30. End of a Chapter

“Don’t you think you should have told me you have never been to his house before allowing me to drive four hours to a town neither of us has ever been to?”

We are at a gas station in Eli’s hometown. Jude is leaning against his car, giving me a thinly veiled glare as I type on my phone.

“I thought Tori would reply to my message before we arrived,” I defend myself. “I guess she’s still mad at me.”

He scoffs. “You think?”

“I’ve texted Eli.”

“You mean the guy who has been ignoring your calls and texts?”

“I’ve told him I’m in his town. He won’t ignore that one.”

“I suppose your stalking skills aren’t as good as I thought.”

“Nope, not good enough to find someone’s address, get into their house, and into their bed.”

“I regret telling you that story.”

My phone rings in my hand, and I look to see it’s Eli calling. “It’s him,” I tell Jude before answering. “Eli?” I call into the phone.

“Are you serious?” His voice is normal. Normal as in not crying or distressed.

“Yes,” I reply. “I’m at…” I ste