by Emma Cole
One evening when I was getting out of my car at the motel, I thought I saw Ethan on his motorcycle, but I couldn't be sure. I suppose it's inevitable that I'll eventually run into them again.
Elliott has a home-game Friday night, and I promised him that I would go.
Alex and I manage to snag seats close to the players’ bench area. Hearing my name being called, I turn to look and see Adam waving from the trainer’s area. I lift my hand to wave back and that's when I see them.
All three of them, together, headed straight for where we are sitting. With Samantha in tow.
Steeling myself and making sure my composure is in place, I'm as prepared as I can be. Alex, not paying attention, doesn't notice them until the last moment, when they sit on the tier above us.
Before I can figure out how to make my escape—since I’ve decided I can't sit here and deal with it—the stadium quickly begins to fill up. There's no going against the tide of the crowd, now, so I'll have to wait until it settles down a bit before I can find somewhere else to sit.
By the time the crowd starts to settle, the players are already coming out on the field. I'm acutely aware of Samantha talking to her companions behind me. I stand to find a different place to sit, as the team heads to their benches after their brief warm up.
It's my luck that Eli looks up at the same time and waves at me. I can't not wave back, so I lift my arm and return the gesture. With nothing left to do except sit back down, I pull the hood of my sweatshirt closer around my face. Alex knows what my intent is and is ready to move with me. But now that Eli's spotted us, I don't want to hurt his feelings by moving and making him think I left. Behind me, I hear the voice that has haunted my dreams, waking and asleep, for years.
"Reese?"
I realize then that they didn't know I was sitting there until I stood up. I'm not sure if I'm glad or upset that they didn't notice. I studiously ignore that I heard anything; that is until I feel a tap on my shoulder.
Glancing back, I paste a smile on my face and wiggle my fingers in a quick hello and turn back to face the game dismissively. The game feels like it drags on, and instead of enjoying watching Eli play as much as I should have, my focus is torn with the group behind me.
Alex nudges me as halftime approaches and leans in to whisper. "Do you want to move or skip out?" I'm grateful she knows me so well. I nod and she begins to gather up her belongings. I follow suit, and as soon as the clock runs down and the players begin exiting the field, we're on our way out of the bleachers.
Out in the concession area we find a place out of the way of the crush of fans.
"Thanks, Alex. That was beyond uncomfortable. I'm going to head back to the motel. I'll text Eli and let him know I left."
"I'm so sorry they ended up right there. Have you talked to them at all?"
I shake my head and heave a sigh. "I wouldn't even know what to say. 'Hey, guys! I'm still a bit hung up on you, and can you hold off on your personal lives while I get my shit together but date your friend at the same time?' How would that conversation go with any of them? I haven’t spoken to them in years before the other night. "
"I can see your point. That would be awkward, at the very least." Alex looks past me and grabs my arm, tugging me with her. "I think you've picked up a couple new stalkers. At least Adam will have some company."
I bark out a laugh at that. Poor Adam. At least with him being needed on the field, I didn't have to make excuses for not hanging out with him this week.
We make our way through the exit turnstiles, and I spot Ethan and who must be Beckett, since I don't see Samantha. Both are talking and gesturing with their hands while looking around.
They left it for years and I’d prefer they leave it alone now. Do they need closure or something? I'm annoyed and grumpy as Alex and I split ways at our vehicles.
Pulling into the motel, I shut the engine off and slump over, putting my forehead on the steering wheel. I'm going to have some explaining to do to Eli. I'm not even sure what I'm going to say. With a defeated sigh, I grab my bag and get out of the car.
Looking up, I notice a couple guys standing in front of the door to the room next to mine. They watch me walk up, and I get my room key out to make a quick entrance. No one has bothered me so far here, but I'm a female, alone, and taking chances isn't on my agenda.
As I aim the key to unlock the door, the taller one steps forward, garnering my attention. I pause my action, debating if I should just go back to my car and to Alex's. These guys are too close. I'm not sure I could make it inside and get the door secured if they choose to follow me inside.
I notice they’re around my own age and don't look creepy, but that's not an indicator that they're harmless.
"Just wanted to say, if we're loud, smack the wall,” the tall one says. “We're visiting friends for the game but got in late. They'll be meeting us here. If you want, you can come hang out, too. We won't mind."
I blink and relax in relief. They're just here for friends. I politely decline the invitation.
"Thanks, I'm just going to stay in though." I push the key home and turn the deadbolt to open the door.
"If you change your mind, just come on over. By the way, I'm Ted, and this is Brock." He gestures to himself, then his friend.
I wave as I close and lock the door behind me. I toe off my shoes and flop down on the surprisingly comfortable bed. Sending Eli a text that I left early, I settle in to watch the rest of the game on my laptop. They are in the last quarter now, and I expect he'll call after it's over and he’s showered.
I must have dozed off at some point, as I wake to the feed on the game being over. A knock sounds on the door, waking me. Assuming it's Eli, I open it up.
It is definitely not, Eli.
"What do you want?" My tone is not friendly.
"We were hoping we could talk."
"About?" I stand, blocking the doorway, not wanting to let my visitors in, but also, I'm not sure how they knew where to find me. "And how do you know where I am?"
Beautiful blue eyes in that angular face, so much more refined from boyhood, search mine. "We were hoping we could come in and discuss that as well."
I turn and walk back in to sit down on the bed, leaving the door open in invitation behind me. These two most likely won't leave until they satisfy their curiosity, and it's probably best to get it done here now, where Eli doesn't have to be in the middle.
"Why'd you leave the game?" Ethan speaks up before Beck has a chance to answer.
"What Ethan here means, is why did you run away to begin with?"
I don't hesitate to answer. "For one, I thought it would make things slightly awkward, and two, well, I don't have to answer you, but I didn't want to talk to any of you, if you must know." My temper is coming up, and I ignore the stunned looks on Ethan’s and Beck's faces.
Beck meets my ire with his own. "And why the hell not?"
Ethan places a calming hand on his arm, and something begins to click into place for me. I look between them. How they're standing close to each other. The body language of Ethan trying to calm Beckett. I feel my heart break all over again.
"Get out," I barely whisper, but I know they heard me by the way they stiffened.
Ethan snatches his hand back and steps away from Beckett. It's too late for that, though.
Holding my tears in until I'm alone, I sidle past them to open the door. Holding eye contact with them the entire time, I fail to notice another man holding his hand up to knock until their eyes go past me to focus on him.
I turn and find it’s the tall guy from earlier.
"Sorry to interrupt, I was just coming by to offer the invite again." Looking between all of us he senses something is up. "Are you alright? Do you want them to leave?"
I find his protectiveness sweet, if misguided. As I start to decline his assistance, Beck stalks in front of me to put his arm across the door, barring entry. I roll my eyes as they begin to get into it.
"Ethan! Take hi
m and go. I'm not having you two get me kicked out of here."
While it isn't the greatest motel, there is a policy against 'causing a ruckus,' as the desk clerk that checked me in put it. Now I'm in very real fear that I might lose my room.
I tell my neighbor thanks, but I have it handled. People have arrived since I saw them last and we have all their attention.
After ushering Beck and Ethan out, I'm about to shut the door, when I hear the one voice I would have been happy to encounter a few minutes ago.
"What is going on here?" Eli sounds pissed. I'm sure the scene looks great. I thump my forehead off the doorjamb. The door is barely cracked, and the noise of some of the guests recognizing Eli from the game drowns out whatever response he receives. He must be closest to the door, because I can hear him clearly.
"I told you guys to fix whatever happened. Where's Dylan?" Eli demands.
With that reminder, I'm done. I finish latching the door, throwing both locks and the chain. Going to my phone, I have several missed calls and texts from Eli. Crap, I didn't realize my ringer was off. I quickly text him to please take his friends with him and that I have a headache. Which, at this point, is true.
I decide to take a shower, and when I come out, it’s to find the chaos has only increased. Incessant knocking has my temper to the boiling point. All I wanted was a little bit of space. Instead, I get the after-party and men that don't know when to quit.
With a towel wrapped around my head, I grab a robe and throw it on, then walk over to the door. I undo the lower locks but leave the chain on.
This time I find the night clerk at my door. Of course. Really, could it have gone any other way tonight? I try for polite.
"Can I help you?"
The older man doesn't look amused. "Miss, do you know these gentlemen out here?" The man is gesturing past where I can easily see, so I have to angle myself more than I'd care to in a bathrobe with a stranger at the door.
I find the two neighbor guys holding onto Eli, while Ethan has Beckett. One is sporting the beginnings of a black eye, while the other has a split lip.
No. Fucking. Way. This is not happening.
On top of that, there's the small crowd of party goers. A couple have their phones out, no doubt taking pictures and video.
Resigned to what I figure is coming, I answer in the affirmative.
"Miss, this classifies as a disturbance. You signed the rules of conduct agreement when you checked in—”
"I'll be gone at check out tomorrow."
"That would be for the best. Thank you for not putting up a fuss. If I thought they wouldn't show up again, I'd let it slide, but management would have my hide. I can refund the rest of the month to you." The man turns on his heel and heads back toward the office.
I turn on the idiots.
"Thanks a lot, assholes," I yell.
Before I shut the door, I hear Eli.
"Remi. Shit, I'm sorry. Can I—”
I slam the door and fall into bed, determined to forget about the night. Setting my alarm, I ignore the phone calls already coming in. They must figure out I'm not speaking to any of them, as I hear it quiet down and the party continues next door.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, I'm packed and ready to go, well before checkout. I'm surprised Eli hasn't shown up. After last night, I don't blame him. Irrational or not, I had been fit to be tied.
I return the key to the desk clerk and check out, getting a receipt and the assurance that the remainder of my payment would be returned back to my credit card in the next few days.
Feeling my phone buzz in my pocket as I'm heading for my car, I pull it out to see a text from Eli, asking if I need any help. He really is the sweetest. Most of the time. And I don't even know if his team won the game last night. I feel a little guilty over that. As soon as I figure out my living situation, yet again, I'm going to have to go talk to him.
The guys next door come out and wave as I'm getting in my car.
"Maybe we'll see you at the next home game!"
I chuckle and return the wave, if not the sentiment. Pulling out of the motel parking lot, I go back to Alex's to regroup.
Alex’s roommate is gone for the weekend and won't be home until late Sunday. At least it can be peaceful for one night. When I tell Alex about last night's shenanigans, she busts out laughing until she has tears coming down. I mean, I wanted to cry, too, but for completely different reasons. Mortification, mostly.
I finally call Eli and let him know where I am. He makes plans to come over and discuss last night. I must admit I'm curious about him actually getting into a fistfight with Beckett.
Alex say she has a date with Blake, the rocker guy she'd met at the party weeks ago, so it'll just be the two of us.
It's only been a week since everything went to shit but it feels like so much longer.
While I wait on Eli to show up, I lay on Alex's bed, browsing through job offers while she gets ready. There's two next week that are easy, but there's a third that I'm not sure if I want to take. It's not my usual thing, but it pays more than the other two and would set me for the month, with a little Christmas shopping money to spare. Which reminds me that I need to call my mother and see what her plans are for Thanksgiving.
With the ring of the doorbell, I close my laptop and go answer it. Standing there is Eli, looking a bit sheepish with his nice shiner.
"Well, I suppose purple suits you. It goes well with those pretty green eyes of yours." I giggle at the surprised widening of his eyes.
"You're in a better mood today." He blanches making the bruises on his face stand out starkly. "I didn't mean that, I just, well just mean that you're not mad. Anymore. I think."
Without replying, I step back for him to come in, then close the door. I yell out to Alex that we're going to the spare bedroom.
Standing there rubbing the back of his neck, Eli distracts me with the flexing of his triceps.
Fuck me, he's hot. Calmly setting down my laptop, on top of the dresser, I turn, catching Eli off-guard. I shove him backwards onto the bed and hop on top of him to straddle his hips. Swooping down, I fuse my lips to his. Instantly, like he's only been waiting for permission, his hands come around me, gripping my hips. We make out like that for a while until my lips are puffy and tingling.
"So, you're not breaking up with me?"
I rear back in shock. "Why the hell would I break up with you?" Does he want to break up? I voice that aloud. "Do you want me to?"
"No! Of course not! Just… after everything, I thought it might be too much. Thought you might be having regrets."
I could see how he would think that. Untrue, yet plausible.
"I'm sorry, Elliot. I didn't mean to take my crazy out on you. I love you. That didn't change. This conversation is well overdue. With all the moving around and school, I've been avoiding it. I'm really not even sure where to start."
Eli sits up with me still on his lap and scoots us to the headboard to lean against it. I slide my legs from around him to settle crossways and cuddle up against his chest.
"First off, Remi, I love you, too. The rest we'll figure out. Starting with you moving back into your room." Before I can protest, he gives me a squeeze with the arm around my back. "Hold on, hear me out before you say no."
"Alright, I'm listening," I respond reservedly.
"The guys filled me in on how they know you. Also, so you're aware, they didn't know about your relationships with each other before the other night. I'll let them explain that part to you. Not my place to tell it. The most important part is that they know we're together, and they won't interfere with that. We have an agreement not to let the situation affect our friendships or business. From your reaction I'd guess you still have feelings for one, or for all of them. And that's okay, too. You were always upfront, if vague, on the details of why you didn't want to get into a relationship. I completely understand your reasoning now, but I still wouldn't change a thing. I'm so far gone on you. I ne
ver want to be without you."
I'm slightly stunned at his bluntness and understanding. I'd have expected fights and jealousy not acceptance.
"If it's alright with you,” I tell him, “I'd rather not get into anything involving those three right now. I'm still too confused and feel like I'm really lacking some information. I do want to know why you were fighting with Beck, though, and why they showed up at the motel last night, in the first place." I craned my head back to look up at him.
"That was my fault. I sent them to fix whatever they did to make you leave the game. I was bummed when you weren't there after we won."
"You won? That's great! I should have stayed. I thought they would have waited as well, and after seeing Samantha—” I trailed off, not sure how to finish that without getting into the rest of it.
"Remi, it's fine. I get that it's awkward talking to your current boyfriend about an old boyfriend that's now in your present life and friends with your current boyfriend. If that makes sense. Now, if this were over Adam, that would be a different story. These guys are my best friends. I've known them for years. We even went to school together, that's how we all met. We've shared a lot over our friendship. and the fact that we all care for the same girl just shows how alike and well suited we are as friends."
Slightly frustrated at how easy-going he's being over the subject, I just decide to lay it all out there.
"It hurt my feelings." Well, almost ready to lay it all out there.
"Which part hurt your feelings?"
"All of it, and last night it all just came to a head when they showed up. It's been years. Years, that they knew where I was. They had to have looked into it enough to know where I was going to go to school. There's no way that they didn't know, or for it all to be a coincidence, and that's why I don't want to talk about it. Ethan talked about a guy that he was interested in and now I have a feeling that someone was Beckett, who I still care for. That was ripped away by my father and his. The same thing with Ethan, and they're in a relationship together. I'm happy for them both.”
