Excuse Me, I Quit! novel Chapter 52

Evan's P. O. V.

I prepared to pick up Annie along with Mike and Lily. My heart felt heavy but this time it was because I was so happy I could explode.

"Stop smiling like that, it's creeping me out," Mike said.

"Yeah, me too," Lily agreed.

"I can't help it. She will finally be mine," I grinned. I really can't stop smiling even if I tried.

"Yeah, don't mind rest of our feelings," Lily sounded bitter.

I snapped out of it a little bit. I've been selfish. I wasn't thinking about Lily. She must be hurt that I chose Annie over her again. I asked Mike to leave the room for a second so I could talk to her.

"Hey Lily, I am really sorry. I want you to know that I do care about you as a friend and I didn't mean to take things so far with you. I just can't live without Annie. I thought I could when she left but I was miserable the whole time. Don't tell me you never noticed," I said.

Lily sighed. "I know. I get it. It's not your fault. I was the one who kept pursuing you even though I knew full well that you would never love me," she said.

"So...will you forgive me? Are we good now?" I asked.

Lily smiled. "We are good, don't worry. I can see how you feel about Annie so I am willing to let you off the hook," she said.

"Thank you," I said and gave her a hug.

My smile got even bigger as soon as I saw my Annie. She looked even more beautiful than yesterday.

"Evan!" she chirped and threw herself at me. I wrapped her into a big hug and squeezed her. God, I missed her.

"My grandma said she is okay with me going with you," she said excitedly like I didn't already know.

"I know little hamster," I whispered.

"I am all packed up I just need to say goodbye to grandma," she said and broke our hug. I started to let her go but paused as I saw a big red bruise on her arm. It wasn't there before.

"Wait a minute, what the hell happened to your arm?" I asked, suddenly turning serious.

"What? Oh this," Annie hesitated. "I...it's nothing," she said.

"It doesn't look like nothing. It looks painful. Who did this to you?" I asked. "Did your grandma..."

"NO! She would never hurt me. I told you it's nothing," Annie insisted.

Mike was listening to us quietly the whole time but he stepped forward. "I think you should tell him what happened, Annie," he said grimly.

"Huh? Did you know about this? What the hell is going on?" I said. I was already starting to get angry but I softened my gaze when I looked at her face which was turning sad. "Hey, I am sorry Annie. But I want you to tell me who hurt you. Please?" I pleaded.

"James...he got angry when I broke up with him yesterday and grabbed me, but I am okay. I swear!" she exclaimed.

Rage boiled inside of me. That motherfucker hurt her!