Broken

chapter 12

DOMS POV

Why do I always mess things up? I'm not supposed to like her. I'm not supposed to want her. I'm not supposed to care about her as much as I do.

But I can't stop myself. Whenever she's around I can't help but want to talk to her, look at her, want to touch her.

But I know it's wrong. She's my best friends daughter for crying out loud. I'm almost two times her age but still.

When Callan showed me a picture of Evelyn, when I saw her for the first time,I knew that I had to protect her with everything I am.

That day at the hospital I made a promise to her father to always be there for her even when he wasn't.

I was sixteen when I first saw a picture of Evelyn, she was around five or six. She looked so innocent and fragile, she still does even today.

And as creepy as it sounds, I really like her company and that day at my house when I kissed her I didn't know what came over me.

But she kissed me back, which meant she liked me a well. Right?

So here I am standing in her lounge, awkwardly asking her to go on a date with me.

"Yeah, kinda. I mean if you want to" I say and rub the back of my neck. It's a thing I do when I'm nervous.

"I'll be right back" she says and sprints upstairs. Did I do something wrong?

A few minutes of waiting, I hear her bedroom door open and close. She comes into view and damn! She's as gorgeous as always.

The way her eyes pierce into mine, the way her hair falls aimlessly on her back. She's beautiful. Everything about her is perfect.

"Jesus" I breathe out. She walks down the stairs and I just stare at her like she's a piece of steak, ready to be eaten.

"You're gorgeous" I say to her. A strand of her bangs falls on her eyes and my hand- that seems to have a mind of its own- reaches up and brushes it away from her face.

"Thank you" she looks down shyly. "So are we going or what" she asks after a moment. And she's back to being sassy.

I playfully roll my eyes "Come on princess". She follows closely behind as I walk out of the house.

She locks up and we head to my car. I open the door for her and she goes in, then I go over to my side and start the engine.

I can feel her gaze set on me as I try to focus on the road.
"Where are we going?" This girl and her questions. I smile to myself.

"You'll see" I really don't know what I'm doing and why. I know I really like her but I'm not supposed to. And even if we do have a relationship someday, my past would just chase her away.

My past made me the person I am today. And I regret nothing because if it didn't happen, I wouldn't be sitting here with this lovely girl in my car.

And even though I did what I did, I had a reason. But that's no excuse. I could have stayed.

I look to my left to see Evelyn leaning her head on the window. It's misty in here and she's drawing something on it. It looks like a dog. A fox?

"Is that Bolt?" She bursts out and starts laughing uncontrollably. I look at her and this is the first time I've seen her laughing since I've met her.

"I don't know if you're joking or if I'm bad at drawing" she says.

I look over to her, she's so beautiful. "I really don't know what that is" I say with a laugh.

"It's a tree, silly. You like gardening so I thought you'd like it" she says.

"Wow, I mean...now I see it. I don't know how I possibly thought it was a dog" I feel stupid. It does look like a tree.
"I don't know, it kinda does look weird, like a dog?" I see from the corner of my eye, she looks away

"No it's actually really good, Evelyn. I just didn't know what it was" I admit.

"Really" she turns to look at me, through those big round eyes and long lashes. Oh Jesus!

"Yea, it's good"
"Thanks Dom"
She called me Dom. She gave me a nickname. My heart is about to burst open.
"Was that a nickname" I smirk at her.

Her cheeks are now a light shade of pink. I made her blush.
"Uh, yeah kinda" she looks down at her lap.

"I like when you call me that" I say to her with a smile.
She doesn't respond to that. Shes so shy.

I slow down the car and find a parking spot. It's pretty late now so there's literally no cars here. Besides us.

Yeah, well what do I expect. Thousands of people at the beach in the middle of the night? I roll my eyes at myself.

"The beach?"
"Yes, I enjoy the beach at night"
I climb out and go over to the passengers side to open her door.
She mumbles a small 'thank you' and we head to the shore.

"I enjoy the beach too, especially at night" she speaks so softly, like everyone's going to hear her, but it's only me.

"I have lots of memories with my dad here" she continues.

The soft sand tickles my feet as we walk on the shore.

"I remember a time when I was little, we would go to the beach every weekend. Dad always made time for me. He would take days off from work just because he had me for that week. I actually dreaded going back to my mother."

"Has your mother ever gotten physical with you before" that question had been eating me from the time knew her.

"No, she would use her words" she whispers.
This girl has gone through so much but she's still so strong.

"I envy you Evelyn" I say and look at her. She looks so vulnerable right now.

I continue "You went through so much and you're still as strong"

"I'm just glad I don't have to see my mother again" she jokes.

We stare at the waves hitting the rocks for quite some time before she speaks up

"You know....life is kinda like the ocean" I look over at her confused and she continues

"The waves are the problems, you get small ones and bigger ones. They come just as fast as they go, and if you're strong enough, you can overcome them. But if you're not, then you get washed away by them."

That was one of the truest things I've ever heard. It makes so much sense.

"Dad told that to me when we were here, it was a long time ago. I never actually understood it until he died" she whispers.

"That actually makes so much sense" I say.
"Yeah"

We continue looking at the waves and the sky when I notice Evelyn yawn.

She must be so tired. She did work all day. "Let's go" I tell her.

I begin standing up but she grabs my arm and stops me.

"Why did you kiss me?" She looks at me for answers.

Oh let's see, I really like you and I couldn't hold myself back but I wanted you to stay with me but we're not good for each other because you're too young and I'm too old for you.

Nope, not saying that ever.

"I, I, I just.....I don't know Evelyn" I say frustrated with myself.

" I don't know okay. I just....you don't understand" I say.

She gasps softly and says "I like you Dominic" What!

She likes me? Evelyn likes me? All along she liked me. It wasn't just me feeling all sorts of emotions.

"Huh?" I'm still I'm a shock.

"I like you, okay. I always liked you and I know that we can't be together but I just had to tell you" she says softly.

"I don't know what to say Evelyn. I like you as well but we can't. We just can't" I tell her.

"I know" she sighs.