The Heartbreaker

“I’m good,” I say, looking up at Eric. I squeeze his hand twice so he knows I mean it.

“Maybe I’ll stick around in case I need to bash someone’s face in,” Eric says, taking his hand from mine and crossing his muscular arms across his chest.

“Maybe you should mind your own fucking business before I make you regret it.” Jagger steps forward.

“Stop.” I put a hand flat on Jagger’s hard chest. His fiery gaze meets mine. “Stop. Now. Or there will be no conversation.”

Jagger nods once, twice, jaw still twitching.

“You sure you don’t want me to wait for you?” Eric asks.

“I’m sure. Thank you.” I smile at him.

“I’ll be back in five.” He walks away, back to the table.

As soon as he’s out of sight, Jagger grabs my arm and walks me into a bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind us.

“What the hell?” I yank my arm from his grasp.

“Explain,” he seethes.

“Explain?” I raise an eyebrow. “What exactly do you need me to explain?”

“This is your new casual hookup? Is that what’s happening? You got back together with Lawrence and now you’re giving him a taste of his own medicine, or is this a mutual agreement you have now?” He crowds my space. I put my hands on his chest so he can’t come any closer, but his warmth makes my hands tingle.

“Eric isn’t a casual hookup,” I say. “Not that it’s any of your business after what you did.”

“What I did?” He blinks. “What exactly did I do? You were the one who got back together with Lawrence.”

“I . . . what?” I let out a laugh. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Lawrence. I saw you together. I went to the bar after my game because I wanted to see you. I wanted to . . . ” He shakes his head, eyes as hard as his chiseled jaw. “It doesn’t matter. I saw you leave with him, hold his hand, let him touch you. I have never felt my skin crawl like I did that night.”

“No, you just let other women crawl all over you instead.” I push his chest. “I saw the video.”

“What video?” he looks bewildered.

“The video of you at that party. You were making out with some girl with long, dark hair. Misty was there. She saw you go upstairs with the girl. Holding hands,” I grit out. “So don’t tell me what it feels like to have your skin crawl. You said we were exclusive. You lied.”

“I did not lie. I never so much as looked at another woman while we were together. Why would I?” He searches my gaze, which is as hard as his.

“I don’t know, Jagger. Why do men do anything?”

“I did not . . . ” He takes a step back, running a hand through his dark hair as he shakes his head.

“Don’t bother coming up with any excuses. I know what I saw. My sister knows what she saw.”

His gaze snaps to mine again. He walks forward. I take a step back, hitting the wall behind me just as he plants his arms on either side of my head and lowers his face. His voice shakes as he speaks.

“I never slept with anyone else. I did not sleep with that woman.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes, but my own voice is shaky, and when I take a breath to clear my head, I inhale his scent and I find myself getting drunk off that as well. “I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t give a damn if you don’t believe me. It’s the truth.” He slaps a hand on the wall. I flinch at the sound so close to my ear.

“If you don’t care whether or not I believe you, I guess there’s nothing more to discuss.” I keep my gaze locked on his. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my casual hookup.”

I duck underneath his arm, but he straightens and grabs me again. I pull away once more, but his voice stops me just as I reach for the lock. “I care.”

“I don’t believe you.” I speak to the door in front of me, not wanting to meet his eyes again.

“That night, after my game, I went to the bar to tell you I’m in love with you.” His quiet words snake through me, gripping my heart. I turn around to face him. His gaze, still fiery, burns right into me. “I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember, Josephine. I should’ve said it sooner. I should have said it years ago instead of pushing you away with my lies, but I was scared. I’m still scared.” He takes a breath, glancing away briefly before looking at me again. “But I can’t pretend anymore. I don’t want to. I love you. I didn’t sleep with that girl. I couldn’t. Not when every time she touched me the only person I could think about was you.”