have.
Easier said than done, but hey. We’re trying.
“Props to you, man. You’ve got balls.” Ash holds out his hand and Eli takes it, the two of them performing some ritualistic bro shake that I have no idea where they learned it. Or how they knew they should do it.
Boys are so weird sometimes.
The relief on Eli’s face is obvious. The anger on Jake’s is almost comical. He didn’t expect Ash to be so accepting of my boyfriend.
Of course, Ash isn’t some petty jerk like my brother, so thank God for that.
We all talk for a while, Ash patiently answering all of Eli’s questions. Jake and Hannah bail, Jake claiming he has to get her home before it gets too late.
I know for a fact her mom works nights at one of the local hotels, so that’s a lie. But I keep my mouth shut.
Eventually, Ash and Autumn leave too, Autumn going back to his apartment to stay the night. Mom and Dad hug her and Ash before they turn their attention on us.
“You’re riding home in our car, right Ava?” Mom asks.
Oh. I figured Eli could take me home. “I sort of planned on going home with Eli.”
“Let’s leave,” Beck says, sounding tired. When the kid is done for the night, he’s absolutely done. There’s no convincing him otherwise.
“It doesn’t make sense for Eli to drive all the way to our house and then turn around and go back to his,” Mom explains.
She’s got us there. I turn to look at Eli, who’s frowning a little. “I don’t mind driving her home.”
“You should probably get back home,” Dad says, his voice firm. “It’s late. You won’t even get there until close to midnight.”
“Yeah.” Eli blinks, turning his attention to me. The look on his face says it all. He doesn’t want to go home. No one cares about him there anyway. “You cool with that?”
“Sure. Of course.” Not really. But what am I supposed to do? Tell my parents no, when they obviously want me to ride home with them?
“Perfect. We’ll let you two say goodbye. Meet us at the car,” Dad says, his gaze shifting to Eli. “Glad you were able to come to the game with us tonight.”
“Thank you so much, sir.” Eli approaches my parents and shakes their hands again. “And Mrs. Callahan. I appreciate the invite. I’ve had a great time.”
“You’re very welcome,” Mom says, smiling broadly at him. I think he might’ve won her over.
Eli high fives Beck, who is so over this night, I’m surprised he hasn’t dropped to the ground, already asleep.
Dad’s expression is stern. Not too sure about him yet. He’s very overprotective of us. Especially me and Autumn. “Don’t take too long with your goodbyes,” he says, his gaze and words for me.
“I won’t.” I send him a smile, one that hopefully says move along.
We don’t need an audience.
Once they start walking away, I turn to face Eli, a shocked breath leaving me when he suddenly pulls me into his arms and plants a kiss on my lips. “I thought I’d have more time with you.”
“Didn’t we have enough time together earlier?” I ask, tilting my head up to smile up at him. “Did you have fun?”
“Yeah, I had a great time.” He leans in and drops a kiss on my forehead. “Sorry if you thought I was ignoring you.”
“I didn’t,” I say with a sigh. No way can I admit that I actually was. I don’t want to put a damper on his good time tonight. “I know you were having fun with my father.”
“He’s not so bad. I’ll get him to warm up to me,” Eli says with that easy confidence I know is a bit of a front. When he talks like that, it’s because he’s feeling insecure and trying to hide it.
“My dad will grow to love you,” I tell him, voice firm. “I know it.”
“If you say so,” he says with a tired smile. “Hey, wasn’t it cool when Ash put Jake in his place?”
“Yes.” I laugh. “Their relationship has always been tinged with animosity.”
“Isn’t that how everyone’s relationship with Jake is? Maybe not Hannah though. For some reason, she tolerates his ass.” Eli shakes his head.
“She’s good for him. He needs her to calm him down.” I rise up on tiptoe and brush my mouth against his. “I hate leaving you right now.”
“I’ll be fine,” he assures me, before delivering another kiss. We’re standing in the parking lot, the last stragglers still exiting the stadium