Apocalyptic Romance

Chapter 10 Part 2: Tell Me The Truth

** RECAP: Jason is about to tell Eliza the whole truth about his behavior**

"So," he started, "where do you want me to start?"

"The beginning. From when you met me to everything that has happened up to this point." I stated

He sighed, "Alright. But you're going to want to sit down. There's a lot to tell" and then he began.

"It all started when our camp was traveling through Salem to Portland. The day I first met you. We had just come up the hill when I saw you and Jack with your dad surrounded by all those zombies. I felt the immediate need to protect you and your family. I wasn't thinking properly and immediately ordered my entire team to fire at them and use the new chemical weapon. We hadn't even tested it yet, but I needed to save you. There were more of them than you and they kept getting closer and I had to do something. After it went off, I put Delilah, my second in command, in charge while I went to check everything out. I happened to be closer to you, so that's why she sent me and no one else. When I saw your beautiful face up close, I could hardly breathe, but I knew I had to act professional. 

I honestly DID tell my men to check your father, who at the time I didn't realize who he was, to see if he was bitten, and the report I got back was that he was infected and I gave the order to have him taken care of. I honestly don't know why they lied to me about that." Jason said 

"So you know what it's like then? To be told by someone you trust that someone was bitten and needed to be killed?" I yelled as I turned my back to him, "Or have their arm amputated." I whispered. I felt his arms start to slip around my waist in attempt to either say sorry or to try to comfort me, but I wasn't having any of that. "Don't touch me." I said sternly while stepping away. He stepped towards me again with his hands outstretched to touch me again

"Come on, babe, you're upset and don't know what you want right now. Come here, I know how to calm you down" He said as his fingers brushed against my wrist, but I ignored the flutter in my heart from the physical contact and I pulled my hand away while taking another step back.

"Don't you dare tell me what I want or don't want. It's my head and I know exactly what I'm saying. And you're damn right that I'm upset! You pretty much stalked me from the very beginning, sent my father away, and AMPUTATED MY BABY BROTHER'S ARM OFF! And for what?! So I would see you as this amazing life saving person?! You're sick if you think that would work in the long run!" I shouted at him. He had the nerve to step closer to me again, and I realized I was looking up at him. He placed his hands on my shoulders, squeezing so they're locked onto me. "Stop fighting, just let me hold you until you calm down. Please? Just like I have for the past few months" He said sternly but then sheepishly. My heart was pounding in my chest and my hormones were raging at the feel of his hands gently but firmly touching my skin, but I ignored all those feelings because he didn't deserve them after what he did to me and my family. I glared at him, my balled fists at my sides and nostrils flared, and pushed him away from me with all the power in my body. I stumbled backwards a bit, but didn't fall like Jason did; he wasn't expecting me to push him. 

"I said 'Don't touch me', Jason. That means to not fucking touch me." I said through gritted teeth. He was shocked to hear me curse, and quite frankly I was too; it was the first time I've ever said something like that out loud, but it felt right because of the situation.

With one last glare I stormed out, not caring if I heard the rest of the story. I can try to listen, one day, but not right now. Jason was right about one thing, I was upset. 

I was walking back to my safe spot when I heard footsteps behind me as well as someone calling after me. "Eliza! Eliza, wait!" I recognized the voice as Jason's, and kept walking. I knew he was close and before he did anything I said, "I'd think twice about touching me if I were you, Booker" I could feel the warmth from his hand creep away from my shoulder and he began to speak.