Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) by Ahren Sanders (inspirational books for women .TXT) 📕

mind flashes back to the one time I’ve seen Evin like this.

“You’re scared,” I whisper.

“More than anything in my life. You are my world, and tomorrow, I have to trust someone else to take care of you. There’s not a fucking thing I can do about it.”

I realize everything has been about me and not once have I thought about how this may affect Evin. “Sweetie, maybe you need to tell me where your head is?”

“I saw you go down and my heart literally stopped. Then that scream, that fucking scream chilled me to my bones. You looked at me, and I knew it was bad, but you knew it was bad. You were broken, hurting, and mourning something I didn’t understand. There was nothing I could do. Never felt so powerless in all my life. Tomorrow will be the same.”

A new understanding washes over me and makes my heart want to burst. I never doubted Evin’s love, but at this moment, it’s different. While I’ve been concerned about my dancing and what this means for my future, he’s been thinking about only me. My dancing is a part of me he supports, but he wants me anyway I come. Dancer, dreamer, crazy free-spirited bohemian—he loves me. A new sense of determination takes over. I urge his face forward, laying my forehead to his. “I’m going to be okay. Even if I don’t dance professionally ever again, I’ll have you by my side. That’s all I’ll ever need.”

“Any more questions?”

I glance at Evin, whose face is hard.

“No, thank you.” I force myself to be polite to the perky nurse who’s ogling him with little stars in her eyes. “You can go, like now.”

Her head snaps, and a flush fills her cheeks before she scampers out of the room.

“Meowwwwww.” Ryanne slashes her nails through the air.

“Shut up. That woman was shameless and should be fired. I’ll be under anesthesia wondering if the little twat is flirting with my husband.”

Evin lifts my hand to his mouth, not hiding his smile while the room erupts.

“I get it. Barbara flirted with Edward during my hospital stay,” Annie adds curtly. “I had a long talk with her boss after my discharge.”

“She’s exaggerating. Besides, I’m an old man,” Edward defends, not hiding his grin either.

“You may be an old man, but you’re my old man. That hussy should learn respect.”

All my irritation drains and I giggle, too.

Maya is the only one not amused and looks on the verge of tears. “Maya, honey, what’s wrong?”

“I want to stay, but no one will let me.”

“You have to get home for school tomorrow. This will take hours.”

“I don’t care.”

“Come here, sweet girl.”

She slides in front of Evin and bends in to hug me.

“I’ll be fine, and if allowed, we’ll chat tonight. But swear you won’t make fun of the drugged Poppy like the rest of these people.”

She smiles sweetly. “You are funny.”

“Don’t turn on me. I need someone on my side when I can walk again and kick ass.”

“I’m your girl.”

“Have a pleasant flight home. By the time you land, Evin will have an update and you can relax.”

She surprises me by kissing my cheek and whispering, “I love you.”

My nose stings and all I can say is, “Same.”

The moment is broken when another perky nurse, this time a man, comes in with a wheelchair. “Someone call for an Uber?”

His eyes hit mine and he grins wider. Evin growls and the room erupts again.

“The price of being two beautiful people,” Dante sings.

The nurse’s eyes go to Dante, and it’s impossible to miss the flare in them.

“Jesus, another Dante,” Evin mutters, and I burst back into giggles.

He lifts me, placing me into the wheelchair and grasping my hand. “I’m going with her as far as I can go.”

“Okay, big guy. We’re headed to Rodeo Drive, otherwise known as the Surgical Wing.”

Annie comes to squat in front of me, taking my free hand. “We’re staying, Poppy. I’ll be waiting when you wake up, and I’ll have something besides these hideous hospital gowns.”

I squeeze her palm. “I’d appreciate that.”

Edward bends in to kiss me, and the nurse backs me out of the room while I wave.

Dante and Ryanne follow us to the elevator and both look edgy.

Oddly, I’m not nervous and there’s only one reason.

“Guys, I’m going to be okay. Take care of my husband.” They nod solemnly and Evin’s grip tightens.

We go into the elevator, and I flash my best friends a huge smile, blowing them a kiss as the doors close.

I peer up at Evin and he’s grinning down at me. Yeah, I’ll be fine.

Chapter 25

Evin

I welcome the burn of the whiskey down my throat, staring at the small purple pack on the table. My conversation with Darby replays in my head, and rage sears through my veins.

The lock beeps right before Dad, Dante, and Ryanne come in. My eyes stay on the table.

“What’s up? What’s so important that we aren’t at the hospital with Pips?”

Dante’s irritation is good. I need him ready to fucking rip heads apart.

“We have to talk.”

“We couldn’t talk at the hospital while Poppy sleeps?”

“Not about this. The doctor said she’ll be out for a while. Mom’s staying with her until I get back. She thinks I’m preparing to move hotels closer to the hospital.”

“Evin, no offense, but you look deadly right now and the vibes are seriously strong. Maybe you should tell us what’s wrong,” Ryanne states.

“I look deadly because the thought of killing someone is on my mind.”

“Oh, fuck,” Dad murmurs. “What the hell happened since you left the hospital?”

“And why are birth control pills on the table?” Ryanne points to the pack.

“Poppy was pregnant.”

All the air is sucked out of the room as shock crosses their faces, followed by sorrow.

“Was?” Ryanne’s voice cracks.

“Was.” I shoot back another gulp. “The initial blood tests when she arrived at the hospital showed elevated HCG levels, which indicated it was extremely early. Poppy wouldn’t have even suspected yet. The test that came later changed.”

“Could