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“Shit,” I muttered, spinning in place, looking for an escape route and coming up empty since I had backed myself into a literal corner.
I’d known there was a chance he would be here, and if I was being totally honest with myself, I would even admit that I’d been curious about seeing him. Like facing my fears, proving to myself that he held no sway over my heart. Which I could now say… was a total lie. The way my heart was slamming against my ribs, my breath speeding up until I was nearly panting, it was all evidence that I’d been fooling myself.
I was still the sucker I’d always been.
But I never in a million years would’ve thought he’d approach me. I was nothing more than a game to him, after all. And this game had been played out.
Oh gods, he’s coming over!My palms went slick with sweat, and I nearly dropped my drink. Dammit, why did he have to look so good?!
Eric didn’t break eye contact as he stalked over to me, and I suddenly knew exactly what it felt like to be a gazelle about to be taken down by a lion—if the gazelle had once been wildly in love with the lion, and still harbored intense sexual attraction. I might’ve actually whimpered as he came to a stop before me. “Jasper,” he said, his voice low and raspy.
“E-Eric,” I stuttered, inching back to create some distance between us. My muscles bunched up, prepared to bolt if he even flinched in my direction.
He took it all in, his eyes drawing a slow path down my body. It was hard to tell what he was thinking, but I could’ve sworn he lingered on my left hand, as if looking for a wedding ring. The corners of his lips twitched when he met my gaze, and it was like he’d gathered strength, his chest puffing up.
He drew in a deep breath, then said, “I just wanted to apologize.”
“Oh?” I squeaked. “For what, exactly?”
He chuckled darkly, shaking his head. “Where do I start? How about, I’m sorry I was an asshole.”
Those words sank in, and I found… they helped a little. I’d been waiting ten years for an apology.Snap out of it, Jasper. Don’t let him play you a second time. You’re smarter than that.So I shored up my walls, gritted my teeth, and pretended that none of what he said mattered.
“That’s nice. Apology accepted. You can go back to your fan club now.” I made a little shooing motion, but he was having none of it.
“Just hang on,” he said, taking a step closer. “That apology sucked. I can do better.”
My eyebrows shot up, then came crashing down in a frown. “You can?” I didn’t think I could handle his definition of better. I knew too well what he could achieve when he set his mind to it.
“I wasn’t just an asshole; I was a world-class asshole. I never should’ve cared what other people thought, but I did. I’m not trying to make excuses for myself, they’re just facts. I cared so much about my own popularity, that I gave up the best thing that ever happened to me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you, and instead of my gratitude, devotion, and loyalty, I let you down.”
“Right… because I was your tutor… I helped you graduate.” I felt cold and unbalanced. I didn’t like where this was headed.
He was shaking his head. “No. I mean, yes, but also, you were always more than my tutor. You know that, right? Tell me you felt it too. There was something between us.” His eyes were pleading, his voice so earnest that I almost believed him. He reached for me, and I would’ve tripped as I retreated if it weren’t for the arm that came around my waist.
“Hey, honey, they didn’t have the drink you wanted, so I got you a rum and Coke. Hope that’s okay.”
My head whipped up, my mouth gaping. Brent? “What are—”
“Oh, and I called home to check on things, and your mom said she’s having a great time with her grandson.” Brent was looking pointedly at Eric, his arm squeezing tightly around me, making it hard to breathe.
Ah. I get it now.
Eric staggered back, his Adam’s apple bobbing repeatedly as he swallowed. He looked like he’d been slapped. “You have a son. That’s… great. Congratulations,” he said shakily.
His reaction made me pause, red flags waving. “Eric, wait…” I said, even though I had no clue what to say. All I knew was that if this was some kind of game, then why was he so crushed?
“No, no, it’s okay,” he said, taking another step back. “I won’t bother you any longer. I said all I needed to say. Good luck with… life.” And then he spun on his heel and shoved his way into the crowd, paying no attention to who he knocked out of his way.
The emotions barreling through me were nearly impossible to parse. Confusion, fear, anger, but above all… regret. My eyes followed him, but he didn’t look back even once, until he disappeared out of sight.
Brent’s hand inched lower, resting just at the cusp of my ass, and I pushed out of his grip and whirled on him, temper flaring. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” I snapped.
His face scrunched up in confusion. “What do you mean? I’m protecting you, obviously. That guy was going to lay his hands on you.”
“So you laid your hands on me instead?” Surely, the irony wasn’t lost on him.
He began backpedaling, a wary look on his face. “You know it’s not like that. I was just doing you a favor.”
