Emma slams the spatula she’s been holding this entire time down on the kitchen counter, as Steven and I mutter “dude”and “woah”simultaneously. All three of us look at Ellie, who has gone from red to ghost white as she stares at Liam, hurt all over her face.
“I think, maybe, it’s time for this conversation to be over,” I break the silence and stand to Ellie’s side, placing my hands on her arms, trying to look her in the eyes as she stares at the ground, blinking fast.
“I agree. Let’s clean up,” Steven murmurs in the kitchen, rubbing Emma’s arms, probably to keep her from hitting Liam on the head with a pan.
“Sounds like a plan.” Liam slaps his legs as he stands from the table. “I hate to upset you, Eleanor. But if you want another job in the future—”
“Ihavebeen offered another job!” Ellie yells around me, interrupting him.
“What?” Emma gasps from the kitchen sink.
My entire body goes numb. “Another job?” I whisper to her, my voice thick.
“Well, that is great!” Liam’s voice sounds far away as I stare at Ellie. Her eyes look misty as she looks over my shoulder, not meeting my gaze.
“Were you going to tell me?” I whisper, waiting for her to look at me.
She blinks rapidly as she looks at me. “I don’t know,” she says, looking away as true tears start to slowly form in the corners of her eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Emma asks.
“I didn’t know how.” Her voice is unsteady as she touches my chest, my heart pounding against her palm. Her bottom lip quivers as she looks at Emma over my shoulder, the weight of this decision in her eyes. “I don’t want to disappoint you.” Her voice breaks as her eyes land on me, tears flowing down her red cheeks. Ellie cares too much about what anyone else thinks and her leaving would impact more than just herself, and she knows that. She would sacrifice her dreams for us, for the school.
Words are lost on me as she searches my face, waiting for a response. I want to support her, tell her to chase her dreams and change the world. But I don’t want her to leave Glendale . . . leave me . . .
The thought of losing her is unbearable. I want to tell her to stay and we can have new dreams—together.
Stay with me.
But she can’t, not at the cost of her losing herself in the process.
I wipe a teardrop from her jawline with my thumb and, for some reason, that makes her tears flow faster. Cradling her face in my hands, she grabs my wrists, pressing my hands firmly against her cheeks and takes a slow steadying breath. My breathing picks up as she pulls me in closer, resting her head on my chest and tucking her arms against my chest. I wrap her up in my arms and hold her there in the middle of Emma and Steven’s kitchen, ignoring the eyes on us as she lets it all out in gasping sobs.
At some point, we moved from standing to sitting on the floor and Emma wrapped us in a blanket. Eventually the sobs became sniffles, then light snores as Ellie exhausted herself into a deep sleep against my shoulder. Steven helped guide me as I carried her to bed, tucking her in and putting her phone on the charger. Her face was puffy and damp as I kissed her on the forehead and left.
Chapter twenty-three
Ellie
Ihaven’tbeenona run since I started at Glendale, but today feels like the best time to get out before the sun comes up—avoiding Liam was my top priority.
Tip-toeing into the kitchen for coffee unnoticed was unsuccessful when I arrive to find Steven was already wide awake, eating Fruit Loops.
“Morning.” He smiles over his spoon before taking a bite of cereal. “Where are you headed?”
What are you, mydad?
His question irritates me instantly, but I bypass it. “Going on a run, just need some air.”
He nods in understanding and continues eating, making no eye contact. I guess we’re back to that. I silently curse Liam for his disruption of my life and reigniting the awkward tension between my brother-in-law and I.
I head out the door and am greeted with a cool, light rain, feeling instantly grateful for my decision to get up early. Taking a few deep breaths to enjoy the wet breeze on my face, I turn to start my run and seehim, running towards me.
God. Of course he still runs.
“Good morning, Ellie,” Liam pants as he jogs up to me in the driveway.
Ignoring his greeting, I sidestep and begin running, hoping he will take the hint and leave me be.
