Page 53 of How We Fooled

“Not like this. You have scouts calling you. We have that meeting set up with the agent. Can you imagine the scandal that would cause? For her and you. You don’t want something like this to stop your chances of getting drafted, do you?”

My eyes fill with tears that I blink away. “I didn’t even think about that.”

She places her hand on my arm. “You really need to think this all the way through. If you two are meant to be, then you’ll have a lifetime together. But …”

She doesn’t finish her sentence, so I look in her direction, keeping my head on the back of the couch.

“But?”

“But I think you need to … not end things, just pause them for the time being.”

A tear I can’t stop slips out of my eye and rolls down my face.

“Oh, baby.” She wipes it away. “It will be okay, I promise. There’s nothing wrong with a pause. It’d only be for what, ten months? Think about the military families who deploy for a year or more. At least you’ll still get to see her.”

“Yeah, I’ll get to see her every day, but not get to actually be with her. That sounds like pure torture.”

She lays her head on my shoulder with a sigh. “The things we do for love.” We sit like this for a few seconds before she continues, “This will tell you just how true your relationship really is though. Eli, you have to realize just what your life will be if you want to get drafted. You’ll be gone for long stretches of time. If, in ten months, when the school year is over, you guys still want to date, then I think you’ll be stronger for it, which will only prepare you for the future.”

I know she’s right. She’s always right. But that doesn’t mean it’s what I want to hear. I need to figure out a way that we can still be together. I have to.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Liza

I tossed and turned all night long. Every time I closed my eyes, all I would see was Eli, and my heart would break all over again. I spent the night watching Friends reruns, trying to get my mind off of him, but failing miserably. I turned off my phone because I couldn’t bear the idea of him texting or calling. I needed this time to think, but now that it’s morning, I know nothing has changed.

I love him.

That’s the only thing I know for sure right now.

I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone. It’s not even a comparison to guys I’ve dated before.

I’ve heard stories of people getting married after only knowing each other a week. I thought they were absolutely insane, but now, I get it.

Everything about him and our relationship was different from the start.

But now, this …

Knowing I can’t hide forever, I turn on my phone, only to have it ding with text messages from Eli.

Please answer your phone.

We need to talk about this.

I see these messages aren’t delivering, and when I called your phone, it went straight to voice mail, so I’m guessing your phone is off. I will respect your wishes that you don’t want to talk to me tonight. I’ll give you that. But tomorrow, I’ll be there bright and early. I’m not letting us just end. Not like this.

I bring the phone to my heart, allowing the tears to fall all over again—and just when I thought I was all cried out.

I crawl out of bed and head to the kitchen to see if my aunt and uncle are still here or if they left for work already. Finding I’m all alone gives me some peace. I didn’t have the nerve to tell my aunt and uncle what was going on. Thankfully, they went to dinner last night before Eli left, and then I ended up staying at Tucker and Justine’s place until almost midnight, so when I got back, they were already in bed.

Hanging out with Tucker and Justine definitely helped get my mind off of things, but I know I was just pushing off the inevitable.

Before I can even pour a cup of coffee, there’s a knock at the door.

Knowing it must be Eli after the message I just read, I steady my breath and head to answer the door.

Seeing him looking just as miserable as I do is like a punch to the gut. Without a second thought, he steps through the door, wrapping his hands around the nape of my neck and bringing my lips to his.

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