16

Lexi's POV:

After I left Evan's I came right home. The feeling I have inside of me is one that doesn't have just a "word" to describe it.

I'm sad that Mia and I aren't together, but also glad that she ended things because I do feel like I am supposed to be somewhere else. The part I'm struggling with the most at the moment is where the hell does my relationship with Evan even stand?

When our paths crossed again, we came to the agreement that our past stays in the past and we are just friends. But since Mia and I talked and she pointed out that I still (very much) have feelings for Evan, even if I deny them, I can't just let that be.

Evan and I work as friends because we have to, but I know we could work better as a couple. I just have a bad feeling that she will be strongly opposed to that idea... especially considering everything that is going on in her life at the moment.

Another thing is that I don't want to be that girl who just hops from relationship to relationship. In my opinion, that speaks volumes about a person (not in a good way).

My head is a mess. My heart is a mess. I need a sign... some guidance.

As I lay on my couch, bundled up with a blanket and a glass of wine in front of me, my phone vibrates.

Evan J.: iMessage

I swipe over the message and read it carefully, my vision being a bit blurred from the wine I've consumed.

I know you have your own way of dealing with things, but I'm here if you need anything, Lex. I'm sorry to hear that about you and Mia, really.

My thumbs hover over the keyboard and I don't know what to respond. It's eleven thirty, I'm slightly hurt, super confused, and very tipsy.

Before I even think about it, I press the phone icon and call Evan. She picks up quickly, her voice in almost a whisper.

"I wasn't expecting a callback." Evan's smile is present in her soft voice.

"I don't know what to say, so I figured I'd call instead of leaving you on read." I sigh. "Are you about to go to sleep?"

"No, the kids just knocked out about an hour ago. I'm just laying here." Evan says. "What about you?"

I throw what remains in my glass down my throat and swallow, "just finished my... fourth? glass of wine. Watching some cheesy ass movie on my couch." I sigh.

I hear a faint giggle, "wine, huh? White or red?" She asks.

"White. Last of Mia's stash." I mumble. "Hopefully she won't mind it much."

There is a light silence that falls between us, but Evan breaks it with a question. "Lex, are you alright?"

I shrug, as if she can see my answer. "I'm... dealing."

"What happened?" She presses.

Thanks to the alcohol, I'm pretty forthcoming with answers. "We sat down and talked today. She said some things that needed to be said. I came to some realizations, I guess. So we ended it."

Evan's voice brings me a certain level of comfort. "Lex, I'm so sorry. Even if it was a mutual decision, a breakup hurts."

A deep sigh escapes, "yeah. I just have to figure it out. I mean, we have the apartment together, so I have to get all of that shit sorted out and-"

"Don't stress yourself out too much, Lexi. It'll all work itself out in the end, just take it one thing at a time. Okay?" Evan offers her advice and I nod to myself. "Where is Mia at now?"

"A friend's. She thinks we should spend the next few days apart given the situation, so she'll come back here tomorrow and I'll have to get a hotel room or something. I don't know exactly. My head is spinning and I can't think straight." I admit.

"I hope you already know this, but I have a couch that you're more than welcome to, Lex." She offers.

I give a slight grin at the offer, "I appreciate that. But somehow I don't think that's the best idea?"

"Why is that?" Evan ponders.

I sigh and shove my hand through my hair, "Mia thinks that I am in love with you or something."

The moment the words leave my lips I press my fist to my forehead. Why did I say that? What fucking good is that going to do?!

A tense silence falls on the line. Evan finally speaks again, "oh. Um- I-"

"Shit." I grumble. "I'm sorry. I'm drunk and I should not have- yeah. I'm gonna go to sleep." I stutter, feeling incredibly stupid.

"Okay, Lex. I think that's a good idea. Just... please call me tomorrow and let me know you're alright. And don't hesitate to call if you need anything." Evan reminds me, her intentions still pure.

"Mmhm. G'night, Ev."

* * *

Evan's POV:

I don't know what I was expecting to hear from Lexi when she called me last night, but it definitely wasn't that her ex-girlfriend believes that Lexi is still romantically interested in me?

I don't get why. Lexi and I are friends. We established that already. I almost feel bad that their breakup may have had more to do with me than I realized. I mean, I'll admit that I have a bit of a flirty personality... but I know where to stop pushing. I haven't pushed Lexi because I know the nature of her relationship with Mia. I would never want to purposely screw that up for either of them. They seemed happy.

I sit on the couch, just after lunch, laughing and joking around will all three of my kids playing a board-game.

My phone finally lights up with a notification from Lexi, and I answer it quickly.

My laugh slowly fades, "hello?"

"Hey, you busy?" Her voice is significantly less cheerful than usual. It's clear that she's being affected by all of this on some level.

I excuse myself to the next room, "I can make time. What's up?" I ask her, my voice calm and comforting. Lexi was there for me in the (beginning stages) of my separation from Scott, so I feel that I owe it to her to be there for her now. Plus, I want to make sure she's okay.

"I really hate to ask this, but I don't want to get a hotel. Is your couch offer still open?" She hesitates.

My lips turn slightly upward, "yes, Lexi. My couch is all yours if you want it."

I hear a small sigh, "okay. Mia will be home in an hour or so, so I'll head to your house soon. I guess just let me know what you want to say to the kids? I'm sure there will be questions as to why the hell I'm sleeping on your couch."

I giggle, "are you kidding? They'll be so stoked to have a sleepover guest. Especially you. I just hope you're prepared to make bracelets until your hands fall off." I joke, hoping to solicit a smile or a giggle.

"We'll see. I'll be over soon, I guess." Lexi murmurs.

I end the call and head back into the room with my kiddos, sighing dramatically.

"What's that for?" Ava asks, picking up on it.

"Well... I have some bad news." I start off.

Their faces grow concerned. "What?!"

"Lexi has to spend the night here with us." I shrug. "I know you guys don't wan-"

Before I can even attempt to finish my little act, both my daughters jump up and their eyes begin to glow. I haven't seen them this excited in a while. "She is spending the night here?!"

I start to smile myself, "yep. For the night, at least. Think you guys can help her have a good time?" I ask, hoping that the kids will put a smile on her face.

They nod eagerly, peering out the window from a distance. "When is the getting here?"

"In a little while, so why don't you guys make sure your rooms are cleaned up." I suggest.

The three of them nod and run down the hall, eagerly cleaning their rooms up. Why can't they be that excited to pick up after themselves all the time?

No more than half an hour later, I hear a car door slam shut outside.

Before announcing Lexi's arrival to my kids, I want to make sure she's okay.

I greet her outside and she forces a limp smile, "hey."

"Glad to see you made it in one piece." I smile, opening my arms to her. She doesn't really have an option, I'm giving her a hug either way. Lexi walks into my arms and I hold her for several seconds. "You have three very excited kids waiting on your arrival."

She giggles a bit and shoves her hair back, "what are the chances that you have a very big bottle of wine?"

I nod my head, "pretty good. Come inside." I motion, leading her into my home.

Lexi puts her things down in the corner, hardly taking up any space.

"If you want to put your stuff in my room you can. Mason can be pretty nosy." I offer.

She shrugs, not really caring. "It's fine."

The moment she speaks I hear a deep gasp followed by quick steps coming down the hall.

"Lexi?" Ava grumbles, rounding the corner. "Lexi!!" She screams when she sees her.

I watch my daughter run over to Lexi and hug her like they've been best friends for her whole life. Lexi smiles more genuinely and gives her a gentle squeeze, "hi, Ava."

"I'm so glad you're spending the night!" My daughter gushes.

I watch and smile, actually loving how much my kids love Lexi. She's a pretty lovable person, so I'm not all that surprised.

"Come on! I have more-" before Ava can get too far into it, I stop her.

"Ava, why don't you give Lexi some time to get settled in?" I suggest.

Lexi quickly shakes her head no, "she's fine, Ev."

I nod and back off, watching my daughter pull Lexi down the hallway into the black-hole of her bedroom.

In the meantime, I do some household chores and finish up a lesson plan.

About an hour later, Ava and Grace march into the living room and plop down on the couch. Lexi follows behind them, not saying much. "Mom, we are hungry." I'm told by one of the eleven year-olds.

"I'm getting there. What about you, Lex?" I question, shifting my eyes to her.

"I could eat."

I nod, "wanna go get something? I don't feel like cooking."

My girls nod and Lexi shrugs, clearly not caring what we do or don't do.

"Go tell your brother to come on." I instruct the girls.

They both leave and I shut my laptop, "I don't like seeing you like this." I confess to Lexi.

"I'm fine, I'm just... tired. And processing." She assures me. "Maybe even a little hungover still?"

I bite my lip and look at her hard, trying to decide if I want to believe her or not. "Do not lie to me, Alexis."

"Do not call me Alexis, Evan." She mocks.

I smirk and throw her a quick wink, "my house, my rules. Dinner is on me."

* * *

Hours later

"Alright, alright. Calm it down, it's late." I sigh, flipping on the lights as we all enter the house.

"Mom, I still want to watch a movie!" Grace whines, leaning against Lexi's leg and frowning.

"Tough stuff. Shower, then bed." I demand, already regretting having everyone out until 10:00.

Her eyes roll and my jaw drops, "watch the attitude, Grace. Go."

Thankfully, Ava follows her sister down the hall and Mason yawns big.

"Tired, kid?" Lexi asks him. He nods. "Come on, I'll walk you to bed." Lexi offers.

I'm left alone in the kitchen for several minutes, so I help myself to a glass of wine and pour one for Lexi too.

Upon entering the kitchen again, she kicks off her shoes and goes right for the glass. "Bless you." She says to me, taking a rather large gulp.

I giggle and ruffle my hair, "I don't feel as bad about supplying you with alcohol now that you're over twenty one."

She shrugs, "if you wouldn't have given it to me back then I would have found another way."

"Touché." I nod. A subtle sigh escapes my lips, "it has been a very long day."

Lexi nods, "can I use your shower?"

"Mmhm, towels are in the cabinet." I tell her.

She nods and takes her glass down the hall with her. I follow her and sit on my bed, scrolling on my phone and such while she showers behind the closed door.

When it finally opens she appears in a t-shirt, no bra, and a pair of shorts that should hardly be allowed to be considered shorts.

My eyes creep all over her body, and I know she notices.

"That's good wine." She says, clutching a now-empty glass.

I giggle, "I only drink the good stuff. The cheap shit gives me a headache."

"Thank you for letting me stay here, Ev. I appreciate it a lot. I'll get out of here tomorrow." She says.

I shake my head, "you don't have to rush out, Lex. You're not bothering anyone by being here."

She shrugs, "I'll feel like I am regardless."

I sigh, "alright... I put some blankets and a pillow on the couch for you. You know where to find me if you need anything." I remind her.

She nods slowly and exits my bedroom, drawing my eyes to her thighs as she walks.

Lexi's POV:

I have been laying on Evan's couch for what feels like an eternity, just staring at the dimly lit ceiling.

The house is quiet because the kids are out cold after the day they had, and I'm pretty sure Evan is in for the night too. I can't sleep for obvious reasons.

I finally convince my brain to let me shut my eyes, but when I do I hear a floorboard creak.

My eyes flutter back open, fully expecting Mason or one of the twins to be standing by the couch. Instead, I see those beautiful, toned thighs moving across the room, flexed because she is tip-toeing.

"You're caught." I whisper.

She freezes and comes down off her toes, facing me. All I can see is her silhouette and it's perfect. "Shit." She whispers back.

I sigh and she comes closer, pulling at her shirt. I realize she's only wearing a tee and her panties, so she probably wasn't expecting me to be awake still.

"What are you doing up?" I ask her, moving so that my head is resting on the armrest.

"Honestly? I wanted another glass of wine. But now I can't do that because you'll think I'm an alcoholic." She giggles.

I smile a bit and I am able to make out more of her facial features as she moves closer. "I'd never think that." I laugh softly.

She stands there in silence, rubbing her foot against her calf. I lick my lips, having all sort of thoughts flash through my mind. "Can I sit for second?" She asks, her voice still low. I nod, but don't bother to move and make room for her. "Really?" She growls.

I smirk to myself and she doesn't hesitate. She swings her bare thighs over my body, straddling me and looking down at me. It catches me off guard, but I have no complaints.

"Lex..." my name on her lips makes my heart speed up, but I'm really not in the mood to talk about anything.

"Please, don't." I beg, casually laying my hands on her warm, exposed thighs.

I see her bite her lip and feel her muscles tense up under my touch.

"Why'd you tense up?" I ask her, slowly moving my fingertips on her skin, toying with her.

She shakes her head and continues glaring down at me, "I don't know."

"Evan?" I whisper after a brief pause.

"Hm?"

"I don't know what to do." I admit, almost laughing at how pathetic I am.

The beautiful woman sitting half naked, on top of me sighs and leans down, laying her head against my chest. "No one knows what to do, Lexi. We're all fucking clueless, if you haven't figured that out yet. It's life." Her explanation doesn't do much in terms of comforting me.

My hands shift from her thighs up to her waist, pushing her shirt up slowly so that my skin can touch hers. My hands get hot against her body, and I know she can hear my heart thumping in my chest. The feeling rushing through my veins is identical to what I felt five years ago.

She lays there for several minutes, just letting me hold her body in my arms, quiet as ever. "I'm going to fall asleep on you." She finally whispers.

"I'll throw your ass in the floor." I joke, laughing softly.

She giggles and lifts her head, leaving her face, her lips, just inches from mine. She stares hard at me, shifting her eyes between my lips and eyes. "You better not."

The tension grows, but Evan quickly puts an end to it. "I'm going to get some sleep, Lex. Try to do the same." She tells me.

Her lips brush my cheek softly and she climbs off of me, leaving me with a shadowed view of her hips swaying from left to right as she walks away.

Evan...