Chapter 45 Elijah
Elijah
“How are you feeling?” I ask, combing my fingers through Tobias’s hair. He sits on the edge of the bed with his eyes closed, taking deep breaths. The scar left behind after Derrick hit him in the kitchen is still raw from the stitches, but his hair does a good job covering most of it.
“I’ll be okay,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I kiss the top of his head. “You know I’ll be there with you the whole time. I’ll be holding your hand every step of the way.”
He nods his head. “You always are.”
There are some things I need to take care of at the restaurant today. As much as I was able to push things off, I need to deal with them and I’m not ready to leave Tobias alone yet. I know returning to work will be a lot. He hasn’t spoken or seen anyone since everything with Derrick happened.
If it were up to me, he wouldn’t even need to go back at all. But, I also know how many people care, love and depend on him. And I know he feels that too.
Life keeps spinning even when things get hard. We have to keep moving. He taught me that last year and he’s been teaching me that ever since.
***
I blast music in the car, which probably isn’t great for someone healing from a concussion, but it’s the only way I can think to keep him from spoiling his surprise. My phone won’t stop buzzing on my lap, but I try to ignore it.
Thankfully, not before long, we’re turning into Jude’s Place parking lot. The snow crunches under the tires as I turn into the front, strategically avoiding the back parking lot.
I can feel Tobias curiously eyeing me as I put the car in park. “Everything okay?” Tobias asks.
“Yup,” I lie. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You never park over here.” He shakes his head slowly, looking around.
“There’s a first for everything.” I nervously scratch my eyebrow.
His eyes turn back to me, but after a moment, he hesitantly unbuckles his seat belt.
In a moment of weakness, with worry creeping up my neck, I reach out and grab his wrist, stopping him.
“What is it?” he asks, a small smile pulling at his lips.
A feel heat slick my forehead, knowing what we’re about to walk into. “I…I’m worried I’m pushing you too hard.”
Tobias laughs. “Look who’s getting the cold feet now, huh?” He cups the back of my neck with his hand.
“I’m serious.” I frown. “Just say the word and I’ll turn this car back around right now. No big deal.” I grip the steering wheel. I’ll never want to push Tobias past his limits in any way.
Tobias sighs, tilting his head, looking at me like I’m the precious one. Reaching for my hand, he takes it off the steering wheel and presses it against his heart.
“There’s loads to be scared of in this world, but living…I don’t want to be scared of that. Not anymore.” He shakes his head. “I think…no, I know I’m ready.”
My eyes dart all over his face, trying to see the slightest bit of hesitancy…but I see none. And if he’s telling me he’s ready, well, then I’ll need to believe him.
“Okay, but the moment you feel uncomfy, all you have to do is flick your nose like this,” I demonstrate, “and I’ll high-tail you right out of there.”
Tobias laughs, opening his door. “Okay, okay. Let’s go.”
We leave the car and I lead the way, holding Tobias’s hand up to the front door. It’s an hour before the restaurant opens on a Tuesday morning so the restaurant should be empty.
But, today, when we open the door and step through, the restaurant is anything but empty.
Excited cheers, claps, and “welcome back” variations echo through the dining room as Jude’s Place staff, our regulars with their families and the like, fill the dining room with signs, balloons and cards.
Hell, even Tanya from Bloom & Brew and Detective Jameson and Houston are here to welcome him back.
“Wha—” Tobias’s mouth drops open as he takes it all in.
“If it were up to them, they would’ve been beside me at your hospital bed. They all missed you so much and were so worried. ” I laugh nervously.
With such a small town, what happened with Derrick spread like wildfire. My phone hasn’t stopped blowing up since. I’m surprised the local news hasn’t stopped by for an interview.
But, the only people here are the people who really do truly love and know Tobias for the angel he is.
Yasmin and the other hostesses have tears in their eyes as he walks through and I swear, I can even see Yari in the back corner wiping his face from the tears that have been shed.
It’s a room full of love. A room full of people who were terrified of losing him almost as much as I was…almost.
“E…”
I squeeze his hand. “You are so loved, T.”
A breath of air leaves Tobias’s lips and I’m momentarily scared that I’ve broken him. I waver on this decision. Maybe it was too soon. This is a lot of people right away. I shouldn’t have done this. Fuck, I’m so—
“Thank you.” A shaky voice breaks through my thoughts. I suck in a breath as I look at him. He squeezes my hand as his eyes glisten. “Thank you.”
I feel a deep sense of love flood my veins.
He understands.
Of course, he’d understand.
Claire comes running up to him first. Eyes full of tears, she hands him a bundle of flowers.
“I missed you so much. We all did.” She sniffles. “Can I hug you?”
Tobias laughs, nodding his head. “Yeah, of course.” She rises onto her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a tight squeeze.
“Careful, careful.” I warn, which seems to be amusing to Tobias because he just laughs.
It’s not long after that where everyone else comes to join in too. I step to the side, but I don’t let go of Tobias in some way, either with my hand on his back as he accepts hugs or my hand in his while he catches up with everyone who came.
After forty-five minutes or so, the crowd starts to dwindle and the staff starts to set up for the work day.
I see Tobias’s eyes glance around, almost like his eyes are in search of something. Or someone.
Feeling a deep sense of regret, I tug on his hand and guide him over to the office.
“Hey, what’s up?” He asks, following me inside. “Oh wow, it’s so clean in here.” His eyes wide as he takes in how everything is back in order.
“Yeah,” I laugh softly. “It really wasn’t that bad.”
A shy smile shows on Tobias’s face as he nods his head.
I swallow my pride and close the door.
“I…I tried to call him.” I breathe out.
Tobias’s brows knit.
“Gabe.” I grit my teeth. “I left a couple voice notes but he hasn’t returned any of my calls.”
Tobias’s back straightens as he pushes his hands in his pocket. “Oh, E. I don’t care. I—”
I shake my head. “As much as I don’t want to admit it…he’s your friend. After everything you’ve told me…I understand that now.” I shrug, folding my arms. “Yeah, I’m still pissed about him kissing you. I’ll always be pissed…but if he’s your friend, then I’ll try to understand.”
Tobias’s eyes flicker and he looks away from me. “I don’t know what to say…”
I walk over to him, cupping his face in my hands. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m just sorry I pushed away someone who could’ve been there for you when you needed support around you. I never should’ve done that.”
A soft smile appears on his face as he hangs onto my forearms. “If I walked in and saw someone planting one on you, I would’ve acted even worse.”
My eyes light up at the thought. “Why does that turn me on?”
A gleeful laugh bursts out of his chest. “It would. You’re insane,” he says before pressing his lips to mine.
I melt into his lips, hooking my arms around his shoulders to bring him in even closer.
Not having sex for the past week has done a number on me. Even the faint touches he’s giving me down my back right now are lighting up my whole body. Everything is so sensitive as he turns us around, pushing my back into the wall.
Moaning against my lips, he turns my jaw in his hand so he can bite below my ear.
“Shit.” I groan. “We can’t. They’ll hear us.”
“They won’t. I can keep you quiet,” he teases softly, a glint of mischief behind his warm eyes.
I ignore the way that made my dick twitch in my pants and sadly push him away. “No, seriously. We can’t.” I suck in a big breath. “I’m still expecting two more guests.”
Tobias’s eyebrow coaxes as he wipes his thumb over his bottom lip. “Who?”
Right on time, a few short knocks sound on the door.
My heart skips a beat as I rush to fix mine and Tobias’s hair. Grabbing a book off the shelf, I scramble to hide my erection. It’ll have to do for now.
“Come in,” I call out. Tobias’s eyes widen as he looks at me. Okay, maybe I should’ve grabbed a book for him too.
Ooops.
Nonetheless, Gwen pokes her head in through the crack in the door. Her bright smile flashing at us. “My darling,” Gwen’s voice cracks as she rushes over.
“Oh my god,” Tobias crumbles like a kid in her arms, tears returning again.
I can’t stop the lump in my throat as I watch them embrace.
“I was there every day you were in the hospital. I was never far away.” She sniffles, stroking the back of his hair.
He nods his head. “I know. Elijah told me everything you did,” he chokes out, half-laughing, half-crying.
“She really was my partner in crime.” I smile, walking over. I sling my arms around them both as we rock gently. Gwen smells faintly of vanilla and espresso — comfort in human form.
I can’t help the tears that build in my own arms as my eyes catch on my dad’s picture hanging on the wall. We really are a family. Always.
After a few moments, Gwen straightens up, wiping off her tears. “Well, um, that’s not the only reason why I came.”
She grasps the back of both of our necks, holding us still as she smiles back and forth between the two of us.
“I’ve been working on something very important with someone these past couple weeks,” Her eyes gravitate to mine. “As Elijah knows.”
Tobias looks at me confused, but I bite my bottom lip. This is some big news and I’m not sure how he’s going to react to it.
“And everything is all set-up in a contract agreement. Everything’s a go, all you have to do is say yes.”
Tobias fully turns to me now. “Say yes? To what? Elijah, what’s going on?”
My mouth opens but before I can answer, Paul Hartman steps through the door.