Worth the Chance (Watertown University #2)

27. Eliza

Chapter 27

Eliza

T he past forty eight hours have been weird. Thursday night Garrett claimed he was too tired to hang out. Which was totally fine, he’s extremely busy so I didn’t think much of it. However, yesterday he didn’t reply to my texts before his game. Which again was fine, he was busy but the game itself felt so off. He’s usually calm and composed on the ice.

He had this frantic energy about him. He made shots I’ve never seen him make and then he almost fought somebody and ended up in the penalty box. His coach even pulled him from the rest of the game because after he got out of the box he made a few more terrible shots and just looked aggravated.

I got home before him so I showered and cozied up on the couch thinking he might join me or want to talk about it when he got home. When he got home though he gave me a tight smile before saying he was heading to bed. I saw him briefly this morning as I was eating breakfast at the kitchen counter.

“I’m headed out. I’ll see you later.” He awkwardly stood in the living room, leaving before I could say anything. I’m not dumb I can feel him pulling away from me. I just wish I knew why. What happened between Wednesday night, which was a great night where we cuddled and watched tv until we both fell asleep on the couch, and Thursday afternoon?

I journaled, letting out all my thoughts which helped a bit. Maybe it truly is the game that’s affecting him and I just need to let it be. Deciding I need to keep busy and keep my mind off of him for a while I clean my room and then work on making a pie. My mom always makes the best pies around Thanksgiving, which is next week, and I want to perfect the apple pie recipe I’ve been working on.

I simmer the apples with a combination of spices, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. The aroma of the simmering pot itself is enough to make your mouth water. Once those are cooked, I pluck one of the cut up pieces out, trying it to make sure it’s the right texture and flavor. It is. I take my pie plate that has already been lined with the crust I made earlier and fill it with the apple concoction before drizzling in some caramel sauce. Then I put the other half of the pastry on top of it, shaping the crust to close over the filling. I cut a pretty pattern into the top crust to allow the steam out and top it with an egg wash and raw sugar before placing it in the oven.

As I clean up my phone rings from across the kitchen. The way I basically dive to it, thinking it might be Garrett is pathetic. Mia’s name flashes across my screen, a moment of disappointment hits me but I’m also grateful that she’s calling. I texted her earlier how I thought something was off.

“Hey Mi.” Her face lights up my screen.

“Hi El. How are you doing?”

“Okay.” I shrug heading over to the couch.

“So what’s going on?” I tell her about the past few days and him leaving this morning. She was at the game last night and agrees that something seemed off. She listens intently to all the rest of it, letting me get everything off my chest.

“What time did he leave this morning? ”

“Around eleven.” I check the time on my phone, it’s nearly five in the afternoon and I have yet to hear from him. “I haven’t heard from him.”

“Do you think it’s the game?”

“I thought maybe but when I think back to it, it just doesn’t make sense. He was in the penalty box. He’s never in there. I just don’t know what set him off before the game. Maybe it’s me.”

“Don’t say that.” Mia chides.

“I don’t even mean it in that way. Just maybe this relationship is too much for him. He went from never wanting one to jumping into one with me and maybe he’s realizing it’s not what he really wants.”

“Well if that’s the case he needs to man up and tell you.” She’s right. It’s not my job to read his mind but I wish I could.

It’s Sunday afternoon when I see Garrett again. He casually strolls through the front door as if he didn’t leave the house yesterday morning and never returned. I didn’t even get a text letting me know where he was.

“Hey.” His voice is raspy and unsure when he sees me sitting on the couch.

“Hi.” My eyes can’t help but flick over his frame making sure he’s okay. He stands at the threshold of where the hallway meets the living room for what feels like forever. “Are you actually going to talk to me today or what?”

“Uh, yeah.” He moves more into the living room taking a seat at the other end of the couch but not saying anything.

“Where were you?”

“Just at Bryan’s.”

“Mhmm. ”

“I’m not cheating on you, Eliza.” He sits up straighter before running a hand through his hair.

“Didn’t think you were.” He seems to release a breath he was holding at my confession. I truly didn’t think he was. He’s not that kind of guy. “Can you stop avoiding me? Or avoiding whatever it is you want to say to me?”

“I…” He can’t even look me in the eyes, his gaze is trained on the floor. “I can’t do this.”

“Can’t do what?” I know exactly what he means but he was to say it. I need to hear him say it.

“El…”

“Say it, Garrett. What can’t you do.”

“I can’t be with you. I can’t love you in the way you deserve.” He almost sounds like he’s in pain as the words leave his mouth but how could he be? He’s the one ending it when he doesn’t have to.

“You didn’t even give us a chance.” I shake my head and push up from the couch, heading upstairs. I can feel the tears welling in my eyes and I refuse to let him see them fall.