Page 60 of Chasing Elliott
"I can head in and tell him you had to go take care of something if you'd like," he offered with a raised brow. Nodding as a response, he gave my shoulder a slight squeeze before slipping back into the building.
Pacing the alley way, I felt my eyes start to well up once more before a wave of anger consumed me. Putting my head in my hands, I let out a scream before I turned around and sent my fist flying into the side of the dumpster.
"How did you know you wanted to marry Kara?" I asked as I fell onto the couch and kicked my feet up on the coffee table.
"I don't think it was any one thing in particular,” Benjamin started to answer. “One day we were just out having lunch and when I looked at her, I just couldn't imagine anyone else sitting across from me. Why do you ask?"
I took a sip of my beer and avoided eye contact, staring at the television. I could feel Benjamin's inquisitive eyes on me, but I took a minute to collect myself as I sighed softly.
"I'm in love with her," I informed him.
Benjamin's smile grew as he leaned forward in the chair. "Are you serious? Fucking took you long enough to admit it."
"What are you talking about?"
"Dude, I could've told you this after karaoke night," he said with a roll of his eyes. Iscoffed and shook my head, but a small smile grew on my face. I knew he was right, but forwhatever reason I couldn't fully admit it to myself till now.
Getting up from the couch, I walked over to the kitchen. "How should I tell her?"
"Just whenever it feels right," Benjamin stated as he turned around in the chair to look at me. "But you should be prepared that she might not say it back."
My eyes widened slightly as I put my empty bottle in the sink before my eyes narrowed. Ifolded my arms over my chest as I leaned against the counter and swallowed the small lump that suddenly appeared in my throat.
"You don't think she loves me?" I questioned, defensively.
"No, I know for a fact she does but I'm just saying, knowing her, it may not be something that comes easily to her to say."
I cocked a brow as I pushed myself away from the counter. "Do you know something that I don't?"
"Coop, we all know she's had a rough go of things and that she slept around before shemet you. It's kind of expected that she'd have a tough time admitting something like that."
Nodding, I knew he was right, but it was still hard to hear. All I wanted at this point and time was to tell her how much I loved her and hear her say it back, but the more I thought aboutit, the more I knew that might be a pipe dream. But does that mean I didn't want to tell her?
"Quit overthinking it," Benjamin scolded, cutting off my thoughts. "Just take her out tonight and tell her."
Sighing, I pulled out my phone and sent Elliott a message.
Cooper: Want to go to the concert in the park tonight?
Hurricane: I'd love to.
Smiling in content, I disappeared down the hall toward my room to change so I could pick her up. Knowing I needed to calm my nerves, I tried to push my fears into the back of my head, but something was telling me I wouldn't be successful.
I laid on the ground next to Elliott, our shoulders touching. The concert had just ended and we were waiting for a majority of the crowd to clear out, looking up at the stars in silence.
I turned to look at her and a small smile came to my face. Her blonde hair was sprawled out all around her and there was a twinkle in her eye as she seemed to admire the vastness that lay before her. There was a large smile gracing her beautiful face, her eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"God you're beautiful," I whispered. Elliott slowly turned her head to look at me and gaveme a weak smile as a light blush tinted her cheeks.
"Oh, you're full of it," she mumbled as she turned her attention back to the sky, but I saw her bite her lip.
"I'm incapable of lying," I teased as I rolled onto my side and propped my head up in my hand. "I've never lied to you."
Elliott's head turned to me again and I saw a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Are you absolutely positive about that? Because I’m not sure I believe you."
"I'm hurt," I feigned as I put a hand on my heart. "I can't believe you'd doubt me."
Her eyebrows shifted up slightly before she tilted her head up and captured my lips in hers. It was a quick, soft kiss but I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach like it was the first time Iwas kissing her. Pulling back, I took a subtle deep breath as I cupped her face with my freehand.
