! She responded!

I beam.

Everett smirks at me before turning back to face her.

“Please.” He gestures toward the couch. “Take a seat.”

Rachel sits, and I swallow before heading toward the dining area.

Cole and Harper have already disappeared, leaving the three of us alone.

I could go to my room. I mean, I probably should. But I don’t. Instead, I pull out a chair and sit.

I don't know why… probably because I'm being nosy as always.

Or maybe... whatever.

I take out my phone, pretending to type random nonsense while keeping my ears open.

Everett takes the chair opposite the dining table, giving him a clear view of me. While Rachel, fortunately for me, has her back to me.

“I’m sorry for coming unannounced,” Rachel says, her voice carrying easily across the room.

It still feels so surreal... I think, staring at her.

Rachel Lancaster is actually sitting in our living room.

“I stopped receiving your gifts...”

My fingers freeze over my phone.

Gifts? Everett gives her gifts? My stomach flips.

“I don’t...” Everett’s brows furrow as his voice trails off.

She lets out a shy, nervous laugh. “I know you’re the secret admirer...”

Huh? Oh! Oh! Shit!

Everett’s eyes meet mine immediately. He’s about to respond to her and I know exactly what he’s about to do.

I jump to my feet, shaking my head furiously while making a frantic slicing motion across my neck.

His eyes narrow.

I clasp my hands together, silently begging him. Pleaseee.

His jaw flexes. Then he turns back to Rachel with a perfectly controlled expression. “I’m not the secret admirer.”

Rachel is quiet for a moment then she smiles. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.”

I collapse back into the chair, heaving a deep inaudible sigh.

Shit! It really has been a while since I secretly dropped a gift for her.

The last time... was when I had Everett pass the drink and note along.

Shit.

Now she thinks Everett is her secret admirer???

“Anyway,” Rachel continues, “I'm just here because I've missed the gifts. And the notes.”

Everett glances at me and I fold my lips, blinking. The corner of his mouth lifts, and then he looks away.

They talk for a few more minutes, Rachel doing most of the talking. They talk about the upcoming championships too... and then she rises to take her leave.

“Actually, Everett...” She adjusts her bag on her shoulder. “Are you free next week Friday?”

Everett pauses. “Why?”

“I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me.”

My heart drops to my stomach.

I glance at Everett and I can tell from his expression that he’s about to turn her down.

But then his eyes flick toward me.

I smile and nod vehemently. His forehead creases.

“Sure.” He shrugs.

For some unknown reason, my heart drops further... Even though I was the one who told him—

“Bye.” She waves at me.

“Byeee.” I grin.

The moment the door closes behind them, my smile drops.

What the hell did I just do?

I watch through the window as Everett opens the backseat door for her. Soon, he drives off.

My stomach churns and I proceed to the living room and sink into an armchair. It smells like Everett... definitely the one he was seated in just now... I melt into the chair, curling up in it.

Sigh. I close my eyes wearily, forcing my thoughts away.

Rachel likes Everett and somehow, I just helped her get closer to him.

Brilliant, Amelia.

Absolutely brilliant.

I’m so uncomfortable with this.

A while later, the familiar rumble of Everett's truck outside pulls me from sleep. I didn’t even know I had drifted off.

Quickly, I sit up, my eyes keen on the front door. The moment it opens, he enters.

“Hey, Hart.”

I don’t respond initially but then... “hey.” I reply, my voice low.

He smirks as he comes and sits on the arm of my chair. The familiar scent of his cologne surrounds me, somehow calming the nerves I'd been carrying since he left.

He eyes me, a smug expression on his face.

“What?” I scowl.

“You told me to go on that date...”

I remain silent. “Yes, and?” I mumble.

“Why are you looking like you want to kill me?”

I sneer. “Fuck you!”

In the blink of an eye, I'm on my feet and stomping away.

I barely make it two steps before a firm hand catches my wrist.

“Where are you going?” He tugs.

I stumble backward, and before I can protest, I'm pulled straight into his embrace, landing across his lap.

I freeze.

He wraps his hands around me firmly and brings his mouth to my ear. My heart thumps.

“I won’t go on the date if you don’t want me to.” His voice is husky, his breath feathering against my ear and sending a strange shiver down my spine.

My fingers tighten around my shorts.

Not go?

But he already told her he would.

Honestly, I don't want you to go, Everett.

I wish I could turn back the hands of time and take that stupid nod back. But I can't.

“Don’t you dare stand my queen up,” I mutter. “It’s just a date.”

A date that could turn into something more. I swallow.

“I want to sleep.”

His hands loosen around me, and the next second, I'm back on my feet.

I don't wait for him to say anything else. I hurry upstairs, shut my bedroom door, and dive straight into bed. I pull the covers over my head and let out a long, miserable sigh.

What do I keep getting myself into?