Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Everest
I’m pacing in the living room, burning a hole into the rug as I wait for Rhys to come home.
He’s been acting squirrely and unlike himself for weeks now.
At first, I was going to give him time to come to me and tell me what was wrong, but he hasn’t yet.
I know that I should respect his privacy, but we’re about to have a life together.
I’m not trying to pry or pressure him, but his battles are my battles, and he needs to know that.
I chew on my thumbnail when I hear the familiar ding of the elevator. Taking in a deep breath, I brace myself in front of it, ready to not be a wimp and call him out on his behavior. But when the elevator opens, I rethink that strategy.
Because Rhys is a mess.
On the outside, he looks fine, but I know Rhys.
I know him so well that I can tell when something is wrong with him before even he can.
Every hair is in place and his clothes are all in order, but it’s his eyes.
Those beautiful eyes that always captivated me, that looked at me with hate then love, are in such pain.
The rigid set of his sharp jaw isn’t angry but full of tension.
I don’t even have to think as I step forward and engulf him in a hug. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
He sighs against my shoulder and wraps his arms around my waist. He leans on me the way I hoped he would. Nuzzling my neck, his breath tickles my skin as he speaks against me. “Ev, I can’t do it anymore.”
For a second, my heart stops. He’s definitely not referring to me or our relationship, but that cruel anxiety I have isn’t having any other thought besides that. I use my calming techniques to try to keep a clear head, but it obviously doesn’t work when he pulls back with wide eyes.
“Shit, baby, I don’t mean you.” He takes my face between his large hands and pulls me for a kiss. It’s quick and brief but comforting enough to soothe me. “It’s…
“You can tell me, Rhys,” I insist gently. “I know something is wrong and I know you’re not saying anything about it, but I’m here. I’m always here for you, no matter what.”
He nods slowly and takes my hand. He leads us to the sofa where he sits too far away, but I don’t think much of it. Opening up has always been difficult for him, and I know it’s just a way to settle himself before he tells me what’s the issue.
He takes one deep breath, avoiding eye contact as he speaks. “I’m flunking a class.”
I jerk my head back in surprise. “You’re what?”
“I know, I know,” he growls, slapping the side of his head angrily. “Like, what the actual fuck? I’m supposed to be this genius but I can’t even pass a stupid class? How am I supposed to go on to the career I want when I can’t figure this out. Why can’t I figure this out, Everest?”
`I nod and take both his hands in mine. I don’t know exactly what’s wrong with the class or why he’s struggling but that’s not what he has to hear right now. “You didn’t tell me things were getting hard.”
“Because I should be able to do it,” he says, tightening his hold on my hands. “I’m the one that can problem-solve, Everest. I help you with your work, and I like being the one that knows everything.”
I wrinkle my nose. That doesn’t sound right. “Why are you bullshitting me?”
His eyes widen. “What?”
“That was like the most narcissistic thing you’ve ever said and an outright lie.”
“It’s not,” he insists.
“Rhys, it’s me,” I tell him. “Be honest with me. What’s going on?”
He seems to stutter as he opens and closes his mouth. He looks to the side, biting the inside of his cheek, as he shakes his head in defeat. “I thought I could do this. I’m just a failure. I was never meant to go to college and I don’t deserve it.”
Rhys is a genius. I might be biased, but nobody can change my mind about that.
But the thing is, he’s also human. He puts so much pressure on himself to be excellent at school, because he thinks that’s the only way to make up for the fact that this is a chance he never thought he’d have.
Not just that, but we’ve all chipped in.
I know Elton saved all the rent from the years they were living together, but technically he didn’t have to give it to Rhys.
Skylar constantly picks up shifts for him when he has classwork or a late lab.
Davis has helped him buy his textbooks so he didn’t have to work as much to afford them and could focus on school.
“All these people have sacrificed so much,” he continues. “I’m letting them down.”
I sigh and eliminate the space between us.
Crawling onto his lap, I drag his head down until it’s resting on my shoulder.
“Baby, it’s okay. You know that everyone is willingly helping you.
They wouldn’t do it if they didn’t believe in you.
What is it you always tell me when I struggle with my assignments? ”
He chuckles humorlessly. “Get this next question right and I’ll suck your dick?”
“Not that,” I say with a slap to his shoulder. “Try again.”
He closes his eyes and sags against me. “You can’t give up now. Sometimes people just need a little help.”
“Help,” I repeat. “Hear that word. Just because you could use some help, doesn’t mean you’re failing. You help me all the time. Does that make me an idiot?”
“Absolutely not,” he growls as he digs his fingers into my side angrily. “Don’t fucking say that about yourself.”
“Well, same goes to you. You’re not less than because you’re having a hard time.
Maybe this class is harder than you thought.
Maybe it’s confusing because it’s new material.
My point is that you shouldn’t give up and beat yourself because of it.
” I press my forehead against his with a small smile.
“You’re capable of so much, Rhys. We all believe in you. You can do this.”
It takes a minute, but he nods. “I know. Fuck, I don’t know why I couldn’t just say it.”
I shrug. “I can relate to being resistant to help. It’s hard. Now that you have your head on straight, though, you need to figure out what you’re going to do. We need a plan. You’re not failing college because your ego got bruised.”
This time, his chuckle is genuine. He shakes his head gently as he drags his pointer finger down my nose and to my lips. “What would I do without you, Everest?”
“Good thing you’ll never have to find out.” With that, I quickly hop off his lap and hold my hand out. “Now, let’s go find you a tutor, okay?”
Even though he hesitates, he still takes my hand. He brings me close to his chest just as I’m about to step away. “Thank you.”
My heart warms. Rhys has been my rock since we got together, and I’m so happy I get to be that for him as well. That’s what a partnership is. You lean on each other when they need you the most. It comes and goes—the reassurance—but you know it’s always there when the time comes.
“I love you,” I whisper against his chest.
I feel the rumble of his laugh. “I love you more.”
“Impossible.” I pull back and plant a sensual kiss on his lips. When I feel him harden and he starts to get breathy, I jump away. “Nope. Not until we find you a tutor. After that, you can fuck me as hard as you want, for as long as you want.”
His wolfish grin nearly has me melting and caving, but I resist. Shaking myself out of my horniess, I take his hand. “Let’s go.”
He nods and follows me as we head to the kitchen island. We sit there and figure out what kind of tutor he needs, and it’s really easy to get that all sorted. By the time we’re done, the sun has set, and the glittering Miami lights shine through our glass wall.
We don’t fuck—not right away. We lay there on a blanket, watching the city, telling each other that we'll always be there.