Page 51 of Beyond the Summer

Just then, the back door creaked open, and a vaguely familiar figure stepped into Matt's tiny home.My heart leaped into my throat as memories from high school flooded my brain.It couldn't be…

"Hey, Matt, I found some extra—" The man's words trailed off as his eyes locked onto mine, and I could see recognition flicker across his face.

"Elliot?"I whispered, feeling as though time had stopped.My stomach lurched as I wondered what he'd say.He must hate me.I'd ruined his life after all.

But, to my surprise, Elliot grinned and tugged me into a warm hug."Holy shit, Sutton Holm?"

Ben

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"Sutton seemed shaken as he retreated from the stranger's arms, and it took every ounce of my self-control not to physically yank him to my side, claiming what was mine.I shot a glance towards Matt, who responded with a quizzical tilt of his head.

"Sutton, you know Elliot??"Matt asked.

"Wait.You know Elliot?"Sutton echoed the question, his expression one of utter confusion.

Matt nodded."They're from that Seattle architecture firm I mentioned.The one that's been helping me figure out the renovation.They're nonbinary, so a lot of the ideas for how to accomplish gender-inclusive dorms come from them."

Elliot interjected, "I'm not an architect, only an intern.My boss did most of the work."

Matt countered without missing a beat."Nonsense.You're insanely creative.Your boss was proposing things way outside our budget, and you came up with a manageable concept."Was it my imagination or was Matt a little too enthusiastic with Elliot?

Sutton had said nothing.He was standing there, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

I reached for Sutton's hand and moved closer to him."How do you know my boyfriend?"I emphasized 'boyfriend' in an excessively obnoxious manner.Some things were simply uncontrollable.I wanted Elliot to know that Sutton was taken.

Elliot lightly tapped Sutton's shoulder and retorted."We're friends, I suppose.We dated for a bit in high school.It was off-limits and so sexy.He was a sophomore, and I was a senior, and the archaic school didn't allow the students to date each other."He turned to Matt."Why go to an all-boys' school if you can't fuck the men?"

"Ah," I said, pieces of the puzzle falling together.What were the chances?I eyed Sutton, who still looked like he was about to have a heart attack."You're that ex."

"He's mentioned me?"Elliot's eyebrows shot up, and then his smile turned flirty."Well, I suppose I leave an impression.It's so fun to see you again, though!And here, of all places.I thought I heard you went to Stanford."

"You don't hate me?"Sutton choked out.

Elliot looked genuinely perplexed at this."Why on Earth would I hate you?"

Sutton blinked, his frown deepening."I got you kicked out of school."

"Wait, what?No!"Elliot waved a hand dismissively.

"My father talked to the headmaster.That's why you were kicked out."

Sutton snorted."Technically, yes.But I knew who your father was all along.I was playing with fire on purpose."

Sutton gulped audibly."On purpose?"

"Once I figured out who you were, I figured out you were my one-way ticket to get myself expelled.You were beautiful and fun in bed, and I needed to escape that hellhole."Elliot stepped closer to Sutton, and I fought the urge to step in front of Sutton and shield him from whatever pain Elliot was inflicting.Because that wasn't the story Sutton had told me, and I knew this must hurt to hear.

Worried, I let go of Sutton's hand, turning to him, not exactly sure what to do.Sutton had gone pale, and was breathing a little too fast.

I wanted to hug my beautiful boyfriend and tell him everything was going to be okay.Or punch Elliot and grab Sutton's hand and make a run for it.I'd never punched a person, never even wanted to, but seeing Sutton this upset was giving me all kinds of primal urges.

Sutton drew in a shaky breath.Saying nothing more, he turned and trudged out of the clearing, away from Matt's house.I watched him leave, my heart throbbing painfully, before reluctantly turning back to face Elliot.

How did I make Elliot understand the depth of pain they'd inflicted on Sutton?It probably wasn't necessary, and I was definitely butting in, but I couldn't get past the way Elliot had spoken of their relationship as if it was a fun lark.This was the same situation that had broken Sutton in an irreparable way, and it had been nothing but a scheme to Elliot.

"Look, you seem like a decent person," I began, trying to keep my tone even, despite the anger simmering within me."And I know you've been a big help to Matt.But what you did to Sutton, it was so damn cruel."

Elliot's eyes widened in surprise as they gazed up at me."What do you mean?"Their confusion was genuine, but it only stoked my frustration.

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