Twenty-Four ~ Chris Evans X Reader

Part 9 - The Calm Before The Storm

"Chris,"

"Don't Chris me, I'm going to help you. (Name), I love you. Your troubles and fears are mine. I want to help you through this. It might be a couple days until I can get there but it'll happen."

"I see I can't change your mind." I say my eyes narrowing at him angrily.

"Nope. So, like I said; you make your call, take a shower, and I'll go get breakfast." He says as he gently places a kiss on my lips before heading for our old room. I roll my eyes at him before I pull my phone back up to my ear and call my manager.

----

After a quick shower and breakfast, Chris escorted me home to pack. He left me with a passionate kiss and a much-needed hug. Soon after he left I heard a knock on my door. Furrowing my brow, I walk over and looking through the peephole see Karen standing there her arms folded over her chest. opening the door, I cock an eyebrow at her. "Yeah?"

"Did you hear about your dad?" She asks as she pushes past me into my apartment.

"Yeah, Angie called me this morning."

"Angie did?" Karen asks as she turns to look at me a surprised look on her face.

"Yeah," I say as I go to close the door behind her only to have Sebastian catch it before it closes completely.

"Hey don't forget me." He says and I roll my eyes as I leave him at the door and head back to my room leaving him to close it. "What's wrong with her?" Sebastian asks Karen when I leave the room.

"Her dad's in the hospital."

"That grumpy old fart?" He says then changes his tune when he sees me tense up, "He okay?"

"Yeah, he had a minor heart attack. He needs to be monitored and he's not allowed to do any kind of work until he gets better."

"Damn, that sucks." Sebastian says as he follows me into my room to see me packing. "Uh, did I miss something?"

"I'm going home to take care of my dad." I say as I place some underwear into my suitcase.

"After all he said the last time, you're gonna go home and take care of him?" Sebastian asks his brows furrowing making me stomach clench at the memory.

"He's my dad Seb, he may not be the best one in the world, but he's the only one I got. Besides," I pause as I meet his gaze. "He wasn't always that way. I didn't help things when I left. Maybe I can fix it."

"I just don't want you to get hurt."

"It's inevitable that it's going to happen. Especially when he starts drinking; but I have to do my duty as his daughter right."

"What about Angie and Jack?" Karen asks and I let out a sigh.

"Angie's my sister, Jack's my ex and her husband. I'm gonna have to deal with all that drama sooner than later." I say as I sit down on my bed. "I have no problems with Ang, we didn't get along before; but that's because we were kids. It also didn't help that she was in love with my boyfriend and he was a raving asshole to me; but he loves her and he's good to her. So, I have no quarrel with them. Ang knows this."

"Are you sure you're gonna be okay by yourself?" Karen asks and I nod. I contemplate telling them both that against my better judgement Chris was also gonna show up; but decide against it.

"Besides, I'll have Tommy. Jack's afraid of him." I say a smirk filling my lips.

"Who wouldn't be, I mean have you seen how big he is now?" Karen says a chuckle in her voice.

"Says the woman who dated him for years." I say a smirk filling my face making her blush.

"He's still one of the hottest guys I've ever met; but, he's too wild for me. Too country." Karen says shrugging her shoulders.

"That's because he's the definition of a farm boy. He eats, sleeps, and bleeds ranching."

"Yeah, I remember the hot nights in the-"

"Okay too much information, the man's like my brother!" I say as I interrupt her causing a smile to fill her lips.

"You can't say you never thought about it." She says winking at me.

"I can say it, because I grew up next door. The man and I used to take baths together when we were babies, and oh my god I am making this sound so much worse."

"Yup," Sebastian and Karen say in unison making me facepalm.

"Any who, I'm gonna see if he can pick me up from the airport." I say as I pull out my cellphone and send him a quick text.

"You do realize the press is gonna be all over this. Right?" Seb says and I let out a sigh of annoyance.

"I know, and I hope they don't find out. I didn't really announce where I was from or who my parents were so I could have a little privacy. That and I knew if anyone showed up at the farm Dad would put a bullet in them."

"That ain't no lie." Karen says matter-of-factly.

"I can do this. As long as asshole doesn't try anything I'll be fine."

"You talking about that reporter that threatened you?" Seb asks and I nod. "Have you told Chris about him yet?"

"No, I don't want to worry him." I say as I stand back up and get to packing.

"He's gonna find out one way or another."

"I know," I say as I grip tight to the sides of my suitcase. "I just need a little time."

"Speaking of Chris, how'd last night go?" Karen asks a smile filling her face.

"It was nice," I say a blush filling my cheeks.

"I take it, it was better than nice considering you only came home this morning." She replies wiggling her eyebrows at me.

"Damn (Name), you move fast." Sebastian jokes making me roll my eyes.

"Shut up, both of you." I say as I try not to laugh.

"Bam chika wow wow," Karen says making me burst out laughing.

"Stop, please, oh my god." I say as I try to catch my breath.

"Does he know?" Sebastian asks and I nod.

"Yeah. He was with me when Ang called; and against my wishes he says he's going to come help me."

"What?" they both say in unison and I nod.

"Yeah, I'm going to have to deal with dad, Ang and Jack, and him; all at the same time." I let out a heavy sigh as I continue, "I kinda wish that his mangers say he can't go."

"We are doing a lot of press for Winter Soldier and he has another movie he's doing so I don't think he's gonna be able to, but I've been wrong before." Sebastian says and I nod.

"I guess we'll find out won't we." I say and they nod. "Can either of you take me to the airport? I'd like to be as inconspicuous as possible."

"I can," Karen says holding her hand up. "I have the day off."

"Thanks love." I say as I close my suitcase. "Well I guess all that's left to do is head out."