Chapter 3

Elizabeth’s POV

Leaving the station, I practically ran to my car. I had thought about this day for years. What I would say. What I would do when I saw him. I can’t believe I froze. I must have looked like a fool. Embarrassment fills me. I really shouldn’t have left work, but there was no way I could be there when he came out of that office. I’d just give him another chance to embarrass me further, this time more public than the last.

I take one last look at the station house before driving off. After pulling into a parking space, I make my way up to my apartment. Opening the door, I quickly walk in, closing and deadbolting it behind me. I drop my keys on the table and plop on the couch with a sigh. “And today was supposed to be a good day,” I thought to myself.

The day went by surprising fast. I managed to waste a few hours catching up on a few shows. I glanced over at the clock on the table. It was 8:30. Evan was supposed to be home a couple of hours ago. I pull out my phone to call him when the front door opens. He walks in and takes off his coat. “Hey babe. How was your day?” he asks with a smile. “Well, it was interesting,” I say getting off the couch making my way into the kitchen.

“What happened?” he asks following me into the kitchen leaning his back against the wall. “Well.” I pause. “Matthew’s back.” My lips going into a straight line. My head shaking in disbelief. Evan’s demeanor seemed to change drastically. He pushes himself off the wall and starts pacing the kitchen. “He’s back,” he says more to himself than to me.

After a few seconds of pacing, he finally looks at me. “Well, are you gonna go back to him? Is he your “partner” again?” he practically spat at me. I was taken aback. What the hell does he even mean by ‘going back to him’? My face showing obvious disgust by his reaction. I didn’t need this. He was always supportive and understanding. Why wasn’t he now?

“What do you even mean by that? And even if I wanted him as my partner again, do you really think Johnston would allow it?” I snapped back. I was fuming. It’s not like I planned this, let alone expected it. Evan seemed to calm down a bit. He sighs before stilling his movements. “I’d prefer it if you stayed away from him. I really don’t like this at all.”

I sigh and shake head with annoyance. “I don’t like this either, but I can’t help it if I have to work with him. It’s not like we both won’t be professional.” I make my way towards the living room. If we were going to continue this argument, I was going to do it comfortably.

As I try to pass, Evan grabs my arm. “You think he was professional when he left without telling you? Or anyone else for that matter? I doubt he has any professionalism in his body.” I glare up at him. “I’m done talking about this. Now let go of my arm before I make you,” I snarled back.

He grudgingly let go of my arm. “I’m not done talking about this. He’s a terrible person for hurting you. I won’t drop this. Just stay away from him, okay?” “Fine,” I say just wanting to be done with this whole conversation. I thought seeing Matthew was bad enough but fighting with Evan over him was worse. I walk past him to the bedroom. I just need to sleep this all off. I hastily change my clothes and drop myself on the bed hoping sleep will overtake me.

The next morning, I found myself standing outside the station house just staring at it. I spent most of the night tossing and turning. The uncertainty of today was causing havoc on me. I kept wondering if he was going to be there or if it was just a one-time thing.

“Why don’t you go in and find out,” my heart tried to argue. “But what if he just hurts you again?” my brain fought back. “You won’t know unless you try.” The back and forth was eating me alive.

With one last morsel of confidence, I pushed myself forward and up the front steps. As I entered the squad room, he was nowhere to be found. “Dammit,” I nearly said out loud. It didn’t seem to matter if he was there or not, I was going to be disheartened either way.

That was my last chance to fix everything. To tell him how I really felt for all those years. To be us again. I really missed us. I walk over to my desk and before I can sit down, I see him walk in. My whole-body tenses, and I freeze on the spot.

Matthew takes a glance my way and gives me a sweet smile. “Hey. Good morning Ryan,” he says genuinely. “Hey. Morning,” I say back returning a smile. “Wow!” my mind races. That so wasn’t what I was expecting this morning, but it was exactly what I needed. My confidence and hope seemed to soar. Maybe things were going to be alright.

The rest of the workday went really smooth. Matthew and I would give each other smiles every now and then. I even caught him gazing at me a few times. 5 o’clock came around, and I made my way to the lockers to grab my bag. I close my locker to see Matthew standing right behind it grabbing his bag.

“Hey.” “Hey,” I smiled back. There was an awkward pause before Matthew says, “I… Elizabeth, I just… I want to apologize. For everything.” My chest tightens and my breath hitches. “I’d really like to talk some…” The sound of a locker slamming shut interrupts him and startles us both. We both stare in the direction of the locker. I turn back to Matthew before saying, “Dinner. Tomorrow night. 7 o’clock.” He nods with relief while giving me a smile. “I’ll be there.”

I entered my apartment with one of the biggest grins I’ve had in the longest time. Tomorrow evening could not come fast enough. Closing the front door, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I would wear. The black dress? No, maybe the red dress!

“Well, you’re in a good mood,” Evan says interrupting my thoughts. “Yeah, I had a really good day today,” I respond setting my keys down before heading to the kitchen for a drink. Evan watches me the entire way there. I open the fridge when I hear him ask, “It wouldn’t be from Matthew would it?” His expression blank with a hint of irritation.

I slam the fridge door shut. “And would it matter if it was?” I lean against the fridge. A mix of disappointment and annoyance on my face. “Yeah, it kind of would,” he spat. He makes his way into the kitchen and stands over me. Not much intimidates me anymore, especially with my line of work, but Evan was starting to scare me.

I tried to weasel myself out of the corner I unwillingly got put in when he slams both of his hands down on either side of me. He leans in close to my face and hovers for a few seconds before kissing me aggressively. Being taken aback would be an understatement. He pulls back with a satisfied smirk on his face. “That should put you in an even better mood,” he asserts before dropping his arms and turning to head into our bedroom.

My tense body starts to loosen up. I run a hand through my hair while puffing out air. “What the hell was that about?” I whisper to myself. I put the juice I had grabbed earlier back into the fridge, suddenly not so thirsty anymore. Grudgingly I force myself to our bedroom to shower and change for the night.

This wasn’t the Evan I was used to. The one that would never make me feel this uncomfortable. I attempt to push what just happened out of my mind when he grabs me from behind. I gasp in surprise. His arms wrapping around my chest and waist. His head pressed into my neck. I shiver at his touch. “Hey,” he whispers seductively. “Hi.” “I’m really sorry about earlier. Can I make it up to you?” his breath tickling my neck with each word. I turn around in his arms to look at him. “I’d like that.” He takes my hand and leads me to the bed.