I head out of the room and toward my Jeep in the parking lot. I pull up Alice’s number and hit call.
“Hey,” she answers, her voice sounding a little down.
“What’s wrong?”
Alice hasn’t been great lately, and to top it off she didn’t enroll in college. Something is off with her and Sam, and I can’t figure out what it is. When Sam and I ask her, she says nothing, but I’m not buying it.
“I’m at the doctor’s. Think I have a stomach bug or something,” she mumbles into the phone. I cringe. Alice is the worst sick person ever. You’d think the world is ending when she catches something.
“I’ll come and sit with you. Where is your doctor’s office?”
“No, it’s fine. I’m about to head home.”
“Okay. I’ll make you some chicken noodles and mashed potatoes.”
“That sounds divine.” She almost moans into the phone, and my lips twitch. Food is the one thing that can always perk her up, but Alice is a terrible cook. Luckily for our house, I know what I’m doing around the kitchen or we’d all starve to death. “You hear from your dad?”
I slide into my Jeep, and the nervous feeling about him returns. Alice knows I’ve been worried about it. “No.” The line goes quiet. “I’m sure it’s fine.” I try to reassure us both.
Alice is so soft hearted and is probably worrying more than I am. She’s gotten close to my dad since she came to stay with us. Having grown up with two shitty parents, I think she’s savoring having others really care about her.
“You know the Major. He’ll likely be back by the end of the week being a pain in our asses about something.”
“Yeah,” she mumbles, and I hear someone call her name in the background. “They’re calling me back.”
“Okay, love ya. I’ll see you at home,” I tell her, and I end the call and make my way home. On the way I do a mental checklist in my head, trying to think if I have all the things I need to make dinner.
When I pull into the driveway, I freeze when I see Eli’s truck. My stomach knots into a tight ball when I see him sitting on the front porch. His head is down, but it rises when he hears my Jeep. When his eyes come to mine, it feels like someone punches me in the stomach. My heart starts pounding and my hands get sweaty.
So many emotions push forward, but I grab on to the anger that’s rising up and hold tight. I won’t cry. I won’t. I repeat it over and over again as I steel myself. I hop out of my Jeep, fixing my practiced fake smile. Eli stands as I walk toward him, and there’s a solemn look on his face. He clearly doesn’t want to be here.
“Major’s not home, so…” I tell him dismissively. I breeze right past him and grab the handle to the front door. I get a little madder when I feel it’s unlocked. He’s already let himself in.
I don’t invite him in, I just grit my teeth and walk inside. Hell, I slam the door behind me, hopefully right in his handsome face, but I don’t turn to look. Then I hear him open the door, and my name comes from his lips. Yeah, this not-showing-my-anger thing isn’t working.
I drop my bag and turn to look at him. He looks tired. No, he looks wonderful. A lump grows in my throat.
“Please leave,” I manage, happy with myself at how strong my voice sounds. I can tell it’s a direct hit as my words strike him hard. I can see it on his face. He brings his hand up to run through his hair that’s a little longer now. I itch to touch it. To touch him. He doesn’t want you, I remind myself.
“I can’t do that, sunshine.” His eyes flick to my wrist where my charm bracelet is. I grab my wrist, covering it up as if I’ve been caught with something I’m not supposed to have. I couldn’t bring myself to take it off. I’d tried a few times but couldn’t do it.
“Don’t call me that,” I throw at him before turning and heading up the stairs. I hear his heavy boots behind me. I move faster, trying to make it to my room, wanting to get away from him. He gets to me first, pulling me into him. My back hits his front as his arms wrap around me. My body melts into his on its own, and I can’t stop the reaction. I hate how much I want him.
“Sunshine, please,” he whispers in my ear. I can hear the pain in his words. It’s deep and rips at me. Slowly I turn to look up at him. He’s so close. His smell invades my senses. I swear he’s gotten bigger since the last time I saw him.
His forehead drops to mine, his eyes falling closed. We stand there in silence, neither one of us saying anything.
After what feels like forever, he finally open his eyes and they meet mine.