Page 52 of Coping Skills

Chapter Twenty-One

“What are you doing here, Carter?”

Elena’s head popped up, her wide eyes meeting Hannah’s at the sound of Matt’s gruff voice coming from the living room. They sat at the kitchen table, open pints of ice cream in front of them as Elena filled Hannah in on her impromptu coffee with Daniel earlier in the day.

“DanielCarter?” Hannah whispered.

Elena shook her head, listening. She heard a low voice respond to Matt that sounded like Daniel. Then Matt hissed something that sounded like, “Haven’t you done enough?”

At that she was on her feet, Hannah right behind her, heading into the living room. Daniel was here?

Matt stood in the doorway, one arm on the doorframe, blocking Daniel’s way in. “Dude. She’s finally getting back to herself again. You really wanna fuck that all up for her?”

“Let me in, man. I need to talk to her. She’ll want to talk to me. I saw her earlier today.”

Matt let out a menacing growl. “I know. She was in tears when she got home. Again. I’m guessing you’re the reason why.”

“Matt, stop.”

Both guys turned at the sound of Elena’s voice cutting through their argument. She met Matt’s hard blue eyes, letting him see that she was serious. “It’s okay. I’ll talk to him.”

He examined her face a moment longer before letting his arm drop, shaking his head as he stepped out of Daniel’s way. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” Her eyes met Daniel’s. He stepped into the living room and closed the door behind him, his throat working as he swallowed, his eyes never leaving hers.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

Hannah stepped up and slipped her arm through Matt’s, drawing Elena’s attention. “Let’s give them some privacy.”

Matt, still frowning, allowed Hannah to pull him back toward the kitchen. He stopped before leaving the room, focusing on Elena. “Let me know if you want me to throw him out. I don’t mind at all.”

With a small smile, Elena nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He gave Daniel one more glare before letting Hannah tug him the rest of the way out of the room. Hannah cast one last glance at Elena, rolling her eyes and giving a little shrug as though to say,What can you do?Even though Matt was being a little over the top and she didn’t need it, she appreciated his protectiveness.

Once they were out of the room, she let her full attention return to Daniel, taking him in. He looked … tired. Worn out in a way he hadn’t been earlier this afternoon. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Stepping around to the couch, she gestured for him to sit too. And she waited. He took off his jacket, scrunching the fabric in his hands, his veins standing out in relief against his skin. He didn’t look at her, his gaze focused on his hands gripping his jacket, his posture rigid as he sat with his elbows propped on his knees.

Finally, unable to bear the strained silence any longer, Elena spoke. “Daniel? Why did you come?”

His head whipped around, his eyes boring into hers. He pressed his lips together. “Should I not have come?”

“That’s not what I said.” She took a deep breath. “I’m just wondering. Because you seemed adamant that you see me. And now,” she lifted a hand toward him, indicating his stiff silence. “Now, you won’t speak or look at me.”

He blew out a long breath, like a balloon deflating, his posture relaxing as he did so. He ran a hand over the scruff on his jaw. “I don’t really know how to start.” He looked away before meeting her eyes again. “I usually like to plan in advance. I like things to be laid out, predictable. Logical. Either true or false. In math, there are right answers or wrong answers, and it’s not up for debate. Here? This? I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I don’t know what the right answer is.”

Scooting forward a little, Elena’s breath quickened at what she thought he was implying. “And what’s the question?”

He stopped glancing around and focused on her. “Should we try again?”

Her heart thumped in her chest, and she forced herself to breathe. “And what do you want the answer to be?”

His eyes held hers, and he didn’t answer right away. She might die from lack of oxygen if he didn’t answer soon. When his mouth opened, his voice came out as a hoarse whisper. “Yes.”

“Yes?” Her chest heaved as she tried to breathe again. “Really?”

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