Chapter Four

I awoke the next morning feeling more than slightly hungover and was contemplating just staying in bed all day until I heard a knock at my door. Reluctantly I said "Come in," wishing it was Finn yet not wanting it to be either.

It wasn't.

"Hey," Evan entered my room grinning at me, and I couldn't help but groan. "Ouch, I'm hurt!"

"What do you want Evan?" I asked grouchily. He came and sat down on my desk chair as he stared at me amusedly.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to the beach with me today?" Where was the catch, what angle was he trying to play? I stared at him quizzically and he smirked. "Listen if you have plans with Chris I'll understand, just keep the door open remember." He winked at me and I was furious! How had he found out?

"Fine, I'll go with you."

"That's the kicks I know and love-" He reddened after the words slipped out of his mouth. "love to hate, love to hate." He left my room then and I laughed, who needed Finn. I would hang out with Chris, Josh, Evan and any other boy I met.

I met Evan downstairs a few minutes later and he'd obviously recovered from his embarassment because he smiled at me and whistled mockingly. I followed him out to his car and we sat in silence until we'd made it to the beach which wasn't as crowded as usual because of the clouds and thunderstorm warnings in the forecast.

"Wanna go for a swim?" Evan asked and I nodded as I shrugged out of my yellow sundress down to a conservative black bikini, as Evan pulled off his white Billabong tee. I'd seen him shirtless countless times before, it was how the McGowan boys lived but each and every time it wasn't any less impressive.

I followed him out towards the ocean and relished the soothing feeling the cold salty water had on me. I resurfaced again a few meters from shore and didn't see Evan anywhere. Then I felt a hand on my leg and squealed just before Evan resurfaced, with a grin plastered across his face.

"You are so dead!" I yelled as I dunked him.

"Ev-an?" Hailey's familiar voice rang out clear as day. She stood there in a tiny fluorescent pink bikini as she stared over at us. I coldn't keep a small giggle from escaping my lips as I saw Evan's face fall.

"Hey Hails," He said as he gave her a limp hug.

"Meagan?" She looked at me as if her Gucci aviators were deceiving her, and that I couldn't possibly be standing in front of her frolicking in the water with Evan.

"Hi Hailey." I said awkwardly. She glared at me a little and I just rolled my eyes, a year hadn't changed anything.

"Ev-an, can I talk to you for a sec?" He looked at me apologetically before nodding yes. I watched them walk off down the beach and decided I'd go grab some french fries.

I loaded them up with vinegar, salt, and filled a small white container with tartar sauce and another with ketchup. I slowly made my way back to where we'd laid our towels out and began chowing down realizing I hadn't even eaten breakfast yet.

"I'm sorry about that." Evan said as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Nope, I totally get it. Ex drama-"

"Yeah... I don't get what she's still going on about. We broke up months ago, how can she still be re-hashing old problems? She fucking cheated on me!" He said angrily. His gaze fell upon me and he snapped himself out of it saying "I'm sorry, let's not talk about this."

"Want a fry?" I asked interrupting his pity party.

"Tartar sauce?" He asked as he took a bite out of a fry.

"It makes it delicious!" I replied and he smirked, faking he was gagging on it.

"Now let's say we make this interesting?"

"How so?" I asked intrigued.

"C'mon," He took my hand in his and pulled me to my feet, and I was embarrassed to say my heart fluttered a little at his touch.

He led me back to the car and began driving past the suburban area and towards town, parking in front of a sketchy looking bar. He was taking me to a bar? If he hadn't noticed I was little more than underaged...

"We're going in here?" I demanded incredulously, he laughed and took my hand in his. "Don't worry, just follow me."

He led me into the bar and we sat at a dark dingy table in the corner and he went up to the bar and ordered. They didn't even ask for ID and he returned with a pitcher of beer and two frosty glasses.

"For you," He said as he handed me the glass with a flourish of the hand. I downed the drink and poured myself another one as Evan did the same. Soon we'd drained the remainder of the first pitcher and he went up to get another one and some shots.

Soon I was feeling drunk, and I could tell Evan was too the way he was staring at me flirtatiously.

"Wanna dance?" He asked and I shook my head no. "C'mon Kicks," He pulled me to my feet and led me over to the jukebox, where he dropped in a few quarters selecting a mix of songs.

"Are you kidding me?" I demanded as 'Surfin' Bird' by the Trashmen came on.

"What? It's classic." He spun me around and pulled me to him as we danced to the song.

"What's going on here?" I asked.

"What do you mean Meagan?" He knew what I meant, he had to. I just stared at him and he stared back, and I felt myself wishing he'd kiss me. He leaned in close and just as I closed my eyes he whispered "did you really think I was going to kiss you?"

"What?" I whispered back in a sort of daze. He smiled down at me and I felt myself leaning closer and closer to him. Soon his lips were on mine, kissing me softly and slowly. I felt my breath catch as I melted into him.

"C'mon, let's go home." He said as he broke away his gaze fixed on mine. I followed him back out to the car and he paused by the side. "I probably shouldn't drive... Wanna walk?" I nodded, it wasn't too far away.

We made it back to the house and thankfully it only being seven thirty we didn't have to sneak back in, we just had to pretend to be sober. Evan shoved me playfully as we entered the house and I nearly took a header into the potted plants by the door.

"Jerk!" I muttered and he gave me his hand.

"Sh!" He said as he led me up the back stairs and into his room. I knew I shouldn't have been in there, especially since I so easily could've been caught but I couldn't help myself. He shut the door behind him and led me over to his bed where he kissed me hard on the mouth as I fell back onto his navy sheets. It felt like there was months of pent up feelings finally being released into one kiss. His hands were under my shirt, his lips pressed to mine, as I ran my hands through his hair. I pulled off his shirt and ran my hands against his bare chest, feeling his warm skin against mine. He pulled off my sundress revealing my black string bikini.

He untied the top and threw it to the floor as he kissed down my neck sending shudders down my spine. I couldn't believe I was kissing Evan McGowan! And he was kissing me...

"Evan, hun?" I heard Regina from the other side of the door. "Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes." I exhaled a deep sigh of relief as Evan smirked at me.

"Twenty minutes is all I need." He said as he kissed me and pulled down my bikini bottoms as well as his swim trunks. Evan McGowan was naked, in front of me.

"I'm-um-I'm a virgin." I mumbled as I felt a blush rise to my cheeks.

"We don't have to do anything you don't want to do, we can just kiss." He replied as he leaned down and kissed me sweetly.

"I want to it's just-"

"It should be special." He said sweetly. Just then the door flew open and Finn stood in the door looking like someone had just punched him in the stomach.

"Are you freakin' kidding me?" He demanded as he glared at me and Evan.

"Man chill," Evan said as he covered me with my sundress and he covered himself with his t-shirt.

"You are really unbelievable!" He spat as he stared at the two of us.

"Finn, just go man this is a little awkward." Evan said obliviously. Finn slammed the door behind him and I heard his door slam a few moments later. "What the fuck is his problem?"

"I-I dunno." I replied as I got redressed. "See you at dinner?" He nodded and I exited the room heading towards Finn's room. I didn't wait to be let in, I just opened the door and saw him lying on his bed his arms behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling.

"What do you want?" He spat angrily.

"Can we talk?" He shrugged and I took that as a yes as I sank down on the foot of his bed. "I-that-um," I mumbled awkwardly as I racked my brain for exactly the right thing to say.

"You having sex with my brother you mean?" He said dryly.

"We didn't have sex." I mumbled indignantly, and he looked up at me in disbelief.

"Well I must not have gotten any in a long time, what do you call being naked and kissing and having sex together these days?" My embarassment turned to anger.

"Finn you don't have a right to care! I layed myself bare last night telling you how I felt and you answer with 'I dunno'? You don't get to be mad at me, you don't care." He looked at me like I'd just slapped him.

"Fine." He said after composing himself. "Get out of my room." I nodded and went back to mine, feeling numb.

"Hello?" Aimee's familiar voice echoed through the phone.

"Ames, I did something really stupid."

"Uh-oh, what happened?" I told her everything that happened as she stayed silent on the other end. I told her about Chris and the stern talking to, confronting Finn in the shed, kissing Evan, and Finn's reaction.

"I just-what do I do?"

"I don't know, I can't believe you almost had sex with Evan McGowan!" She squealed and I couldn't help but laugh. "Was it just as impressive as the rest of him?"

"Aimee!" I yelled. "I have to go to dinner, I'll call you later okay?"

"Bye!"

I headed downstairs, dreading dinner. I sat down in the only available seat beside Finn who shifted uncomfortably as I sank down beside him. He didn't so much as look at me even when he handed me the carton of Chop Sui. Across from me Evan was playing footsies with my leg and staring at me causing me to blush.

"So how was the beach, you two?" Regina asked as she stared expectantly at the pair of us.

"Good." I replied as I felt a flush beginning to rise.

"Great." Evan countered as he caught my eye.

"Thank-you for such a detailed response," Regina replied. "What about you Finn? How was your day?"

"Oh it was awesome." He said sarcastically as he glared at me.

"May I be excused?" I asked and Regina nodded. "I'm going for a run."

"I'll join you," Evan offered "she shouldn't be running alone at this time of night."

"Okay." Regina said confusedly. We both left the table and I jogged upstairs, actually having the intention of going for a run while I wasn't too sure about Evan. I was surprised to see that as I stepped out of my room he was there waiting in a pair of jogging shorts and a loose hockey t-shirt.

"Ready?" I nodded and followed him out the door. "How far are you running?"

"How far can you run?" I countered and he grinned.

"A lot further than you."

"Is that a challenge?" He shrugged. "Okay you're on!"

"And if I win what do I get?" He mused.

"Whatever you want,"

"And if you win?"

"Whatever I want." I winked at him.

We began running the usual way towards the school and soon we were in the woods jumping over roots and breathing cool woodsy air. I'd thought by mile ten he would've given up, but he continued to run beside me with a smile plastered across his face. I guess if whatever he wanted was sex, most guys would be running too.

"Tired yet?" I asked breathlessly. I was starting to get tired, we'd already ran eleven miles approaching twelve and I didn't know how much longer I could run.

"Nope."

"How?"

"I'm a pro athlete,"

"Oh alright."

"Hockey training is this plus hills, across rink skates, and weight training." He looked at me who was panting and tiring out soon. "Are you admitting defeat?"

"No." My legs were on fire but I wasn't going to give up.

"Okay good, let's pick up the pace then." He sped up in front of me and I tried to keep up but as I did I puked. I had never puked due to overexcersising but I guess there's always a first for everything. "You alright there kicks?"

"Fine." I said as I tried to catch my breath. "Can we walk back now?"

"Sure." He said smiling. "So aren't you going to ask me what I want?"

"I can guess." I said as I raised an eyebrow up at him.

"You can can you?" He grabbed my waist and kissed me on the lips. "What do I want then?"

"Sex?" I asked as he laughed.

"Nope, I want you to be my girlfriend." I was astounded, stunned even! Girlfriend?

"Wha-what about your parents?" I demanded incredulously.

"We'll tell them." He said in the typical Evan way, assured and confident. "I'm going to college in fall so they can't really say much, besides I'm eighteen. So will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes!" I kissed him on the lips and was surprised to find I was genuinely happy. He kissed me back before picking me up and slinging me over his shoulder like he'd done with Caleb so many times before.

"Put me down! I'm too heavy!" I shrieked.

"You're not heavy." He countered as he put me down at my request and we began walking the ten blocks left to the house, thankfully we'd done a loop and weren't ten miles away.

"Let's not tell them tonight," I said and he nodded.

"We can have some unsupervised fun then." He mused as we got back to the darkened house. I went upstairs to shower and Evan snuck off to his parents room to do the same. I felt giddy with happiness. I couldn't believe I was EVAN MCGOWAN's GIRLFRIEND! And he'd be here every morning to kiss and hold hands with.