Tragic

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Hurdles

Hunter

My grip tightens on my phone when I come across Elliot's new Instagram post. It's a picture of her and Judah. He has his arms around her, and she's kissing his cheek—six hundred and twenty-seven likes. Really? That many people felt the need to click like on this bullshit? I toss my phone to my bed and let out a groan. I get the need to put on airs for everyone, but it doesn't make it any easier when I have to look at it.

Elliot comes walking into my room carrying coffee. "Good morning." She gives me a quick kiss and hands me the cup. Her eyebrows pull in when she takes in my face. "What's your problem?"

"Nothing," I mutter before taking a sip and setting it down on the side table. "Thank you," I say over my shoulder as I continue to get dressed for work.

Her fingers graze my stomach as she comes up behind me and places a kiss to my shoulder. "It doesn't sound like nothing."

The unease in her voice makes me feel like a dick. I agreed to this. My eyes squeeze shut, and I attempt to reign in my anger. "Should I double-tap on your picture too, or would that be weird?"

She bites my shoulder in response to my sarcasm, and I laugh. Turning around, I pull her against me. "I'm sorry, it just pisses me off."

"It's not real." Her hands travel behind me and she grips me tight. "This is real."

The sincerity in her words melts away at my irritation, and I begin to relax. I kiss her softly. "I know, baby. I can't wait for the day you and I can actually do things like that."

"Do what?"

I laugh. "Declare our love for each other on social media, hold hands in public—do basically anything in public."

She frowns and leans her head on my chest. "It won't be much longer, I promise."

My hand rubs up and down her back reassuringly. "I hope so."

***

Since Judah has been busy trying to get his grades up he hasn't made the trip home as much. Officially Elliot and Judah have been back on for three weeks and this weekend is the first time he's been here since the play.

Thankfully, Elliot has a track meet and I can at least be there for that. The after party is another story. Although she promised to keep their public displays of affection minimal, it still sucks. Having to see her with him for so long, you would think I would be used to it. The truth is, you never get used to seeing the girl you love with another man, especially when he loves her too.

My knee bounces nervously as I sit behind Oliver on the bleachers. He's actually pacing back and forth blowing his whistle and screaming profanities at the girls below. Evidently this is a big meet. They are competing against North Ridge and have been rivals since the dawn of time. At the last meet, they only narrowly edged them out, and that was in part due to Elliot's ability to run faster than basically anyone.

Oliver turns back to me and shakes his head. "Where is she?"

I glance down at my phone again. "She said two minutes."

The scowl on his face deepens. "You know, it's really fucking cute and all that you two have yet another elaborate charade going on, but I have a meet to fucking win."

I laugh. "Relax, man. She'll be here and she'll perform like the champion she is."

He grits his teeth. "She better. Or I'm punching you and Judah."