Page 55 of We Own Tonight
He tilts his head. “Ready forwhat?”
I sigh, not wanting to spell it out. “For us to be public when we’re not even sure what thisis.”
“I promise, this isn’t what youthink.”
I eye him carefully, not sure what the hell that means. “It’s an amusement park that’s always filled, what could I be misinterpreting? I’m not ready to be public. You have no idea what that’ll do to me. To be exposed to the world when I’m not even sure what we are. If people see us, they’ll know. I don’t have the life you do. I’m a poor cop, living in a broken-down house, and I have a dying sister. My life isn’t glamour, photos, and money. I just wish you would’ve warnedme.”
His thumb grazes the top of my hand before he lets go and exits thecar.
I freaking hate that he does that. I like knowing what’s coming, and Eli likes to keep me in suspense. I’m going to have a talk with him aboutthis.
After a few minutes of trying to get myself prepared, I exit the car. He’s leaning against the bumper and looking off toward thegates.
“Eli?”
“I know my world comes with a crazy amount of shit. I get that your life is pretty simple in that you have privacy, family, friends, and a job that doesn’t come with paparazzi.” There’s a little bit of sadness in his voice. “I thought long and hard about today. I didn’t come to this decision easily, and I assure you, your privacy won’t be compromised.” When I take another step closer, he moves back. “I have other sides that makes me who I am, Heather. Things that I want you to see and be a part of. Things that I value and have nothing to do with boats, houses, andcars.”
He lets me move toward him this time and guilt twists in my stomach. I never realized that he may feel judged by me. That’s never been my intention. I’m not one to judge anyone, and Eli has never made me feel small orless.
“I’m so sorry,” I say as I touch his arm. “I shouldn’t have said those things. I don’t think your life is just glamour, and if I insinuated that, I’m trulysorry.”
His eyes meet mine, and he rocks back on his heels. “I want you to seeme, Heather. I want you to see the things that make me who I am, and they’re notfame.”
“I never thought that’s whoyouare,Eli.”
He extends his hand, and I don’t hesitate to take it. He’s right—this isn’t about whatever people are going to think, it’s about Ellington and me. It’s about the man who keeps coming around, making me smile, and making me feelspecial.
Eli kisses my cheek and lets out a heavy sigh. “Let’sgo.”
For the first time since we entered the parking garage, I look around. Where are all the cars? I count a total of twelve. Twelve cars on a Wednesday at Busch Gardens? I know it’s a weekday, but this place is alwayspacked.
“Where iseveryone?”
“I told you it wasn’t what youthought.”
Did he rent out the damn park? My heart starts to race as my mind goes crazy. What did he do? “Eli,” I say his name tentatively. “Why is no onehere?”
He smiles and squeezes my hand. “I know your cop senses are flashing, but for once, just trust me andrelax.”
Cop senses? Huh. Now that he says that, I guess I do have them. I’m naturally untrusting and always want information. It’s power in my job and allows me to stay safe. If I’m not informed when I run into a call, I might get shot, which wouldsuck.
“I can do that,” I say with as much conviction as I canmuster.
Eli chuckles, which I ignore. He doesn’t realize that I may have cop senses, but I’m also extremely competitive. If he doubts my ability to do something, I will find a way to do it. So, he wants me to relax, game on,buddy.
We get to the front gate, and they let us right in. I open my mouth to ask him another question and quickly closeit.
We wait in the front and a man comes over. “Mr. Walsh, good morning. I’m Mr. Shea, I’ll be making sure today goes smoothly. Your publicist called and gave all the names over, they’ve all been added to the list. Timothy should be here in the next tenminutes.”
“Great.” Eli’s voice is full of authority. “This is Ms. Covey, she’ll be with me through the day, and I’d like to ensure whatever she needs or wants during the day will be tendedto.”
Mr. Shea agrees. “Ofcourse.”
“Timothy is obviously my main concern. I want him to have the time of his life. Have the harnesses been acquired?” Eli questions. I probably look a bit crazy as my attention bounces back and forth between thetwo.
“Yes, we have everything that his teamlisted.”
“Timothy?” I ask aloud. Does he have a kid? Am I meeting his son? Panic starts to flood, and Eli grips my handtighter.
