Burning Flames ¦ Evan Buckley

Chapter 52 - Graduation Party

That night El didn't go home. At this moment in time she didn't even think she had a home. Instead of running to Mikey, like she normally would, she opted for someone who could probably give her better insight and advice. Eddie.

"Christopher will be happy to see you in the morning," Eddie spoke as they walked through the front door.

"Does he ever get fed up of seeing me?" El spoke with a little laugh.

"That kid loves you. Whether it's because you spoil him rotten or not I can't tell" Eddie teased as they made their way to the kitchen.

"I got no one else to spoil" She gave a little shrug.

"Beer?" He asked as he headed to the fridge.

"Please," El nodded.

Eddie grabbed two beers from the fridge and cracked them open before handing her one. "So, are we gonna talk about your attitude this evening?" He asked with a smirk before sipping his beer.

El rolled her eyes as she sipped the ice cold beer that was going down far too nicely after a long strenuous day. She took a breath before looking at him, "Do you...do you think Buck still loves Abby?" She asked sadly.

"It depends in what sense you're thinking. I mean, yeah, he loved her, from what I know but I've only ever known him with you" He spoke, "I think there is a part of Buck that still does, but that comes from a place of not getting closure. I had that with Shannon..." He admitted, "Those 4 years she was gone, I didn't really see myself moving on but when she died...I got that closure I guess"

"We had an argument a little while back about Abby. I told him I was okay with everything and that I understood, I know what it's like when someone you love leaves. He apologised for the way he acted but now, him seeing her, the broken look on his face...it just felt like he may as well have stomped on my heart ya know?" El spoke before chugging another lot of her beer.

"El" Eddie tilted his head and walked round the counter to stand in front of her, "Buck cares about you, a lot. He's smitten with you, hell he may even love you. But he has his issues and if you want to be with him, you have to help and understand it. Do you feel the same way about him?" Eddie questioned.

"Of course I do...I wouldn't be acting like this if I didn't" El rebutted.

"Then tell him that" Eddie cupped her face, "Okay?" El nodded. "Now go in there and call him" He ordered.

"You're so bossy" She rolled her eyes with a little coy smile before pulling out her phone and heading to the living room which was soon to be her bedroom for the night. She put her phone to her ear once dialling Bucks number.

"Hey" His saddened voice came through the other end.

"Hey...how you doing?" She asked softly.

"Could do with you being here if I'm honest..." He spoke sadly.

"I'm not in the right frame of mind for that right now Buck...and I'm sorry for the way I acted but I'm not sorry for the way that I feel" She spoke as she paced back and forth.

"It's okay...Abby asked me to meet with her tomorrow, to talk...and I'm going to go...I need...I need the closure" He admitted.

"I think that's a good idea...do you want me to pick you up after?" She asked.

"I'd...I'd like that..." Buck stuttered.

"Just text me the details...but Buck, after this, you need to promise me something" She spoke.

"Anything.."

"If you do not have the closure you need and you think you are still in love with her, you break up with me" She spoke, her words sharp, even though on the inside it was breaking her. "Okay?"