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16

Elias

T aylor finishes her last exam today, and I’ve got a surprise planned—a quiet dinner out to celebrate. I tap the steering wheel, anxious to see her, to find out how her exam went as I sit in the car outside the performing arts building, cranking up the heat so it’s warm and cozy for her when she steps outside. Snow dusts the windshield, and I flick on the wipers to keep an eye on the building’s front doors.

She knows I’m here. It’s become our thing—me driving her to exams, picking her up whenever I can, squeezing it in between practices or games. She hates driving in the snow, and with the black ice warning tonight, I wouldn’t dream of letting her be on the roads in the dark alone. Overprotective? Maybe. But she doesn’t seem to mind. Not like the way she minds with her brother.

Finally, the doors swing open. Students stream out, bundled in scarves and jackets, their breath visible in the frosty air. I search the crowd, and my heart does a familiar flip when I spot her. She moves gracefully down the steps, her backpack slung over one shoulder, and my grin stretches wide.

I kill the ignition and hurry from the car, eager to meet her. As I close the distance, I notice she’s talking to someone. I can’t quite make out who it is in the dark, but something about her is vaguely recognizable. Taylor’s head lifts, and when our eyes meet, a smile touches her lips, lips that I can’t wait to kiss.

“There he is,” I hear her say, her voice carrying over the crunch of boots on snow.

When I’m closer, it clicks. It’s Avery, the server from the Nook.

“Look who I ran into,” Taylor says, turning toward me, and I slide the backpack from her shoulder and hook it over my own. “Avery had her last exam tonight too.”

“Nice to see you, Avery,” I say, my breath fogging in the chilly air as I move from one foot to the other to keep warm.

“You too,” she replies, her tone playful as she nudges Taylor with her elbow. “Must be nice having your own personal chauffeur.”

Taylor laughs and I quickly explain. “She’s my best friend’s sister. I’m not letting her out on these icy roads when I have four-wheel drive and she doesn’t. Kalen is busy tonight, and it’s what he would have wanted me to do.”

“That’s incredibly sweet of you, Elias,” Avery says, her smile warm. “Taylor is a very lucky girl to have two guys always looking out for her.”

“Elias is a nice guy. Not nearly as bossy as my brother,” Taylor chimes in with a nonchalant shrug, like we’re buds, old friends, and we haven’t been having sex like bunnies. Like she hasn’t been enjoying my commands in the bedroom. “And anyway, I’m helping him organize his new house, so this is the least he can do.”

Avery chuckles, nudging Taylor with her elbow. “Oh, the least, huh? I’d be negotiating a foot rub or two if I were in your shoes.”

Taylor’s eyes light. “Oooh. I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

Avery’s mood shifts as she hugs herself, glances around and says, “I’d better get going. I don’t want to miss my bus. I need to get changed before we all hit up the Tap Room to celebrate.”

The Tap room, aka, Tap That Ass room, a well-known place where college kids go to party and hook up.

I tilt my head and look out at the dark street. “I can give you a lift.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want to put you out,” she protests, though there’s hesitation in her tone as she follows my gaze to the shadowed bus stop.

“I don’t mind.” I glance at Taylor. “You’re not in a hurry to get anywhere, are you?”

She hesitates for a second, and then, “Nope.” She loops her arm through Avery’s. “Come on, we’ll give you a ride.”

As we walk toward the car, I turn to Taylor. “So? How was it?”

“I crushed it.” She lets out an exaggerated sigh, her breath visible in the cold. “But I’m just so ready for Christmas break. Between school and the play, I’m running on fumes here.”

I make a fist and playfully nudge her cheek. “Atta girl. I knew you’d nail it.” Even though she’s worn out, her energy is palpable—a low buzz of untapped adrenaline after weeks of studying and acting at the local theater. Honestly I can’t wait to get home later, to wrap her in my arms and take care of her in every single way she deserves.

“I’m burnt out too.” Avery sighs, her voice light but laced with exhaustion. I’m glad I can help shave some time off her night by giving her a lift and it’s nice to see Taylor making new friends.

I pick up my pace and reach the car before them, opening the passenger door and then the back.

Before I can say a word, Taylor pipes up. “You take the front, Avery.”

I blink, surprised, but she ducks into the back seat without another word and holds her hand out for her backpack. I hand it off, circle the car, slide into the driver’s seat, and fire up the engine.

“I like your car,” Avery says, buckling her seatbelt.

“Thanks.” I adjust the rear-view mirror, my gaze catching Taylor in the back. She’s glued to her phone, her face unreadable. What’s going on with her?

“Where to?” I ask Avery, deciding I’ll get to the bottom of this strange behavior later.

She rattles off her address, and I nod, familiar with the area. I glance at her as I back out of my parking spot. “How was your exam?”

“Economics,” she groans, dragging the word out like it’s physically painful. “Not my favorite. Just saying it makes me break out in a rash.” She scratches her arm for effect, grimacing.

I can’t help but laugh, the sound filling the car. Catching movement in the mirror, I see Taylor’s eyes flick up, locking with mine for a brief moment.

“Elias did political science too,” Taylor chimes in and that’s when I get it. She’s playing matchmaker. My stomach twists, unease working its way through my blood. I don’t want to date her friend, but it’s a reminder that she’s not in this for the long haul. I grip the steering wheel a bit tighter because the truth is, while I want her, how can we possibly have a future when she has a life to experience, and her brother is my best friend—a guy who thoroughly trusts me with his kid sister?

“Really?” Avery shifts in her seat, her interest piqued. “Did you go to Boston College too? Please tell me you didn’t have Professor Singh for economics. He’s brutal.”

“Harvard,” I say simply, easing the car out of the lot. The tires crunch on the snow, and I drive slowly, wary of the black ice warnings.

Avery’s eyebrows shoot up. “Harvard? And now you’re a professional hockey player?” She laughs, shaking her head. “You’re full of surprises.”

“My dad’s in politics out in California. A degree in the same field seemed like a good idea. It’s always good to have a backup plan.”

Avery grins. “Maybe one day we’ll call you Mr. President.”

I bark out a laugh. “Not happening.” I guess it’s not weird for her to say that but it does remind me of Kalen and Sahara. I heard her whisper something about Mr. President to him but have no idea what that was all about. Some secret between them I guess. Just like Taylor and I have secrets that we don’t want anyone else to know.

Avery shifts, moving a little closer to me. “What was Harvard like? That’s impressive, by the way.”

As we chat, I fill her in on the grueling classes, the late nights, and the unexpected parallels between politics and hockey strategy, having learned that from the quiet woman in the back seat. Avery listens intently, her questions thoughtful, full of real interest—in my college years, and in me.

But in the mirror, Taylor remains quiet. Too quiet. She’s scrolling on her phone, her expression distant. Once again a pang of unease ripples through me, but I push it aside for the time being and focus on the road.

“Are you interested in going into politics?” I ask Avery.

“Eventually,” she explains. “What about your dad? What does he do?”

Her question feels genuine, not calculated, which makes me relax. Meeting her at the Nook, her connection to Taylor, and the overlap in our paths all feel like a sequence of coincidences. But I don’t sense that she’s out to befriend me to get a step up in life or use me for my connections.

“Governor of California.” I glance in the mirror again, catching Taylor’s reflection. Her phone is still in her hand, but this time, she’s watching me.

“Maybe one of these days you could introduce them,” Taylor suggests.

Avery’s eyes go wide. “Really? That would be amazing.”

“They’re planning a visit in the new year, when Elias plans to have his house fully furnished and ready for guests. They want to catch one of Elias’s games. Oh, you should come to one. He has a home game next week,” Taylor adds breezily.

“Yeah, they’re planning a visit,” I confirm, keeping my voice neutral even though a storm is building inside me. “I don’t know the exact dates, but I’m sure Dad would love to chat with you.”

She puts her hand on my arm. “Elias, I can’t believe you’d do that for me. That is so nice. I owe you big time for that, and Taylor, I’d love to come to a game with you.”

“I’ll get the tickets. Oh, and Elias loves lasagna,” Taylor provides, her gaze straying to some distant spot in the road.

“Lasagna. I can manage that,” Avery says, then with a laugh adds, “Although full disclosure, I can’t cook to save my life, but I can buy it from the Nook. They make a mean lasagna. Let me know when you’re free.” I turn down her street. “Oh, I’m just over here,” she says and points to an old, weathered building that has been broken up into apartments for college students.

I pull over on the street, since there is no parking lot, and she gives me a megawatt smile as she unbuckles. “Thanks again, and lasagna it is. I’ll get your number from Taylor later. We exchanged numbers earlier when I ran into her in the hall.” She shoots Taylor a hopeful glance. “Taylor please tell me you’re coming out tonight with us.”

“I’m not sure yet,” Taylor responds, her tone noncommittal.

“Come on. It’s going to be fun.” Avery glances at me. “Elias, why don’t you come too? I’ll buy you a drink to thank you for this ride.” She laughs, holding her hand up like she’s swearing an oath. “Don’t worry, lasagna is still on the table.”

I grip the steering wheel, the thoughts of a college pick-up bar making me cringe. Honestly, the last thing I want is to spend a night surrounded by drinking college kids.

Ah, but Taylor is a college student, dude…

“Oh, I…Uh, I actually have plans,” I finally tell her and now it’s my turn to avoid Taylor’s glance. Yes, I feel her eyes on me after that little white lie. Although technically it’s not a lie. I have dinner plans with Taylor. She just doesn’t know it yet.

Disappointment moves over Avery’s face as she climbs from the car. She pokes her head back in. “I hope to see you tonight, Taylor. We definitely need to blow off steam after this semester.”

“You’re not wrong about that.” She holds up her phone. “I’ll text you.”

As Avery shuts the door and walks toward her apartment, I glance at Taylor in the mirror. Silence arcs between us as she slowly turns her eyes to me. “What the fuck, Taylor?”

“What?” she responds, all innocent. Did she really expect me not to call her out on her matchmaking bullshit?

Avery stops at her door and turns back to give us a wave. Once she’s safely inside, I continue. “You know what. You’re trying to set me up with Avery because we have political science in common.”

She puckers her lips, going on the defensive. “I just thought?—”

I hold my hand up to stop her. “Get your ass up here.”

She grumbles something about me being bossy as she slides from the back seat and slips in beside me. Before I can say anything, she throws her hands up in the air. “I just thought?—”

“I know what you thought,” I interrupt. She slouches dramatically in her seat, her bottom lip sticking out just enough to tug at my heartstrings. I sigh and soften my tone. “Hey, I’m not ready for that, okay? We discussed this.”

“Technically, you said you’d think on it. You still haven’t given me an answer and the opportunity with Avery presented itself.”

She’s right, I did say I’d think on it. “How about this? Let’s get through the holidays and the wedding, and then I’ll go from there.”

“I just thought if you had something in common, and she’s really nice. I bet your parents would like her. She’s going into politics, after all.”

“They like you,” I remind her.

“I know and that’s the problem,” she huffs out. “This is all Roman’s fault.”

“It really is, isn’t it?” I lean in, cup the back of her neck and pull her to me. I don’t give a shit if Avery is peeking out her window as I kiss her with all the need inside me, anxious to show her that I like her too. She melts under my ministrations, and when I move back a little, a warm contented sigh escapes her lips. Does that sigh mean she likes me too? Even if she did, what the hell can we do about it?

Taylor blinks at me, her expression sheepish. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my place. I overstepped and it was wrong.” She blinks at me again, a little more playfully this time. “Are you mad?”

I chuckle at her antics. “I’m not mad, and I’ll prove that to you later when we get home. But right now, I’d love to go out to dinner to celebrate the end of exams. I booked us a table at La Rue Bistro. I can probably get really good lasagna there. No need for Avery to get takeout from the Nook,” I tease. I expect a laugh, a playful quip, something. Instead Taylor goes quiet, her gaze dropping, and my stomach tightens when I realize why.

“While that sounds nice, Elias…”

She fidgets, her words falling off, and for a second I think she’s going to end this whole thing and if she doesn’t, I should. She’s young and in college. She shouldn’t be hanging out with an older guy like me, going to fancy dinners. She should be out partying at the bar with her friends, having a good time, living her life and making memories. I might be a homebody, even wanting to go straight to the sofa after dinner tonight, when it’s still early, but she’s not me. Am I trying to change her, make her into something I am, and she’s not? Christ, she’s going to resent me for that. What the hell is wrong with me?

“You’re right. You should go hang with your friends. I can take you home to get changed and even drive you downtown and pick you up if you like.” I quickly pull back into traffic and start home, the lump in my stomach growing. She feels this obligation to me, to be my pretend girlfriend. But she’s missing out because of it, and maybe she doesn’t want to do it anymore. Maybe that’s why she brought Avery into all this. Fuck.

“Elias,” she explains softly, her hand landing on my arm. “La Rue Bistro sounds amazing and I’m starving, but I’m tired, and not dressed well enough for a place like that.”

“Sure. I get it,” I say, keeping my tone casual.

“I don’t think you do.” I cast her a fast glance as she shakes her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “What I’d really like is to go back to your place, order food in, light a fire and watch some mind-numbing romantic comedy, starring Adam Sandler of course, while you rub my tired feet. I mean it is the least you could do.”

“You and your love for Adam Sandler.” I laugh, the knot in my chest loosening. “But I don’t want to keep you from going out to the bar.”

“You’re not keeping me from anything. But lasagna from La Rue Bistro really does sound amazing. Not as good as Grandma’s, but still.”

“I’ll take you home, run you a warm bath, and while you’re soaking, I’ll call in our order.” I take her hand. “As long as that’s what you really want to do.”

“It is.”

I smile at her. “We can eat in front of the TV, with a blazing fire.”

“I think you might be forgetting something.” I arch a brow and she laughs. “Foot rub.”

“Right, I’ll rub whatever you need rubbed, sweet girl.” I wink at the woman who has my heart in the palm of her hand. “It’s the least I can do.”

She grins, and exhales an exasperated sigh. “The least…”