Page 22 of Fueled Fury

After the awkward meal is over, we’re walking through the parking lot when I say, “I’m gonna head to the house. Do you want to swing by? I’m sure Eli would be happy if you did.”

“It’s a weeknight.”

“Ah. That’s right.” I smile, waving as we go our separate ways. I wish I had her discipline. I didn’t care what night of the week it was when I was with Austin, I wanted him with me (or inside me) every waking second. Toxic and unhealthy. That’s all we’ve ever been for each other.

Driving across town, I reach the house and pull into my spot in the garage, relieved that Austin’s truck is missing.

Walking into the kitchen, I gasp at the broken glass strewn across the floor. “What happened?” I ask Eli as he’s crouched down, working to clean up the broken shards.

“Austin happened. Again,” he says, tossing a large chunk of glass into a trash can. When he bends back down, he winces, clutching his side.

“Did he hurt you?” I ask.

He stands, shrugging me off as he avoids my eyes.

“Let me see,” I demand, taking a step towards him as he remains still. “Please.”

“Since you asked nicely.” Eli gives me a forced smile before twisting around, reaching to pull his T-shirt over his head. He sucks in a sharp breath with the motion before dropping his shirt on the counter. Then I’m the one taking in a harsh breath when I see the bruising trailing up his side and over his chest.

My hand reaches out, touching one of the few areas on his chest that’s not red or bruised. “How could he do this to you?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Eli.”

“Well, it’s nothing new. You know how he is, Lainey. Did you really expect that he’d change?”

I don’t know what I expected, really, but Austin leaving his brother battered and beaten again wasn’t close. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”

“No, I’m all right. Just a little sore.” He bends down, flinching as he picks up a few pieces of glass.

“I’ll get it.” I grab the broom and begin sweeping as Eli finally takes a seat at the counter. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. One minute, we were talking. He was fine. Then, he exploded out of nowhere.”

Sounds about right, but something feels off about it. Eli was the one who’d had the temper earlier. “I called around to a few of the apartment complexes near campus. I think it’s best for me to stay somewhere else for now.”

“No, Lainey. Don’t leave me, please. Then he wins. He will leave if he sees there’s nothing here for him and no one wants him here.”

“Yeah. I doubt that will make him go away since he seems determined to stay.”

“I don’t want you to leave. This is our house,” Eli says as his fingers rub his eyes.

“But it’s his house too. Your parents told him he could stay here, so we don’t have a choice.”

“He’ll leave when he realizes he won’t come between our friendship. That’s all he wants to do. Ruin anything good that we have since he didn’t do it on his first try.” Eli slowly stands, walking over to me. He puts his hands out, gripping both of my shoulders. “Just stick with me, and we’ll get through this nightmare.”

Nodding, I agree with his words but don’t feel the confidence he’s found. Austin doesn’t give up easy, and he’s determined to fix whatever is broken between us and destroy what trust I have in Eli, hence Austin’s version of Eli’s broken arm. “Are you sure you don’t need a doctor?”

“Yeah. I’m just gonna head to my room to avoid the monster before he returns,” Eli says sarcastically as I cringe. “Hey, you can sleep in my bedroom if you want to. You know I won’t let him hurt you … again.”

That would probably set off more alarms than it would put out the fire. Austin is definitely the jealous one, so sleeping in his brother’s room wouldn’t be the best choice. Not to mention, the thought makes me feel strange. Yet, Austin in my bed (even after all he’s done) doesn’t feel off. What the hell is wrong with me?

“No, I’ll stay in my room.”

“Let me know if you need me.” Eli gives me a warm smile as he pulls me to him. Wrapping his arms around me, he kisses the top of my head. “I’m sorry you had to see this.”

He carefully releases me, then, holding his stomach, walks out of the room. Looking around the kitchen, I question what exactly it is that I need. Right now, I’m nothing but utterly confused. Part of me questions if Austin actually inflicted the injuries on Eli—but how can I doubt my best friend when he’s never shown me a reason not to trust him? Ever. Austin has shown me pain and devastation. Yet, something pulls at the back of my mind, not allowing me to fully believe Eli, even after seeing the damage with my own eyes. Because out of everyone … I trust myself least of all.