Chapter Thirty-Two: Aftermath of The Aftermath
George wanted to enjoy his family. All he wanted to do was relish in the fact that for once, he was not angry with his parents or his elder sister. He simply wanted to soak in all of the happiness he could in their little moment. Despite what he had felt for years, he was happy in that moment.
Well, he was before the one who encouraged him to bury the hatchet decided to dig up another one.
Evelyn's words took him by surprise. He could not wrap his head around why she would be agitated. He figured she was happy when he saw her elatedly laughing and kidding around with his parents and sister, was she not?
Apparently, she wasn't and the storm that was brewing in her head is making its official debut. Evelyn's timing could not have been any more or less terrible for George.
"What's wrong dear?" Angie questions placing a gentle palm on Evelyn's shoulder.
George watched for a reaction. He inwardly hoped that Evelyn would not make a scene. He prays that she will answer his mother's question civilly so that they can tackle the problem and move on.
She would not make this hard for him, Evelyn is not like that - is she? George had to wonder.
Evelyn did not advert her gaze from George's. She wanted him to see the seriousness in her eyes. She figured that if George is put on the spot, he would be more than willing to acknowledge and resolve whatever underlining issue he has.
He did find a successful resolution with his parents, after all, their situation is not too different.
"I don't know. That's what I need to ask George." Evelyn finally spoke, eyes still on George.
George sighs before rolling his eyes. The cat is now out of the bag. Evelyn is obviously still angry about their earlier exchange.
George promised himself that he would apologize to Evelyn later. The two obviously need to talk, but he was not expecting her to be so spiteful and bring it up in front of his parents.
George does not know whether to be angry or relieved that she is now forcing it out of him. He knew he had to act fast because all eyes were on him and the attention is definitely unappealing.
"George, what is Evelyn talking about?" Lucas speaks up this time.
Lucas firmly believes in allowing his children to fix their own problems and fight their own battles, but he knows his son. George is not the best problem solver.
Lucas feels that sometimes the boy needs a little pushing to even tell someone he has a problem, hence why George's grudge for him and his wife lasted so long, so he will happily help Evelyn solve her quarrel with his son if need be.
George exchanged a quick glance with his father before his eyes fell on Evelyn. He does not want to do this in front of his parents. It is invasive and embarrassing, but he knows he will not get out of it by simply ignoring them or refusing to answer questions.
George is stuck like a rock in a hard place.
"I don't know." He finally sighs dejectedly.
This time Evelyn rolls her eyes. She knows George is playing ignorant. She would have been surprised by his lack of knowledge of the obvious problem, but then again she remembered who she was addressing; George Mills - the asshole.
"Allow me to help you, George." Evelyn chirps turning around so that her back is against the cushions of the sofa. "George here has a problem expressing himself, as we all know, and well... I thought we could collectively help him with that." Evelyn smiles as she turns her head to look at George.
George had longed stood up and moved away from Evelyn and his parents. He was now positioned rather stiffly in a recliner. He waited for Evelyn to finish before he reacted. He does not know what game she is playing, but he wouldn't be himself if he did not join her.
"So the point of your agitation is that I'm not sensitive enough for you?" He questioned with a new glare in his eyes.
Lucas and Angie exchanged quick glances, trying to put pieces together and make sense of the young couple's situation. There is tension in the air, but maybe not the threatening kind. Husband and wife didn't know honestly and truly felt like they weren't supposed to.
Therefore, they sat back and listened, forgetting that their eldest child was still on the Ipad waiting for someone to answer her. Her call for attention went unheard, unfortunately.
Evelyn shakes her head and kisses her teeth.
"Sensitivity has nothing to do with you telling me one thing and not explaining what that one thing means." Her tone lowers. "I'm not a mind reader, am I George?"
"Guess not." He quips. "Otherwise, you would know that I want to give you an explanation." He scoffs.
By now, Lucas and Angie are completely lost. Trying to follow the young couple's banter made the two feel like their heads were spinning. Eventually, husband and wife gave up and quietly dismissed themselves.
Neither Evelyn nor George paid attention to his parents leaving. They were too engrossed in a glaring contest.
Evelyn wanted to be civil, but George's smart mouth is begging to meet her fist. She had to wonder why he was being an asshole, all she wants to do is talk, but no, George wants to make it a game.
This is a game, Evelyn knows how to play.
"So give it to me, George. You always preach about honesty, practice it."
George rolls his eyes again. Why does he have to be dishonest because he is terrible at explaining his feelings or at least coming to terms with them? He is not dishonest, maybe a pussy for being so afraid, but never dishonest.
"You think you got everything figured out, huh?" He accuses. "You know all the answers, right?"
"I never said that." Evelyn deadpans.
"You don't have to. It's all over your judgemental face. Man--" George pauses to inhale before tossing his head against the headrest. "I don't want to argue, Ev."
Evelyn sighs heavily as well and shrugs.
She doesn't want to argue either, that is not the point of this conversation. She wants to resolve things. She wanted to make George uncomfortable enough to talk about his issues, whatever they maybe. She obviously forgot how argumentative they both can be, and especially how defensive George is.
This is not what she pictured in her mind. Not at all.
"You think I do?" She finally mumbles.
George licks his lips and forced himself to stand from the recliner. With a small smile, he drags his feet to join Evelyn on the couch. Once he is seated adjacent to her, he inhales deeply again and prepares to lay down his weapons.
"No." He exhales. "But, I do think you want me to fix this."
Evelyn bites down on her lip and entangles her hands together. When she releases her lip, she releases her hands as well and finally meets George's gaze. He seemed so genuinely concerned in her eyes.
That is all she needed to feel confident enough to continue their conversation.
"I want us to fix this. This isn't a you problem, George." A small smile spreads her lips. "I want to know what's on your mind and where you stand with us. That's all."
George nods in agreement.
"I think I can do that."
Evelyn's smile widens.
"Good. Now tell me what's going on up there" She points to his head.
George offers a small smile of his own as he scratches the back of his neck. He still has a problem with wording and explaining his thoughts. He is glad that Evelyn is a lot calmer, but now he still has to deal with the bigger elephant; admitting his own frustration.
"I don't know how to... I guess I can jump straight to the point." He struggles. "I... Sometimes I..." He fumbles around his words.
Evelyn remains silent and maintains her smile as an offer of encouragement.
George ran his hand through his hair, feeling himself withdrawing in his nervousness. He is relieved that Evelyn is not pushing him, but he is still beating himself up for being such a bitch about the entire situation.
"Can I tell you in Spanish? It's a lot easier that way." He tries to bargain.
Evelyn frowns but nods anyway. She is trying to work with him and if Spanish is what he is willing to offer, she will take it. Even if she cannot translate it.
George sighs in relief before closing his eyes to think. His Spanish has definitely improved since a few months ago and he is hoping that he gets everything right. It would be fairly embarrassing if he didn't.
When he is done jogging his memory, he opens his eyes and tries to look Evelyn in the eye as he explained himself.
"Yo ... He salido con otras chicas y he experimentado lo pensaba ... esto es, pero nunca llegué a este punto." He admits swallowing harshly. "Así que da miedo, pero siento que sé... Que me estoy enamorando de ti."
George's eyes drift away from Evelyn's gaze as he resonates with the fact that he finally told Evelyn the truth. He has probably told her this already on countless occasions, but having her fully coherent felt different, almost scary.
On the other hand, Evelyn listened with active ears. She didn't understand a word he said, but she could still translate them. It was all in his eyes. Those green emeralds held a whirlpool of emotion that may have given Evelyn all the answers she needed.
"What does all of that mean?" She dared to ask.
George hesitated to find one word to describe it, so he leaned forward and beckoned her to look at him. He wanted to search her eyes to make sure.
He wanted to make sure he would not regret what he says next, and when he saw a sparkle in those outrageously beautiful brown eyes of hers, he had his answer.
"It means that you are my entire fucking world." He whispered before stealing her lips.
Evelyn smiled against his lips and tugged him closer. He had said more than she needed and her heart melted in glee because she believed him. She believed every fucking word.
She is his entire fucking world.
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