Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Eli

I've never wanted to not leave somewhere as bad as I don't want to right now. If I could live right here for the rest of my life, with her, I would. My entire life has been sports, spending my last three summers on the road. I thought I was living the dream, but knowing I have to leave tomorrow for another tournament has me dreading the thought.

People warned me how girls could distract you from your goals, but I never believed it would happen to me. I know I need to get my shit together and stay focused. I will, but I just want to live one more day like this.

Knowing we need to get going, I kiss the top of her head while curled up with her on the hammock. "We need to get packed up. Especially if you want to stop by your house to get cleaned up before we go back to my place for dinner."

She jumps up so fast that I can't help but laugh.

She smooths her hair down, trying to calm the random curls that have snuck out from her messy ponytail. "I absolutely have to shower before I meet your parents. I can't meet them, looking like this." Her voice rises a few octaves in panic.

I sit up and hop off the hammock with a laugh. "You look amazing. Don't forget, they know we were camping."

"Yeah, but meeting them for the first time is a big deal. I need to get cleaned up."

I bring her in for a hug. "They're going to love you. Don't worry."

We kiss, and then she pulls away and heads toward the tent to get everything ready to go.

We're on the road within the hour. I drive with her hand in mine as we go to her place first. I'm surprised when she showers and gets ready much quicker than I would have imagined as I sit on the couch, watching a baseball game with her uncle.

After saying our goodbyes to her aunt and uncle, we head to my place back in Leighton River.

"This will be my first time visiting Leighton River," she admits, looking around the area once we pull into town.

"Seriously?"

She shrugs. "Why would I have come here? You've always come to see me, and I haven't had a reason to come here while you've been gone."

"Well, this is where I call home," I say, holding my arm out at the Stop sign on the main road through town.

She takes it all in. "Do you live close to the downtown area?"

I shake my head. "Nope. We live up in those hills." I point to the hills that are dotted with houses.

"Oh." She pauses when she sees what I'm talking about.

These aren't just any houses. You can see the mansions that line the landscape from where we are.

I make the right turn toward them and start our ascent up the hill, which changes the feel of Leighton River from a small town to a fancy master-planned community.

"How did I forget that your dad helped create TimeLand?" she asks more under her breath than to me.

I squeeze her hand. "I'm glad you did. But don't be shocked when you see where I live. It doesn't change anything. It's just a house."

She nods but continues to look around, surprise of the area not hidden on her face.

I make the turn onto our private driveway that takes us to the top the hill, the overlook giving a view of the entire valley.

"This is where you live?" she asks in disbelief.

I inhale a breath and state defensively, "It changes nothing."

She senses my tone and grabs my hand with both of hers. "Hey, you're right. It changes nothing. I'm just shocked, is all." She looks around again. "I've just never been to a place like this."

I put the truck in park with a huff, and she stops me again.

"I can see why this bugs you. Don't worry. I'm not the kind of girl who cares about all of this."

I look in her eyes and see her honesty. My entire life, everyone has known who I am—or rather, who my dad is. It was nice, being just Eli for a change and not having TimeLand held over my head that way.

This is why Ben, Dalton, Maya, and I are so close. It's our world to understand and live in when others can't even comprehend it.

We both exit the truck, and I walk around to grab her hand as I lead us toward the house.

"We're home," I announce as I shut the door behind us.

"In the kitchen," my mom yells out.

I grin toward Liza and head to the kitchen. Before we get there, my mom turns the corner to greet us, eager to meet Liza herself.

"Liza," my mom says with her arms opened wide for a hug. Liza is not shy to return the affection even though they've barely met. "It's so nice to finally get to meet you!"

"Hello, Mrs. Jones," Liza says. "It's nice to meet you too."

"Please, call me Heather," Mom says as she pulls back to get a good look at her. "Aren't you beautiful?"

I love the blush that covers Liza's face from my mom's words. I tell her all the time how beautiful she is, but by her reaction, I don't think she's used to other people saying that to her.

"Thank you," she says, blushing even more. "You have a lovely home."

"Here, come in. I'll show you around." Mom gives her a tour, stopping at Ava's room. "Ava, I have someone here to meet you."

Ava hops up from her drawing she was working on while lying on the floor. "She's here?" she asks with so much excitement that we all laugh.

Ava runs straight into Liza's arms, giving her a big hug.

"Hi, sweetie," Liza says with a giggle.

"I finally get to meet you in person!" Ava says with a big smile, then smacks me. "This big doofus wanted to keep you to himself."

"Hey, I'm allowed to have something private in my life, aren't I?"

She holds out her finger to me. "No. Not when it comes to someone I can hang out with too. Maya is always with Ben, and I'm not hanging out with Dalton. You need more friends."

"You do have your own friends too, you know," I reply.

"Yeah, but it's fun, hanging out with teenagers for a change."

I roll my eyes, making Liza laugh. "We'll hang out, for sure. This big guy doesn't talk much. I'll get all my girl talk out with you. Sound like a plan?"

Ava jumps up and down. "Yes!"

They high-five, and my mom laughs. "Okay, we'll be in the kitchen whenever you want to join us."

"I will. Just let me finish this."

She goes back to her drawing, and we all go to the kitchen, where my mom is getting dinner ready.

"Where's Dad?" I ask.

"He's checking on something with the pool."

I nod my head toward out back. "Come on. I'll introduce you."

She grins at my mom, then follows me out back, stopping short when she sees the sanctuary my parents have created. The infinity pool overlooks the valley with a massive pergola that's covered in wisteria, which is in full bloom with purple little flowers.

"Wow," she says in awe. "It's beautiful out here."

I nod in agreement, then yell out, "Dad."

He hears us and puts down the tool he had in the pool to come greet us. With his hand stretched out, he says, "You must be Liza. Nice to finally meet you. I'm David."

They shake hands.

"Nice to meet you," Liza says. "Your backyard is amazing." She looks around in awe again.

"Yeah, Heather calls it her private oasis back here. I just do what I'm told to make it happen," he says with a laugh.

I nod. "He really does. He did all of this on his own."

"Besides the pool. I didn't do that," Dad clarifies.

"Okay, yeah, he didn't install the pool, but he did build the pergola and planted the landscape out here."

Dad places his hand on my shoulder. "That I did. It's good to get out of the office and get back here as much as I can."

"So, it's kind of a sanctuary for both you and your wife then?" Liza asks.

Dad nods. "That it is. I think Mom has planned for us to eat dinner out here since it's such a nice night out. Why don't you get Liza here something to drink, and then you can head back out to join me in the shade?"

"Sounds good," I reply, then hold my hand out to Liza in invitation for her to follow me back to the house.

We head back to the kitchen, and before I can say anything, Liza speaks up first. "How can I help?"

This, of course, makes my mom very happy. She taught me that good manners include always offering to help in any way you can. So, when she looks my way with a small grin, I know that was a big plus in Liza's court for her—though I doubt she needed any points at all.

"Thank you for offering. Why don't you take these rolls out and this pitcher of water to put on the table? Ava is getting ready to set the table now, so you can help her, too, while you're out there," Mom replies.

Liza grabs the two items, and Ava is quick on her heels with the place mats, napkins, and silverware, having more of a pep in her step now that she gets to work with Liza.

"She's adorable," Mom says once she's out of earshot. "Did you guys have fun camping?"

Flashes of things I should not talk to my mom about pop in my head, and I'm quick to turn around so she doesn't see my face.

Instead, I respond with, "Yeah. It was relaxing. Just lay in the hammock for most of today."

"I'm glad you've found someone who enjoys the silence as much as you do."

"Me too. She's"—I glance out the sliding glass door to where she's laughing at something with Ava—"different. You know?"

Mom nods. "Yeah, I know. I can see it in your eyes. I'm happy for you."

She wraps her arms around me in a big hug which I allow and even hug her back.

"Thanks, Mom."

"So, what are you making? I'm starving!"

She laughs. "Surprise, surprise. You're always starving."