Worth the Chance (Watertown University #2)

31. Eliza

Chapter 31

Eliza

I ’ve spent the past two days sulking around the house. At night, I’ve cried on the phone to Mia, feeling utterly pathetic. I mean we were really dating for only two weeks. It shouldn’t feel like I got my heart ripped out of my chest, right?

Thanksgiving morning my mom wakes me up bright and early to help her with the prep work. Yesterday she made the chocolate and pumpkin pies but today we need to prepare the apple to bake after we finish all the main courses. We get to work cooking while we both softly sing and hum along to our favorite songs. While it’s nice to have my own space and feel like I’m starting to really grow up, I’ve missed this. I’m so thankful to have a good relationship with my mom. Shortly before the food is ready Liam and Emilia appear in the kitchen.

“It smells so good in here.” Emilia smiles and I immediately run over to her and engulf her in a hug. It’s been too long since I’ve last seen her and even though we do text quite frequently, there’s nothing like seeing the people you care about in person .

“Rude, El.” Liam nudges my shoulder before pulling me in for a hug.

“I’m sorry your girlfriend is just so much better than you.” I stick my tongue out at him. I love playing up the little sister role and antagonizing my older brothers.

“Emilia, Liam!” My mom gushes pulling them into a group hug. “I’ve missed you both.”

“We’ve missed you too, mom.”

“What’s all the commotion out here?” Dean laughs, sauntering out from the living room.

“Hey Dean.” Liam and Dean do that bro hug thing.

“Good to see ya kid.”

Dean and Liam move to the living room, no doubt watching some game, as Emilia joins in on helping mom and I finish up the food. She whips the potatoes, Mom pulls the turkey out of the oven and I start setting the table.

“What’s up with you?” Emilia brings a boat of gravy over to the table as I perfect each place setting.

“What do you mean?” It comes out more defensive than I want but trying to hide three very big secrets is weighing on me.

“I just mean, how are you? I haven’t talked to you as much lately.” Emi’s soft voice makes me feel bad instantly. We usually text nearly everyday but I haven’t texted her once since things with Garrett started to feel off last week.

“I’m sorry, just busy.” It’s a half truth.

“I get it, I know this time of year gets crazy.” And I feel bad again. She’s in graduate school and I haven’t even checked to see how her classes are going.

“Sorry, how’s everything with you?”

“It’s busy but it’s good. I love my classes so even though they’re hard work, it feels worth it.”

“That’s great, Em.” I smile at her. I am truly happy that she’s able to follow her dreams .

“How’s the roommate situation?” I immediately tense at the question and the way her eyes narrow tell me she caught onto the motion.

“It’s good. We’re acquaintances.”

“Hmm.” Em hums, like she’s pondering my answer. “That’s good. You’re both two of my favorite people so I was hoping it’d all be okay.”

“Dinner’s ready!” My mom announces at that moment, saving me.

Everyone serves themselves from the various pots and pans spread across the counters. My brother hovers behind Emilia, peppering kisses to her forehead and cheek. A surge of envy that I attempt to choke down, washes over me. I want that. I feel a pang in my heart at the thought that Garrett wasn’t even willing to try it. Everything seemed to be going so well and then suddenly it wasn’t. With more force than necessary I plop a heading scoop of mash potatoes onto my plate.

Once we all gather around the table with our plates, conversation commences. Emi tells us all about grad school and Liam tells us about the ones he’s applying to for next fall. I try to participate in the conversation but it feels forced. My mind keeps drifting back to Garrett. I wonder what he’s doing right now. I know he doesn’t have the best relationship with his parents so I wonder if he even went home. Stupid El, stop thinking about the boy who doesn’t want you.

Somehow everyone is finished with dinner and I even ate half my plate. I don’t really have a recollection of it happening but nevertheless. As Dean and Liam clean up the kitchen, Emi and I head to the living room. My mom heads upstairs for a quick shower since she feels like she smells like turkey. I hear a phone ring from the other room.

“Hey, Ry.” Liam sounds like he’s smiling.

“Son, good to see you. Wish you were here.” Dean says. It sounds like Ryan responds but I can’t hear what he says .

“Here talk to the girls while we clean up.” Liam saunters into the living room, handing Emilia the phone.

“Ryan, hi! How are you?”

“I’m good, Em. How are you?”

“I’m good. Wish you were here.”

“Me too.” Ryan couldn’t come home from Florida because of his hockey schedule. He doesn’t have a game today but he has one tomorrow night and with the flight schedules it just wouldn’t work out. “I’m hoping to be home for Christmas, though.”

“That would be wonderful.” Emi smiles at the phone.

“Is El there?” Ryan asks.

“Yep, here she is.” She hands me the phone and I’m greeted with a smiling Ryan.

“Smelly Eli. I miss you.”

“I miss you too, Ry Fry.”

“That’s a dumb nickname.”

“So is Smelly Eli.” I stick my tongue out at him.

“Whatever lil sis.” He laughs. “So how are things? How’s Garrett?”

“Why are you asking me how Garrett is?” My tone comes out defensive again and Emilia eyes me from across the couch.

“Uh, cause he’s your roommate.”

“Well he’s your friend. Call him if you’re so concerned with his well-being.” I try to make my tone more sassy and joking than pointed and mean but I’m not sure I fully succeed.

“Geez, fine.” He holds up both his hands like he surrenders. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Watertown is great.” I force a smile. I mean Watertown has been mostly great.

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“Is that Ryan?” Mom is coming down the stairs with a pep in her step at the sound of his voice.

“Mom! I miss you.” He yells and she snaps the phone out of my hands. While my mom might not be Ryan’s birth mom, he’s been calling her mom since my mom and his dad got married when he was fourteen.

“I miss you too, Ryan. I wish you were here.”

“I know but I’ll hopefully be home for Christmas.” My moms whole face lights up at the sound of that. I can’t imagine how sad she would be if one of us wasn’t in attendance at her favorite holiday.