Page 154 of New Growth
“I’m going to bed,” I announced, my voice clipped. Esther didn’t bother stopping me.
I climbed into bed, curling up under the covers, waiting for sleep to take me. But it didn’t. No matter how much I tossed and turned, I couldn’t settle. Something was missing.
I groaned into my pillow, frustrated with myself. This was stupid. I didn’t need him to sleep.
And yet—
With a sigh, I got up and dug through my laundry hamper, pulling out one of Elliot’s worn T-shirts. I hesitated for a second before slipping it on. It smelled like him.
I sank back into bed, inhaling deeply. It wasn’t the same as having him next to me, but for now, it would have to do.
Just as I was drifting off, the doorbell rang.
I groaned, peeling my eyes open, disoriented. The room was dark except for the glow of my phone on the nightstand.11:07 PM. Who the hell—
The doorbell rang again.
I forced myself up, shuffling out of bed and down the stairs. Peering through the peephole, I sighed. With a shaky hand, I unlocked the door and swung it open.
Neither of us spoke. He just stood there, beautiful ocean eyes tired but steady on me. I drank him in heavy. He wore his usual weird tee, sweats, socks and some Nike slides. The soft moonlight enhanced his handsome features and made his crucifix glisten.
I stepped aside to let him in, and he walked in cautiously. We kept eyes on each other, almost as if having a conversation, as I closed the door behind him.
Still silent, I turned away, leading him upstairs.
Halfway up, Esther’s voice called out sleepily, “Ellie? Who was at the—”
She stopped when she saw him, her tired gaze jumping between us.
I rubbed my own eyes, ready to return to my bed. “It’s just Elliot, Es. Go back to sleep.”
“Sorry I woke you, Esther,” Elliot offered.
Esther didn’t reply. She just hummed then turned back into her room, closing the door softly behind her. There will be a debrief between us tomorrow, for sure.
I continued up the stairs, with Elliot following without a word.
Inside my room, I crawled back into bed. He did the same, settling onto his stomach and hugging the pillows beneath him as he stared at me. I avoided his gaze, my fingers picking at the quilt, but his heavy stare was almost suffocating.
I swallowed. “I’m sorry about this morning. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I’m sorry for my behavior today as a whole, actually.”
I waited for him to respond, but there was more silence. Still, I pressed on.
“It’s just—I didn’t want to be babied,” I admitted, forcing the words out. “I know what I want—”
“I love you.”
My breath caught, and my eyes finally shot up to meet his gaze.
He wasn’t tense or nervous. He didn’t look like a man making a confession that had been weighing on him. He looked… at ease. Like he was telling me something as simple as the weather. It came easily to him.
“What?” I choked out.
“I’m in love with you.”
My heart pounded. “El—”
“I’m sure you knew that for a while,” he continued, his voice steady. “And even though this morning was difficult, I don’t regret it. I don’t regret anything when it comes to you.”
