Disclaimer: I own nothing but Evie and any other non duck character that makes their way into the story.
Author's Note: I'll be writting this and working The other side of love as well. Hopefully these two stories will get updated roughly around the same time. I'll try to not make it months before I update.
Chapter One: Introductions
"Tell me again why I'm here."
"Because it's free and I needed the testosterone and estrogen levels to be even."
"Why didn't you two just go alone?"
"' I haven't seen Adam in forever!' That's why."
"Sounded just like Charlie. But I'm betting there's more."
"Thanks and no there isn't."
"I know you well enough to know you're lying. Adam's single isn't he and probably won't know I'm coming along until he's even here."
"Wow."
"I knew it. And since you know me so well this was Charlie's idea."
"Yup."
"He's stupid and this isn't going to work like he thinks it will."
"Tell me about it."
"Are you excited or what?"
"Yeah, it'll be nice to catch up with you and Linda."
"And Evie."
"Yeah and Ev-…wait what?"
"I didn't tell you. Opps. My bad. Could have sworn I did."
"Charlie now would be a great time to fill me instead of babbling."
"Linda thought it'd be awkward for you as the third wheel so she invited a friend of hers so you won't be alone and so Linda isn't stuck by herself."
"Now when you say Linda, you mean you right?"
"Same difference."
Charlie Conway pulled into his driveway where his wife, Linda, and a small dark hair girl were waiting. The two are sitting in the front lawn in fold out chairs under a large umbrella.
"Sorry were late, Ladies. Airport traffic was terrible-,"
The two women got up and stood arms crossed in front of the hockey player, who began to feel small under their gazes.
"Were there crazy people stopping traffic by pelting people with ketchup and mustard," Evie pointed to Charlie's shirt.
Charlie looked down at the forgotten stain he received from the burgers he had stopped for before getting Adam. His eyes darted between the two and saw that they were expecting an answer. He cleared his throat, "Ugh, actually, yes, yes there tons of people stopping traffic doing just that."
Adam shook his head smirking at Charlie's response. "I told you it was still visible."
"Not helping Banks."
"We'll help Adam while you go change," Linda said pushing Charlie towards the house. Charlie sighed loudly. Linda turned back to Adam and smiled.
"It's been way too long since we've seen you," Linda said embracing the tall blonde.
"Way too long."
Linda nodded her head. "Oh sorry! Charlie's such a distraction. Adam this is Evelyn or Evie for short," she turned to the shorter woman standing behind her. "Evie this is Adam, Charlie's bffl."
"Please stop saying that. I know I'm trying to make you more hip and all but now you're getting out of hand." Adam laughed at this. Evie and Adam met half way and shook hands. "It's nice to meet you."
"Same here."
"You're a brave man for being friends with Charlie so long. Thus, I expect to hear lots of embarrassing stories about him," Evie smiled.
Adam returned it, "I think I've got some."
"Some what?" Charlie asked rejoining the group in a stain free collared shirt.
They both looked at him and spoke, "Nothing."
"That's probably not good, but whatever. Let's get your crap into the house and go get our eat on!"
Linda opened the back of the explorer and looked at Evie, "And I'm out of hand."
Adam's belongings were placed in the Conway house and the quartet piled into a red focus. Charlie was behind the wheel and refused to disclose where they were headed. The car was silent for the most part. Linda glanced back at Evie a couple of times and saw that the silence wasn't uncomfortable but sitting in the back with stranger was making her nervous. 'I'm so going to hear about this later,' she thought. The station Charlie had on began playing the Beach Boys "Round round" and it brought a small laugh out of both women in the car.
Charlie looked at Linda then at Evie in the rear view. "What?"
Linda turned her attention to him, "It's a long story."
"A story from our lame childhood."
He kept glancing at Evie, "Well tell it. I'm interested to hear."
"Not it." Linda said.
"Really? Are we resorting to childish methods?"
"Play ground rules are always in effect."
Evie rolled her eyes. "Fine," she muttered shaking her head. "We use to read this vampire series and in one book there was a prostitute and her name was Wheel chair Wanda. And we were-."
Charlie interrupts. "Wait, you read this?" his question directed at Linda.
"I was young and foolish."
"And easy to corrupt," Evie added matter of fact.
"You were such a bad influence."
"Everybody says that!" Evie pouted but quickly recovered. "Anyway, everyone we sat with soon got hooked on the books and it would lead to lunch room chatter about who was who from the books. One of the girls ended up with Wanda and somehow we determined that her theme song would be this song."
Before the conversation could continue, a new song began and Charlie turned the volume up. "I love classic rock!"
"Me too!" Evie shouted over the music and sang along.
"Please don't encourage him to sing," Adam begged.
"Too late Banks." Charlie said into the rear view and belted out the Queen lyrics as if his life depended on it.
Charlie parked the car outside of Mickey's Diner. Three out of the four were excited about Charlie's choice of where to eat.
"What's so great about it?" Evie asked quietly eyeing the small building.
"You'll see," Adam said passing closely to her.
She shivered at this. The fact that Adam Banks was a very good looking man had not escaped Evie's attention. He's fairly tall, but considering her height everyone was fairly tall. He looked at least 6 feet, if not a little more. Like Charlie, he had an athlete's build with his broad shoulders and muscled arms. From the way his clothes hugged him she was sure the rest was very nice to look at and touch. His blue eyes were some of the prettiest she'd seen. They were the type you would get distracted by during a conversation and not mind the embarrassment for being caught getting lost in them.
Evie was walking slightly behind the other three who were talking about how long it's been since they'd eaten here. Being left out of the chatter brought Evie's mind to her own looks. She wasn't much shorter than Linda. Roughly 5'3, depending on who she was talking to. Her hair was longer than usual, mid back if she let it down. Linda had insisted she grow it out. It was different. Evie missed how light it use to be and it's easy management. Aside from that she had boring brown hair and eyes to match hidden behind half frame glasses.
They group was barely in the door before a curly reddish brown hair woman came up engulfing Charlie and Linda in to tight hugs.
"Mom, you're embarrassing me!"
Casey Conway ignored her son and moved her sights to Adam. "Adam, look at you! Honey it's so good to see you." She hugged the sandy blonde.
"You too. Charlie mentioned you were in charge around here now. How are things going?"
Casey shrugged, "I can't complain."
Evie moved slightly behind Adam, feeling uncomfortable and left out. Unfortunately for Evie, Casey caught her. "Oh dear I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore your girlfriend. It's so hard to get these boys to keep in touch." Casey side stepped Adam approaching Lona with her hand out. "If you couldn't tell I'm Casey, Charlie's mom."
"I'm Evie Bannon. It's nice to meet you, but are you sure you're his mom?" Evie's eyes nodding toward Charlie. "You're so nice and he's a pain in the ass."
Casey laughed and was interrupted from the reunion when an older woman called her name from behind the counter. "I like her," she said passing Adam. "You kids seat your selves and I'll get someone over to you, okay."
The four took a booth by one of the large windows. The two girls sat across from each other by the window placing the boys on the outside of the booth. The red leather seat Evie and Adam shared was just big enough for the two of them to brush legs. Not a bad thing for Charlie and Linda but Evie was still a bit nervous she was going to make a complete fool of herself at some point or another.
More people began drifting in and out at a steady speed. Casey paused by their table long enough to make sure Charlie agreed to stop and say bye to her before they left. Charlie made a face which earned him a bop in the head from Casey.
"So Adam, how was your flight?" Linda asked trying to keep the conversation going.
"Good minus the hung over I had for most of the flight."
"Where were you coming from?"
He laughed, "Vegas. The team thought it'd be fun to go together. We almost got banned I think."
Evie raised an eyebrow. "You don't look like the party type."
He smiled, "I get that a lot." Adam nods toward Charlie. "But I'm not nearly as bad as Conway here."
"Shut up Banks. Evie doesn't want to hear about me."
"Oh but I do."
Linda and Adam laugh. "Evie remember how Charlie was at our wedding kinda loopy, talkative, and stumbling? Well, that's a good night. He normally gets much worse."
"Wow, I'm sorry I missed all that."
"You were at their wedding?" Adam asks studying her face trying to remember Lona.
Evie sighs. "Yeah, I'm not surprised you don't recognize me." She dug around her purse as she spoke, "I was actually in the bridal party and there for most of the reception. I walked with the ginger kid. Here it is." Evie handed Adam a photo of a heavier woman and Linda from the wedding. His brows crease as he stared.
"You're sweet." Evie said breaking his concentration.
"What?"
"That's me."
"Really?"
"Yup."
Adam looked from the photo Evie and the Evie next to him. "Really?"
Evie snatched the photo back. "Yeah really for like the fifth time. I've been busting my ass for the last two years getting rid of that weight. Thanks to some of the guys I know. They worked with me and I've been able to accomplish it."
"You look really good," Adam said looking at her.
The conversation ended there. The sight of the elderly woman there to take their orders had caught everyone's attention. The woman looked to be in her late fifties, but was wearing enough gaudy jewelry to make any group of twelve year old girls jealous. "I'm Mildred, your server. What can I get you?" Her raspy smoker's voice was no surprise as well as her lackluster attitude.
The four gave their orders and Mildred looked as if she was writing them down. She turned toward the cook's window slowly making her way to place the order.
"We might get our food some time tonight," Charlie mumbled.
The silence that followed wasn't awkward but it felt like there should be some chatter. Deciding to be somewhat brave, Evie spoke as she played with her straw wrapper, "What are we doing after this?"
"We should probably rest up for the flight," Linda suggested.
Evie rolled her eyes. "You're so old and boring. It's barely six!"
"I agree with Evie," Charlie started and got a laugh from Evie and Linda's glare. He quickly added, "Not what she said about you but that we should go out after this."
"Well, start suggesting," Linda said with a hand gesture.
"A movie?"
"A bar!"
"Ice rink!"
Everyone looked at Charlie. "What? It's a good idea."
"It'll be too late by the time we finish to go skating."
Evie smiled, "So, it either a movie or a bar."
"Do you really want to be hung over on a plane?"
"I never said get trashed. Just a few drinks, maybe play some pool or something."
Linda frowned then looked to the boys. "Well?"
Adam and Charlie stared at each other trying to read what the other was going to say.
"Drinking."
"Movie."
"Adam! A movie was your idea."
"That was before I knew drinking was an option. Besides, a game of pool sounds good."
Charlie got the look of a light bulb going on in his head. "I've got it! Linda and I will catch a movie and we'll drop you two off at a bar and pick you up when we are done." Charlie nodded at what he said. "I'm so good."
The other three sat for a moment mulling over what Charlie came up with. Seeing nothing wrong with it, they agreed. Their food arrived just after. About half an hour later the girls excused themselves to the restroom leaving Adam alone with the Cheshire grin Charlie was sporting.
"What?"
"'You look really good.'" Charlie repeated Adam's words from earlier.
"She does."
Charlie kept grinning. "So what do you think of her?"
Adam shrugged, "I dunno, she's nice."
"Just nice?"
"I've known her for like two hours. So, yes, she is nice."
Mildred approached them and placed a bill in front of each of them. "You're mother wants you before you leave or else." Her message delivered Mildred slowly retreated behind the counter.
"Are you sure you don't want to see a movie instead?"
"Yup, I feel like drinking."
"Just promise not to get shit faced. We have to leave by nine."
"In the morning? Gross!"
"Evie."
"Don't worry mom, I'll be good." Evie smiled at Linda as they wash their hands.
"So?" Linda asked changing the subject.
"So what?"
"What do you think of Adam?"
"I've known him barely two hours."
"And?"
"He's nice."
"And?" Linda egged on.
"And if you're asking on face value, he's very cute but mostly he's nice."
The two walk toward the door. As Linda opened it, "Glad I asked you to come along?"
Evie shrugged, "I'll let you know."
"How long does it take to pee?" Charlie demanded. He was getting impatient.
"Here they come."
The girls rejoin them laughing and stopped seeing the look Charlie had.
"I almost sent a search party."
"Don't be such a baby."
He ignored the comment and ushered Linda out of the booth. "Alright let's go locate my momma and get out of here."
"Are we skipping out on the tab?"
Charlie clapped Adam on the shoulder. "We men handled it!"
Charlie led Linda with a hand on her lower back to the manager's office. Adam and Evie were left to follow. She nudged him in the arm to get his attention.
"So did Charlie pay for this outing?"
"Does it matter?"
"Maybe," she looked at her feet. "They've been letting me stay with them for a few days now and everything. I don't want to be a burden."
He put an arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, I got you."
"Then drinks are on me."
"You sure about that? We men can consume a lot."
"We'll see," she said winking at him before walking to catch up with the Conways.
There was a bar a few blocks away from the theater that Adam and Evie were dropped off at. As the two got to the door they heard Charlie shout, "Be good!" The bar was called After Hours.
Evie giggled as she read it. "It sounds dirty."
Adam shook his head and led them inside. The lights were dimly lit and the chatter caught them by surprise since it didn't seem that loud from outside. There was various music be played and a small crowd to their left dancing to it. Just past them to the right they avoided pool sticks and a crowd playing darts to squeeze into two open seats at the bar. A petite girl dressed in black was behind the bar taking orders. Her long red hair was tied back into a pony tail. She gave Evie a smile and widened it when her eyes got to Adam. She held up a finger letting them know she'd be with them when she could.
"I think red is interested."
"What?" Adam shouted back.
As Evie climbed on to the bar stool she braced herself against Adam to lean into him close to his ear. "I said I think red is interested but this maybe cock blocking, so now I'm not sure."
Adam took his coat off before leaning down to reply back to Evie, who was still shorter than him in the high stool, "Maybe she's just a big fan of hockey."
"Hey Folks! What'll ya'll be drinking?"
Evie laughed before answering, "I'm sorry I was definitely not expecting a southern accent. Um I'll have a long island ice tea." She nodded her head and turned to Adam.
"And for you sweetie?"
"Same." She lingered a moment after he answered then bounced off to make their drinks.
"So do men always start off with such girly drinks?"
Adam faked a pained look, "Long Islands are a man's drink. Anything with fruit or pink is a girly drink. Oh or ends in -tini."
"Oh well excuse me, all knowing drink master."
"Besides, I don't want mom and dad to lecture."
"Here you folks go," Red said sitting the drinks down. "You wanna pay for them now or open a tab?"
Evie looked at Adam, "How drunk do you plan to get?"
He shrugged, "I can handle my liquor and beer pretty good."
Evie looked back to Red before handing her a credit card. "That sounds like a challenge. Kelly," she said reading her name tag, "I'm gonna need two shots and some beer to chase it down!"
Kelly smiled at the couple, "You got it!"
Two hours later Charlie and Linda exited the movie theater.
"I can't believe you got popcorn and candy after we just ate."
"It's the smell. It takes control and I can't stop myself."
She patted his gut as his arm came around her waist, "keep it up and you'll be even slower on the ice."
Charlie opened her car door and swatted her bottom causing her to yelp. "Keep poking at my gut and you'll get worse." He jogged around to the other side.
Linda made a face when he got in, "You're right! I might be forced to sleep with you. Gross!"
"Oh, it's on like Donkey Kong!"
Linda giggled at the comment. "Alright monkey boy, call the kids up and let them know they need to quit drinking now, so we can get home."
"Excited for punishment?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows.
"Yuck you were serious?"
Charlie opened his mouth to retort but Linda leaned over and kissed him. "Call them."
"Damn it!" Adam said as he missed his shot. He dug into his pocket quickly fishing for his phone.
"Can I change partners," Evie called out over the music and got a few looks.
"I'm the one making all the shots."
"I'm the cute one!"
He laughed at her before remembering the phone in his hand.
"Banks?"
"You ruined my shot."
"I probably did her a favor. She probably thinks you're a player now or weird since it's a guy calling you."
"Baby, I'm sure she won't mind."
"How are things with you guys?"
"Were playing pool and drunkie is terrible."
Evie punched him in the arm, "Lies!"
Adam rubbed his arm, "What do you want?"
"Our movie is done. We're coming to get you drunks."
"Okay, oh wait hang on," Adam lowers his phone and moves closer to Evie, who was taking her shot. "Hey drunkie, they're on their way to get us."
"No one here by that name."
He sighed, "Hottie, the parents are coming to get us."
She giggled and fanned herself, flushed from the drinks, "Yay an upgrade!"
"We're not gonna be able to finish this game."
Evie pouted at him, "But we just started! We can take a cab or something right? This way they can do it to it!"
Adam shakes his head. "Sorry, my, hang on, what?" Charlie could hear Evie mumbling. "My P-I-C says we'll take a cab."
"What?"
"She wants to finish the game we started."
Linda shook her head. "We have to be up early."
Adam turned to Evie who was talking to the couple they're playing against, "Hey, that's a no go from Linda."
Evie excused herself from the conversation, staggering slightly to Adam and snatched the phone, "Charlie tell Linda Lou it's for her own good. You probably want some alone time for," her voice lowered, "You know what naked time."
Charlie had put the phone on speaker mode since Linda was getting antsy about what was taking Adam and Evie so long to answer.
Linda closed her eyes and rubbed her temple, "I knew it was not a good idea for her to go drinking."
Charlie thought for a minute. "You know what let them learn from this. We'll leave a key under the mat and let them get home on their own. Plus Evie's right."
"About what?"
"You know what naked time."
Linda frowned at him so Charlie's grin turned into a sad puppy face. Rolling her eyes Linda spoke, "Fine, but if they don't make it home so help me Charles Conway."
Charlie punched the air in victory, "Woo! Banks enter the house like a ninja. The key will be under the mat!"
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