“And it’s a bad thing because…?”
Once more, I hit his arm, barely harder this time, stifling a giggle. We come up short of things to say, so there’s nothing but the muffled sounds of “Maniac” by Michael Sembello for a moment.
“I miss how we used to be,” Oli says out of the blue. “I missyou.”
Confusion, pain, and shock strike me. I didn’t expect us to have this conversation right now. But I know what he means because I feel the change, too. In the end, it’s better this way, especially for him.
Oli is a friend, and I don’t want it to change. I won’t ever like him the way he wants.
I have Lex. IwantLex.
Misunderstanding my torn expression, Oli straightens up before me, and his hands reach for my hip. It feels so incredibly wrong for him to touch me like this. Sheer panic floods me. No!
A cold shiver crawls up my spine, and my stomach churns when I understand he’s about to kiss me.
A split second before I rip away from him, loud music invades the room as someone opens the door. Oli lets go of me, and I take a few steps back, giving him a reprimanding scowl, disappointed and disturbed by his attitude.
We both look toward the newcomer, and my blood freezes.
Fuck. No …
Lex is looking at both of us from the door’s frame, doubt and confusion plastered on his face. Slowly, his features change and a mask of indifference tinted by a thin veil of anger replaces his turmoil.
“What the fuck is happening here?” he asks, his low voice dangerously calm.
Shit. This is bad.
“We were just talking,” Oliver answers.
Lex doesn’t buy it, an arrogantly inquisitive brow cocked up as he looks straight at me. My palms are sweaty, and even though I did nothing wrong, I feel guilty. “What he said.”
Lex answers nothing, his attitude way too calm. Under his stern facade, I worry there’s a storm raging within him. Eventually, Oli mumbles with a shrug, “I should go back.”
Once it’s just Lex and me, the tension—which is already pretty high—climbs even higher. Especially when he steps closer to me.Stop feeling guilty. You didn’t do anything wrong.
“What the fuck was that?” he angrily asks.
“I think he tried to kiss me,” I explain, choosing to speak the truth. Lex saw something anyway. “He probably drank a little too much.”
“And what’s your excuse?” His unfair accusation is full of bitterness.
Appalled, I give him a scandalized glare. “Myexcuse?”
Oh, hell no. He better not be accusing me of cheating because it’s not only untrue, but also insulting. Lex’s eyes keep drifting to my fake mustache, so I rip it off with an annoyed move, worried he won’t take me seriously otherwise. I manage not to grimace at the burn it causes, but my eyes fill up with tears, anyway.
“You were here, too. In the dark with him,” he continues.
“Yeah, I needed a quiet moment because it got too much out there. I didn’t know he was in here.”
“But then you knew, and you stayed.”
“What!? So I can’t even be in the same room as Oli anymore?” I ask, confused and angry. He’s being ridiculous. I get he’s jealous, but this isn’t rational.
“Not when you’re drunk, and he is too.”
“I’m not drunk, barely tipsy. And I mean it this time.” I’m trying to remain calm but failing. Knowing that he doesn’t trust me hurts. “I was thrilled to be with my friends and colleagues, so I was having a great time, and that’s the extent of it.” I wait for him to defend himself, but he says nothing. I can tell he still doesn’t fully believe me.
“I can’t believe you’d imagine me capable of doing anything with anyone when you’re the one constantly on my mind.”
