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“Nah, mostly I’m just keeping her safe. That’s why I’m staying with her.”
“Mostly? But you’re also trying to get in her pants.”
Eric’s mouth thinned. “Don’t jump to the dirty shit. That was never my intention. Though, you should know, she’s also trying to get in mine.”
“So she made the first move? Kissed you first?”
He paused, thinking back, then said hesitantly, “Technically, I initiated the first kiss.”
Blake nodded, his expression unreadable, as he sipped his beer. “Have you slept with her?”
He would’ve if they’d had a condom. There was a line, and Eric was not about to give him a blow-by-blow of just how far they’d gone.
“Not yet.”
Surprise flickered in his friend’s eyes. “So you can still salvage this without being a total bastard to James.”
Could he?
“I can’t turn my back on her. I made a commitment to stay there to keep her safe, and I will.”
“So keep her safe. Maybe get the police involved if you think they need to be. But don’t sleep with Hannah. Pretty simple.”
“Is that what you told yourself? With Kristen?” It wasn’t a dig. He really wanted to know. “Don’t sleep with her because she’s James’s little sister?”
Blake’s expression turned more guarded. “Yeah. I told myself that.”
“And it didn’t work out so well for you.”
“We’re getting married this weekend. I’d say it worked out fine.”
“Yeah, but when you first slept with her, you couldn’t have known that. You were breaking the code just like I am.”
“It’s a stupid code. But I paid for it at the time anyway.” Blake’s tone was wary now. “James and I came to blows over it.”
Blake’s reputation with women had given James every right to be angry over the two of them getting involved. He’d been worried about his little sister.
“But I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love her more than anything. And fortunately, James realized that I was serious, and he’s cool with it now.”
Eric nodded. “Yeah, he is.”
“However, he won’t be so cool with you hooking up with his ex-girlfriend who he’s still trying to get back.”
“She doesn’t love him anymore.” The words came out more defensive and terse than Eric wanted. He added a bit more calmly, “She’s moved on.”
“And that’s fine. As long as you’re not the one she’s moved on to.”
So conflicted and riddled with guilt, Eric couldn’t do more than shake his head and stare at his barely touched lunch.
“I get it, bro. I do.” Blake leaned in, his tone quiet. “I’ve been where you are and know how easy it is to get caught up in the moment.”
Did he? This was more than just hormones at rage.
“And if I’m honest, I’m not surprised by any of this.” Blake took a bite of his burger and gave him a considering look. “I could tell there was something brewing between you two for the last year or so.”
Eric jerked his gaze up, his blood quickening. “What do you mean?”
“You guys were always hanging out at the barbecues. You made her laugh in a way I never saw James make her laugh. She spent more time with you than she did with James.”
