Page 115

“I know.” He shrugs like it’s nothing. “I just wanna make sure you’re okay. Because I’m realizing something, Sie.”

I narrow my eyes and almost laugh. “What are you realizing, Eli?”

His smirk returns, a little sharper this time. “That I’m gonna be fucking you a lot.”

Heat slams into me, my thighs clenching together. “Jesus, Eli.”

“What?” He grins, completely unrepentant. “I’m being responsible.”

I shake my head, biting my lip to keep from smiling. My heart’s still racing, my skin buzzing, but I force myself to focus. “So…” I hesitate, suddenly nervous. “If you want to keep doing this then… does that mean we’re exclusive?”

He gives me a look like I just said something stupid. “Yeah.”

My stomach flips. I nod, playing with the hem of his jersey. “And… what about Caleb?”

His smirk deepens. “I’ll handle it.”

Something about the way he says it makes me shiver. I don’t push. Instead, I just nod. “Okay.”

Eli studies me for a second, then reaches into the back seat. “Here,” he says, pulling out a small cooler.

I stare at him as he pops it open, fishing around inside. “What is that?”

He pulls out a Diet Coke and hands it to me.

I blink. Then I burst out laughing. “You just have my favorite soda sitting in a cooler in your car? What the fuck, Eli?”

He nods, smiling. “Gotta stay hydrated after fucking the life out of you. You sure you don’t want me to come in?”

I hesitate. For a second, I actually consider it. But I shake my head. “Thanks for the Diet Coke. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He watches me, like he’s considering arguing. But then he sighs. “Tomorrow.”

I climb out, shutting the door behind me. He waits until I make it to my porch, then flashes his lights twice before pulling away.

I stand frozen like a lovesick idiot as I watch him drive off, then I immediately cringe at myself. I shake it off, open the door, and step inside.

The house is quiet. Mostly dark, except for the faint light coming from the kitchen. I lean against the door for a second, exhaling. My whole body is still thrumming, and I—

“You weren’t picking up your phone.”

I jolt upright, eyes snapping toward the kitchen. My dad’s standing by the counter, a bottle of water in his hand.

Shit.

“I was out with friends,” I say quickly, trying to sound casual.

His eyes flick over me, unimpressed. “Friends? Really?”

I nod.

His gaze drops to my hoodie. Eli’s hoodie with his name and everything.

Fuck.

I freeze. Then I slowly cross my arms over my chest like that’ll somehow make it disappear.

Dad just scoffs. “You were with Eli?”