Secluded Chapter 9

Eric POV

I follow the water drips that fall down Tris' legs as she is turned around getting some clothes. The towel rises just below the curve of her ass as she bends down to the second drawer and was mesmerized by her soft tanned skin. As she rises I quickly shut my eyes just in case so I won't be caught like some creep stalking her. I hear the door close and I let out the breath I have been holding for who knows how long. I relax on my back and look up to the ceiling. I hear the door of the bathroom open and then see the bedroom open and there is Tris standing in nothing but a big t shirt and her underwear.

"Oh I thought you were asleep, I'm sorry" she whispered into the dark.

"Its fine" I say closing my eyes.

I turn to lay on my side so that I can hide my face from her afraid my face will reveal every thought in my head right now. I feel her crawl into bed and under the quilt were lying under. Once she is settled I hear her breathing steady so I assume she has fallen asleep already.

Moments later she whispers "Thank you. For today. It meant a lot".

I smile and finally say "No problem. You seemed like you needed to get away from here awhile".

I hear the bed move and then her say "What's the real reason why you are here, Eric?"

I lay there not wanting to reveal anything but also shocked that she would ask that.

"You already know why. My time out, remember?" I say.

"Yeah, but there's gotta be a reason why you are so heated all the time. It's not normal to yell at second years at dinner and throw a tantrum in front of them. You're much older than them. And you seem like the kind of kind that demands respect yet you act like that." She says.

I don't even know what to say to her. My inner battle to let her in is struggling and I've pushed women away for years because I didn't want them in.

"You don't have to answer. I just hope you find whatever you need here. And that it helps you focus on whatever you need. And also, you can tell me anything. Whatever happens here, stays here. It's nobody's business to know. But um, well, goodnight." She whispers.

I lay back on my back contemplating a response.

I turn my head and my eyes meet hers instantly.

"I didn't tell you everything about me. I didn't want you to know because it's still a raw wound for me. And it still hurts to talk about." I say.

She sits there waiting patiently and puts her hands under her cheek between her and the pillow.

"I was engaged a few years ago. To someone in Erudite while I was Dauntless. Part of my job is visiting Erudite quite a lot and I met her my third year as a dauntless. Long story short…. She was sleeping with a lot of other guys. After that I became bitter and shunned all women after that. It was a mistake trusting her. I don't even think she wanted to be engaged. She thought it was all a joke when I asked her…" I bitterly laughed at the thought of when I proposed.

"Oh my gosh. Eric." She says stunned.

"It was a shocker… finding her with another man in her room. With another leader who is probably three times older then her. And she didn't deny anything either once she was caught. " I say.

"Eric. I'm so sorry that happened to you. You don't deserve that." She says.

"I don't deserve anything, Tris." I say.

"What? How can you say that? You deserve love. Your parents would want you to find love. For someone to take care of you" she says.

"You don't know what they would want for me, Tris" I snap.

"You're right. I don't. But I do know you a little now. And from what I know, the man I see every day deserves happiness and peace" she says.

I continued to look into her eyes searching for something to say to that. But what do I even say to that? Happiness and peace seemed like a dream to me and not something I would ever find. I wanted to tell her everything on my mind and about every little dream I had and all my hopes in this world. But saying it aloud would make me a bigger fool then I already was.

"Can I ask you something crazy?" she asks

"Sure" I say getting more comfortable

"What if… nevermind." She says

"Just say it, Tris" I say and smile at how cute she is.

She opens her mouth but nothing comes out….

"What if… I could stay here. And commute to all factions when needed" she says

I open my mouth.. stunned at the words she just said. Because that is exactly what I want to. But I know the answer, well, at least I think so.

"Tris, they would never let us do that." I say sadly.

"Yeah, but… wait, us?" she asks

"I meant… in general. They wouldn't let anyone just live here." I say

"How do you know that? Is it a law or something?" she says

"I don't know, no one else has ever done that before. Live in another faction but be part of another faction. It's unheard of" I say

"But it's not impossible" she says turning around and laying on her other side facing away from me.

I sigh and put my hand on her arm and gently squeeze it "I'm sorry but I don't think Max will let you. You can ask and risk the consequences, I just don't want you to be disappointed, Tris" I see her nod and leave the conversation at that.

The next morning I wake up to an empty bed. I throw some jeans and a flannel button up on and walk down the stairs to find it empty as well. I look out the front window and see her in the garden digging up what must be potatoes. I walk out on the porch and call out "Good morning" to her.

"Hey" she says while still digging. She looks up and pauses.

"You hungry?" she calls out

"You know the answer to that. I'm always hungry" I laugh

"Alright Mr. nice guy, I'll be in in a few. Help a girl out with this bag of potatoes would ya?" she asks

As I swing the bag of potatoes over my shoulder, I notice her smiling at me.

"What?" I ask walking towards the porch

"Nothing, I just really like this side of you. You're the complete opposite of the guy you were a few weeks ago" she says walking with me

"Well don't get too use to it. Mr nice guy can easily turn in to Mr Jack Ass" I say looking at her waiting for her to smile

"Har Har… Anyway, I should probably get some reading done today and clean out the horse's stalls. What about you for the day?" she asks

"I thought about going to our spot and reading a book. I could always come back and help you with the barn chores?" I ask

"Our spot? Since when was it our spot?" she asks

"Since we shared a beer, cookies and secrets" I say smiling. She gives me a look and rolls her eyes.

"So sentimental. Okay, yes, I think all of that sounds good. Just come back around two ish. Did you want me to pack you a lunch?"

*beep* *beep* *beep*

Both our heads whip to the tablet Max gave us on our first day here for updates and emergencies. We then look at each other confused and I walk towards it and pick it up to read what it says.

From: Max

Subject: First Visit

Please expect me tomorrow for a visit. Max.

"Looks like Max will be here tomorrow" I say to Tris.

"Why? Is that all it says?" Tris asks.

"His message is short and sweet, here, read it yourself" I say handing her the tablet.

"Hm, I wonder how that will go and how long he's staying for." She says.

"You're already thinking about when he is leaving? I says chuckling.

"Max isn't one of my favorite people if you haven't notice" she says handing me back the tablet.

I smile and place the tablet back on the small table in the living room.

"I'll get breakfast and a lunch ready for you. I'll call you when it's all done. Would you mind doing some laundry, you don't have to do mine. It's just easier…" Tris says

"Tris, it's fine. I can do yours. I'm not scared of girls' underwear" I laugh watching her blush.

"Okay, everything should be out by the back door. If you need help just call out for me" she says to me as I walk upstairs to gather the clothes.

I walk upstairs and put all the clothes on the bed that I need to wash. I sit there fumbling with a piece of clothing thinking about everything I've just revealed to Tris. She knew about my ex-fiance, my parents and my possibly my dreams. The first woman who could ever make me feel like my soul was just hanging out on the line. And also the first woman who made me feel like I had a chance at happiness, to be free.

"Eric, what are you doing" I hear Tris say pulling me out of my thoughts and daze.

"Oh, um just getting the laundry. Sorry, whats up?" I say

"Eric, can you at least put my panties down while talking to me" she says trying to hide her smile.

I look down and I didn't even notice that I had her underwear in my hands.

"Just checking out if you were still wearing the boring dauntless underwear. Never knew the amity had such good taste in undergarments" I say while smirking at her. She rolls her eyes and walks away and says "Foods done, Mr Jack Ass"

Laughing I gather the big pile of laundry in my hands and walk out of the bedroom.