It was possible he would break her heart all over again, but at least this way she wouldn't be left wondering about all the what ifs she couldn't stop thinking about.
During the drive, she thought long and hard about the questions she wanted to ask him. It would be best to be prepared. She just hoped she could remain calm.
Just the idea of asking him about his feelings was starting to make her feel anxious. But she knew she needed to make the first move.
She didn't want to have any regrets, come what may.
And if the worst came to pass, it'd be best for her to hear it directly from him, so she could start moving on with her life.
After parking her car in front of Eli's house, she ran through the same breathing exercises she'd used to help calm herself down the night of the party. The night where it had all started, for better or for worse. She didn't bother looking in the mirror. She wasn't there to impress him, after all.
She just needed some answers. That's it.
She got out of her car and quickly walked to his front door, knocking three times. She knew it was late, and him not being home or asleep were both very real possibilities. But she still had to try.
After a few moments, she knocked again. But there was no answer.
Biting her lip, she tested the knob and was surprised when she learned the door was unlocked. Without hesitating, she walked inside and looked around the living room and kitchen. Still, there was no trace of Elijah.
Meredith decided to go to the pool area where the party had been held the last time she'd been at his house. The lights were on, making her feel certain that Elijah was still awake and that he was somewhere on the patio.
When she reached the slightly opened glass sliding door leading to the pool area, she saw him leaning against a wooden chair. He was talking with Sosie, but she couldn't see their faces because of the angle.
Just after she took a step closer, Elijah held Sosie’s hand in the air, leaning closer – kissing her. Meredith wasn't sure what they were doing, but she was certain that whatever was happening wasn't good for her heart.
She covered her mouth with a hand to suppress the gasp that was trying to escape, her knees growing weak as she stared at them. Elijah was kissing Sosie!
She was not expecting to see that.
Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled for air. She could feel a piercing pain in her heart, as if a thousand tiny needles were pricking it repeatedly.
She was feeling an unimaginable pain she'd never experienced before.
God, she was so stupid! He'd already made it clear she was nothing more than a fling. Talking wouldn't change that. What had she been thinking, barging into his house like she had any kind of right to be there?
She needed to get out of here before they saw her. She didn't think she could deal with Sosie right now, let alone Elijah after what she'd just witnessed.
Turning on her heels, she accidentally bumped into a table in her haste, knocking a large decorative vase to the floor, where it shattered.
She stared stupidly at the broken pieces of glass for a split second before she quickly ran away without looking back.
She never should have gone there.
It was a mistake.She didn’t know how she'd made it out of his house without being discovered, but the next thing she knew she was already inside her car, starting the engine and pulling away.
Damn you, Elijah Scott! she cursed silently, as tears continued to fall down her cheeks.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Elijah was shocked to see Meredith standing by the door. One hand covered her mouth and her eyes were wide, making him realize she was probably thinking he'd made a move on Sosie.
Fuck!
Without saying a word, he shoved Sosie away, taking quick footsteps to follow Meredith who was running away like she was scared of him. He wanted to tell her that what she was thinking was wrong.
He didn’t want her to think that he was doing just fine without her. Or that he was having fun with someone new. Because neither of those things were even remotely true.
He wanted to talk to her and tell her what she really meant to him. He wanted to hug her, and kiss her. He wanted to make things right between them.
But Meredith was growing more and more distant, and he couldn’t blame her.
After the argument they'd had, it would be a miracle if she forgave him. He'd said awful things he couldn't take back.
And now, she'd misunderstood what she'd seen. Sosie had been lecturing him about the campaign, as usual. And he'd gotten pissed off when she started pointing her fingers in his face. So he'd gripped her arm to prevent her from doing that while Sosie snarled at him. From Meredith's vantage point it must have looked like he'd been getting ready to hook up with Sosie.
Fuck.
“Meredith,” he called out, but she didn't stop. She just continued running until she reached her car.
Please hear me out, he murmured to himself as he watched her drive away, leaving him in the driveway. What did I do to deserve this kind of torture?
Gritting his teeth, he marched back inside the house then punched the first thing that caught his eye – a vase identical to the one Meredith had broke. He was mad for not being able to tell her what he wanted to say. He was mad at himself for being such a coward.
“Let her be,” he heard Sosie mutter from the far corner of the living room, making him grow even angrier.
If it wasn’t for her, he would probably be having a calm conversation with Meredith right now. If it wasn't for her, Meredith wouldn’t have gotten the wrong idea.
“Shut up!”
Sosie narrowed her eyes. She looked pissed..
“Don’t tell me you’re in love with her,” she sneered.
Eli didn't bother to reply, because he knew his face was giving away how he truly felt.
He was in love with Meredith.
“Answer me, Elijah!” Sosie yelled from across the room. Her normally cool and collected demeanor was totally ruined as her hands clenched into tight fists.
Eli felt guilty when he saw tears streaming down Sosie’s face. For a long time, he'd known about her feelings toward him. And he'd thought it wouldn’t be so bad to date her after the election, until Meredith showed up, turning his world upside down.
“I’m sorry,” he said. He didn’t know what else to say.
“You idiot! You’re risking your chances of winning the election for some... little girl!” she screamed angrily, biting her lips. He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw a drop of blood on her lower lip.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.
“Maybe I care about Meredith more than winning,” he spoke softly, then smiled bitterly. It had taken him far too long to understand what was more important to him.
“Would that be so bad?” he added, looking at Sosie who had gone red.
She walked up to him, gritting her teeth in anger.
“You made a mistake choosing her over me, Elijah,” she hissed, pointing a finger in his face. “You'll regret it.”
With that, Sosie stormed out of his house, her heels rapidly clicking on the concrete.
Feeling drained, he sank to the floor, feeling completely hopeless. He didn’t know what to do, and he didn't think her parents would appreciate it very much if he just showed up at Meredith’s house. He wasn’t sure what he would say, or how he would even start talking to her.