35. Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Rebecca
T hings have somewhat settled down after our move to Boston. Being at different schools made things challenging at first, with varying schedules and being in different parts of town. But we’ve fallen into a rhythm, a routine.
It helps that neither of us have to work.
When I told my parents that I was going to Boston with Eli and transferring schools, they all but disowned me. Said they wouldn’t pay a dime toward my education if I insisted on leaving with him . And yes, there was much disdain in how they said it. Though I had some slight hopes that they’d come around, that they’d realize Eli makes me happy, it didn’t quite go that way.
With the funds the sisters had for Eli, he offered to share and cover a year or two for each of us and living expenses before we had to worry about working. But, of course, the sisters wouldn’t hear of that. And apparently, Jameson wouldn’t allow it. He coughed up enough money to cover any costs that were left over through four years. Which includes some grad school for both of us.
It was on the promise that we come back frequently and move back once we graduated. But that was all predetermined anyway.
Eli had a little trouble taking the money from Jameson. He didn’t feel it was right, that while they’re family, they’re not blood and that it wasn’t his responsibility. One round of golf seemed to change all that.
I guess Jameson reminded Eli that he’s filthy rich and he’d rather spend the money on something important than nothing. Apparently, when Eli tried to retort that he had two kids to save college funds for, and that’s only if they stop there, Jameson told him to shut the fuck up and take the money. Which he did. Gratefully.
Seeing Eli study, bent over the desk with his books and taking notes, is an entirely new kind of turn-on.
More often than not, I need to be in a different room while he’s studying, because I can’t concentrate or let him focus and end up hopping in his lap before he gets too far.
He has found fun ways to help me study, like strip flashcards. It takes studying to a whole new level of exciting.
The click of the front door draws my attention from the books spread out on the coffee table in front of me. It’s not like I was getting far anyway.
Eli flops into the corner of the couch and groans loudly.
“Everything okay?” I raise an eyebrow as I take in his sprawled state, his gaze stuck on the ceiling as one hand picks at his lower lip.
He’s silent for a beat as he takes a deep breath, running a hand through his hair and then down his face. Then he looks at me, and the pained expression on his face nearly crumbles my soul.
“Do you ever think we made a mistake coming out here? Leaving everything behind?”
One corner of my mouth tips down, and I slide farther onto the couch, pulling my knees up under me and facing Eli. I take his hand between mine and hold it in my lap.
“No.” The one firm word is all he needs to open up. Because he’s not really asking me what I think, he’s making sure I don’t agree with him.
While I certainly miss home, miss New York, our experience in Boston has been incredible so far. And the best part of it is that we’re together and can be, openly and freely. Nobody bats an eyelash about our age difference.
But I know he’s struggling. I can see it when he hangs up with one, or in some cases all, of his sisters. There are days he feels beaten down being “so old” compared to his other classmates. They’re in very different stages of life, and it upsets him that he relates more to the professors than the other students.
“I miss them.” An ache flashes through my body at his confession.
“I know. And I know that phone calls and video chatting aren’t the same thing. But we’ll be back for Thanksgiving in a few days. And then just a couple weeks after that, it’s a long break.” I’m trying to shine a light to drag him out of the darkness. He lets himself go there too often.
He nods in response but brings his free hand to fist against his forehead.
“Maybe we should call Dr. Lewiston. See about getting an earlier appointment.” A lot of things stirred up for Eli with the move, including but not limited to the death of his parents and the hostage situation. At one point, he said it was like he was in survival mode for so long, needing to be on at all times, that he never really processed a lot of it.
“No. I’m okay. It was just a rough day. A day where I’m missing the comforts of home and my family. I could use a tiny Jordanna hug right about now.” A smile spans my face. Her hugs are magical.
He turns to face me, a slight smile pulling at his lips. “Think Liv would be mad if I just didn’t let Jordanna go the whole time we’re home for Thanksgiving?”
“Mad? At you? I’m not sure that’s possible.” It’s a light tease meant to make him laugh, but it doesn’t work. One thing I quickly learned is that Eli is the star of their family. He’s by and large the favorite. I can certainly understand why.
Watching him with his sisters has been inspiring. He can be exactly what each of them needs at any given moment while also being true to himself. It’s kind of fascinating. And it’s one thing that makes me love him even more. Not just his ability to be a chameleon, but the fact that he’s always himself in the process. There’s no falsehood to his actions or his motives. He’s just…Eli.
His arm loops around my waist and he pulls me into his lap, his hands settling low on my hips. He’s ready to move away from talking about himself. It’s somewhat of a deflection, and avoidance tactic that he’s been encouraged to stop using, but I know he doesn’t want to keep harping on what he’s missing.
“How were your classes today?”
I shrug. “They were okay.” My fingers glide up his chest and twist into his shirt as I pull myself closer.
One of his eyebrows arches. “Only okay? I thought you liked them.”
“None of my professors are that great.”
The corners of his lips curl up. “Oh, really?”
I shake my head slowly as I brush my lips against his. “My economics teacher is nowhere near as sexy as the first one I had.”
“Is that so?” The words are a wisp of air against my mouth, and it sends a shiver racing down my spine.
“Mhm. In fact, he was so amazing, I couldn’t keep myself from him. Which posed quite the problem since he was my professor. But the way he taught economics…mmm. It was so damn sexy.”
“ Was sexy?”
“Well, he’s not really a teacher anymore. He’s back to being a student. Though he is an excellent tutor.” Without giving him a chance to respond, I pull his shirt to tug him closer and press my mouth to his.
His tongue slips along the seam of my lips, and I immediately grant him entrance as his hands dive into my back pockets, squeezing my ass.
When he stands, I loop my legs around his waist. It’s not until the bedroom that he breaks the kiss, setting me down gently on the edge of the bed. But he doesn’t stop his momentum, leaning over me as I fall backward until his chest is against mine and our noses brush.
“You’re incredible, Bex. I love you. And I’m so lucky to have you.”
My heart flutters as his lips press to the pulse point on my neck. It’s one of my favorite things that he does, like he needs to feel my heart against him.
“I love you too. And not for one second do I regret you, this move, or anything about our lives. I don’t always get to see you as much as I’d like due to our schedules, but we always come home to each other every night, and that’s the most important part… falling asleep next to you and waking up next to you every single day.”
His forehead drops to mine with a shaky sigh, and he cups my face with one hand, brushing his thumb along the apple of my cheek. “Thank you. You always know exactly what to say and when I need it.”
I don’t know how to tell him that it’s the least I can do for him and that he does the exact same thing for me on a daily basis. I don’t even think he realizes how he’s everything I need at any given second of the day, no matter what that is or how quickly it changes.
Something we discussed early on was how much he sacrificed for his sisters. He thought it was a conscious effort, to give them his all every single day and put his needs on the back burner. But one thing I’ve learned is that’s just who Eli is. Even in this “selfish” phase. He just doesn’t realize that.
For some reason, he also seemed to think he was being punished for something. That there were things in his life never going his way because of some mistake he made at a young age. But I think everything that happened in his life, no matter how sad, tragic, and unfair much of it was, was for a reason. It’s all shaped who he is today. And he’s a beautiful person.
Not to mention, even though things were hard, he’s never been given anything he can’t handle. He’s never been unable to rise to the challenges put at his feet.
The only thing that I hope for him is that at the end of this journey, not only does he feel accomplished, but starts to see himself clearly.