Page 144 of Hate You Up Close

“Elliot,” he exhales. “What the hell is going on, man? I’ve never seen you act like this before. I get that you’re worried about Roxy…But this…This is next level.”

I turn my back to him, ignoring him as I pull my phone from my pocket to see that Roxanne still hasn't called me back. Everett watches with confusion etched across his face as I try calling her again.

It goes to voicemail. Again.

“Fuck!” I cry out, chucking my phone into the grass before dropping to my knees.

Not again. I can’t fucking do this again.

My emotions are so out of control that I don’t even realize I’m sobbing. Everett carefully kneels beside me before placing a hand on my back.

“Talk to me, Elliot,” he rasps. “Did…Did something happen? I just…I don’t understand where all of this is coming from.”

I shake my head, trying to catch my breath.

“I can’t…” I trail off. “I can’t go through this again, Everett. I just can’t.”

I can’t lose her. I won’t survive it. She’s everything to me. She’s my heart.

“You can’t, what?” he asks softly. “It’s just you and me here. What are you talking about, Elliot?”

I drop to my ass, curl my knees up to my chest, rest my elbows on my knees, and burrow my head in my hands.

“I…” I trail off, prepared to spill what I’ve been holding in for over half of my life when I hear a ringing.

My heart stops as my head snaps up to where the grass is lighting up. I lean forward, dropping to my hands and knees and crawling like a fucking baby to my phone. Before my fingers wrap around it, I can already see the name flashing across the screen.

Roxanne.

Roxanne. Roxanne. Roxanne.

My heart.

“It’s her,” I exhale, my voice almost a whisper as I answer the call and press the phone to my ear.

“I’ll give you some space,” I hear Everett mumble behind me. “I’ll come back out in a bit,” he adds before squeezing my shoulder.

“Elliot?” Roxanne’s sweet voice echoes through the phone at the same time the front door closes, letting me know I’m out here alone.

God, I’ve never been happier to hear her voice. It’s the best sound I’ve ever heard.

“Roxanne,” I exhale, my voice cracking.

“Hey, babe,” she says softly, sensing that something is off. “I’m on my way back now. I’m only about ten minutes away. I didn’t have a chance to tell you, but Evie–”

I cut her off.

“What thefuck, Roxanne?” I croak.

A beat of silence passes through the line.

“Um…Excuse me?” Roxanne finally says.

“What the hell were you thinking?”

“What are you so upset about?” she asks. “I didn't think you would be mad. I needed to give Evie a ride home, and I didn't want to interrupt your conversation with your dad and Everett. I’ve only been gone for twenty minutes.”

“Why am I upset?” I chuckle sarcastically. “Roxanne, you took my fucking car and drove after you’d been drinking.”