Chapter 9: A Line in the Sand
712 Words
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Chapter 9: A Line in the Sand
Eli’s POV
Eli had thought that walking away would make things easier.
That after finally saying what had been weighing on his chest, the pain would ease.
But it hadn’t.
If anything, it felt worse.
His mind kept replaying Kieran’s face—the way he looked at him, the regret in his eyes.
And it pissed him off.
Because why now? Why, after rejecting him, after making him feel like he wasn’t even worth considering—why did Kieran suddenly care?
He let out a frustrated groan, pressing his palms against his eyes.
“Eli.”
Mason’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
Eli sighed, dropping his hands. “What?”
Mason crossed his arms, eyeing him critically. “You look like you’re about to start a fight with the wall.”
Eli glared at him. “Maybe I am.”
Mason snorted. “Well, if you’re gonna throw punches, at least aim at the right target.”
Eli frowned. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
Mason leaned against the counter. “You don’t owe Kieran anything. But if you’re this mad, it means part of you still cares.”
Eli opened his mouth to argue but stopped.
Because wasn’t that the truth?
If he really didn’t care, if he was truly done, then why did it still hurt this much?
Mason must have seen something in his expression because he sighed. “Look, I’m not saying forgive him. But maybe… figure out what you actually want. Not just what you think you should want.”
Eli stared at him, his fingers tightening around his mug.
Because Mason was right. And that was the most frustrating part of all.
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Lucian & Kieran’s Conversation
Lucian found Kieran exactly where he expected—in their father’s old gym, punching the hell out of a sandbag.
For a moment, Lucian just watched.
Watched how Kieran’s muscles tensed with every strike, how his jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like it might snap.
He was angry.
But more than that—he was lost.
Finally, Lucian sighed. “You can hit that bag all you want, but it’s not gonna fix what you broke.”
Kieran froze mid-punch.
Then, slowly, he turned to face Lucian. “What do you want?” His voice was hoarse, like he hadn’t slept.
Lucian tilted his head. “To know what you’re going to do.”
Kieran scowled. “I already tried to talk to him.”
Lucian raised an eyebrow. “Tried? Kieran, you accused him of replacing you. That’s not trying, that’s self-sabotage.”
Kieran’s jaw tightened. “I just—I saw you with him, and it just—” He exhaled sharply. “It pissed me off.”
Lucian’s expression didn’t change. “You don’t get to be mad, Kieran. You rejected him.”
“I know.” Kieran’s voice was quieter this time.
Lucian folded his arms. “Then tell me—do you regret it? Or are you just upset that I’m close to him now?”
Kieran hesitated.
But then, finally, he spoke the truth.
“I regret it,” he admitted, voice rough. “I was a coward. I panicked. I—I thought if I pushed him away, I wouldn’t have to deal with what it meant.” He let out a bitter laugh. “But all I did was make sure he wouldn’t trust me again.”
Lucian studied him for a long moment.
Then, after what felt like forever, he sighed. “You’re an idiot.”
Kieran huffed a humorless laugh. “Yeah. I know.”
Lucian shook his head. “You can’t fix this overnight, Kieran. You hurt him.”
Kieran flinched.
“But,” Lucian continued, “if you’re serious about making it right, then stop making this about you. He doesn’t need your guilt. He needs to know he can trust you.”
Kieran swallowed. “And how do I do that?”
Lucian smirked slightly. “Figure it out. If you really care, you’ll find a way.”
Kieran exhaled. Then, finally, he nodded.
He didn’t know how yet, but he would fix this.
Even if it took everything he had.
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- Writer
