Falling for the Fire

Chapter 10

My eyes slowly trailed over to Brooklyn after the question she had asked, and I couldn't help but see the smug grin on Eliana's face next to her.

"I'd like to get the theme nailed down first," I told her, "and then we can do the logistics."

"Alright," she sighed, "if you think that's the best option."

"I do," I said firmly.

We made it through the rest of our planning session without many questions from Brooklyn. I was thankful that she kept her mouth shut, because I wasn't sure that I could handle much else.

The more that I was getting to know her, the more I was wondering how I had fallen for her tricks that night at the bar.

I guess I knew how, I was drunk and heartbroken, but I was still mad at myself for it.

I wanted to blame Owen, I wanted to blame Eliana, but I knew that it was my decision, and now I was paying for it.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't already feeling uncomfortable around Brooklyn, but she was being irritating either way.

"Alright," I said as we wrapped up, "we're going to meet at that potential location tomorrow morning, so I'll see everyone there by 8:00."

"Aye aye captain," Eliana said.

I pursed my lips and tried not to look at her as everyone started to leave the conference room.

As I was gathering my things up, I saw Brooklyn walk up to me. I stopped what I was doing and looked up at her, feeling my heartbeat quicken.

"I was only trying to help earlier," she said, "I promise."

She gave me a grin that made me question whether or not I should believe her, but I nodded.

"I know," I responded, "not a big deal."

"Okay," she said, "see you tomorrow."

I watched her leave and eventually had to peel my eyes away to go back to what I was doing.

I finished up a few things in my office before heading out to my car to leave for the day.

Once I got home, I changed my clothes and then sat down on the couch to call Avery. I still had to fill her in on what had happened last night.

"What's up Ari?" She answered.

"Hey," I sighed.

"Okay, that didn't sound good," she said.

"Yeah, sorry," I responded, "Owen showed up at my house last night, so...just had to call to tell you about that."

"What? Why the hell..." she trailed off.

"He wanted to apologize," I told her, "but I still don't know why he felt the need to show up at my house unannounced to do that."

"Yeah there definitely would've been better options," she said, "are you okay though? I'm surprised you didn't call me last night."

"I thought about it," I responded, "but I was just too tired...and over it honestly."

"And yeah, I mean I think so," I continued, "I'm not doing great I guess, but I'll survive."

"Shit," she said quietly, "I'm sorry, do you want me to come over or anything?"

"No you don't have to do that," I shook my head to myself, "thanks though."

"Yeah of course, but you'll let me know if you need anything, right?" She asked.

"I will," I said.

There was a moment of silence between us before I spoke again.

"They're together now, Owen and Eliana."

"Oh," she said quietly, "well that's messed up."

"It's not that surprising I guess," I said.

"It's still messed up either way," Avery responded.

"Agreed," I mumbled, "I just don't get it...and the fact that she's a raging bitch makes it even more confusing."

"Don't even try to make sense of it," she told me, "there's no good reason for him to have done it and it'll probably piss you off more if you try to figure out why he did."

"I guess you're right," I sighed.

"Oh and speaking of raging bitches and relationship problems," I continued.

"Okay that's an interesting segue, but go on," she cut in.

"Right, well anyway," I started, "Brooklyn is a pain in the ass to work with, and it's only been two days."

"Why?" Avery laughed, "because you're distracted by her charm and good looks?"

"No!" I quickly said, "because she's a control freak and is already trying to take over this project, and she's questioning how I'm doing everything."

"Oh," she responded, "okay well that is annoying, I thought it was going to be a better reason than that."

"Nope," I told her, "unfortunately it's not anything exciting, just obnoxious as hell."

"She was literally up front trying to start planning shit before I even got there this morning," I continued.

"Okay she definitely does appear to have some control issues," Avery responded.

"Uh huh," I agreed, "I mean she kind of has that type of reputation, but I've never seen it firsthand obviously. And it doesn't help that Elle's smug face is always looking at me."

"Yeah how the hell did you get stuck with both of them?" She asked.

"I have no idea," I grumbled, "I kind of brought it on myself with Brooklyn...but Elle is just cruel and unusual punishment."

"You don't think she'd do anything to try and mess with the event, do you?" Avery asked me cautiously.

"I would fucking hope not," I said, "I don't think so though, because it would look bad for her too, we're all working on it together."

"That's true," she said, "hopefully you're right."

"Hopefully," I echoed, "hey I'm pulling up to my house though, so I have to get going, thanks for letting me vent."

"You know I'm always good for a vent session," she said, "good luck with everything."

"Thanks Ave," I said as a small grin spread across my face, "talk to you soon."

We both hung up as I parked in my garage and went into the house. I was hoping that I didn't have any unexpected or unwanted visitors tonight.

Hopefully Owen had gotten the picture that I didn't want anything to do with him now. He'd already done enough.

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