Chapter 54 #2
“Hey, hi—yeah, you’re definitely Denali’s family.
You all look pale as fuck.” He said, breathing hard.
“Goddammit, Denali.” He threw me an exasperated look and clapped his hands.
“I know what everybody’s about to say—trust me, I fucking get it.
But I promise this is a big, complicated, weird fucking mess, and it’s not nearly as fucked-up as you think it is. ”
Mrs. Contractor watched me with wide eyes. “Elijah—”
“Mama,” Elijah said. I didn’t know how he softened his voice like that, I’d certainly never heard that tone. “Denali’s my best friend. He had no fucking idea that Zariah was—you know—Zariah.”
Was Elijah seriously monologuing for me? I couldn’t believe it. I was so fucking touched at the gesture, and I turned to his family again, to show how apologetic I was. “I really am sorry.”
“See? Denali’s sorry, Mama. He’s a fucking idiot, but he’s sorry.
” Elijah wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and I was so surprised, I stiffened.
He continued, unperturbed. “This whole thing’s been a headache, but they’re together now, and in love—all that sentimental bullshit, and the most annoying part is, they’re actually really good for each other. ”
I didn’t know what to say. I was stunned into speechlessness while Zariah shuffled among the seats, heading to Elijah. He somehow already knew what she wanted, and he moved towards her too.
She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “Aw, E.”
“I’m sorry for being such a fucking dick,” he apologized, squeezing her tight. “You’ve been there for me more than everybody else. I fucking love you, Z.”
“You are sentimental bullshit,” she mumbled, squeezing him tight. “I knew you’d come around.”
There was a whole other level to my happiness. The two most important people to me could stand each other again. We could hang out together and things wouldn’t be weird. No more secrets, no more bullshit. A grin crossed my face and I felt so light.
If they could come together, I knew I could make my amends too.
I navigated around them, hand outstretched to their parents.
“Hey, I’m—” Mr. and Mrs. Contractor instantly recoiled, both jerking away as far as they could while still staying in their seats.
I froze. “Oh, okay, yeah, I deserve that. Should’ve seen that coming—I really am sorry, I just wanted to say that. Again.”
“Zariah?” her mom whispered through the most uncomfortable smile I’d ever seen. “This is a joke?”
“Nope, not a joke.” Zariah gave a wave to my family, still stuck on the stairwell, clumped together.
“We’re all going out to dinner and we’ll talk.
Because we’re adults, and family is so important to both of us, and—and—” She scanned the seating arrangement and her smile faltered.
“And…you’re sitting right behind us during the game. Great.”
“I’m sure you’ll have fun.” Elijah nodded then grabbed me by the shirt, directing me up the stairs to walk between my family, still without words. “We’ll all hug and kiss and make up later but Denali and I have a Cup to win.”
I stole a glance behind me at the top of the stairs to see my family still staring at me in shock, everyone speechless.
They disappeared from my view when Elijah yanked me into the hallway. His arm quickly left mine and he shook his head. “I swear to fuck, they should put you on concussion watch. There’s no other fucking reason that you’d do that dumb shit.”
“I’m sorry,” I managed. “I thought you were…you were going to—”
“What?”
“You know…tell your family…”
“You dumb motherfucker—I snuck out to hype you up! Why’d you think I grabbed snacks? My mom gets angry on an empty stomach. I knew if I wanted to drop your name, food had to be involved.”
“Really?”
Elijah gave me a long look. “Look, I was angry because it made me feel good to shit on someone who’d fucked up too.”
“Oh.”
“But I called Dr. Abels this morning and…” He shrugged.
“I don’t know. I was scared that you could hurt Zariah.
But when I thought that through and realized I really didn’t believe that I had to accept that you…
changed. And that was harder than I thought, accepting someone could change for the better like that. Because I don’t think I have.”
“You are changing.”
“Maybe. Sort of. I think I’m like a crab stuck halfway out of a shell. Maybe I won’t ever get out.”
“Jesus, Elijah.” I stared at him. “I don’t know what crab shit you’re talking about, but I don’t think you’re halfway through anything. I mean…you couldn’t get out of bed in September. Think about how far you’ve come.”
We were quiet for a moment before Elijah’s mouth twitched for a grin. “Yeah, well, I decided to keep being your friend. Because you’re the dumbest motherfucker I’ve ever met, and I definitely look smarter next to you.”
I snorted—I couldn’t fucking believe I snorted—and Elijah’s grin widened.
He held out his palm in invitation. “Ready to get fucked up?”
I smacked his palm harder than ever before, pulling him in for half of a hug. “Ready to get freaky with—”
“ELIJAH!” Cleo’s yell shattered the peace of the hallway. “DENALI! MY JOB ISN’T TO SEARCH FOR YOU—GET MOVING!”
“Shit,” I swore under my breath.
Elijah and I broke into an awkward run in our gear as the lights in the arena dimmed. It was time for the championship.