“Ilaria Montari,” the receptionist called.
Ilaria rose from her seat. “Looks like it's my turn.” She smiled at him. “Whatever else is on your mind, I hope you can find a solution, Elliot.”
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“Or maybe Jackson can help,” she tossed over her shoulder with a wink as she walked down the corridor, leaving Elliot to glare at her back. Obnoxiously perceptive woman.
He pulled his phone out, alone in the waiting area now. He scrolled aimlessly for a moment, then tapped the search bar, a spark of a memory pushing him forward as he looked up wildlife in the area. They'd be back in the woods tonight, and he didn't trust Jennings's judgement on the topic one bit.
Wolves. His search results told him. The area was known for wolves. He hadn't been wrong. He couldn't wait to rub it in Jennings's face tonight. Elliot faltered. Jennings, who he'd kissed. Who had kissed him back. Who he very much wanted to kiss again, but couldn't, no matter what Ilaria Montari thought.
His spiral was interrupted by a text from his mother.
Mum
Elliot, your father says you haven’t responded to him. Is everything ok?
Elliot swallowed the lump in his throat, his finger hovering over the contact. Conversations with his mother always left him feeling empty. It was like she could never quite bring herself to see him. Everything was superficial—her concern, her love. She rarely contacted him at all if it wasn’t at his dad’s behest. At least his dad’s overbearing obsession with Elliot’s career proved a sort of interest in his life.
Elliot
It’s fine. Busy.
Mum
And training is going well? You aren’t overdoing it?
Elliot
Nothing I can’t handle
Mum
Of course. Just stay the course, no distractions.
Elliot
I know
His throat tightened. Elliot pressed his thumb hard against the edge of the plastic chair, grounding himself. It was as if she were just typing from a script his dad had handed her.Distractions. Temptations.
Mum
And ring your father
Elliot
I will
The receptionist's voice echoed in the empty room. “Elliot Owens.”
He shoved his phone into his pocket roughly. Nothing she’d said was new or particularly pointed. Somehow, though, it still made his hands shake.
From the corner of his eye, he caught Ilaria leaving the building. She was looking at him as she left, a soft frown on her face.
He rose. The ache in his calves felt like nothing compared to the tight, familiar one in his chest. He walked down the corridor, half of him wondering why this all seemed so much harder now.
Dinner in the hotel was functional, if not particularly exciting. A buffet was laid out in the breakfast room for the athletes who were on the full board package, which Anders had insisted on because the options were nutritionally balanced and appropriate for athletes in the peak of their training regimes. Elliot entered the nearly empty dining area, taking a small table for one tucked into the corner so he wouldn’t have to interact with anyone. He’d had more than enough socialising for one day, and another night in the woods with Jennings was looming. He wasn't sure whether he was more nervous about the wolves or the proximity of the man his body seemed to be constantly aware of, completely against Elliot's will.
