Page 52 of Chasing Infinity

“It couldn’t wait until later? I figured I would see you for breakfast down at the diner this morning.”

He rubs at his neck sheepishly. “Ah, no. I kind of wanted to talk to you in private.” His eyes dart between Noah and me uncomfortably. Noah’s shoulders square up behind me, but he doesn’t say anything, waiting to take my lead. I glance at him over my shoulder and nod my head slightly.

“It will just be a minute,” I tell him.

Noah exhales irritably but remains silent, turning away, going into my bedroom, and shutting the door behind him. I face Eli again and force a smile. This whole interaction is incredibly uncomfortable already, and I know it’s likely only going to get worse. Nothing with Eli can ever be straightforward.

Despite my better judgment, I open the door further and invite him inside. “Want to come in?”

Eli follows me to the kitchen, where he pulls out a seat at the breakfast bar. He eyes the breakfast burritos Noah and I were in the process of making and frowns again but doesn’t comment on it. I know he’s thinking about how in the past, up until this point, I would eat my breakfast with him and Charlie on mornings they would come into the diner. I start to form a mental rebuttal if he decides to bring it up. But until then, I clear my throat awkwardly, his attention back to me.

“You look tired,” I observe and walk towards the coffee maker where Noah has already got my daily fix brewing.

“Yeah? Well, you look disgustingly happy,” Eli mutters snidely.

I try my hardest to fight off the grin that threatens to show on my lips, but it’s futile. Even thinking of Noah has me blushing like a schoolgirl. “I am happy.”

He barks a miserable sounding laugh and runs his hands over his face. I narrow my eyes at him, catching sight of the dark purple pockets underneath his eyes. “Have you been sleeping?”

“Not really.”

“I’m sorry, maybe you should take a break from the market. I know your dad is working you hard.”

Eli scoffs and gives me an incredulous scowl. “Really? That’s how you’re going to play this? That’s not the reason I look like shit Addison, and you know it.” I press my lips together and pour him a cup of coffee, offering it to him over the counter. He takes a sip and then scowls down at the brew. “Hemade this, didn’t he? There’s not a chance in hell you’ve learned how to make coffee this good.”

I look anywhere but at him. This isn’t going well. I can tell Eli is about one lousy utterance from me away from a full-blown meltdown.“I’m not sure what to say, Eli.”

“That’s it then, huh? You’re gonna end things with me and get back together with Noah just like that? That kinda makes me feel a little shitty, you know?”

I sigh, trying to think of the best way to explain this to Eli without hurting his feelings. Could I have handled this situation better? Absolutely. But at this point it's too late. What's done is done. “I know, I’m sorry.”

“You said it wasn’t because of him. I came here today to try and convince you that I think we made a mistake. I still think we’re meant to be together.”

“Eli—” I start, but he cuts me off.

“No just listen to me, Addie. Heleftyou! I don’t understand how you can just forget that whole thing. I didn’t! Do you want to know why? Because I was the one who held you while you cried for days over him. I’m the one who was there, not him. He didn’t think you were enough.”

I wince, knowing that he’s right, but that was then. It won’t do any good for me to try and convince him at this moment that things have changed. “Eli, it’s more than just that. I don't think this is a black-and-white situation. There's more to the story.”

“So you’re just giving him the benefit of the doubt? Over me, when I’m the one who has proven to be more loyal than he is?”

“But you haven't been all that loyal the whole time, have you?” I shoot back at him, getting aggravated with his aggressive approach. Eli can sit here and throw hurtful words at me but he isn't all that perfect either. “I remember a time when all I wanted was to be with you, but you were too interested in the other girls in our year. The prettier, thinner, cheerleader type. And doyouknow who was there when you ditched me for those girls?Noah.”

Eli recoils from me and narrows his eyes. “That’s not fair. That was a long time ago.”

“It was about the same length of time from when Noah left me too. Those events happened in the same year, remember?”

Eli leans against the backrest of the stool. “How can I convince you that you’re wrong here? Do I need to get Charlie involved? I’m sure he would take my side.”

I shake my head at him. “No, I’m not sure he would. But if you feel like you need to, then so be it. But I’ve made my mind up, Eli. Even if Noah leaves again, he’s what I want right now. He’ll always be what I want.”

“I don’t understand why this keeps happening!” he shouts.

“Some things are just above our understanding. And maybe what I have with Noah is one of those things. It will always be him. I’m sorry.”

“I really think you’re going to regret this. After today I’m done, Addison. I’ve said my piece, and I’m not going to wait around for you anymore.”

“I never asked you to,” I tell him softly, trying to reign this conversation back into control. Eli is out of line, we weren't in a serious relationship, by any means. We were spending time together to see if it could go anywhere. And it didn't.

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