Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 89

EMERSON.

"Paige?" Eva repeats and I nod my head to the redhead who stands in front of our apartment, with her head turned to us now at the sound of the car.

"She's here. " Eva says and I hum, unfastening my seatbelt. "I'm just as surprised as you are. I didn't expect to see her anytime soon. " Eva doesn't respond as we both get out of the car, and walk to her.

"Hey, you both. I was just about to leave. " Paige says as we stop in front of her, and I slide my hand around Eva. She's looking more held up than the last time I saw her, with a smile complementing her features.

"Eva. " She calls.

"Paige. " Eva responds, letting my hands fall from her as they both hug, patting each other's back for a while before they pull away.

"You look... Well, you look like you, blondie. " Paige remarks and Eva says, "I can say the same thing about you, redhead. " And they both laugh. A smile stretches to my face as I watch them converse without wanting to throw hands at each other.

"Is everything alright now?" Eva questions in a softer tone and Paige bobs her head, "Definitely better than last time. I think you can tell by my face. "

"Too bad. " My girl clicks her tongue teasingly and Paige glares at her playfully, causing them to laugh again before they drop their hands, and Paige turns her head to me.

"Hey. " She lowers her voice as she stands in front of me. "You don't look like you've missed me, " she narrows her eyes and I say, "Are you back to school?"

"More or less. " She responds. "Why? Don't you want me back here?"

"What? Of course not. It's good to have you back. " I assure her and she smiles before she looks back at Eva. "Do you mind if I give your boyfriend a hug?"

I meet Eva's eyes as she nods in approval and I don't take my eyes away from her as Paige steps closer, engulfing me in a hug.

"You look good. It's nice to see that. " Paige murmurs in my ear and I give her back a small caress before she steps back.

"Jaxon is waiting for us. Do you think you can come with?" She asks and I say, "You called Jaxon before you came here?"

"Yes, he made plans. We're to meet at a restaurant. I thought it'd be nice to catch up on things. " She explains and I hum, shifting my gaze to Eva, "I'm not sure if I can. I don't want to leave Eva alone. "

"I'm not a kid, Emerson. I can take care of myself if you're leaving to spend time with your friends. " Eva speaks and I turn my body to her as I grab her hands. "I know that, but I don't want to leave you, baby. "

"I'll be fine, and you'll be back soon. " She says.

"Still, I don't want to—" Paige interrupts my words when she says, "I'll leave you two to make a decision. " She chortles and I watch her step away before I gaze back at Eva.

I cup her face with both hands. "Come with me. "

She raises her hands to cover mine. "I honestly don't mind if you leave with her. I have to catch up with school work anyway. "

"I know, " I smile, stroking her cheek and she fondles my hand in return. "But I want you to come with me. Yes?"

"Emerson—" she starts but I don't let her finish. "I'll work with you when we get back. "

She seems to think about it for a while and she looks over my shoulder to where Paige stands before she meets my eyes and blinks once.

"Is that a yes?" I beam and she chuckles. "You always find a way to make me say it. "

"It's adorable. " I whisper and she removes my hands from my cheeks as we both turn to Paige, whose eyes are on us.

"I take it as you found an agreement?" She lifts her brows and I take Eva's hand in mine as I lead her to the car.

"We just need to get the bags in and we'll be out. " I tell her as I take the bags from the backseat and she nods, "As long as you don't get distracted with something else. "

"That isn't assured, but I'll try to get him to keep his hands to himself. " Eva jokes, nudging me with her shoulder before she grabs the rest of the bags.

We stride into the house, and into her room. As we drop the bags in the room, Eva makes a turn and I'm quick to wrap my arms around her, hugging her from behind.

"Are you sure you're okay with it?" I whisper into her ear and she caresses my arm before she twists in my hold, turning to face me, "I am, Em. Why'd you think I'm not?"

"After what happened last time. I don't expect you to be—" she presses her lips to mine, silencing the rest of my words as her hands slide down my chest and when she breaks away, she says, "That was before. I believe she's changed, and wouldn't try something like that again. Besides, I trust you. "

"Hmm, can you do that again?" I brush my lips against hers and she laughs as she moves out of my arms. "Don't think about it, Emerson. We don't want to keep her waiting now, do we?"

"I honestly don't mind. " I raise my shoulder and she shakes her head, gripping my hand as she leads me out of the room.

"That's two times now, Carson. " I tell her and she presses a finger to her lips as we walk out of the house, and back to the car.

She takes her previous seat and Paige takes the backseat before I get into mine and drive out of the spot again.

The drive is spent in silence with only the sound coming from the radio interrupting the air along with Eva's voice as she sings lowly along while rocking our entwined hands back and forth between her thighs.

"I'm suddenly hungry. " Paige mutters from her seat when we arrive in front of the restaurant. She's the first to climb out, followed by me and Eva, with me keeping her by my side.

I drop my hand to the low of her back as Paige leads the way inside the restaurant and Eva throws me a smile over her shoulder as we walk through the door.

Jaxon holds out his hand from the booth he is and we stalk towards him. He punches my arm as I take the seat in front of him, and I do the same.

I slide a hand around Eva's waist and bring her to my lap, pressing my chest to her back to bury my face in her hair, sniffing her hair.

"Hey, Eva. It's been a long time since we met. " Jaxon is the first to speak as Paige takes the seat next to him and I laugh as she swats her arm, "Aren't those words meant for me?"

"You don't deserve them because you don't consider me a friend, I believe?"

"Why would you say that?" She whines and he frowns, "Honestly Paige? You left without notifying me? "

"You're friends with Emerson. " I raise both hands in oblivion as both heads turn to me before they look back at each other, "I didn't think it was needed for me to let you know if Emerson does. "