Heartbreak 'n Heels

Chapter 5

Deacan's body went rigid at the sight of her. Erica was pressed against him and he gripped her tighter as the seconds ticked by. Both Jennifer and Jonathan looked shocked.

Jonathan's eyes went to Deacan's arm around Erica. His jaw tensed and you could hear the rage in his voice when he asked, “What the hell? What is this?” He waved his hand between Erica and Deacan. It took everything in him to keep from jumping on this guy who had his hands all over his woman. “Who are you?”

Deacan hadn't spoken; he hadn't moved since Jennifer stepped out the office. Erica looked at Deacan and saw the pain in his eyes. He hadn't taken his eyes off Jennifer. She placed her arm around his waist and squeezed. Deacan snapped back into himself and looked into Erica's eyes. Those brown orbs held curiosity and confusion. He continued to gaze at her and she smiled. It was pure and friendly and let him know that he was alright.

“What's going on with you two?” Jennifer's face was red; she looked like a ripened strawberry. She crossed her arms and scowled. If Jennifer could kill Erica with a look, she wouldn't have succeeded, but she gave it a good effort. She cleared her throat when neither of them acknowledged her question.

Deacan mouthed "thank you" to Erica before turning back to Jennifer. “What I do, who I know, is none of your business.” He continued walking and Jonathan stepped in front of him. Erica stood beside Deacan and looked back and forth between the two of them. Deacan decided he wouldn't push past Jonathan. He refused to give him the satisfaction of touching him first. Jonathan looked like the type to talk big then play the victim when he was bested. That could lead to trouble for Deacan. Instead, Deacan cocked his head to the side and smirked.

“Keep your hands off my girl,” Jonathan said through clenched teeth. His hands were fisted at his side. Erica moved between the two men, separating them.

“Jonathan, hear me and hear me well. We. Are. Not. To. Ge. Ther! I stopped being your girl when I caught you in bed with her.” Erica cut her eyes at Jennifer and huffed. She'd grown tired of the both of them and wanted to leave. Deacan placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her to him.

“WHAT?! What did you just say?!” Deacan was irate! He spied Jennifer with her arms wrapped protectively around herself and her head down. She was shaking it back and forth furiously. “This is him, Jennifer? This is the guy?”

Jennifer began to cry and lifted her head, “This is a mess!”

“You can say that again! Let me clear a few things up for you, Erica. Apparently my ex-girlfriend was screwing your ex-boyfriend. The day I proposed to her, she left me for him.”

Erica's heart pounded in her chest. This was a weird set of circumstances. Her ex and his ex were currents.

“I don't want her. I just want you baby.” Jonathan took a step toward her and Deacan blocked him.

“If you think you're going to touch her, think again. I will lay you out and not think twice,” Deacan threatened, though Erica knew from the way he looked that it was more of a promise.

Erica grabbed Deacan's hand and moved Jennifer and Jonathan out the way. “We're done here.” She dragged Deacan out the front door and walked across the street to her car. Her breathing slowed once she reached the door. Deacan leaned against the car and rubbed the back of his neck. His nostrils were flared and his chest heaved. “I'm sorry, but I couldn't stand to look at them any longer. Plus, I didn't want you to kill Jonathan.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Deacan responded as his mind replayed what had just happened. What had she been doing in that office with him? The door had been closed. His stomach somersaulted at the thought. He felt Erica's hands on his shoulders. She was shaking him. “What?”