Page 28 of Becoming Selfish

Logan

I think Fridays are going to be my new favorite day of the week. I only have one class today, and it doesn’t start until eleven, so I got to sleep in later than usual. As I’m putting my books in my bag and getting ready to leave for class, I hear a knock at my door, which is a little odd, since Ali refuses to knock and Marc is still out of town.

“Come in,” I shout over my shoulder as I finish zipping up my bag with my back to the door.

“Hi,” I hear them say.

I instantly recognize his voice.

Turning around, I find Eli standing in my doorway with his hands in his pockets. He looks as handsome as ever and taller than I remember. He’s wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt that says ‘U of M Hockey’ on the front paired with black sweatpants that hit just above his ankles, like joggers. He also has on a pair of running shoes and a backward baseball hat. He looks comfortable, casual, and so freaking sexy.

Once I close my mouth to keep myself from drooling, I respond. “Hi. I didn’t know you guys were back yet.”

“Yeah, we just got back into town. I was just dropping Marc off,” he tells me before slowly eyeing me up and down, his lips slightly parted.

I nod my head in silence, finding myself lost for words at the fact that this boy is standing in my room right now.

“He um...” He clears his throat. “He told me where your room was. That’s pretty cool you guys live so close.”

“Yeah. It’s really convenient.” I suddenly feel parched and swallow so loudly that I’m sure Eli must be able to hear it from where he’s standing. “And Ali is right across the hall, there.” I point towards her room, trying to push back my inappropriate thoughts about Eli being in my space.

He nods his head but doesn’t seem to care about her proximity. “Sorry to barge in like this,” he changes the subject. “I know you have to get to class, but I um...I just wanted to thank you for the other night.” He scratches at his brow with his thumb—a nervous tick of his I’ve picked up on.

“Thank me? For what?”

“For what you said.” He pauses to collect his words. “It really helped me change my perspective on everything. It helped me to let go of some of the anger I was holding onto.”

Judging by his averted gaze, Eli is uncomfortable sitting in this vulnerability right now.

I eye him, trying to gauge his emotions. “Did he—” I begin to ask, but he cuts me off.

“Yeah. Jamie passed away yesterday morning,” he softly answers my unasked question.

“I’m sorry, Eli. Are you okay?”

He takes a deep breath. “Yeah. Yeah, I think I am. I was able to say goodbye to him, and I even told him I was grateful for his decision to give me up to my dad for adoption.” He pauses for a moment. “Which, in turn, made my dad cry like a little baby when he overheard Jamie and I talking.” He lets out an awkward chuckle, and his words make me smile.

“Anyway, I just wanted to swing by and say thank you for the other night, so... thanks.” He gives me a shy grin, his brown eyes locking with mine.

“Of course.”

“Also, I know it’s not really your thing, but there’s going to be a party at my house tonight, and I just wanted to let you know you’re welcome to come.”

As tempting as it sounds to go to his house again tonight, I should be responsible and stay home to study. I don’t need another weekend of trying to catch up on sleep because I went out partying on a Friday night.

“Thanks, but I think I’m going to stay in tonight. I need to do some studying.” I quickly nod my head as if I’m trying to convince both him and myself.

A flash of disappointment spreads in his eyes. “Okay. Well, I’ll let you get to class.” He motions towards the backpack in my hand. “See you around, Logan.” He offers me a half-smile before turning to leave my room.

I’m almost annoyed at myself for trying to be responsible. It is only Friday, and I have the entire weekend to study.

“Hey!” Marc says a few moments later as he pops his head through my open doorway. “You ready for class?”

“Yes, I am.” I grab my bag and swing it over my shoulder. Locking my door behind me, we start the walk to our business lecture.

“I missed having you around here,” I tell Marc with a light smack to his shoulder.

“Yeah, me too, I missed being here. It was an exhausting couple of days.”

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