AN: Update number 3 today. You know what to do if you haven't read the other updates. Enjoy!
Two Days Ago
I'm having another marathon text conversation with Christina about Tris while idly trying to concentrate on whatever movie I left on my TV. Life has sucked these past few weeks. Tris stopped talking to me again without warning after our impromptu day off from work. I once again was dependent on Christina to keep me in the loop. Christina has actually turned into a good friend, the two of us usually text at least every other day even when things with Tris and I were going well. If nothing else her friendship helps with the loneliness I feel without Tris.
C: I've tried talking to her. I've even tried to get her to talk to her boss Johanna. She's one of the top lawyers in the area and I really think she would be able to help get Peter convicted. Eric I think it's much worse than what she's told us. Especially these past couple of months.
E: I think so too. I can't stand the thought of what's going on in that house. I feel like a coward for not going in there and doing something about it.
C: No, she can't have you in trouble because of her situation. Plus when his bruises heal she still would be the one it gets taken out on.
E: I feel helpless.
C: Me too. I've had trouble sleeping because of it. Uriah has been great but he knows something is wrong and it kills me not to tell him. He's my fiancé and we talk about everything. I already had to make up an excuse as for why you and I talk so much.
E: I don't want to cause issues with your relationship.
C: You're not! Uri trusts me completely. He's nothing like Peter. I do need to get ready for our date though. You sure you're ok tonight?
E: As much as I can be. Thanks for everything.
C: Don't give up on her no matter how much she tries to push you away.
E: I'm trying hard here. Go, have fun. I'll talk to you soon.
When my phone rings it surprises me, and I roll my eyes expecting it to be Peter but I see that it's Tris. I debate letting it go to voicemail, but I can't because no matter how many times she pulls this shit on me I always want her back.
"Hello?" I answer.
"Please come get me. Please. I have to get out right now." She whispers and I can hear how tear choked her voice is.
"Baby, where are you?" I ask while cradling the phone between my shoulder and ear as I lace up my converse.
"My house, please hurry I don't know when he'll be back." She replies.
I grab my keys and rush to my car, starting it and peeling out.
"Hey, I'm here, don't cry Tris." I say when my phone connects to my Bluetooth.
"I can't do this anymore. I need you. I love you so much Eric." She cries.
"I love you too, I'm coming for you. I'm in the car right now can you hear it?" I ask.
"Yeah." She chokes out.
"Are you hurt?" I ask.
"No, he didn't touch me that way. He tried to… he…" She starts crying harder.
"Baby, shhhh, I'm going to get you away from him. Do I need to take you to the hospital?" I ask.
"No…he didn't… I wouldn't let him…I… I… I bit him…" She cries.
"He, oh my god Tris, he forced you to…?" I ask.
"Mmhmm. I bit him and he pushed me down on the floor. I thought… I thought he was going to hit me but he didn't he just grabbed his keys and took off…I don't know when he will be back." She cries.
"I'm five minutes away; you just keep talking to me ok?"
"I'm so sorry. I've been horrible to you…" She's crying so hard she can't continue speaking.
"Hey, it doesn't matter, it's in the past. Do you know how much I love you?" I ask.
"No…" She croaks.
"I think I've loved you since we were kids Tris. Remember when I was sixteen and you were just about to turn fifteen? That time we went to navy pier and we rode the ferris wheel and it got stuck and we ended up at the top for over an hour?"
"Yes, Tobias was freaking out on the ground below us because it was like we were living his worst fear." She replies.
"Yeah, he was a mess wasn't he?" I chuckle. "I wanted to kiss you so bad but I was the biggest chicken back then."
"I probably would have freaked out. I hadn't been kissed before." She replies. "Eric are you close?" She asks.
"I pulling up to your house now. Do you want me to come in?" I ask.
"No, I'm coming out right now." She replies. The call disconnects and I watch the front door. Within seconds she's opened it, stepped out on the porch and closed and locked the door. She sprints to the car and gets inside, bucking her seatbelt quickly as I pull away from the curb.
I reach across the center console and grab her hand and she finally breaks. I guide the car into a restaurant parking lot and kill the engine before we both exit the car. I quickly go to her and wrap my arms around her while she sobs against me.
"I've got you now. It's ok. Shhh." I whisper against her cheek as she tries to calm her breathing.
Tris cries for what feels like eternity and I stand in that parking lot and hold her through it.
"I love you Tris. You're finally free baby." I whisper over and over again.
"I'll never be free. This isn't reality. This doesn't change what he's capable of." She says softly. "I shouldn't have called you." I lean back to look at her and I don't recognize the expression on her face.
"Yes you absolutely should have called me. What's going through your mind right now?" I ask. I can feel her physically pulling away from me.
"I need to go home. I'm getting married the day after tomorrow. I need to stop calling you for every little thing that happens." She replies.
I reach out for her and she pulls away from me. "Tris, please don't do this." I say softly.
"If you can't take me home I'll walk. We're not that far." She says without looking at me.
"Tris, please, let's talk about this."
"Eric, it's over. I'm going to go now." She replies as she turns on her heel and begins walking away. I quickly move to her and grab her arm gently to keep her from walking.
"Tris, stop. You're not thinking clearly. Come on baby, please just stop this. If you want to go back there I'll drive you." I plead.
I watch as she takes her cell phone out of her pocket and makes a call.
"Hey. I know and I'm sorry." She says into the phone. I can tell whoever is on the other side of the call is lecturing her about something but Tris says nothing.
"I went for a walk to cool off. I'm in the parking lot of the Season's restaurant. Will you come get me?" She asks.
"Yes, I know. We will." She replies. Her side of the conversation stops and I watch as she nods.
"Thank you. I love you too." She says softly and she disconnects the call.
Tris looks at me with that unreadable look again. "You should go. I've got it from here." She says.
"I'm not leaving you in a fucking empty parking lot. I can wait until Christina gets here since you don't seem to want to be alone with me." I reply angrily.
"It wasn't Christina, it was Peter. He'll be here soon. You need to go." She replies in a hard voice.
"You told me you'd never said I love you to him." I accuse.
"There's a first time for everything." She retorts.
"Tris, stop this. This isn't you. For fucks sake stop this. Get in the car please. I love you, we can work through this." I beg.
"Go away Eric. I don't want you." She replies.
"You don't mean that." I say and she shakes her head and looks me in the eyes.
"I don't love you. I used you when I needed you. Go home. After Saturday we never have to see each other again." She replies with an expressionless face.
"Fuck you." I spit.
"You already did. Hope you got it out of your system." She says before turning her back on me and walking away.
