“I don’t want to go back home tonight.” I confess.
“No, I wouldn’t imagine you would.” Elijah sighs, pulling out his phone to check the time. “I know you said you wanted to go out for dinner tonight but…” he bites his lip, scanning my face.
“What would you say we get out of here and go where we feel the most comfortable? Just for tonight before I leave?”
My eyes widen. “But, that’s like an eight hour drive for you tomorrow.”
Elijah smiles softly, his eyes fluttering down to my lips. “It’ll be worth it. It always is.”
A smile grows on my face as the anticipation floods through me.
I nod my head. “Okay. Let’s go.”
13
Elijah
With Tobias, every car ride is a fun road trip.
After work, we head up north to our favorite place.
A few playlists and a couple rounds of ‘would you rather’ games later, three hours feel like three minutes.
And shortly after that, we’re tucked away in the boathouse, under the skylight, listening to music and eating a bunch of junk food that we picked up along the way.
What an amazing idea.
I knew Tobias needed to get away. I saw his face when the cops were in his office and I knew I had to do something to take away the stress.
He lies back on my chest between my legs, passing me a spoonful of chocolate ice cream straight from the carton. In this moment, looking at him like this, I know that coming here was the right decision.
“They just came crashing down. You should’ve seen Yari’s face.” Tobias laughs, clutching his stomach. “Plates everywhere.”
“That’s because Izzy is theworststacker ever. She always puts the plates on top of the bowls.” I chuckle.
“Ohhh, that’s why. Oops. I do that.” Tobias looks at me and cringes.
“Yeah, but you don’t count.” I hold his head and plant a few quick kisses on his temple. “You can do whatever you want because you’re pretty.”
“Sounds like favoritism." Tobias teases.
“It is. Now reward me!” I open my mouth prompting Tobias to spoon-feed me another bite of the chocolate dessert. I wince. “Mmm! Cold!”
He laughs, turning onto his stomach. Shuffling above me, he blows directly on my mouth making me laugh in confusion.
“Are you blowing away my brain freeze?” I chuckle.
"Yeah. How else would it go away?” He smiles, shrugging. Once the pain subsides, he turns back around, resuming his original position.
I sigh, rubbing his chest. “You’re just the best.” I state, threading my fingers through his hair. “Everyone’s so lucky to have you there. Especially while I’m away. You’ve really been holding down the fort.”
“Thank you. It’s been…a lot.”
“If anyone can deal with a lot, it’syou.” I nod. “You’re my super hero.”
Tobias breathes out a heavy breath. “Now you’re just blowing smoke up my ass.” He chuckles lightly.
“I’m serious. Instead of fightingevilyou fight…chaos.” I squeeze my arms around him.
