When I pull into the driveway, I freeze when I see Eli’s truck. My stomach knots into a tight ball when I see him sitting on the front porch. His head is down, but it rises when he hears my Jeep. When his eyes come to mine, it feels like someone punches me in the stomach. My heart starts pounding and my hands get sweaty.
So many emotions push forward, but I grab on to the anger that’s rising up and hold tight. I won’t cry. I won’t. I repeat it over and over again as I steel myself. I hop out of my Jeep, fixing my practiced fake smile. Eli stands as I walk toward him, and there’s a solemn look on his face. He clearly doesn’t want to be here.
“Major’s not home, so…” I tell him dismissively. I breeze right past him and grab the handle to the front door. I get a little madder when I feel it’s unlocked. He’s already let himself in.
I don’t invite him in, I just grit my teeth and walk inside. Hell, I slam the door behind me, hopefully right in his handsome face, but I don’t turn to look. Then I hear him open the door, and my name comes from his lips. Yeah, this not-showing-my-anger thing isn’t working.
I drop my bag and turn to look at him. He looks tired. No, he looks wonderful. A lump grows in my throat.
“Please leave,” I manage, happy with myself at how strong my voice sounds. I can tell it’s a direct hit as my words strike him hard. I can see it on his face. He brings his hand up to run through his hair that’s a little longer now. I itch to touch it. To touch him. He doesn’t want you, I remind myself.
“I can’t do that, sunshine.” His eyes flick to my wrist where my charm bracelet is. I grab my wrist, covering it up as if I’ve been caught with something I’m not supposed to have. I couldn’t bring myself to take it off. I’d tried a few times but couldn’t do it.
“Don’t call me that,” I throw at him before turning and heading up the stairs. I hear his heavy boots behind me. I move faster, trying to make it to my room, wanting to get away from him. He gets to me first, pulling me into him. My back hits his front as his arms wrap around me. My body melts into his on its own, and I can’t stop the reaction. I hate how much I want him.
“Sunshine, please,” he whispers in my ear. I can hear the pain in his words. It’s deep and rips at me. Slowly I turn to look up at him. He’s so close. His smell invades my senses. I swear he’s gotten bigger since the last time I saw him.
His forehead drops to mine, his eyes falling closed. We stand there in silence, neither one of us saying anything.
After what feels like forever, he finally open his eyes and they meet mine.
“Major is missing.”
My stomach drops at his words, but somehow I remain standing. I don’t know how long I stand there trying to process it. My dad is missing?
“All I know is he went dark over twenty-four hours ago and they can’t locate him. Nor has he contacted them,” he adds. “Oh, sunshine, don’t cry. You know Major is coming back. Nothing can stop him. I think we both know that.”
I didn’t even realize I was crying. I believe Eli. It would take the world going up in flames for my dad to not come home. I take a deep breath and step back from Eli.
“Thank you for letting me know.” He just stands there, not moving. “Please lock the door on your way out,” I add.
“Sunshine, I’m not going anywhere.”
My eyes narrow on him, and I know we are about to square up for a fight.
“I don’t want you here. Even less so knowing the only reason you came here was to give me the news about my dad. I’ll be fine. I have Alice.”
He shakes his head. “This isn’t up for debate.”
“You know what—” I snap back, but he cuts me off.
“According to the law, you’re mine now.”
Chapter 12
Eli
“What are you talking about, Eli?”
Her flushed cheeks and clenched fists should make me wary. But instead I’m turned on like I’ve never been in my life. Seeing her in person, holding her against me, smelling her sweet scent. It’s all too damn much, and I can’t stand the space between us.
I reach in my back pocket and pull out the paper and hold it out to her. “Major had his living will changed so that if anything ever happened to him and he couldn’t get home, I was your legal guardian.”
Her hand is shaky as she unclenches her fist and jerks the paper out of my hand. She is pissed off, and I absolutely hate it. I knew that my leaving wouldn’t be easy on her, but I had hoped that knowing one day I’d come back for her would help.
She scans the document and shoves it against my chest as she storms past me and into her bedroom. I follow her step for step until I get to her entryway and stop. I know that going into her private space without permission would cross some kind of line, and I don’t want her to be threatened. I want her to feel everything I feel for her, but that may never happen.
“Maggie,” I say, hating that she doesn’t want me to use her nickname. “Let’s talk.”
“I don’t have anything to say to you right now,” she says, and turns her back on me.
“That’s fine. But I’ve got things I need to say to you.” I still don’t take a step into her room. I know there will never be an easy way to apologize for what I’ve done or to help comfort her while her dad is missing. “I’m sorry I left the way I did. I thought that it would be for the best. I never meant to hurt you, Maggie. I was told today about Major, and you and I both know there are things about his job that can’t be discussed. They’re supposed to call us tonight and give us any updates they have on the situation. You and I have a lot to talk about, and maybe now isn’t the time for all of that. But at least while we are going through this, let me help. I’m here, and I care about Major just as much as you do. I won’t let you go through this alone. Please don’t let me, either.”