Page 48 of Off Season

Ethan: I miss you guys.

Ethan: PS: Indiana Jones would win.

Elliot: Who is this Ethan imposter?

Blaine: Whoa! Hold my beer! (I’m drinking coffee but same thing) did I read that right?

Zach: … Am I dreaming?

Peyton: Is this another one of Elliot’s lame jokes?

Elliot: My jokes are not LAME. You’re lame. You big lanky lame-o.

Elliot: ETHAN! Have you been abducted by those British guards in the big furry hats?

Elliot: Send a Christmas tree emoji if you need help.

Elliot: It’ll take me approximately twelve hours to get to you by the time I’ve packed and navigated the airports, but I’ll be there!

Guilt washes through me like a wave. My chest tightens. Shit. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to them that I care, but I know this is all my fault. That’s what I led them to believe.

I’m going to change this. I have to.

Ethan: No, I don’t need help, and no, I haven’t been abducted by the King’s Guards, but thank you for the offer, El. I realized I don’t tell you guys enough how much you mean to me. I love you guys a lot. I hope you know that.

Peyton: Love you dude.

Blaine: Love you!

Zach: We love you too.

Mitch: ^^^ what they said.

Elliot: Aw grumpy pants, I’m getting a little misty eyed! I love you too. Here, have a photo of me as a superhero.

A second later, a photo comes through of Elliot in Jacob’s bakery. He’s twisted the apron around his neck like a cape. With one hand on his hip, the other punching the air, and his legs in a lunge, he looks like he’s about to take off and fight some outer space enemies.

I smother my laughter with my hand and reply.

Ethan: Thanks, that’s my new lock screen.

Elliot: You’re welcome.

Elliot: PS: please bring back gifts *heart emoji*

“What’s got you smiling like that?” Jacob’s sleepy voice startles me. I didn’t even feel him wake up.

I look down at him. His blue eyes are a little glassy from his tears and sleep. A soft smile on his face. I click on the photo and hand my phone over to Jacob.

He bursts into laughter, eyes sparkling with glee. “He’s such a great guy.”

I nod, grinning. “He is. He’s got a heart of gold. All the guys are protective of him because he’s just one of the good ones, you know? He would help anyone with anything, and I love that he doesn’t give a shit about what anyone thinks.”

Jacob hands me my phone back and gives me a sad smile. “You could learn something from him.”

“What do you mean?” I frown.

He places his hand on my chest and rests his chin on top, looking up at me. “He is the epitome of living life to the fullest. He seems to just enjoy every day. He lets people in and wears his heart on his sleeve. I’m not saying the way you cope with things is wrong, but these guys?” He points at my phone. “They love you, so much. You’re important to them, but you have this, like, barrier separating them from you. Life is too short to keep people who genuinely love you on the outside, because before you know it, it’ll be too late, and you won’t get that time back.”

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