Chapter 109 ELLIOT

Chapter 109 ELLIOT
ELLIOT'S POV
Rain pattered softly against the small rectangular glass above the sink, the soft rhythm nearly drowning out the sound of the rushing tap.
I sucked in a deep breath, pushing the mint in my mouth around with my tongue, hating the way the taste of bile still lingered at the back of my throat.
It was hard to believe it was actually over.
The compliance hearing I'd been dreading for the past weeks was finally over. Now all I had to do was endure this for the next couple months and this chapter of my life would finally be over.
I ran some more water over my face, sticking my hair back from my face and shaking the droplets that clung to its ends.
Jazz played from somewhere in the building, which was odd for a courthouse. But before I could linger on that, the bathroom door opened, and I stiffened at the sound of familiar halting steps.
I turned to find Robby there, hands deep in the pockets of his pants and hair even more tousled than usual.
It was the first time we were meeting each other gazes that day, and my chest tightened painfully at the sight of him.
He wrinkled his nose, and I noticed the slight bump on the bridge as he crossed the space between us.
“You're staring at it.” He said, staring me down as he stopped a couple feet away, hand braced on the sink counter for balance. “The little souvenir your boyfriend left with me.”
He pointed at the bridge of his nose, one eyebrow cocked.
I shuffled backwards, scowling at him. “You were asking for it. You basically kidnapped me.”
“I didn't kidnap you,” he scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I just wanted to talk to you without your large ghost constantly hovering over you.”
“Whatever you had to say, you can say it now.”
He cocked his head like he was considering this, eventually he shook his head and pinned me with an expression I couldn't read. “No. I don't think I will.”
I narrowed my gaze, not willing to push any further. “What was in your statement?” I asked, “The one you submitted to the judge. What did you tell her?”
Robby’s gaze darkened at the reminder and he chuckled quietly, curls bouncing as he shook his head. “I don't think I'm obligated to answer that question, Cross. Besides, you'll find out eventually.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I growled, my shoulders stiffening at the low, sure way he said that.
“I'm afraid I can't say anymore than that.” He shrugged one shoulder carelessly, already backing away. “I don't think we'll run into each other anymore, especially since you're off to your big college hockey life. I'll be sure to catch one of your games, and you might not believe me, but I'll miss you Elliot.”
I scoffed, “I hope you choke.”
He laughed at that, quiet and under his breath. “A mouth like that is the reason you have so many enemies.”
“Robby, what the fuck are you even talking about?” I spat, too tired and stressed for his particular brand of bullshit.
“Nothing.” He quipped, “But you'll hear from us soon.”
Us?
Before either of us could say anything else, a knock came at the door and Mom’s voice filtered through. “El? She called, “Honey, you've been in there a while.”
“I'll see you around.” He said, reaching a hand out for an handshake.
“I fucking hope not.” I sneered, ignoring his hand and brushing past him. I didn’t spare him a second look even as the door slammed shut behind me.
Vivian rode home with us, quiet in the backseat next to me as Elena and Mom chattered non stop in the front. Dad had gone on ahead in his car, probably too overwhelmed to be in a car with his wife and daughter at the moment.
I powered on my phone for the first time since I touched base, and was not surprised to see I had a flood of messages.
Somewhere along the line, Delia had added me to a group chat with Dennis and named it ‘Two gays and a Brunette.’ There were a bunch of pictures sent there, all from Delia's swim meet.
Guilt stabbed through me as I realized I'd completely forgotten about that. In the midst of everything, I'd forgotten to even text her a good luck message.
I shut my eyes and slammed my forehead against the glass, hating myself brief before returning my attention to the phone.
The pictures were mostly selfies with Dennis, arms thrown around each other and kisses pressed to each other's cheeks, Delia in her swim uniform, a handful of silly candids, Dennis biting down on her medal, and a group picture that featured the swim team and Delia's roommate, Sadie.
I smiled at the pictures, unable to help myself, even as an odd sense of emptiness settled in my gut. I hadn't even realised Dennis and Delia had gotten so close.
It felt like I was missing out, an outsider in my own friend group.
I exited the group chat, unable to bring myself to text a reply.
There were a bunch of messages from the team group chat as well, but I ignored that when I noticed the blue circle in front of Weston’s name.
Heart literally in my throat, I opened our text thread and there were two new messages waiting there.
Pierce: Goodluck with the hearing.
And then another much later in the day,
Pierce: Idk if you'll be back today, lemme know, I'll order celebratory pizza. If they toss you in jail, Andrew has a fleet of lawyers.
I laughed, unable to help myself and immediately texted a response.
Not in jail, get the pizza.
He was online almost as soon as the text marked delivered, and I watched, teeth in my lip as those three dots danced at the corner of my screen.
Pierce: Disappointing. I was hoping for the latter.
I snorted as my fingers flew across my screen.
You'd miss me.
His reply was immediate.
Pierce: Maybe.
The car came to a stop as we pulled in front of the house. I raised my gaze to find Elena already staring at me in the rear view.
I flushed to the tips of my ears and she rolled her eyes.
“You're disgusting.” She scoffed, and slid out of the car.
As I climbed out, I sent Weston one last message before I could talk myself out of it.
I would….
Miss you, I mean.