Right then, Elijah comes out of the bathroom, holding my solo cup full of water. His eyebrows shoot up as he looks from Gabe to me and then back again. “Oh…hey,” he mutters.
Gabe quickly stands up, stepping away from me. “Oh shit. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have just barged in like that.” He sniffs, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. His eyes are glossy which makes me feel even worse.
“No, it’s okay,” I say, offering him some comfort.
Gabe nods awkwardly, walking backwards towards the door. “Yeah, um…well, thanks for being there. You know, for me. I just…” He looks at Elijah, and I can see him plastering on a quick smile to save his embarrassment. “Elijah! I’m so relieved that you’re here. That’s really good.”
Elijah’s eyebrow arches up and I can see him grip his cup tightly. “Why is that good?”
“I’m guessing Tobias told you everything.” Gabe laughs uncomfortably.
My gut turns.Oh, no.
“Told me…everything?” Elijah’s eyes dart to me.
I open my mouth to offer some explanation but I’m void of words.
“Told me what, Tobias?” Elijah asks me directly this time.
“Oh shit.” Gabe runs his hands through his hair, looking around like he’s looking for an escape. “Shit, I should go.”
“Maybe you should.” Elijah grits out.
Gabe gives me a quick apologetic smile before slipping through the door.
Elijah walks over, shutting it completely.
I swallow deeply, my heart beating out of my chest. I run my hands down my thighs as I try to get my mind straight. I shouldn’t be drunk for this conversation.
Dammit, why now!?
“Tobias…I’m going to need you to explain what I should know. Right now.”
28
Elijah
I feel sick.
Looking at his glossy eyes, I know something’s not right. I can feel it in the base of my spine. Something’s wrong and for some reason, he hasn’t felt like he could tell me.
What hasn’t he told me?
He looks away from me.
I turn his face towards me so he can’t avoid this. He can’t avoid me.
“Talkto me.” I feel a pain surge through my chest. “It’sme. Whatever it is, I’ll be there for you.” I say softly, basically pleading at this point.
“I…I’m so scared how you’re going to take it.” He breathes, his voice shaky and weak.
My heart drops into my stomach. So thereissomething.
“But yetGabeknows? What could you tellhimthat you couldn’t tell me—”
Tobias shakes his head, running his hand through his hair aggressively. “I only told him because he wasthere.”
Pain and guilt hit me at once. My chest aches when hearing those words.
