by Remi Wild
Terrified doesn’t cover the emotions coursing through me. I should storm back in there and let her have it…bitch! No, I can’t get stupid and humiliate Eric because I’m insecure.
Am I that insecure?
I didn’t know I was until right this minute.
It’s more realism than insecurities that haunt me. People like Fiona don’t put any value on marriage, it’s just a disposable commitment. Not for me, though. I look forward to chasing my husband around the nursing home. Although if Fiona has her way, it won’t be happening.
This is bad.
They’re working that huge case and will be travelling to Tuscaloosa together next week—there’ll probably be several trips. She will have countless opportunities to be alone with Eric—she’s already had opportunities to work on him, to get to know him, and vice versa.
What do I do?
If anything, I need to up my game, ensure that Eric doesn’t fall victim to Fiona’s charms.
Rolling my eyes, I look to the sky. “Give him more credit than that, Becky. He loves you, you know it.”
Overcome with the silliness of it all, I burst into hysterics and succumb to the laughter until tears are rolling down my cheeks. It’s just so—ridiculous.
So, Fiona wants him.
Who cares?
He’s a smart guy, a smart guy that loves me. He would never fall for the prowess of another woman, especially one he works with. It’s not like Fiona will be the first or last person to chase after Eric.
It really is a laughably stupid cliché.
Cliché or not, it’s happening, the thought sobers me as the blood leaves from my face.
Oh, God.
A knock on my window startles me—I shriek, swinging to see who it is. Leo is leaning against my car, grinning—he knocks again, making a swirly motion with his hand, signaling me to roll down the window.
My hand hits the window button and before it’s even cracked, I snap. “What the hell, Leo? Are you stalking me, now?”
A roar of laughter bubbles from him. “Wow. Really, Becs? Someone is awfully full of herself…”
“Whatever. What do you want?” The snarl in my tone is audible, but he’s caught me at a vulnerable moment, so that’s what he gets.
“I was just going to grab a bite, when I saw you in the car. You look…upset…”
“I’m fine,” I say, gritting my teeth.
He laughs again, shaking his head. “I know you better than that, Becs.”
“What do you care, anyway?”
He nods towards Eric’s car. “Trouble in paradise?”
Snarling, I toss him a death glare. “Not that it’s any of your business…”
“Whatever.” He throws his hands up in a truce. “Changing subject, Jeez. Listen, my assistant ordered your phone. I’ll get it to you tomorrow.”
“Again, you don’t have to…but thank you.” I sigh, now feeling like a massive bitch. He’s trying to be nice, and I have spun a simple conversation into something stressful.
“Well, if I hadn’t run in to you and broken your phone, you would already know that surgeries have been cancelled for the afternoon. Maybe check in at the hospital and then go home and have a drink. I’ve never seen you this tense.”
“It’s just been a long day, and the heat…”
“Uh-huh.”
“You shouldn’t even be talking to me. If Eric sees…”
“It’s been years, Becs. Surely, he’s over it by now.” His tone sounds optimistic, but we both know better.
“Yeah, no.” I squirm in my seat. An altercation between Leo and Eric is literally the last thing I need right now.
He grins towards the restaurant as if pissing Eric off pleases him—it probably does. He taps the roof of my car and steps away. “Go get a drink and chill.”
Nodding, I hit the window up button and leave, shaking and completely out of sorts. On the drive home, I feel bad, I shouldn’t have been a bitch to Leo. He didn’t deserve that—he wasn’t even instigating me…this time.
He was right about one thing: I need a drink.
Chapter Three
After checking in at the hospital, I discover that Leo was right about the surgery theatres being shut down while they repair the air conditioning. Ellen, my supervisor gives me the rest of the afternoon off. My Friday starts early and this is a long weekend for me—I don’t have to be back at work until Tuesday.
As I open the door to our house, Chia races up to greet me, barking, dancing, and twisting around my legs. I crouch to the floor, take her scruffy grey face between my hands, and ruffle her fur. Seeing her dopey face, lifts me up. She is the best dog ever.
I change into a bikini, grab a glass of white, and head out to our pool, with Chia by my side. A long, thoughtful afternoon in the blistering sun should help me sort through this Fiona thing.
Plopping myself down on a chaise, I sip my wine, trying to calm my shit down. I’m still just seething, both from Fiona’s blatant pursuit of my husband and Leo’s smug demeanor. They both just pissed me off to the brink. Thank God, I have the rest of the day to myself—I have so much to process.
The possibility that this will blow over isn’t enough. Fiona is captivating and far too determined for me to sit back and ignore this—I’d be a fool if I did. I’m a firm believer in the ire of temptation, and although I know Eric loves me, I wonder how much it would take to sway him.
Mostly, the idea of being cheated on again doesn’t quite digest. Leo stomped on my heart enough for a lifetime, and I don’t want to replicate that shitty feeling, ever, again.
It did work out for the best though, because if I hadn’t walked in on Leo shagging a cheerleader, then Eric wouldn’t have consoled me, and we wouldn’t have fallen head over heels in love.
What Eric and I have is different than what Leo and I had, it’s the real deal. I live and breathe our love—our marriage is everything to me. I’d die if he cheated. I’m pretty sure my heart wouldn’t be able to take it, as a whole, I wouldn’t be able to take it—the mere thought constricts my airway. Yup, I’d definitely die
Hours pass as I try to chill, sipping wine and sunning myself while ruminating on the situation. I’m settled, resolved. This is just a blip. Fiona is only playing, and once she realizes that Eric won’t bite, she’ll move on. I’m sure of it.
Chia jumps up from her napping spot beside my lounger and races to the gate. A hand holding a pair of shades waves over the top of the gate.
“It’s just me,” my best friend, Melanie, shouts before entering the yard. She struts over, all smiles, her tawny mane hanging loose down her back. She’s pool ready in a slinky yellow bikini and flip flops. “Give me some sugar,” she drawls, her twangy Bama-girl accent is almost musical as she opens her arms. I jump up to give her a hug. As her arms wrap around me, my body slumps, welcoming the good feels. She notices my tension and pulls back, eyeing me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say, looking away and trying to shrug it off.
“Bullshit. Leo texted and said you were in a mood. I blew off work for you, the least you can do is be honest with me…”
“It’s kind of stupid, ridiculous, actually…”
“Whatever, I know you’re upset about something and judging by the stress crater between your eyes, it’s bad.” Melanie, all class and southern sass, fully expects me to talk—it’s nonnegotiable. She sits down on a lounger and motions for me to do the same.
Sighing, I sit across from her as the story spills from my mouth while Mel lays back in the lounger, silently taking it all in. “…the thing is,” I say. “I’m not the jealous type, you know that, but it’s different. This isn’t some random woman on the street checking him out. She has a clear agenda…she wants my husband, and she wants me to know it.”
“Honestly…I don’t think you have a thing to worry about. I’ve known Eric for as long as you, and he’s nuts about you. He wouldn’t…”
“Really, Mel? I’m not convinced. She’s stunning, intelligent,
and they work together; right now, they’re collaborating on a major divorce case and will be taking several trips to Tuscaloosa…alone…together.”
“It’s work.”
“No, she will take advantage of every opportunity to sway him. You should have seen the way she looked at me, the way she drawled my name with perfect southern swirl, laced with just a hint of snide—she wants me to know—it’s like a sick game to her.”
“So, play the game…”
“I don’t know how.” I huff, swiping my palms across my cheeks, trying to think. “They’re alone together, right now, as we speak. Work or not, I’m losing my freaking mind over this.”
Melanie scoffs, a snicker escapes, and she eyes me. “And how do you think Eric feels about you working alongside Leo?”
And, she went there.
Sighing, the worry deflates and I shrug.
She has a valid point.
I get it.
It can’t be easy for Eric, knowing I’m working with Leo, but to Eric’s credit, he hasn’t once given me shit for the work situation. It’s not like Leo and I are alone, and I don’t work with Leo every day. It happens often enough, but only if his surgeries are booked in my theatre.
“We never work alone, there’s always a team in the room,” I say, trying to justify my hypocrisy.
“Still, imagine how Eric feels…”
“Whatever. This isn’t even the same thing—Fiona never had a relationship with Eric, but she wants one. Leo and I have history; Eric gets that. We were all friends, once…Besides, Leo rarely harasses me, and you know Leo, always flirting…” The truth is, Leo flirts with everyone, but because of our history, it’s sometimes hard to decipher if he’s being serious or just being Leo.
“True, Leo’s quite the man-whore. Ok, so it’s different, I’ll give you that, but Eric would never do that to you.”
As if on cue, my cell chirps with a message alert. I nab it and scowl at the message, tossing my backup phone to the ground. I swing to grab it, hoping I didn’t just break it, but before I know what’s happening, Melanie swoops in, nabs it and takes off, reading the message.
I’m too worried and angry to chase after her, and it wouldn’t do any good. Melanie is Melanie and when she sets her mind to something…well…
I wait. Eying her. Wondering.
She’s typing a message into my phone and grinning like a psycho.
Oh, no.
“What are you typing?” I gasp, knowing it can’t be good.
Stuffing my phone into her bikini top, she smiles triumphantly. “He bailed on dinner with you…I just gave him something to stew on…”
“Oh, God. What did you do?” The blood drains from my face.
“I simply told him that you and I are going clubbing tonight…with Leo.” She grins wide and proud with a hint of evil.
“Melanie! Oh, my God! Give me back my phone!”
“No way. Let him stew. He’ll be too worried about you with Leo to think about anything else.” She scoots out of the way as I jump up to go after my phone.
“Or he could be pissed and jump right into Fiona’s arms!”
“Pfft. Be real. Jeez.”
“Mel, you know how he feels about Leo and I hanging out with you.”
“Well, it’s about bloody time y’all got over it, already.”
Near tears, I rake my fingers through my hair, shaking my head. “This is bad, and I don’t need the stress, especially right now.”
“You’re really worked up about this aren’t you.”
“What? Of course, I am. Who wouldn’t be?” I can’t believe she isn’t taking this seriously.
“All the more reason why you need a night out.”
“Melanie, just…please, give me back my phone?” She tilts her head considering for a moment and then a naughty grin curves her plump red lips—she’s such a shit-disturber sometimes. “Oh, God! What now?”
“Trust me. Now, go get dressed. I’ll catch some rays while you get ready. We’ll stop at my place, and then I’m taking you to dinner, and then we’re going clubbing.” Her fingers wave through the air as if she’s checking off a to-do list.
There isn’t any point in trying to argue with her, so I go inside to prepare for a night at the club.
It’s probably best that I get out of the house. Especially since Eric bailed on dinner to no doubt work on the case with Fiona.
Bitch!
I’d like to scratch her bloody eyes out of her perfect little head.
Grr.
Yup, I need another drink, a strong one, and some dancing, and some laughs, desperately.
There is a part of me, the spiteful part, that is happy Melanie sent that text. Still, Eric is going to lose his shit, but it’s not like Leo will actually be there.
Chapter Four
Leo is actually here.
I’d strangle Mel, but she’s holding my phone hostage. Come to think of it, that might be the only way I get my phone back.
Tossing her a death glare, I storm up to the bar and order some shots. If I’m going to survive this night, I’ll be needing tequila, lots of tequila. It should complement the wine I’ve drank, hopefully rendering me inebriated enough to forget this shitty day.
Mel joins me, nudging up against me. She leans in and giggles. I could seriously kill her.
Rolling her eyes, she makes a bored face. “I am so sick and tired of this…” she drones. “Look, Eric isn’t here. No one is going to judge you.” She leans forward and speaks over me. “You’ll behave, won’t you, Leo.”
I spin, my eyes meet his. He grins and winks, raising a hand to swear. “Scouts honor.”
“Pfft. You’re no boy scout,” I say, shaking my head. His grin widens, he clears his throat, and reaches for a shot, raising it to silently cheers.
Smug jerk.
He’s so damn sexy, but I still want to punch him. I grab my shot and the three of us cheers. We chase the first shot with a second and then grab some cocktails.
The fact that Mel and Leo have remained friends is most inconvenient. I wish things were different, but Mel is fiercely loyal—it’s her best attribute, even though at this exact moment, I’m less than thrilled about it.
My insides start to warm—I just drank more, in five minutes, than I do in a week—the lightweight that I am comes back to haunt me as the tipsy feels take hold. As intoxicated as I am, I can’t seem to shake the need to talk to Eric. I’m literally dying inside, desperate to tell him that the Leo thing was all Melanie’s doing.
The last thing I need is him getting pissed at me and revenge shagging Fiona. Just thinking about it causes my heart rate to quicken and my skin to crawl.
This is torture. God, I miss Eric, wish he was here.
Scanning the room, I notice a bank of payphones by the bathroom, and I slip away the moment Mel and Leo hit the dance floor.
Eric picks up. “Where are you?” He’s angry, but his tone is laced with concern.
“I love you, baby…It wasn’t me…Mel high-jacked my phone…We’re at Mondos…”
“You sound loaded. How much have you had to drink?”
“Not mush, babeeeeeeee.” I sound perfectly sober.
“Jesus. I’ll be there within the hour.” Before I can argue, the line goes dead.
Oops.
This isn’t going to end well.
Suddenly Beyoncé starts playing, and Eric is forgotten as my body grooves towards the dance floor. Feeling good, I let loose, and Melanie, Leo and I tear up the floor, bumping, grinding, twerking, and having a blast. My body swaying to the music is the perfect stress reliever—all my worries float away as I become one with the beat.
Arms encircle my waist from behind, and a hard body starts grinding up against me. I swing, prepared to tell Leo to step off, but am surprised to find that it is Eric’s arms around me.
I gape at him for a second before he crashes his lips to mine. Gripping his shirt, I’m trying to stay upright as my world begins to spin. His lips…his
tongue…I’m a goner…swirling, falling, sinking into his embrace.
Someone taps my shoulder, startling me. I spin, stumbling to right my balance and come face-to-face with Mel. Standing with hand on hip, she scowls at Eric. She’s yelling, but over the music we can’t hear her. I motion to my ears, and she points towards the bar.
She grabs Leo’s hand, drags him to the appointed spot, and spins as we approach. “What the hell, Eric?” Yup, we can hear her now. Leo is standing behind Melanie looking around, clearly feeling awkward. “You don’t trust us?”
“Nope,” Eric says with a clear chuckle. “Relax, Mel, I came to hang with my wife.”
Mel stomps her feet, and points at him, clearly pissed. “No! This is bullshit. You and Leo need to end this ridiculous feud. He was drunk and stupid, but it’s been years! I want my friends back together, I hate this!” She’s seconds away from a full-on southern belle hissy fit, the kind that turns her Aly-girl accent into a twangy drawl. It’s taking everything I have not to giggle—the knowing death glare she sends my way prevents it.
We all stand silent, looking from one to the other. I have no idea what to say. Mel is silent, like she’s wondering if her hissy fit made a dent in their feud, or if she needs to up her game.
Eric steps around me and extends a hand to Leo. “I’m ready to move on if you are.”
Mel and I exchange glances, stunned, waiting for the ball to drop. Leo cocks an eyebrow, for a second, but then grins as he steps forward to take Eric’s hand.
Mel jumps up and down clapping and squealing with glee. “Let’s get a shot to celebrate!”
My tipsy ass is watching this exchange, thinking how utterly hot my husband is, in this exact moment, and pondering how to lure him into the nearest bathroom stall.
He really is the sexiest man in the entire universe.
My man.
All mine—always.
Eric wraps one arm around me and the other around Leo and guides us up to the bar with Mel following, I realize this is really happening. Leaning against the bar, I eye Eric as he turns to chat with Leo.
Am I hallucinating?
Did they really make up?
Eric’s smiling, he seems happy to be here. He’s actually talking to Leo, so maybe…
