Parting Chances (Fighting Chance #1) Read online

  “No, Haley. You cannot make this about me.” Mom gripped my chin and forced me to look at her. “What is happening to me cannot be stopped. It’s a done deal. But that shouldn’t stop you from living your life. And if you like this boy, you should be with him. If he makes you happy in this crappy time, you should grab hold of that and not let go.” Tears started leaking out of the corner of my eyes. “Do you understand me?” I nodded, unable to speak. But in my heart, I knew I still wasn’t going to do anything with Eli. I still couldn’t risk it. Just being here with my mom completely reconfirmed to me why I had put up that wall in the first place. My heart was breaking just sitting here with her. How could I add more to that?

  “Good. Now, let’s see what we can rummage up for dinner. Or, if you’re lucky, I can talk your dad into taking us out. What do you say?” She swung her legs out of bed and stood, stretching out her muscles.

  “Whatever you want, Mom.” I followed her out to the garage where I watched her interact with my dad like the old days. The days before the word cancer was whispered around us.

  ***

  The next morning came way too quickly. Mom and Dad stood next to my car as I threw my bag into the backseat. I turned and was in their embrace.

  “Drive safe. And good luck on those midterms.” Dad gave me a squeeze and a kiss on the forehead.

  “Remember what I told you.” Mom looked me dead in the eye, daring me to protest. I just gave her a slight nod and kiss on the cheek before pulling out of their arms.

  “I’ll see you at Thanksgiving,” I told them as I got into my car. They waved, and I gave a little honk as I drove away. My heart raced for reasons unknown to me. For one, I had just lied to my mom. I wasn’t going to let my wall down. Also, I was terrified of Thanksgiving. I feared how much could change in a month and a half. So much had changed with her health since Labor Day, and I was worried come Thanksgiving she’d be having even more bad days than good.

  “Hey, Ky. How’s Florida?” My phone was propped against my cheek and shoulder as I continued to fork my dinner into my mouth. I had just gotten home from work, long enough to pop in a microwaveable dinner before Kyler called.

  “Well, I never imagined I’d be spending the last half of midterm week helping my grandparents move to a new condo,” she groaned into my ear.

  I chuckled. “Why didn’t you let Noah come with?”

  “Because I finished my exams on Wednesday, he still had one on Friday. And he had to work. I wasn’t going to let him give up all that money.” She paused and I could hear her shutting a door. She took a deep breath and released it slowly.

  “What’s wrong?” My best friend senses were tingling.

  “Ugh. I’m being so stupid.” She whined into the phone.

  “About?”

  “Noah. It’s so dumb. You’re going to think I’m stupid.”

  “What is it?” I hated having to root around for information. She was going to tell me regardless, but she always made me dig.

  “It’s just that he said he was going to be home all weekend, but he isn’t answering his cell. And no one is answering the house phone when I call it.”

  “Wait? They have a house phone?” I couldn’t believe a bunch of college students would pay for a landline.

  “It came with the house. The landlord wanted to keep it in case of emergencies.”

  Well, that makes sense.

  “So, no one is answering? Do they even know how to use it?” I asked with a chuckle.

  “No. And he promised he was going to be home all weekend!” She completely ignored my funny remark.

  “Ky. Please stop with the whining.”

  “Sorry. I just don’t know where he is. Why isn’t he answering or texting me back? Do you think he’s at a party? This is one of the only times we’ve been apart since we’ve been dating. Do you think he’s gotten tired of me? That he maybe wants to see what else is out there? I mean, I know…” I set the phone down on the table while she thought of a dozen more scenarios of Noah breaking up with her.

  There was no way in hell that boy would ever dump Kyler, and she’d know it if she would just stop and think about it. There had to be a perfectly good reason why he wasn’t answering. Maybe he was at the library? Maybe he was sleeping? Maybe he was busy playing video games with Eli and had his phone on silent? But no, Kyler was going to jump to the worst possible scenario.

  I finished my dinner and picked my phone back up. “…I just don’t know what to do, Hales! Where could he be?” She finished and took in a deep breath.

  “Relax, Ky. I’m sure he’s just not around his phone.”

  “Will you please drive by their house and see if they are home?”

  Ugh. I knew this was coming.

  “Kyler, you know Noah isn’t doing anything behind your back!” I just got home from work. The last thing I wanted to do was drive across town to spy on Noah.

  “Please, Hales! Pretty please! Just drive by. That’s all.” Kyler pleaded. “Please. Please!”

  “Ugh. Fine! I’m just driving by.” I conceded.

  “You’re the best. Call me when you get to their house. I have to go finish helping the grandparents unpack.” Kyler thanked me again before ending the call.

  I stared at the blank screen for a minute before pushing myself from the table. My sneakers were still warm as I tugged them on. The fleece I slipped on reeked of work. Nothing better than smelling like a giant pot of old coffee.

  The night was unseasonably cold. Fall in Wisconsin, got to love it. There was still some heat lingering when I turned the car on, and I was thankful that the heat kicked on immediately.

  I drove across town, feeling completely silly that I was going to do a drive-by of my friends’ house. And what would I have to do if their lights were off? Would Kyler make me go knock on the door? I was in my pajamas, yoga pants and a tight Chapman University tank top, which I guess, thankfully, was under my fleece, but still. My hair was knotted at the top of my head in a messy bun, and I was completely makeup free. What if I ran into Eli?

  Haley, stop it. Eli has seen you without makeup on. And what the hell? Eli is just a friend.

  I wondered how many times I could repeat “Eli is just a friend” to myself before my heart would finally get it. Because no matter what I did, it would still jump every time I saw him.

  I pulled onto their block and slowed to a crawl as I drove by their house. Eli’s bedroom light was on, but that’s all I could see.

  See, they must all be sleeping.

  I turned down the next block and quickly dialed Kyler.

  “So, are they home?” she asked as soon as she answered.

  “Well, hello to you too.” I laughed. “And the only light on was Eli’s…so I’m assuming Noah is sleeping or in Eli’s room playing a game.”

  “Drive by again, make sure no other light is on. Oh, and check to see what cars are in the driveway.”

  “Oh my god, they are going to think I’m a creeper!” I complained but did as she asked. Once again, I slowed down to a crawl in front of the guys’ house.

  “Still only see Eli’s light. And Eli’s car is the only one in the driveway. But Noah’s could be parked in the garage,” I said as I turned the corner again.

  “But even if Noah is sleeping or with Eli he should still answer his phone. He always keeps it on. And if someone is home, why aren’t they answering the house phone?” Kyler rambled.

  “I don’t know, Ky. But I’m sure Noah is in the house, probably sleeping if he’s not answering you. Please just let this go.”

  “Hales…” she began.

  “No.” I cut her off, knowing before she even asked what she was going to beg me to do for her.

  “Just knock on the door. See who’s home.”

  “Ky! You asked me to drive by. That was it!” I really, really didn’t want to knock on their door.

  “Please?”

  “What am I going to say? ‘Oh hey, just stopping by because Ky is freaking out that
Noah is cheating on her, and I just need to make sure he’s upstairs in bed.’ Kyler, I’m going to sound like a dumbass!” Even as I was saying this to her, I eased my car to the curb in front of their house and switched off the ignition.

  “Just ask if Noah is home. That’s all. If he asks why, tell him I can’t get ahold of him and am freaking out. Because I am, Hales. I’m freaking out,” Kyler cried into the phone.

  Great, just great. I was really going to do this.

  “Okay. Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll call you back later.” I hung up, cutting off her sobs and stepped out of the car.

  I ran up the sidewalk and their porch, hoping to get out of this nippy weather as fast as I could, my breath puffed out in little clouds. My fist connected with the door, echoing loudly into the quiet night air. I hopped up and down trying to stay warm. Kyler had to pick the one night a cold front moved in to freak out. The temperature was definitely hovering around freezing right now.

  Just as I was about to turn and run back to the car, the door swung open. Eli stood in front of me wearing sweatpants and bed head. That was it. I dragged my eyes from his naked chest and locked in his crystal blue stare.

  “Hey. What are you doing here?” he asked. He took a step back to let me in the warmth of the house, shutting the door behind me.

  “Kyler’s freaking out,” I explained. Eli moved into the living room, but I stayed rooted in my spot.

  “You can come in.” He leaned against the doorway, eyeing me.

  “Oh, um. I wasn’t planning on staying. I just needed to know if Noah was here.”

  “Yeah, he’s upstairs. Last I knew, he was playing a game. Probably has his headphones on.” Eli smirked at me, then nodded toward the stairs. “Want to go up and check? I’m sure Ky will make you do it anyway.”

  I laughed. “You know her well.” I kicked off my shoes and followed Eli through the living room and up the stairs. Noah’s room was at the back of the house, so I wasn’t able to see his light on from outside. But his door was cracked open and light was streaming out. Eli nodded at me and headed to his room as I continued down the hall.

  I knocked on Noah’s open door and poked my head in. He was sitting in front of his computer playing…who knows what.

  “Noah?” I asked walking into the room. He spun his chair around and stared at me wide-eyed.

  “Hales. What are you doing here? It’s really late.” He glanced at his alarm clock and shot out of the chair. “Oh no, your mom?”

  I held up my hands to stop him. “Mom’s fine. Promise.”

  Noah took a deep breath and released it as he sank back into his seat. “Hell, woman, don’t do that to me.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that. I would have preferred to be curled up in my bed right now, but your girlfriend called me freaking out.” I raised my eyebrows at him, letting my words sink in.

  “Why would she…?” He trailed off as the words sunk in. “Oh shit! I forgot to turn my phone off silent when I got home from work.” He jumped up and snagged a pair of jeans. He rummaged through the pockets before his phone was in his hand. He slid his finger across the screen, and it lit up. “Oh. Shit.” He flashed his phone at me and I saw the numerous missed calls and texts from Kyler.

  “Well. Good luck with that.” I smiled at him and backed out of the room as he called Kyler.

  “Hey, babe. I’m so sorry…” Noah spoke into the phone as I shut the door to his room. I leaned against the wall and sent Kyler a quick text.

  Me: I told you not to worry.

  I figured she wouldn’t text back, but as I was putting the phone in my fleece pocket, it buzzed.

  Ky: I know. I’m sorry for dragging you out of the apt. Love you!

  I smiled and pocketed my phone before heading down the hallway. Eli’s door was wide open, and I couldn’t help but peek in as I passed. He was in bed propped up with his pillows reading a book. Unfortunately, he had thrown on a shirt while I was talking to Noah.

  Damn.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, startling me.

  I recovered quickly. “Yeah. Noah left his phone on silent.” I leaned against his door frame. “You know, they haven’t been apart longer than a day since they started dating. Kyler always reaches the worst case scenario before giving anything logical thought.”

  “I wonder why she didn’t just call me,” he said.

  “Wait. Yeah! Why didn’t she call you?” That little shit! I was going to have a talk with her later.

  “She probably just wanted you to leave the house at eleven.” He laughed.

  “Funny. She said she called the house phone, but no one answered.”

  “That’s because the house phone is in the kitchen, and we have it on the lowest ring possible. You can’t hear it up here. Plus no one ever calls it. Ever.” Eli chuckled and moved off the bed to his desk chair.

  “Well, I’m still going to talk to her about calling you. She should have thought of that.” I knew I should be mad that Kyler dragged me out of the house so late. But it was nice to talk to Eli, so I couldn’t really be truly mad at her. “Though, she probably already feels like an idiot for overreacting. I can’t imagine how she would have handled herself if she called you.”

  “Well, you’re a good friend.” Eli smiled up at me.

  My heart did that stupid jumping thing it did whenever I was around him. I needed to have a talk with it. It was driving me crazy.

  “Are you just going to lean against the door frame? Or do you want to come in and talk?” Eli asked, breaking me out of my trance.

  “Oh. Um…” I stared at him, unsure of what to do. He nodded to indicate that I should come into his room. I took a tentative step into his room, feeling silly that I was nervous, since I’d already been in his room before. I stood awkwardly near his door, unsure where I should move to, or if I should sit somewhere. The only seating was his bed or the chair he was currently sitting in.

  “You can sit on the bed. It’s not like you haven’t been there before,” he said, reading my mind. “And that came out completely wrong.” He laughed, and I felt some of the tension leave my body.

  I sat on the edge of his bed and looked around his room. “Your room doesn’t look like a typical college student room.”

  “Yeah? And what is a typical college student room supposed to look like?” He laughed at me.

  “Oh you know, half naked girls lining the walls, mixed with some alcohol poster. Random food containers lying around. Loads of energy drink cans lining your computer…” I trailed off, realizing I was being totally stereotypical.

  “That doesn’t really sound like a fun place to live in. Maybe I was raised to keep things clean. Plus, it’s nice to not have to worry about what a girl would see when she walks in.” He winked at me.

  My heart dropped. How many girls have been in this room? And why the hell was I so jealous?

  “You okay? You just visibly paled,” Eli asked.

  “Oh, um, I just need a glass of water.” I stood, readying my escape. But Eli stood too and got to the door faster.

  “I’ll get it,” he said before disappearing into the hallway.

  I took that moment to examine his room a little closer. I walked towards the wall that had the most picture frames on it and studied the photos. Many were of him and a boy slightly younger than him, who I’m assuming was his brother. There were some with his mom. Some with a group of friends. Some with Noah from this summer and freshman year. I was sweeping my gaze over the last row, when my eyes skidded to a stop on the one in the middle. It was from freshman year. Eli was his lanky, long haired, glasses wearing self, sitting next to a slightly younger looking Noah. Behind them, leaning over their shoulders and beaming at the camera was…Kyler and me. My mind flashed back vaguely to that day. I remember Eli had just gotten a new digital camera and was testing out all the settings. He had wanted to use the timer and this was the first picture that he took. It was amazing it had actually turned out well. And I was even more amazed that he had it han
ging in his room. I lightly touched the picture where my chin was resting on Eli’s shoulder. Was I feeling the stomach flutters then? Probably not. I traced his huge smile. Was that because of me?

  Oh, Haley, get over it already!

  “That’s probably my favorite picture on the wall.” Eli’s voice startled me back to the present, and I yanked my hand away from the photo.

  “That feels like forever ago.” I turned and peeked up at Eli, hoping he hadn’t noticed my lingering fingers. He was holding out the glass of water to me, his eyes focused on the picture over my shoulder.

  “Yes and no. Yes because that was the beginning of freshman year. But no because it really doesn’t feel like much has changed. I mean, if you had told me freshman year, I would still be friends with you guys, I would have agreed instantly. But then I moved. So, if you had asked me sophomore year, I wouldn’t have agreed. Especially when I only talked to Noah. And that wasn’t even frequently. I thought I had lost that amazing friendship I had with the three of you. But…here we are. Pretty much back to the old days.” Eli had walked towards the picture while talking, so now he was standing right next to me. Shoulder touching shoulder. And my heart was going crazy.

  I really hope he can’t hear that.

  “I don’t think you could have gotten rid of us if you tried. You’re kind of stuck with us.” The words just came out of my mouth, but I realized they were completely true. This friendship was something I wouldn’t give up easily.

  Eli turned to me. “I definitely wouldn’t want to get rid of you.” His gaze locked on mine.

  Thumpthump. Thumpthump. Thumpthump. Holy hell…

  “Well, we are kind of awesome.” A blush had crept its way onto my cheeks, and I tried to brush off how he had said those words. I definitely wouldn’t want to get rid of you.

  “I wasn’t talking about the three of you. Just you.” Eli brought his hand up to my cheek, cupping it.

  Oh jeez! Breathe. Just breathe.

  “Oh. Okay.” Those were the only words I could force out. My heart was beating fast, and I’m pretty sure if he wasn’t supporting me, I would have crumbled to the floor.