Revive (Book Two)

Chapter Twenty-One: Time

Chapter Twenty-One: Time

I hadn't seen her in a week, and I was foolish for waiting on her arrival each day, only to be left with disappointment by the end of the night.

I fiddled with a pill in between my fingers and contemplated my next move. The only upside of her disappearance was that I could do as many drugs as I wanted, as long as I wanted, whenever I wanted. The downside was my heart felt like my stomach did when I was shot.

Bummer.

I should've said no. I should've held back my temptations for her benefit and shut her down. It was too overwhelming for her, that was easy enough to figure out. Her absence made one thing clear. She regretted it and I hated myself for that.

Her scent lingered on my sheets, even after she was long gone.

I set the pill between my index finger and the coffee table, then flicked it with my free hand, letting it shoot across the room and roll out of sight. I sighed, frustrated. I shouldn't have suggested she stay the night.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, having me reach out to retrieve it. I was half disappointed that Tyler was my messenger over her. I hadn't messaged her since, and she hadn't reached out to me either. I knew she wanted and needed space, so that I'd at least provide.

At least I still kept my promise; I stayed focus on the investigation.

Arriving to Tylers house under his demand, I walked in freely this time, knowing it was only him home.

"Eli!" Tyler rounded the corner.

"You should lock your doors, Ty," I muttered and locked the door behind me.

"Yeah, yeah," He dismissed with a grin. "Where the hell have you been? You disappeared."

My eyes peered into his. He thought I was up to something again. "I've been around," I argued. "Just not around people."

He narrowed his eyes. "Is that so," He said with suspicion.

I didn't say anything, knowing if I stayed silent long enough, he'd just keep talking.

"You going on a binge again?" He twitched the corner of his lip, concerned. "Or..."

"Something like that," I mumbled and took out a new smoke. "I fucked up as usual, so I'm just living in the consequences," I smirked as an attempt to make light of my situation.

"How's that happen?" He asked, opening the sliding door to his balcony for me as I walked towards it with a stick already in my mouth.

I raised an eyebrow and stepped outside, having him follow me. "Don't you already know?"

He chuckled and stood at the railings with me as I lit the end, having it burn up in orange. "I want to hear your side of the story."

I slipped a laugh, hauling on my smoke. "You were right," I casually spoke. "I'm not over her, and I made things complicated." Here comes to I told you so.

From my peripherals, I saw him nodding. "What happened, buddy?"

I side eyed him for prying into my life, then quickly dropped it, remembering he wasn't the bad guy. You're not his leader, he's family.

"I slept with her," I admitted, staring out into the horizon.

I trust him.

He blew a gust of air out, processing. "I take it that isn't a good thing."

"No."

He waited patiently.

I flicked the ashes off the balcony and frowned. Turning to him, "Since when did having sex with someone make shit so miserable?"