Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 90

EMERSON.

I stand in front of the restroom as I pound on the door, calling out her name. "Eva!"

It isn't until a few minutes of yelling and pounding with almost coming close to kicking the door down that she finally opens up, ducking her head through.

"What do you think you're doing?" She whispers, and I yank her out of the room, steadying her in front of me as my eyes roam across her body. "Are you okay? What happened in there? Why did you scream?"

"I'm fine, Em. " She says, and I slide my hands to her face, cupping her cheeks. "Are you sure? " I glance back at the door before I look back at her, "I heard a scream and thought—"

"It wasn't mine. " She interrupts me and when I arch my brows, she says, "The scream wasn't mine. There's someone else in there. Having a moment, it seems. "

"Oh, thank heavens. " I let out a breath of relief and snatch her to my chest, lowering one hand to her back with the one to the back of her head. "You were taking long, and I thought something happened, and I— I got so scared. "

She pulls back with a smile on her face. "What could have happened? I'm fine, Emerson. " She reassures me as she drops her hands to my waist, "I promise. "

"Thank you. " I take a whiff as I press my forehead to hers and she mumbles, "We should get back. " I agree and remove my forehead from hers, before we turn around.

"See? We told you she's fine. " Jaxon is the first to speak when we arrive back at the booth. "You truly need to take a chill, dude. "

When I glare at him, he chuckles and turns to Eva, "You need to see the way he rushed out of here. It was hilarious. "

"He was just worried. " Eva defends, rubbing her hand over mine and I throw her an invisible kiss, earning a groan from Jaxon. "Ugh. Now I get why you guys are together. "

"You're just miserable, dude. I can see clearly through you. " I respond and he shakes his head, "I'm not miserable. I'm sickened by the sight of you. "

"Aren't I generous? You get to see me more despite your clear revulsion. " I say with a hint of sarcasm, receiving a laugh from both Paige and Eva.

"Okay, you two. Cut it out. I need to eat; do you want to order, Eva?"

"You thought to call Eva first?"

"I don't see you ordering for something, Jaxon. "

"Bitch, I knew you never loved me. " Jaxon answers and we all laugh as Paige turns to call for an order.

~

After spending more time conversing with my friends, I shift in my seat and push my face closer to Eva.

"We should start to leave. " I whisper to her hair and she turns her head to me, "Are you sure?"

I nod and lift her by the waist, causing both heads to turn to us.

"You guys are leaving?" Paige asks and I say, "Yeah, we have things to attend to. "

"Does that thing includes something in your pants?" Jaxon snickers and I shove him my middle finger, causing him to laugh.

"Alright. I think I'll stay a bit more with Jaxon. " Paige declares and I hum before I lean towards Jaxon to grab my keys from him, not without him taunting me by butting his head into mine.

"I'll kill you. " I sneer at him and he smirks, "You love me, Ford. "

"I really don't. " I say as I move back beside Eva, dropping my hand around her shoulder.

"Eva. It was nice being around you again. "

"You too, Jaxon. " She smiles with a wave before I lead us towards the exit with Paige trailing behind us. Eva gets into her seat before me, and I turn back to Paige.

"So your dorm next?" I ask her as I slip my hands into my pocket and she nods, "Once I'm done with Jaxon. "

"It's nice to see you two actually growing closer. " I tease her and she chuckles, "He's nicer than I thought he'd be. He isn't so bad after all. "

"You got caught in the Jaxon's charm. " I say and she shakes her head, "Not yet. My heart ain't available yet. " When she goes silent, I tear my gaze away from her, only to bring it back when she says, "I um— it was hard when I got back there. "

"But you figured it out?" I raise a brow and she nods as she looks down, "I figured it out and we're a lot closer than the last time. It's all thanks to you. "

"I don't think I deserve that appreciation, Paige. I didn't do anything, than pushed you away. " I tell her and she says, "Yes, you did. You did a lot more than you know you did. And also, she wants to meet you. "

"Me?" I exclaim in surprise and she hums, "I might have mentioned a thing or two about you, and now she's looking forward to meeting you in person. I gave her no promise, because I wasn't sure if you'd agree, but if you—"

"I don't think I should do that, Paige. " I interrupt her and she frowns, "Why? I mean I did think you wouldn't want to, but why? It's nothing more than meeting a friend's mom. "

"Does she knows that?" I ask and she furrows her brows in confusion before the meaning behind my words becomes clear to say. "God, Emerson. I'm not that dumb. Of course, I didn't mention our past relationship to her. I only mentioned that you're a close friend I wouldn't be here without, and she knows that. Nothing more than a friend. "

"Okay. " I smile. "I just don't want to cause any more... " I trail off and sigh. "You know what. "

"I know. And trust me, that's not going to happen. Not again. " She assures me and I jerk my head to the car, "I should start leaving. "

"Sure. " She smiles and I watch as she lowers her head to wave at Eva before she straightens up, and step closer, wrapping her arms around me. "And hey, I do know what you think. I still love you, but it's now what you once wanted it to be. "

I pat her back twice and she pulls away. "Take care, Paige. I'll see you around. " She blinks once with a bob of her head as she moves away from the car and I walk to my side, climbing it with a shut of the door.