Page 46 of Hooked on a Demon
Exasperated, Declan follows Everest and Buckley back into the kitchen where Everest finishes off the other two slices of pizza and makes another plea to go out. When Declan denies him again, Everest finally relents and makes his way to the living room, where he flops down on the couch, remote in hand, and begins scrolling through the various streaming options, trying to find something to watch.
“I’m actually kind of tired,” Declan says, feigning a yawn that he hopes is convincing enough.
“You know, if I didn’t know you better, I’d think you’re trying to get rid of me.” Everest laughs, evidently thinking that’s an absurd idea. If he only knew what he interrupted.
“Nah. It’s been a busy couple of weeks.”
“Well, then it’s a perfect time to lie back and watch the newest Axel Jacks movie,” Everest replies, pushing play.
“Alright.” Declan loves his friend and would do anything for him, but he can’t risk Everest finding out about this thing between him and Eliana. So, for now, he’ll do what he wants. He pats the cushion beside him, calling Buckley up. The fur monster hops up, curls into a ball, and, within moments, begins snoring. Declan, legitimately feeling tired after the events of the night, slides down and lays his head on Buckley’s hips, using him as a pillow, watching the newest action flick with his best friend—both furry and human—beside him.
CHAPTER28
Eliana
“My brother almost caught me with the guy I’m seeing.”
“And why is that a problem? Can he not know that you’re dating someone?” Dr. Colson asks partway into their next session.
“He can…”
“But?”
“The issue is morewhothe someone is,” Eliana hedges.
“And who is the someone?” he prompts.
“His best friend.”
“Ah. Again, I ask, why is that a problem? Do you not think your brother would be happy to see you happy?” Colson responds.
“Why is it a problem that I’m dating my brother’s best friend?” Eliana asks, incredulous.
Dr. Colson flips the page of his notebook and writes a new line of text before answering a simple and undignified “Yes.”
“Aside from him being mybrother’s best friend,” she stresses, adding extra emphasis on Declan’s relationship with Everest, “he knows the guy. They go out together all the time. He knows the type of guy he is. Or maybe he was. I don’t know; we haven’t really talked about his dating history.” She feels herself getting flustered at the thought of Declan dating someone else. They haven’t had that conversation yet. Or at least not entirely. She shared her history with Sam, but it was different. It was something he needed to know. “Either way, I assume he wouldn’t approve of it for that reason alone.”
“And what kind of guy is he?”
“With me? He’s kind. Gentle.” Her fingers touch her lips as if pulling up the memory of the other night on Declan’s couch, how his stubble felt against her skin, and the hunger that guided him. They could have consumed each other right then, and there had she allowed it. Recalling what he said about waiting until she’s ready, she adds, “he’s also patient, funny, and interested in me and what I have to say. He listens, which is new for me. To have it feel as though the person I’m with actually cares and wants to hear what I have to say.”
Colson leans forward, resting his arms on the chair, looking intently at her. “That sounds like someone you should be with. I think your brother would be happy you have found someone who makes you feel that way.”
Unable to bear his gaze any longer, she simply replies, “Yeah.”
“Have you told your family about Sam yet?”
“No.” Her cheeks heat with embarrassment.
“Why not?”
Without taking the time to formulate her thoughts, she says the truth because if she can’t say it here in her therapist’s office, then where else can she? “Because I’m embarrassed.”
“Can you elaborate?”
Sighing, she opens the cover of the box she’s kept buried inside. The one she hoped she could ignore for a very long time. “Because I feel like I let it happen. I allowed Sam to treat me the way he did. I didn’t push back or question his actions. I allowed him to separate me from my friends and family. To take over my life. And all that is embarrassing. I was raised by a strong woman. I believed I was one. And then I let some pissant of a man strip all of that away from me. A man who couldn’t even be bothered to get on a plane after I needed a major surgery to make sure that I, the woman he apparently loved, was okay.” She pulls the sleeve of her sweater over her hand and uses it to dab at the stray tears that have worked their way out. “And this,” she says, motioning to her face, “annoys the fuck out of me. Because I feel like every tear I shed in relation to him lets him continue to win. That he continues to have hold of me. It’s exhausting. I want to live a normal life.”
“That’s a lot. And everything you’re feeling is valid. Normal even.”
