Ryan: So, where did Eli go then?
Cameron: What do you mean?
Ryan: I assume you sent him packing…
Cameron: Well, I tried. But he refused and said we could “share” the cabin. So we are.
Ryan: I’m glad you let him stay because he had nowhere safe to go. Though, I’m not sure being quarantined with you is much safer.
Cameron: Okay, jerk. I’m getting enough shitty remarks from Eli. I don’t need it from you, too.
Ryan: Oh, come on. As your older brother, it’s my job to pick on you. He just does it to get a rise and response from you.
Cameron: I’ve noticed the last ten years.
Ryan: Well, I gotta go. Glad you two are isolating together. Be nice!
Cameron: Tell that to him!
Ryan: I’ll get right on that ;)
Cameron: Ha, I’m sure! Please be careful. I love you.
Ryan: Love you too, sis. Stay there so I don’t have to worry about you.
Cameron: I will.
I laugh, knowing Ryan is purposely keeping things light so I don’t freak out even more. Losing a sense of control as a perfectionist only fuels my uneasiness. I managed to get a refill of my anxiety medication before I left, but I’m trying to save it for when I really need it.
Once I’ve showered and dressed for the day, I go downstairs.
“Good morning,” I sing-song when I find Eli in the kitchen and head to the fridge for the OJ. “How’d you sleep last night?”
He turns toward me, one eyebrow arched as if I’ve grown a second head. Fortunately, he’s wearing a shirt this morning, so there’s zero temptation to ogle him.
Walking around him, I reach inside the cabinet and grab a glass, then pour myself some juice. Silently, Eli closes the gap between us, and my breath hitches as he leans in closer. He places his palm on my forehead and squints.
“What’re you doing?” I ask, confused.
“Checking to see if you have a fever.” He steps back, dropping his hand as he examines my face.
“Why?”
“Because I’m concerned that you’re sick.”
I immediately touch my cheeks. Then I slide my palm down my neck to see if my glands are swollen. “I don’t think so.” I feel fine, anyway.
“Hmm…then perhaps you were possessed by a friendly ghost while you slept because you skipped down here way too cheerfully.” He smirks, and then I realize what he’s doing.
Grinding my teeth, I narrow my eyes and bump him with my hip so he’s forced to take a step back. “You’re such an ass. For a second, I thought I was dying.”
“Yeah, I hear Jekyll and Hyde is a symptom. Better be careful.”
I take a sip of juice, then scowl. “And to think I was going to apologize to you. Never mind.”
Eli dramatically puts a palm on his chest over his heart and widens his eyes. “Oh, God. Don’t do that. I might stroke out.”
“At the thought of me saying sorry?” I ask as he moves around the space, grabbing a pan and items from the fridge.
“At you admitting you were wrong about something,” he confirms, cracking an egg into a bowl.
“I never said that.”
He shakes his head and smirks. “Alright. I’m all ears.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I lean against the counter and mentally prepare myself for his sarcastic remarks.
“Okay, well first…” I lick my lips and watch as he continues to prepare breakfast. “I’m sorry for how I reacted after you helped me with the toilet seat. I should’ve said thank you and that I appreciated you checking on me when you heard me fall. I was angry with Zane and took it out on you, and it wasn’t right. It won’t happen again.”
“Apology accepted.” He grins. “You hungry? I’m making scrambled eggs and hash browns.”
Blinking, I stare at him. “That’s it?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re not gonna give me some smart-ass comment? Make a joke about how I’m a spoiled rich girl who uses her money to right my wrongs or some shit like that.”
“Were you offering me money?”
I sigh. “Well, no, but that hasn’t stopped you before.”
“See, you’re not the only one who can turn over a new leaf.”
“So, no more snide comments?” I wait as he mixes cheese and milk in the bowl, then pours it into the pan.
“Now, I never said that.”
Chuckling, I move to the espresso maker. “Figures.”
We easily move around the kitchen, him making breakfast and me brewing coffee. Bruno even lies close and doesn’t attack me, but his head perks up when he smells the eggs.
“Would you like some toast?” Eli asks.
“Sure, did you bring any bread?” I haven’t had any in months.
He laughs. “Yes. But it’s not the healthy no-carb shit. It’s the good stuff.”
“That’s fine. I’ll have a fruit smoothie for lunch to even it out.”
Eli smirks, shaking his head as he pulls a loaf from the cabinet. “A protein smoothie would be better for you. It’s more nutritious than blended fruit and is balanced.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep. I drink one after my workouts as a meal replacement.”
“When did you start going to the gym so much?” I ask after he sits across from me at the table and hands me two slices of buttered toast. “Thank you.”
“Welcome.” He stabs his fork into his hash browns. “It became a habit for me after college.”
“Any particular reason?” I say before taking a bite.
“Needed a distraction.”
“From what?”
“A girl.”
“Oh.” I swallow. “Were you together long?”
“Not really. About six months.”
This is probably one of the most personal conversations Elijah and I have ever had, and it’s oddly normal. I had no idea he’d dated someone, but that’s not surprising since we hardly crossed paths after high school.
“What happened?”
“Found her mouth wrapped around my roommate’s cock.” He says it so casually as he continues stuffing his face.
I nearly choke on my eggs. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” He shakes his head. “The icing on the cake is we still live together, and they started dating after we broke up.”
“Oh my God, no way!” My eyes widen in horror. This chick is a straight-up bitch.
“Yep. So, it was either be in the same apartment with them after work or go to the gym.”
“Wow…” I take a sip of my coffee. “Are they still together?”
“Engaged, actually.”
This keeps getting worse. “Please tell me he didn’t ask you to be in their wedding.”