Chasing Love (Dark Love 1)

“Oh, wow,” Will exclaims, his face flat against the window. “Lex, will you sit next to me during the game? I want to practice my commentating just like Daddy does.”

“Sure thing, buddy.”

Rocky mouths a ‘thank you’ to Lex, and typical Nikki says nothing.

The stadium is packed and, of course, Lex made sure we weren’t sitting in the regular section, securing us box seats. I sit between Nikki and Will. Rocky is already talking Lex’s ear off about stats, but Lex doesn’t seem to mind so much. In fact, he actually seems to enjoy it.

We order a ton of food—hot dogs, fries, and nachos—and did I mention that was just for Rocky? Will is also enjoying the game, jumping in his seat at every chance he gets and asking Lex a ton of questions like where he grew up, his favorite color, his favorite team. Even Nikki looks like she’s having fun, although her kind of fun is pointing out the hot players. We giggle, and straight away, Rocky knows we’re talking about the men.

“He ain’t got nothing on me,” he yells out every so often.

Sometime during the seventh inning, Rocky takes Will to the bathroom and Nikki joins them, leaving Lex and me alone. I’m determined not to be the so-called cold bitch I have apparently become, welcoming an amicable conversation.

“So…” we both say at the same time, followed by a laugh.

“I’m sorry for last night,” I interject, desperate to get things off my chest. “I was drunk, and I don’t recall much. But from what I remember, I said some things to hurt you that I shouldn’t have.”

His expression remains fixed, but upon looking closely, his eyes bear a sign of relief. For the last few hours, he hasn’t pushed me with his words or controlled me in ways only he knows how. The Lex I have grown accustomed to the past few weeks isn’t the man sitting beside me. Something changed overnight to bring back the old Alex I used to know and love.

“Charlotte, I get it. I honestly do. I hurt you in more ways than I can imagine. I don’t know how to make things right anymore. I don’t know what you want.”

“Everything about us has always been unconventional. We never had a chance to be friends without getting emotions involved. That’s what I want.”

“Just to be friends?” he asks, a slight hurt registering in his eyes.

“No, I want it to start that way. I can’t promise you anything, I can’t promise what the future holds, but I just want to get to know you again. I understand if you don’t want that.”

“Actually, that sounds like a really good idea. So, no more late-night visits to my office?” he teases.

“Mmm… I don’t think that’s the best idea right now.” I smile, not wanting to create an unwarranted argument between us. “It seems to create friction between us.”

“Yes, it seems we do get along better when I’m not fucking you on your desk.”

I curl my lips, letting out a small laugh. “Yes, it seems that way.”

The three of them return, and it isn’t long before Lex whisks Rocky away to meet some sports commentators and other big shots in the corporate box. Nikki and I sit there as Will moves a few rows down to wait for the players to come around so they can sign his hat.

“I know I need to talk, Nikki. Long story short, for now, I told him we need a fresh start. We need to learn how to be friends.”

“Agreed. I mean, yeah, I get that the sex is hot, and I don’t want to admit that he’s one hot muthafucker even though he makes my blood boil, but if this is what you want, Charlie, then you need to start with the basics. This isn’t high school anymore, you’re both adults,” she points out, keeping her expression cool. “So, start off with the important questions like how many women has he slept with since he left you?”

I turn to face her—sure she has a pitchfork in hand. “Firstly, that’s not an important question. Do you think I have some sort of death wish? And besides, what if he asks me?”

“Then, you tell him.”

“Does that include blow jobs?”

“I’ve never been so technical. I guess so.”

“So, what’s your magic number?”

“Let’s see. There

was the guy I lost my virginity to, then I dated him for a year in high school. He cheated on me, so I fucked his best friend. Crude, I know. Then a few guys before I met Rocky. I think six, total.”

“And Rocky?”

“Manwhore Rocky? He can’t even remember… I think he stopped counting after thirty.”