Brighter Than The Stars: Book One

Alternate 1.11

"So, you still in construction?" Her dad asked as he passed the bowl of pasta to Elijah.

His eyes narrowed at him, holding the pasta mid-air. "I'm sorry, but how the hell did you know I did construction?"

Her dad leaned back in his chair, looked around the table, then back at Elijah. "I kept in contact with your aunt, just like you did. She was kind enough to keep me in the loop, so I'd know you were doing okay in life. All I asked about were the basics."

"All she knew about were the basics anyhow," Elijah told him, "but I get you worried, and if that helped you worry less, it's fine. So yes, I'm still in construction. I was part of a big crew for a few years, then my buddy wanted to start his own construction business, so I joined him. Higher hours and less pay, but he let's me stay at his house for free and feeds me, so it was a fair trade off."

Her mom handed Madeline the chicken. "And do you know how long you're in town for? A while, I hope."

Elijah's eyes shot over to her, his gaze filled with something she couldn't pinpoint. "I'll have to get back to you on that."

"Do you like the city you're living in?"

He finally tore his eyes away from Madeline, allowing her to finally take in a breath. "A little too crowded for my taste. A lot of noise, sirens at all hours. It's fine, but I think I've always been a small town guy at heart."

Her mom let out a light laugh. "Maddie's the same way. Her first year of college, she sounded miserable. Teacher's never knew her name, there were too many people to meet. Apparently, she was getting catcalled all the time. The smog is what she hates the most, though. Can barely see the stars at night."

"But better grocery stores, and restaurants deliver," Madeline pointed out as she handed the platter of chicken over to Elijah, hoping she changed the subject with ease.

She hated anyone else talking about her stars... their star. It may have cloaked the world, but it was sacred to her.

"So, I assume you don't see yourself living there forever then? Maybe you want to trade the city in for small town life again."

And it was then she realized what her mom was getting at, as the woman's subtly was beginning to wear off.

Again, Elijah looked over at her, seeming to search for some sort of hint she didn't have it in her to give. So his eyes remained on hers when he answered. "I don't really know what my future plans are, but I'll keep you updated."

"That's fair," her mom relented, "but just so you know, I know about another house where you could also stay for free and feed you, and its doors will always be open to you."

His eyes left her to look at her mother, giving her a warm, albeit somewhat forced, smile. "Thanks, Mary. I appreciate it."

"I should probably stop asking questions so you can eat," her mom told him in a laugh. "I'm just so happy my boy's home. I don't mean to smother you, sweetheart."

"You aren't," Elijah assured her. "It's nice having someone care so much."

Madeline had only just gotten her pajama shirt on before Elijah opened her bedroom door, and walked right in. Had he showed up only three seconds prior, he would have gotten a whole lot more than he bargained for. But the man seemed clearly on a mission, not even seeming to care that she'd already unzipped her jeans.

"That was the most awkward shit I've ever had to sit through, so you are going to hand me that goddamn letter before my fucking head explodes." His tone had an edge, one she hadn't heard for a very long time, but it wasn't angry so much as frustrated. Exhausted. Defeated. Everything she wished he wasn't.