for water and some medicine for this headache. Why do I store medicine in the kitchen cabinet instead of the bathroom? A question for non-hungover Jenna to handle. Probably lack of space.
“Hey, how’re you feeling?” Eli asks.
I halt in my tracks. He’s standing in my kitchen, fully dressed in the black T-shirt and jeans from last night, the coffee maker percolating behind him. How long was I in the bathroom?
“Coffee,” I whisper. “Bless you.”
He studies me, his expression serious. “Guess you’re hungover pretty bad.”
I nod and instantly regret it. I take a couple of pills and lean against the counter, guzzling water. And then I help myself to coffee, adding a cube from the sugar jar I keep on the counter. This is going to be hard, but I have to face last night in the harsh light of day.
I wrap my hands around the thick white mug and take a fortifying sip. “Eli, I’m beyond embarrassed that you saw me like that. And I so regret unloading all that garbage on you.”
His voice is soft, his hazel eyes full of concern. “You’re a sad drunk. It must’ve been a shock to see your parents together after their bitter divorce. I’ve heard of people who divorce and marry the same person multiple times.”
I look up at him, surprised to hear that. “They’re definitely not getting married again.”
“I guess they’re the reason you don’t want to get married. You did say you haven’t had any long-term relationships, so I know it’s not because of an ex that you feel that way.”
My lower lip quivers. He’s so intuitive and smart, putting all the pieces together. The obvious conclusion is the elephant in the room—he wants marriage one day, just like his happy parents and his older sister and brother, and he deserves to be with someone who wants the same thing. That was Sydney’s point all along about why we didn’t suit each other. It was so foolish of me to pretend otherwise because now ending it hurts way too much.
He sets his mug on the counter. “Jenna,” he says gently.
I can’t bear to hear him break the news in soft tones, so I beat him to it. “This was a mistake. I don’t think we should see each other anymore. We want different things, and that’s not fair to you.”
“What different things?”
“You deserve someone who can give you the whole pretty picture. You know, the house with a wife and kids.” My voice cracks. “Someone like Brooke.”
“Would you stop bringing up Brooke?” he snaps. “Just because Sydney wants to set me up with her doesn’t mean I want her. I met her once at Sydney’s wedding.”
I wince at his volume. “Sorry, but you know what I mean. Someone like her, someone not so damaged.” I swallow hard. “It’s over.”
“Why? Give me one good reason.”
He sounds angry. Doesn’t he see I’m only trying to save him from future hurt?
“Because I’m not what you need,” I say quietly.
His eyes flash. “Why do you get to say what I need? How do you even know?”
I set my mug down. “Don’t you see this is the only way? I don’t want to hurt you.”
He sets his mug down. “Too late.” He walks out of the kitchen, stops, and turns around. “You know, I don’t judge you for having messed-up parents, but I think you’re a coward for using them as an excuse not to be with me.”
I can barely speak over the lump of emotion lodged in my throat. “How dare you. I told you everything, and you use it against me.”
He shakes his head. “No, it’s exactly the reverse. You’re using this shit against me. That’s why I think you’re a coward.”
“I’m not a coward!”
“Bye, Jenna.” His brows furrow for a moment before he turns on his heel and walks out.
A hornet’s nest of thoughts immediately buzzes in my brain—my parents getting together, the loss of my sister in my life, Eli judging me so harshly after I spilled my guts. I put both hands to my head, willing it to quiet down in there. I need a hot shower. I’ll deal with all this later.
Only when I’m under the steamy spray, it’s the hurt in Eli’s eyes I can’t get out of my mind.
Eli
The next morning I’m still pissed off. Jenna dumped me for no good reason after asking me to spend the night! She was drunk when she asked, but still. Things were great between us until she saw her parents, and