Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 21

EVA.

I don't think before I do it. I panic and slam the door shut in their faces.

I exhale in harsh breaths and my heart is racing wildly in my chest as I take steps back, my mind all over the place.

"Hey, who is–" my eyes fly wide as I turn back to see Emerson standing in the middle of the living room with a bowl in hand.

"What's wrong?" He asks as he meets my wide eyes and I press a finger to my lips. When Emerson draws his brows together in confusion, I take large strides towards him and clasp my hand over his mouth.

He tries to speak, but the sounds are muffled against my palm and I press the finger harder to my lips as they bang the door.

"Eva! Eva, open this door. Talk to me, baby. " It's the sound of my mom and I shake my head to Emerson, who seems to be smiling against my palm now.

I slowly remove my hand from his mouth and true to my words, a smile is pressed to his lips.

"Your mom?" He wiggles his brows and I nod. "They can't know you're here. "

Emerson raises a brow. "And why is that?" Did he just ask me that question?

"What the fuck do you mean by why is that? My dad's at the fucking door. " I snap and Emerson takes his eyes in that direction before looking back at me. "So, what do you want me to do?"

"Hide. " The word comes out sharp and firm and Emerson smirks. It's not a good one and I know the words he will say next will be ones I won't like.

He confirms my thoughts by saying. "What do I get by playing along with your game?"

"Nothing. I'm doing this for your fucking sake! You'll be dead if my dad sees you here. " He wouldn't. I will be the one to be dragged out of here like a fucking child and that's the last thing I want.

"I'll just sit here and wait for that to happen then. " Emerson raises a shoulder and falls to the couch. He drops the bowl beside him, and crosses a leg over his thigh as he grabs the remote.

I shouldn't give into the demand, but I'm getting damn desperate with the loud knocks at the door.

"What do you want?" I sigh and Emerson lifts his head to me, a smile climbing on his face. He drops the remote and rises to my height. He doesn't speak a word as he takes a step forward and I take one backward. Emerson takes a step forward again and I take another backward. He repeats the process till I trip and fall on the couch; Emerson's body falling after me.

Emerson smiles and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear before moving closer. He whispers, "You owe me, Carson. " The words are slow and deliberate and I shudder when his tongue swipes across my earlobe.

Pulling back, he gives me a wink before walking out of the room.

When I'm sure he's completely out of sight, I take a breath to calm myself before striding back to the door. I pull it open and smile at my parents.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I say as I step to the side and mom pulls me into her embrace. "Oh, you poor thing. You have no idea how worried you made us. "

I look over her shoulder to see dad frowning down at me and I drop my gaze, wrapping my arm around mom to return the hug.

"Why were you? I'm fine. " I mumble into her shoulder and she pulls back. As she cups my cheek with her hand, she says, "You didn't pick up your calls, neither did you respond to your messages. Considering how it's always been–"

"You thought I'd do the same this year. " I complete her words with a chuckle and she nods.

"I told you I'd be fine, mom. I've come to accept it and I'm not the same girl I was a year ago. " A complete lie. I'd be in my room, shielded away from the rest of the world if a certain person hadn't pulled me out of it. Though I knew they would be worried, I didn't expect them to come all the way here.

"So you came here to make sure I'm alright?" I chuckle and mom nods, angling her head back to dad. "He was worried and wouldn't listen to anyone until he makes sure you're fine. "

"I am. " I repeat the words to assure my family. "It's not like I was going to commit suicide. " I joke and when I meet dad's eyes, his face is hardened as he says, "You came close to that once. "

The atmosphere in the room changes at Matt's words and I stare down at the floor, taking a step back.

"I'm happy to see you're alright, Eva. I'm proud of you. " Mom speaks, her attempt to lessen the tension that's suddenly taken over the room quite obvious and I throw her a small smile before urging them in.

Before Aliya can go after them, I grab her wrist and pull her back. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me they were coming?"

She throws me a glare. "I didn't know they were. We met at the door and if you had answered your fucking phone, you would have got my warning. "

"You could have tried to distract them, at least. " I whisper and she laughs lowly. "Distract Matt? Come on, Evie. You know your father better than that. Nothing goes in or out when it comes to your safety. " Knowing she's right, I nod and release her wrist from my hold.

"Where did he go?" Aliya asks. "I'm guessing you hid him when you blatantly shut the door on your parents' faces. " A smirk climbs on her face and I nudge her.

Aliya walks in while I shut the door, and pray Emerson remains still.

"Where's your roommate? Matt told me you have one. " Mom asks as I take the seat across them and I exchange looks with Aliya before looking back at her. "She is asleep. "

"Is she nice? Giving you any troubles?"

"Giving troubles is one thing through. " Aliya mumbles from her seat and I glare at her, giving her my middle finger.

"She isn't, " I say to mom. "And yes, she's nice. You don't have anything to worry about, mom. I love it here. "

"I know. " She smiles.

"And you should head back home now that you've confirmed I'm fine? I told you I didn't want you guys to show up here. " I frown.

"We wouldn't have come if you had responded to the texts and calls, Princess. " Dad finally speaks, his voice calm, and not the harsh one he gave at the door.

"I was watching TV, so I didn't get any of those. " I tell him and he nods, rising to his feet.

"Come here. " He says and I look at mom who gives me an assuring nod. I move to my feet and stride towards my father, letting him wrap his arms around me; covering me with his large body.

"You got me, dad. " I whisper and he presses his hand tighter around me. I know the scar from what happened years ago left on him. Left on me. Left on us and as much as I tend to think I have the biggest scar, I know they had it worse even when they pretend to be strong for me.

I pull away from dad and give mom another hug.

"You weren't there today. " She whispers into my hair and I nod. "I want to find peace within myself before going again. "

Mom pulls back and holds my face in his hands. Unshed tears shine through her eyes as she says, "I couldn't be any prouder. " And she presses her lips to my forehead.

"We should be on our way. Is there anything you need? " Dad asks and I shake my head. "You already gave me everything I need and more. "

He presses his hand to my cheek before he pulls back and I walk them to the door.