Page 121 of Return Policy
“You’re not going to Noah’s?”
My brows pull together. “Are you seriously asking if I’m gonna go to a party when you’re here in my bed?”
A small smile pulls at her lips before she glances up at me. “I guess I know you better than that.”
“Damn right you do.”
I glance at the time on my phone, and I’m already running late. I’m gonna get shit for it but in this moment, I just don’t care. Finding the strength to leave Sophia right now is like pulling Excalibur out of the stone.
“Is there anything you want to talk about before I leave?” I ask timidly.
She presses her lips together, only her face visible from the blankets tucked up to her neck. “Maybe later.”
I take a deep, quiet breath. “Okay.” Leaning down, I kiss her tenderly. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Good luck,” she says weakly.
I throw my football duffle over my shoulder and force my legs to exit the apartment, leaving Sophia—and my sanity—locked inside.
* * *
Seven torturous hours later, I finally walk back in my building after having scored another victory with the boys. A victory I could barely even enjoy because my mind was swimming with worry about Sophia. I enter the apartment quietly in case Sophia is sleeping and tiptoe to my room. I open the door to the sight of Sophia standing in nothing but a towel, with a hand pressed to her neck. Her eyes go wide, and she smiles awkwardly.
“Oh, hey,” she says, before quickly turning away and shielding herself with a wall of wet hair.
I can’t help my face from screwing together from her bizarre reaction. “That’s all I get?”
“Sorry, give me a sec.” She shuffles through the dresser drawer I gave her. Seconds pass, and her hands move frantically. Rushing over, I touch her arm gently, and she freezes.
“Sophia?” I say, and she doesn’t move a muscle. My heart pounds as my stomach swirls with worry. “Please look at me?”
She takes a few calming breaths, then turns to face me, her hair falling behind her shoulders. My gaze flicks downwards to a small mark on the side of her neck.
Is that a hickey?
It wouldn’t be from me. We haven’t slept together since we were at school a few days ago. My lips part open, but I can’t form words.
“Elijah?” Sophia croaks, her eyes searching my face. I take a step back and notice the marks go across her entire neck.That’s definitely not a hickey.
“Sophia,” I whisper as every bit of breath in my lungs feels like it was knocked out by a linebacker. “What-what happened to your neck?”
Sophia flinches as I bring up a shaky hand. My thumb drags across the bruise on her throat, furious tears welling in my eyes. She takes so long to respond, I think she’s lost the ability to speak entirely.
“Babe?” I say, and her face crumples as she looks away, agonizing seconds of torture passing.
“He choked me.”
Every molecule in my body vibrates with a rage so strong I struggle to contain it. “What do you mean hechokedyou?”
“When he came to talk to me last night…” Her voice trails off as she sits on the edge of the bed. I pace the room, dragging my hands through my hair.
“Fuck!” I shout, angry tears dripping from my eyes. I’m so furious I don’t know what to do with myself. “Why didn’t you call me?!” She winces, causing my body to freeze. I drop to my knees in front of her, taking her hands in mine. “Sophia, I’m so sorry for yelling. My anger’s not directed at you in any way.”
Her eyes fall to our hands. “I know.”
Shaking my head, I stare at her tired eyes, the circles under them darker than before. Her makeup must have washed off in the shower.
“Do you want to tell Mark? We can—”
