40. Eli
CHAPTER 40
ELI
I stirred awake, the warmth of the body beside me anchoring me to the moment. Blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the blinds, I turned my head and found Niall sprawled on his back, dark lashes fanned against his cheeks, lips slightly parted as he exhaled slow, steady breaths.
My heart clenched.
Last night had been everything. More than I’d expected. More than I’d let myself hope for. Niall had given himself over completely. The way he had let go and let me in. The way he had looked at me. I knew I’d never forget it, and in return, I had poured every ounce of tenderness I possessed into making it unforgettable.
Afterward, we drifted into sleep, tangled together, only to awaken close to midnight. We’d stumbled to the kitchen, cleaning up the remnants of our forgotten dinner—laughing, stealing kisses between wiping counters and putting away dishes. Then, a shared shower, the heat of the water no match for the heat between us. I’d dropped to my knees, taking Niall into my mouth, pulling those deep, wrecked sounds from him, my name breaking from his lips like a prayer.
He’d been the big spoon when we’d fallen back to sleep, and the arm slung around my waist was firm, possessive even, like he’d decided he wasn’t letting go. I’d smiled into my pillow, shifting slightly, and his grip had tightened in response.
Now, he lay sated, his chest rising and falling in the early light, one arm flung carelessly over the space where I had been. I let myself look—really look—at the man who’d rocked my world. The strong planes of his face, the curve of his mouth, the soft, golden morning light catching the scruff on his jaw. He looked beautiful.
And he was mine .
Moving carefully, I eased out from under his arm, slipping from the bed as he gave a soft, contented sigh but didn’t stir. I lingered for a second, just watching him, then padded toward the door and into the kitchen.
Swiping my phone off the counter, I scrolled to my sister’s name and hit Dial. The night before, Niall had told me that since today was game day, he had a lighter load and would just do some online work. No early morning practice. No rushing out of the apartment before sunrise. Just him sleeping soundly in my—our?—bed, looking so damn peaceful that I didn’t want to risk waking him up.
Cheyenne picked up on the third ring. “Eli?”
“Hey, Chey.” I leaned against the counter, keeping an eye on the hallway. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”
She snorted. “Please. I’ve been up for hours.” She hummed, as if she was sipping from her ever-present coffee. “So, what’s up?”
“Nothing. Just wanted to check in.”
“And?”
“I’ve got some news. Good news.”
She picked up on it immediately. “Oh my God. It happened, didn’t it?”
“What—”
“Eli, don’t even try it. I know that tone. You sound ridiculously happy. Which means you and your roommate finally?—”
I scrubbed a hand down my face. “Jesus, Chey.”
She cackled. “I knew it! Details. Now.”
I groaned. “Not happening.”
“Fine, but at least tell me you’re okay.”
I exhaled, the memory of last night settling warm in my chest. “Yeah. I’m okay. Better than okay, actually.”
Her voice softened. “Good. You deserve that.”
A comfortable silence stretched between us before she spoke again. “So… are you bringing him home for the holidays?”
That caught me off guard. “I, uh, haven’t confirmed anything with Mom and Dad yet.”
“Well, I’m heading back to Cali,” she said. “Figured I’d check if you were too.”
“You know I wouldn’t miss going back home for the holidays.” I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth. “I want to bring Niall along. As long as he wants to come, and it doesn’t interfere with his hockey schedule.” A grin crept into my voice. “Actually, I was just thinking about all the places we could go. I don’t think he’s ever been to SoCal. I could take him to Santa Monica, or Griffith Park, or—oh, the Getty. Maybe we could go to Disneyland.”
Cheyenne chuckled. “Wow. You really love him.”
I didn’t even try to deny it. “Yeah. I do.”
Her voice turned teasing. “So, when are you telling him? Or have you told him already?”
I swallowed. “Soon. I hope.”
“Good,” she said. “And Eli?”
“Yeah?”
She smiled. “I’m happy for you.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest. “Thanks, Chey.”
“Anytime, bro.” She sniffed dramatically. “Ugh, so much emotion before I’ve even had my second cup of coffee. Who am I?”
I snorted. “A menace.”
“Correct.”
A pause, then—“So… since you’re all loved up, does that mean I officially have to live vicariously through you? Because I’m still tragically single.”
I tilted my head. “Still haven’t found someone who can put up with you?” Amusement curled at the edge of my voice.
“Rude.”
“Accurate.”
She sighed. “Fine, I’ll allow it. But yeah, no prospects. No one even remotely interesting, so I’m settling for being an over-invested big sister instead.”
I smirked. “When aren’t you over-invested?”
“Excuse you, I am a delight.”
I laughed quietly, glancing toward the hallway again. Still no movement.
Cheyenne’s voice softened. “For real though, if he ever screws up, just say the word and I’ll fly out there.”
I shook my head, warmth spreading through my chest. “Duly noted.”
She grinned. “All right, go be gross and in love. I need more coffee.”
“Later, Chey.”
“Later, lover boy.”
I hung up, setting my phone down with a small smile. The apartment was still quiet, just the hum of the fridge and the gentle thump of water in the pipes.
I let myself soak it in for a second—the warmth in my chest from talking to Cheyenne, the afterglow of last night, the knowledge that Niall was still curled up in my bed, right where he belonged.
A life with him in it felt bigger. Brighter. Like something I could finally hold on to without it slipping through my fingers.
A knock on the door jolted me out of my thoughts. With a deep breath, I pushed off the counter and grabbed a dish towel, idly wiping my hands as I glanced at the clock. A little past nine. The university always sent maintenance notices in advance, and I vaguely remembered seeing an email about inspections this week. Figuring that was it, I strode to the door, unlocking it without hesitation.
But it wasn’t maintenance.
It was Chase.
For a second, I just stared.
He looked exactly almost the same—blond hair a little longer, beard scruffier, a cocky kind of handsome. Like a younger Charlie Hunnam, with sharp cheekbones and the kind of smirk that once made me weak in the knees. But not anymore. Like someone who knew the world bent around him and expected it to keep doing so.
He smiled, casual and easy, like we hadn’t gone months without speaking. “Hey, Eli.”
My stomach twisted, my grip tightening on the towel still in my hand. “What are you doing here?”
“I miss you.”
“How did you even find me?”
He shrugged like it was nothing. “You left breadcrumbs. You were tagged on an Insta post. Wasn’t hard.” He smiled like it was a game he’d just won. “I did some snooping. Found a friend of a friend who knew a guy on the hockey team. One of the subs. Poor guy didn’t know I was fishing for info.”
That cold weight settled in my chest. He’d hunted me down.
“I needed to see you. I’ve been thinking about us—about everything.” He glanced past me into the apartment, almost like he was scoping out the space he thought he could reclaim.
“There is no ‘ us ,’” I said firmly.
Chase stepped closer. “Come on.” His voice softened, dripping with the charm that used to get him whatever he wanted. “I fucked up. I know that. But I miss you, and I’m willing to make this work. I can transfer here. Be closer to you. We can figure this out.”
I opened my mouth to shut that down, but before I could, Chase’s eyes flickered over my shoulder. His expression shifted, and that’s when I felt it—the warmth of a solid body behind me. The slow, steady inhale of someone standing close. Then, an arm slipped around my waist, pulling me back against a familiar chest.
Niall.
“Pretty bold showing up here uninvited,” he said. His grip tightened slightly, his presence grounding me. “Eli’s my boyfriend.”
My breath hitched.
Chase’s easy smile cracked. “Since when?”
“Since it stopped being you,” Niall said.
Chase’s jaw clenched, and his hands curled into fists at his sides. “You’re just gonna let him talk for you?” he asked, glaring at me. “You really think this guy’s gonna love you the way I did?”
“God, I hope not,” I said.
Niall leaned in slightly. “If you show up here again, I’ll report you for harassment.”
Chase scoffed. “Harassment? I just wanted to talk.”
“Talk’s over,” Niall said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Matter of fact, I think I’ll go ahead and make that call now.” He flipped to the dial screen, his other arm still wrapped securely around me. “Eli, you all right, babe?”
I exhaled, my heart pounding for a completely different reason now. I turned my head, meeting Niall’s steady gaze. “I’ll always be okay as long as you’re with me.”
“You should go. Now!” Niall’s voice was calm, deadly.
Chase’s face twisted, something ugly flashing across it. “Fine, be with him,” he spat out, his eyes twin flames on me. “Just don’t come crying back when it falls apart.”
Niall didn’t even flinch. He angled his body, shielding mine fully behind his. Calm, steady, cold.
“It won’t,” he said. “Now get the fuck out.”
Chase stared at my man like he wanted to say more—but then he turned, storming off down the hallway.
As soon as Niall shut the door, I sagged against him. Then, suddenly, we both started laughing. Maybe it was sheer relief, maybe it was just the absurdity of it all. I turned to face my boyfriend, and he pulled me closer, his forehead dropping to mine as our laughter faded into something softer.
“I meant it,” he murmured. “You’re my boyfriend. Mine .”
“Yes, baby,” I whispered. “And you’re mine.”
His lips brushed against mine, and I smiled against his mouth. “C’mon,” I said, tugging him toward the couch. “Let me thank my bad-ass boyfriend properly.”
Niall chuckled, following without hesitation.