Page 38 of The Challenge

Evan was already in bed, the TV lighting his face. He sat up and reached for the remote, pausing whatever he’d been watching as he moved to sit at the edge of the bed. He was shirtless, the ripples of his tight abs on full display. It had been years since I’d seen his bare chest, but I hadn’t remembered it being this defined. Seriously… When did he have time to work out? I tried not to stare at his gorgeously tan pecs. It was likely a crime to drool over one man when your supposed boyfriend was in the next room.

“Is he still here?” Evan asked.

“Yes. I don’t know what to do with him because it’s late, and there’s likely still no vacancy in town.” I lowered my voice, realizing I could wake Effie up. “I’m so sorry he just showed up like this. I had no idea he was planning to come.”

“You never mentioned having a boyfriend.”

“I know.” I couldn’t really explain why I’d kept that information from Evan. I wasn’t trying to be deceitful. There just hadn’t been a lead-in to that conversation. If he’d asked me, I would’ve told him about Scott. “Much like your situation with Naomi, things are complicated. I sort of left things up in the air before I came here, unsure whether I wanted to continue seeing him after I returned to Chicago. He’s a good guy. But I have a lot going on right now and didn’t want the extra pressure. We didn’t exactly break up, but I told him I’d understand if he wanted a break. I didn’t think it was a good idea for us to stay together since I wasn’t sure when I’d be returning. This was apparently his way of showing me he cares, but I wish he’d told me he was coming.”

Evan held his palm out. “You don’t owe me an explanation. But I would prefer he not stay here beyond tonight.”

Beyond tonight. It brought me relief to know I didn’t have to send Scott packing, but now there didn’t seem to be any way around it. “Maybe it’s better if I do take the new place the property management company offered.”

“Yeah. Whatever you need to do.” His tone was cold.

“I’m sorry, Evan.”

His eyes were piercing. “What are you apologizing for?”

I honestly didn’t know. “I’m sorry to disturb your sleep.”

“I wasn’t sleeping.”

“Right.” I looked down. “Anyway…goodnight.”

Evan nodded as I left the room.

I walked down the short hallway, and the air felt heavy. I didn’t want to leave. And I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant. But I was totally bummed that Evan had just encouraged me to take the other rental house after all. Yet how could I blame him? I wouldn’t want some strange guy in my house, either, if I had a young daughter.

Back in my room, Scott’s eyes were closed, and he lay on my bed with his feet up.

He stirred when he heard me enter. “Sorry. Long day.” He grinned, sitting up straight. “So, are we on the streets tomorrow, or…”

“Actually, a property management company found me another house. I wasn’t sure if I should bother moving now that I was settled here, but the offer is open until tomorrow. How long are you in town?”

“I’d planned for a week.”

“Okay, well, I’m gonna accept their offer. We can move my stuff out of here tomorrow. So we’ll have a place to stay after all.”

“That’s awesome news.” His smile faded as he examined my face. “Why do you look so down?” He opened his arms. “Come here.”

I lay down on the bed next to Scott and rested my head on his shoulder.

“It’s so freaking good to see you,” he said, kissing me on the forehead. “You happy to see me?”

I nodded and smiled. What choice did I have? It wasn’t like I could say no when he’d come all this way.

As Scott held me, I closed my eyes. But all I could see was Evan. His beautiful shirtless body, the melancholy in his eyes tonight. Visions of all of the things I’d miss not being here anymore. I was anything but happy to be leaving tomorrow.

Chapter 14

CHLOE

The next morning, Sunday, I prepared myself to handle things carefully. I didn’t want any awkward run-ins between Scott and Evan. And I asked Scott to stay in my room so I could have a private moment with Effie to explain my leaving. When I heard someone in the kitchen, I got up.

I was relieved to find it was Effie, not Evan. She was serving herself a bowl of cereal.

“Hey, girly,” I said.