Eli's POV present
Clare was face down, bloody, and still on the passenger's side of the car. Her arms were sprawled out, like she was reaching for something, and her legs were under the dash. I swallowed hard. She looked dead.
"Help! Someone help me and call 911!"
I yanked on the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. I ran to the passenger's side of the car and desperately tried that handle. It opened- and I instinctively felt Clare for breath and a pulse. Her pulse was racing, and her breathing was shallow.
"Clare, my love, I am going to get you out of here. I promise you will be just fine." I muttered. She was unconscious, but it was more for my own comfort than for hers.
Someone touched my shoulder. "Son, we need you to stand out of the way so we can help your friend."
The paramedics had arrived. I hesitantly stepped aside and watched them work on my Clare to save her life. I put my hands on my head- still stained with her blood. My adrenaline was gone, and the guilt barged its way into my body. I shouldn't have been so unreasonable. I should have been there for her. I wasn't there for her…
Flash back Clare POV
Fitz had come over to discuss some Bible verses. Yeah. I should have known that letting him over to my place was a bad idea. We had stopped the discussion so I could make some food.
"So Clare, how does a girl like you seriously end up with a twisted, dark dude like Eli?"
I shot him a glare. "Eli is not a twisted, dark dude." I thought for a moment. "Okay, so he's a little dark. But he has a good heart. He's funny, and brilliant"
Fitz shook his head. "Seriously, Clare. Can you really see yourself forever with someone who drives a hearse around like it's normal? Do you honestly want to be with a guy who wears more eye makeup than you do? Doesn't his intensity scare you at all?"
I hesitated. Eli did have a strong personality, but that's what drew me to him. His intensity was what made my heart throb every moment I was with him.
Fitz took advantage of my hesitation. "And what about being a rebound for his dead ex?"
I snapped my head up to glare at him. "I am not, nor will I ever be a rebound." I spat. My heart rate was increasing with anger. Fitz was trying to play my vulnerable side, and I wasn't going to have it. "Julia is dead. I am alive," I said as my nostrils flared.
He half smirked. "Well I can see that. Still doesn't mean you are insecure about it." He shrugged. "As long as you don't think you are a rebound. I suppose you aren't."
True, I had been there for Eli. I emotionally supported him with his coping of his girlfriend's death. His issues I helped him deal with; the hoarding was because of Julia. Was I a rebound?
Fitz stared into my eyes as he was reading my face. "Hey, are you okay?"
I just realized that tears had sprung to my eyes. "Yes. I'm fine." I quickly wiped away my tears.
He took his hand and gently stroked my wet cheek.
"Fitz, what are you doing?"
He gazed longingly into my eyes and acted on my emotions. He leaned in to softly kiss me on my lips. The gentleness of his touch and the softness of his lips drew me in for a split second. It took me a minute to realize what was happening.
I yanked my body back in horror. "What are you doing?"
Fitz put his hands up in surrender. "Whoa. I'm sorry, I just thought that…"
I shook my head. "No. You thought wrong. You thought way, way wrong."
He looked confused as he was undoubtedly trying to process what just happened.
"Okay, I'll go then." He said reluctantly. He opened my front door, and I hurried to shut it behind him. I slumped against the closed door, squeezed my eyes shut, and slowly slid to the ground. What had I done?
I gathered myself off the floor and picked up the phone.
"Eli. Hey, can I come over? I need to talk to you."