Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Two Weeks Later

The moment I walked into the apartment, I knew Nathan had been there.

I’d begged and begged the apartment complex to change the locks. Hell, I’d even paid for them to change them. Yet, they still hadn’t. I was prepared to change them myself, but when they told me it was a lease violation, I decided to wait.

Now, it was happening one way or another.

The TV, microwave, and fan were gone. I could only imagine what else he took from our bedroom.

I was prepared for that TV, among his things, to be gone when I made my way into the bedroom. Instead, I came face to face with Nathan.

Startled, I clutched my chest but shoved the emotion down. “It’s about time you came to get your shit.”

Nathan spun at my words, nearly jumping out of his own skin. “I’m surprised you didn’t change the locks.”

“Oh, they’re getting changed.”

Nathan huffed.

I searched his face, trying to anticipate which emotional side of him I was about to experience. Was it going to be misplaced anger? Guilt trip? Crocodile tears? What form of manipulation was he going to try on me now?

“How much longer until you’re done?” I decided to take charge of the conversation.

At least I had to try.

Nathan dropped the stack of DVDs he’d been holding onto the bed and turned towards me. He slowly closed the distance before sliding his hands onto my arms, running them up and down. He tilted his head and that’s when I knew exactly what emotion I was about to get.

“Ellie, please. Don’t be like this. Do you want to know why I waited until today to come get my stuff?”

“Why?” I deadpanned.

“Because you know you and I belong together. And I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve been as patient as I could be. Waiting for you to come to your senses.”

I started to laugh. “You can’t be serious.”

“Why not? We’re meant to be, Ellie. You and me.”

I started to rebut him and push away when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“El?” Silvie’s voice was flooded with concern.

“Seriously?” Nathan growled.

He always hated her, and for the longest time, I couldn’t figure out why. Until it became all too clear that in his eyes, she was competition for my attention.

I spun around and mouthed help to her.

Just then, another person appeared behind her. I looked between the two of them, taking in his tall presence and dirty blond hair. He was smiling until his eyes met Nathan’s.

“Who the fuck are you?” Nathan spat.

“This is my brother, Silas.” Silvie stepped aside to let Silas step forward. I saw her nudge him with her elbow, pushing him in my direction. “Go!” I barely heard her hiss to Silas.

“Seriously? You’re already seeing someone else, Ellie?”

I turned back to him and started to dispute, but felt a warm hand glide across my back.

“And what if I am?” I responded.

“I still live here!” Nathan gestured to the few belongings he’d gathered on the bed.

“Looks to me like you don’t,” Silas quipped. His deep tone skated past me.

“Fuck you, man. You don’t even know what’s going on here. This is a conversation between me and my girlfriend.”

“What girlfriend? Because it seems to me like Elodie doesn’t have that same sentiment.”

Hearing him say my full name in comparison to Nathan’s disrespectful use of my nickname was a breath of fresh air.

“Fu—fuck you!” Nathan stammered.

“I suggest you get your shit and get the fuck out.” Silas’s tone was stern now, all sense of joking and wit aside. He gripped my shoulders with his hands, letting me feel his support.

This practical stranger was already more supportive of me than Nathan had ever been.

Nathan slammed the DVDs and pile of clothes into the open suitcase he had on my bed. Hastily, he zipped it shut, failing on multiple occasions by catching clothes on the zipper. Finally, once it was closed enough for him to carry it, he heaved it off the bed and shoved past us. As he did so, he knocked me into the wall.

“Hey!” Silas grabbed Nathan’s shoulder, causing him to whip around. “You apologize right now!”

“For what?” Nathan snarled.

“You just shoved her into the wall!”

My mouth was open, waiting for Nathan’s response because I knew it would be anything but an apology.

Instead, he snarled at me, mocking the situation, before storming down the hallway and through the front door.

“Good riddance.” Silvie commented as she slammed the door shut.

“Sorry, I hope that was okay.” Silas put a safe distance between us.

“Oh, thank you.”

“I mean, I could tell you had it handled, but Silvie…” He gestured to her.

“Hey!” she started, but then shrugged. “Anything to get him out of your life faster.”

“Hopefully that’s the end of it.” I retorted, but knew it wouldn’t be.

“Why’d you bring your brother?” I asked Silvie the moment he was out of earshot.

“He had to pick me up because my car broke down and when we got here, something told me to make him come in with me. I’m glad he did.”

“Even though I could have handled it no problem, I admit that I’m glad he did, too.”

I watched a mischievous grin spread across Silvie’s face.

“Oh, no, no, no.” I held my hand up and wiggled my index finger back and forth. “I know that look, Sil.” I warned.

“Oh, come on! Why not?” Her eyes were wide with excitement.

“Because!” I nearly screeched before clamping my hand over my mouth. My apartment wasn’t exactly set up for private conversations.

Silvie crossed her arms. “Because why? Hm? Give me a straight answer.”

“I just got out of a relationship. I mean, you literally just witnessed it.”

Silvie pouted. “I know. But I just think you two could be perfect.”

“Perfect for what?” Silas’ voice appeared behind me.

I froze. The only thing moving were my eyes growing wider.

Silvie sputtered. “Um. Nothing!”

“Uh huh. What are you up to now, Sil?” Silas slid against the counter beside me, and I was all too aware of his hip pressing into mine.

“What’s she talking about, Elodie?”

I looked at Silas but also couldn’t come up with an answer.

Over the course of our friendship, I’d only heard about Silas. He was five years older than Silvie and had already moved out of town for college when Silvie and I became friends during our freshman year of high school. He didn’t come home often and whenever he did, he didn’t stay long.

He was a complete mystery to me beyond the stories Silvie would tell me about them growing up. When they were younger, they were close, but as they got older, they’d drifted apart.

Yet, here she was, making damn sure he came to my rescue.

“So, Silas. How can I repay you for your help?” I attempted to sidestep the question.

Silas slowly nodded, deciding not to push the matter. “No need.”

“No, really. Nathan wasn’t going down easy, and you really helped me out.”

I watched Silas mull it over. The silence was beginning to kill me when he finally answered. “Silvie and I are supposed to be going to a wedding up in Banner Elk this weekend. I have a plus one but no one to bring. How about you join me?”

Instinctively, my eyes widened.

“As friends.” Silas held up his hands, blurting it.

I knew he said it to ease me, but I couldn’t deny the tiny pang that hit my heart.

“You know what? That sounds like it could be a good time. And Banner Elk is beautiful. So, sure.” I held out my hand to him.

He took it, shaking mine. “It’s a date.”