"Where is she?" Maverick asked as soon as he walked through the door.
"She went in to take a shower." Matthew said sitting on the base of the staircase. Alexander, Dawson and Mrs. Jane walking in soon after.
"Is she ok?" Dawson asked trying to walk past Matthew. Alexander grabbing him by the back of his shirt.
"What part of leave her don't you understand?" Alexander said annoyed. "Quit acting so impulsively."
"She needs someone by her side right now." Dawson said breaking free from his brother's hold.
"You seriously think she needs some random ass dude clinging onto her after what happened?" Alexander was becoming mad, not too much at his brother but mostly at himself. He wasn't there to protect his girlfriend from Dean. Where was he when she needed him the most? Why wasn't he by her side like he had always promised?
"Boys please. Evelyn doesn't need this from you both. She's already been through a lot." Mrs. Jane cut in trying to keep her sons from bothering Evelyn who was probably still in shock.
"Auntie Jane, do you mind going to check on her?" Matthew suggested. He felt she was the best person to go and talk to Evelyn at the moment. She probably wanted nothing to do with any men right now.
"Of course, Matty." She walked past all the men around her and headed to Evelyn's room. She knocked a couple of times before walking in.
"Its for the best." Matthew said as he stood from his spot and walked out to the front porch. Alexander following soon after. "How are you?" Matthew asked Alexander as soon as he closed the door behind him.
"I failed her, Matt. I wasn't there for her. I wasn't there to protect her." Alexander sat on the swinging bench at the end of the porch. His head leaned back and eyes closed. Matthew sitting in front of him on a rocking chair.
"You can't be so hard on yourself. How were any of us supposed to know this would happen?"
"You don't get it. I shouldn't have let her ride with Kristine. I should have ridden her there myself. I shouldn't have agreed to take part of the team. She's, my girlfriend. I was supposed to be there." While the team was cleaning up after the meet, the coach had asked a few that had their vehicles with them to give each other rides to the pizzeria. Matthew and Alexander had agreed to be part of those to give the team a ride. To which Evelyn had to tag along with Kristine. Alexander and Evelyn agreed to just meet up at the pizzeria.
"If anyone is to blame its me. I'm her older brother. I'm the man of the house. I was the one that should always protect her no matter what. Yes, she's your girlfriend but she's my flesh and blood." While the boys threw the blame on each other another male figure walked to them.
"This was no one's fault."
"Dad." Matthew called out to his father as he sat on the other rocking chair.
"There are no 'what if'. What's done is done and I'm just happy that you boys got there in time to prevent it from going farther." Maverick placed his hand on Matthew's knee. "You're doing a great job at being the man of the house and I'm sorry you had to take such a big role at such a young age." He placed his other hand on Alexander's knee. "As much as I hate to admit it, you have made my daughter so happy and have been protecting her from day one." He patted both of them before removing his hands from their knees. "Don't beat yourselves too much, you both have done a great," He paused. "An amazing job taking care of Evelyn. She wouldn't be the woman she is today if it weren't for you both. She is a strong woman. She is a McNealy. She will get through this." The boys looked at each other and then turned to Maverick.
"Thanks dad."
"Thank you, sir."
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Evelyn scrubbed her body over and over again until it became red. Every inch Dean had touched felt dirty to her. She wanted to cry but tears wouldn't come out. She wanted to scream but her voice stayed in her throat. She had felt scared at the moment but now she was furious. She wanted to kill Dean with her bare hands. 'How dare he lay a hand on me?' She thought as she continued scrubbing. There was a knock on her bedroom door. Her restroom door was slightly ajar so she heard it loud and clear. "Come in." She called out. Mrs. Jane walked in and made her way to the restroom sitting down on the toilet.
"How are you feeling?" Mrs. Jane sounded concern but she knew Evelyn well and knew she wouldn't let this incident get the best of her.
"Disgusted. Dirty. Filthy. Are there any other synonyms for it?" Evelyn added more soap to her loofah and scrubbed away. "Is there any way to make a murder look accidental?" Mrs. Jane laughed. She did indeed know Evelyn and she knew she was fine.
"I know a few people that specialize in that." Evelyn stuck her head out threw the curtain.
"Do you want to make the call or should I?" Both Evelyn and Mrs. Jane laughed. "I'm fine, Auntie Jane. I just feel stupid for following Dean into an alley knowing he was intoxicated." She continued washing and rinsed herself.
"You trusted the boy. Its nothing to feel stupid about. I'm glad Kristine managed to get the boys in time before," Mrs. Jane paused as Evelyn turned the water off. She poked her hand out as Mrs. Jane handed her the towel.
"I was in shock but I knew I wouldn't have allowed to get any further than what it did." She swung open the shower curtain, her towel wrapped around herself. Both women walked out the restroom. Mrs. Jane now sitting on Evelyn's bed. "I hope he doesn't get out of jail so easily but from what I've heard his parents are quite well known and might be able to pull some strings to bail him out."
"With Kristine's and your testimony and the security camera recordings he should be sentenced to at least 2 years. I've heard about his parents too; he'll probably just stay the night." Evelyn changed into comfortable pajamas and sat next to Mrs. Jane.
"I just hope he at least feels a bit guilty and transfers schools." Evelyn said as she placed a pillow on her crossed legs. "I don't want to be expelled for beating the shit out of him." She added with a smile.
"The boys are very worried about you, if they only knew how unaffected you really are by this." Evelyn chuckled. Mrs. Jane held her hand and continued in a more serious tone. "You're a very strong woman but know that there are times when crying is allowed." Evelyn blinked a couple of times and slowly tears started flowing down. Mrs. Jane held her tight and patted her back as the young girl sobbed quietly. "Its ok. You're ok." She soothed her. Evelyn took one last deep breath before letting it all out.
"I'm fine." She said pulling away and wiping her tears away. "Thank you, Auntie Jane. I needed that." Mrs. Jane patted her hand.
"I know darling. I'll always be here when you need a shoulder to cry on. You are like the daughter I never had." Evelyn gave Mrs. Jane a tight hug.
"And you're like a second mother to me."
"Come on, let's go downstairs. The boys and your father must be going insane not knowing how you are." Evelyn nodded and they both walked out the room. By now the boys were all gathered in the kitchen. Maverick had gone to get Subway since it was the nearest restaurant. Matthew and Alexander had written down everyone's favorite. No one had started eating yet as they were waiting for the women to come down. They were willing to wait all night if necessary. "Smells good." Mrs. Jane said as she and Evelyn walked into the kitchen. Dawson was about to bounce on Evelyn as soon as he caught sight of her but was stopped by Maverick who sat him back down. Alexander slowly made his way to his girlfriend. His eyes asking for her permission. Evelyn looked at him and smiled. That was reassurance enough for him to wrap his arms around her.
"Thank you." She said softly as she wrapped her arms around him. Alexander snuggled himself into her arms. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to say how guilty he felt but he knew she wouldn't want to hear that so he just held her tighter and snuggled in closer. They only pulled away when they felt Matthew joining in.
"I want some love too." He said wrapping his arms around them both. Maverick was still holding down the sulking Dawson. Mrs. Jane giggled under her breath at Dawson's whiny expression. Growing up and becoming more mature for Evelyn was thrown out the window as soon as he laid eyes on her again. The trio finally released each other and made their way to the table. Maverick finally letting go of Dawson.
"Eve how are…" Dawson started but was soon cut off by Evelyn.
"I'm fine." She said with a smile. She didn't want to talk about the incident anymore. Everyone in the room understood and no one else brought it up. They each ate their subs and made small talk here and there. After dinner Mrs. Jane and Dawson left home. Again, Dawson not being too happy that Alexander was still staying the night.
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Evelyn laid her head on Alexander's lap as they watched a movie in the living room. He caressed her head and played with her hair as they watched the movie. After being silent for more than half of it, Alexander finally spoke up. "I'm sorry, Ev." Evelyn turned to look up at him but made no attempt on getting up.
"Don't apologize for my mistake. I should have known better than to follow him." Alexander shook his head.
"I should have been with you." Evelyn cupped his cheek and caressed it with her thumb.
"You've always been there, Alexander. I will never blame you or Matthew for what happened. You two are always taking care of me." Evelyn turned around and snuggled her face into his stomach. She peaked up at Alexander and smiled. "I've been so spoiled by you two always protecting me." Alexander cradled her.
"You're my baby girl. I can't help spoil you and over protect you." Evelyn giggled. Alexander turned to look at her; his face turning serious. "I was thinking about taking a year off."
"What do you mean?" Evelyn was confused. She didn't know what he meant all of a sudden.
"I can wait a year to go to college. I'll stay in town and work during that time." Evelyn finally stood up and looked straight into his face.
"You can't be serious? In what way, shape or form did you think that sounded like a good idea?"
"I can be close to you until you graduate."
"You seriously think that staying back a year will make me happy? You already had your plans made. We already had it all planned out." Evelyn threw her arms in the air.
"Ev, just listen…" He was cut off.
"No, you listen. You are not going to stay back a year. You are going to college as it was previously planned. We will see each other as much as we can and we will be in contact every day." She said as she paced back and forth, pointing everything out as they had already agreed to.
"I don't… I can't leave you." He grabbed her arm and pulled her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and snuggled his face into her stomach.
"I'll be fine. I'm not alone Alexander. The twins are with me. Dawson will be around too." Alexander flinched at the mention of his brother.
"Who's gonna protect you from him?" Alexander whined as he took a peek at his girlfriend who only giggled.
"I can handle him baby. Trust me." Evelyn caressed his head. "I won't be content with myself if my boyfriend misses a year of college because of me." Alexander pulled back and stood up.
"I'm sorry."
"Its ok baby. I'll be ok. We'll be ok. I promise." He leaned down and placed his lips on hers. "Let's go to bed." Evelyn said as she turned off the TV and pulled her boyfriend along. They said their Goodnight, and each went into their own rooms.