Notorious (Playing With Fire)

Damaged goods she desperately wanted to fix.

“Maybe it’s because he misses us.”

“He doesn’t miss you.” Stacy slammed her fork onto the edge of her plate, the clang so loud more than a few people at nearby tables turned in their direction. “The world does not revolve around you and Brandon, okay? God, sometimes you can be so selfish.”

Alexa’s mouth dropped open, and she set her fork very carefully next to her plate. “What are you talking about? What the hell is going on? Are you fucking him?”

Her friend was way too damn perceptive. No way did she want to admit that she was. “We’re friends. I’ve been there for him when no one else has.” And that was the truth. “He doesn’t want to be with you anymore. He’s told me that.” Not really, but how would Alexa know? “He doesn’t want to be with Brandon either. If anything, it would just do him more damage, you coming to him and making such a request. You need to leave him alone.”

“So that’s why you’ve been avoiding me,” Alexa said softly, shaking her head. “You’ve been hanging out with Eric. I know he’s the one you’re doing, Stacy. There’s no use denying it. And I can’t blame you; he’s good. I know he’s good.”

“You’re being a real bitch,” Stacy muttered, shocked that she said such a thing. She’d known Alexa for years but she wasn’t playing fair. And she was so damn self-absorbed she couldn’t see what she was doing to Eric. All she cared about was herself.

“You’re just pissed because I figured out you’ve had my sloppy seconds.”

Stacy stood so fast her chair went skittering across the floor behind her. Bending to pick up her purse, she glared at her so-called friend with enough venom that she saw red. “How dare you. I’ve been nothing but supportive ever since you first told me about your weird relationship with two men and then you act like this.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re sleeping with a man I think I might still be in

love with.” Alexa pressed her lips together the moment the words left her.

Incredulity filled Stacy, and her entire body shook. God. What if Eric was still in love with Alexa? “You don’t love him.”

“Yes.” Alexa nodded. “I love him like a friend but I think I’m still in love with him. I’m in love with them both.”

“You can’t have them both. Look at how selfish you’re being.” She knew people were staring at them in the restaurant but she didn’t care.

“I want him back. So does Brandon. We can’t help the way we feel.” Alexa’s brows lifted. “I’m not going to back down from my feelings, Stacy.”

“You think having him back in your relationship will help fix whatever it’s lacking. Maybe you two need to look within before you start drawing Eric back into your drama.”

Before she could utter another word she might regret, Stacy turned on her heel and fled the restaurant.

Eric was in too deep, and he didn’t know how to get out of it. He hadn’t felt this way since Brandon. He didn’t think he felt so obsessed even over Alexa. Oh, there’d been love, a deep love that had formed out of friendship with her since they’d known each other for so long, but nothing like this.

Nothing like what he felt for Stacy.

Okay, he wasn’t in love with her. Not...yet. He knew it was the next step though. And it would happen fast. So fast his head would spin and he would put his entire heart into it and then what?

Then she’d grow tired of him and dump him because that’s what always happened.

No way. He wasn’t about to get dumped ever again.

So he decided to dump her instead.

Fuck, he was such an asshole.

Knocking rapidly on her front door, he waited impatiently for her to answer. He didn’t even call to announce he was coming over. He just…showed up. Would that irritate her too?

He hoped so. He wanted her mad as hell by the time this was over.

“Eric.” She said his name as she opened the door. So gorgeous she momentarily took his breath away. She was in a pair of black yoga pants and a pale blue tank top, her hair pulled into a sloppy ponytail. Nothing special yet she was absolutely stunning. “What are you doing here?”

“Do you mind?” He slumped his shoulders, stuck his hands in his front pockets. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure.” She opened the door wider and he strode into her place, glancing around the living room. He hadn’t seen her for days and felt like a shit for not contacting her sooner. But this is what he did. This is what he always did now. She was lucky he was still seeing her.

“Are you okay?” she asked once she shut the door. “You seem tense.”