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I decided to leave anyway.
It was strange though, as soon as I reached the door, she acted like she didn’t want me to go. Didn’t want to be alone.
She looked drained but wired. Hyperactive but burned out. Restless but spent. The girl was acting more cuckoo than puff—
“Cole asked me if I would,” Eli blurts out, “have you come with me and grab some food.”
Wait, what?
My foot stops midstep, eyeing where his fingers now sit latched on to my arm. He’s trying to stop me from going inside.
I curve an eyebrow down at where his hold is, and he lets go.
Reluctant, he clears his throat. Fingers lifting, as they wind their way behind his neck, exhaling. The jerky, sporadic movement so unlike him. Normally Eli’s the one who keeps it together.
The gestures are what make me pause, or I’d already be storming my way back into the house with Iceman getting a nice piece of my mind. How many times do I need to tell him I can handle myself?
My eyes narrow, tension in my veins. “Why did he ask you to do that?”
“Because… because…”
I cross my arms over my chest and jut out my hip. Staring him down long and hard the longer he chooses not to elaborate.
Stalling, that’s what he’s doing, and I want to know why.
“Eli, you have less than five seconds to tell me what’s going on or I’ll go inside and find out for myself.”
It’s already shocking enough that Cole would ask Eli to do this after everything, so whatever it is it must be important.
“I don’t need a guard dog, so unless you want to continue to play his bitch, spit it out.”
He barks out a laugh that ends in a lingered sigh.
“Glad one of us found that funny,” I deadpan. Not sharing in his enjoyment.
“Look I wouldn’t usually push you like this but…” He pauses, not finishing. Another small wheeze of a sound concludes whatever it is he’s trying to say.
The action puts me further on edge and my spine straightens more than it already is.
I’m tempted to glance up and see if Finn’s light is on in his room but force my eyes to stay focused on Eli instead.
“Finn and Cole are inside right now, and they need to talk… alone.”
My throat locks up and my lungs scream for the air I don’t give in to. I can’t believe it. Is this literally happening? Finally.
I want to scream my excitement but also my distress.
My throat bobs and a knot that had been stuck in my stomach for weeks feels like it’s starting to unravel at the simple phrase.
Finn and Cole are going to talk.
I give in, looking up at Finn’s window. I can’t help it.
A light shines down from his curtains. Someone’s up there and more relief swells. I can’t see any figures, but I trust what Eli’s said. If he’d met me down here so they could chat, then I’d give them the space to do it.
This conversation is long overdue.
After a brief silence, I follow his gaze and extend my hand letting him lead the way back to our cars. Besides, I’ve never been one to turn down a milkshake and fries.
