Chapter 5 DON'T JINX IT

(Elian Montrose)

"How could you do that?" Evander's voice rang through the phone, sharp with frustration.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Evander, calm down."

"You're being careless," he continued, his voice tight. "This is dangerous."

"I love her," I shot back without hesitation. "Ever since I saw her with Becca Jones that day, I haven't been able to stop thinking about her."

Evander worried too much. It was almost endearing, almost. But this wasn't something he needed to interfere in. I wasn't giving up.

"That is no excuse for lying to her, pretending you were someone else! Someone you don't even know!" Evander's disapproval was evident, his voice laced with frustration.

"It's reason enough for me," I argued, my voice rising.

Bee, my ever-loyal protector, responded instantly, barking sharply and wagging her tail in agitation. She was a big dog with an even bigger heart, always on guard for my safety, even when the 'threat' was just my own raised voice.

"Easy, Bee." I reached out to scratch behind her ears. "Daddy's fine."

The other end of the line went silent.

"Evander? Hello? Are you there?" I asked, waiting for a response.

When none came, I switched to a ridiculous voice, mimicking Brownie Brown, a comedian we used to watch as kids. "Hellooooo? Earth to Evander?"

Finally, he sighed. "Stop making a joke out of everything."

I smirked, then burst into laughter, the tension breaking for just a second. Even though Evander tried to act serious all the time, I heard the muffled sound of him stifling a chuckle.

"I got you," I teased.

"Maybe," he admitted. "But think about it. You even lied about getting a memory lapse from an accident. The only 'transport-related accident' you've ever had was when you were five. You fell off a bicycle in the living room and got a tiny bump on your head."

I grinned. "Evander, the only person who can blow my cover is you. And since you love me too much to do that, I think I'm safe."

He groaned. "Okay, smartass. But what happens if the real guy, the actual stranger hero, shows up? What then?"

I scoffed. "Don't jinx it."

"Elian, I mean it. If you like her that much, tell her the truth. Go find her and say, 'Hey, I was so desperate to win your heart that I even lied.' Don't you think that would at least give you a fighting chance?"

I closed my eyes briefly, exhaling.

"She said I look exactly like the man from her past," I murmured. "Maybe... it was me. One of those wild party nights, you know?"

Evander groaned. "Oh, come on." Then he hesitated. "...Wait. You actually think that's possible?"

I smirked, sensing the shift. He was starting to see my logic. "We can't rule it out," I said smoothly.

He cleared his throat. "Still... I don't feel good about this."

"That's because you worry too much," I said, leaning back into my couch. "Just sit back and watch over your little brother. If things go south, I'll handle it. What's the worst that could happen?"

A pause. Then, Evander spoke again. "Be careful, Elian. There are plenty of fishes in the sea, but what if this actually leads to marriage? You're going to..."

"Base my marriage on a lie?" I cut in. "No. If it ever comes to that, I'll confess."

A loud metallic clang rang through the phone, making me wince.

"What the hell was that?" I asked.

"Nothing. Gotta go," Evander muttered, his voice distracted. Rustling noises followed. "Have fun, but be careful."

"Okay, Mr. Montrose. Remember to party. It's Friday tomorrow."

"Go live your life, young man, and let me live mine," he said before abruptly ending the call.

I smirked, shaking my head. If he had stayed on the line longer, I would have dragged him into another round of conversation.

With a sigh, I turned back to the TV. I had muted it earlier to focus on the call, and now the episode was almost over.

"Damn it," I muttered.

I moved to stand, but my knee hit the glass I had carelessly left on the sofa. It toppled to the floor, shattering into tiny pieces.

"Oh, man!" I groaned.

Bee barked again, pacing around like the drama queen she was.

"Bee," I sighed. "A kiss from Seraphina would fix everything right now."

As if on cue, my phone vibrated.

I glanced at the screen, and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

Seraphina.

I picked up immediately.

"Hi, Elian," her voice rang through the receiver, smooth and warm, sending a rush of something sweet down my spine.

I grinned. "Phina Parker. To what do I owe the honor?"

She chuckled softly. "I just wanted to check in. How's your day going?"

"Well, it wasn't too great until you called."

Another soft laugh. "Cheer up, Elian."

"At your service, miss."

She laughed again, and this time, it was a full, genuine laugh that sent a bubbling warmth through my chest.

"You're funny," she said.

"I can be a lot more," I teased, carefully shifting my foot away from the glass bits.

"Of course, you can," she responded playfully.

I leaned back, grinning. "Where are you right now?"

"At an ice cream place. April insisted on getting some, and now we're stuck in a long line."

I stiffened. "April?"

"Yes, April. My son. Our son."

Every muscle in my body froze.

"What?" I shot up from my seat, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it.

I struggled to form words. "I...I didn't know you had a son."

"April Parker. Seven years old," she said smoothly. "I found out you planted him in me that night, three months after."

My blood ran cold.

What the actual hell?

My mind raced.

I had been so sure I wasn't the man from her past.

I could handle my alcohol. I had an excellent memory. There were no medical reports of me ever having memory loss.

I remembered my conversation with my brother earlier and my heart skipped a beat.

"Are you still there?" Seraphina's voice came through the receiver again, this time, causing chills to run down my spine.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to carry on with this.