It's been three days since I walked away from Eli. Three long days filled with a mixture of doubt, second-guessing, and maybe just a tiny bit of relief. I haven't heard from him—not a call, not a text. Nothing.
Part of me thinks he's taking his time to think things over. The other part of me wonders if I've pushed him too far and I've lost him for good. And honestly? I can't decide which one scares me more.
I'm sitting in the coffee shop, nursing a half-finished latte, when my phone buzzes.
It's a text from Eli.
"We need to talk. In person. Please."
It's been a few days, but it's still weird seeing his name pop up on my screen. I'm not sure what I expected, but this wasn't it. He doesn't normally do this—ask for a talk like we're about to have a life-altering conversation.
I reply quickly. "Where and when?"
A few seconds later, he texts back. "Come to my apartment. I'll explain everything."
The message seems urgent. The way he words it makes me feel like there's something more beneath the surface. Something he's been hiding from me.
I try to shake off the anxious feeling that starts to creep up my spine as I gather my things. I'm not sure what I'm walking into, but I'm not backing down now.
---
When I arrive at his apartment, I don't bother knocking. I've been here enough times to know the code to the front door. I punch in the numbers, and the door clicks open. As I step inside, I'm greeted with silence. No Eli.
Not at first, anyway.
I make my way down the hallway, heart hammering in my chest. When I reach the living room, I spot him sitting on the couch, staring at his phone.
"Eli?" I ask hesitantly, suddenly feeling like the air between us is thicker than I remember.
He looks up, his eyes weary, as if he's been through something much harder than I could've imagined. "Avery… we need to talk."
I sit down on the arm of the couch, crossing my arms. "I thought we already talked," I say, trying to keep the edge out of my voice. "You said you weren't ready. I'm done with the back and forth, Eli."
He takes a deep breath, rubbing his hand over his face. "It's not that simple, Avery. I never meant to hurt you. But I'm not just scared of this whole thing… I'm scared of something else too."
My curiosity piques, and I lean in, studying him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He hesitates for a moment, looking like he's wrestling with himself. Then, as if making a decision, he meets my gaze directly. "I've been hiding something from you. Something important. Something that could change everything."
I'm stunned. My mind races with a thousand questions. "What are you talking about?"
He stands up, pacing the room, looking like he's about to tell me a truth he's been holding onto for far too long. "Avery, there's something about Olivia… something that I didn't want you to know. But I can't keep pretending anymore."
I feel my stomach drop. "Olivia? What does she have to do with this?"
Eli turns toward me, his face pained. "You need to understand that I wasn't just being caught between the two of you. There's more to it. Olivia… she's not who you think she is."
"Wait… what?" I blink, trying to process what he's saying. "What do you mean?"
Eli's eyes darken, and I can see the weight of the secret he's been holding. "Olivia's the reason I pushed you away. She's been playing a game this whole time, and I didn't want you to get caught in it. She's manipulative, Avery. I should've told you sooner, but I thought I could fix everything without making it worse."
He takes a step closer to me, his voice quieter now. "I know it's not an excuse. But you deserve to know the truth."
I feel my head spin. This is way more than I bargained for. "You mean to tell me, all this time, Olivia was playing us both?"
"Yes," Eli says, the words coming out like a confession. "She's been using me to get to you, Avery. I didn't want to admit it, but now I see the pattern. She's been pulling strings from the beginning, and I let her do it."
I don't know whether to feel angry or betrayed, but all I can do is sit there, staring at him. "So, all of this was a game to her?"
"Not exactly," Eli admits. "She wasn't trying to hurt you on purpose, not in the way you think. But she's been using her feelings for me to get under your skin. She's jealous, Avery. And I didn't realize how deep it went until now."
I blink, feeling like I'm going to be sick. This was never just about us. It was always about Olivia trying to make sure no one else could have what she wanted.
"So, you knew about this… and you didn't think to tell me?" My voice shakes with a mix of disbelief and frustration.
"I didn't want to get you involved in the mess I made," Eli says, his voice low and filled with regret. "But I should have been honest with you from the start."
I stand up suddenly, pacing the room myself. "This is insane. How could you not tell me? I was here, thinking I was just caught in the middle of your 'indecision,' but no—it was all about Olivia from the start."
"I'm sorry," Eli says, his voice almost pleading now. "I should've protected you from this."
My heart is pounding in my chest. "I don't know what to believe anymore."
And just as I think I might snap, Eli steps forward, gently grabbing my arm, forcing me to face him. "Avery, I love you. I've loved you for a long time. But I couldn't figure out how to make it right. I still don't know how. But I do know this—I want you. And I want to fix this. I need to fix this."
The words hang in the air, leaving me breathless. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
Eli takes another step closer. "Give me a chance to make it right. Please."
I can't think. I can't breathe. But I know I have a choice to make.
And it's now or never.
Can Eli really fix this? Can I trust him again after everything? The clock is ticking.