The Marx Brothers

Chapter Twenty Three 'City'

I rolled my eyes and turned around

"What?" It came out poisonous like a deadly cobra ready to strike

"Let me explain" He tried, pulling his right arm through a white v-neck long sleeve

"You don't have to explain anything to me Phoenix.." I told him, the refrigerated cheese in my hand making my fingers cold

I turned back around and took a step onto the street to cross when his footsteps came close behind me, a hand reaching out to take a hold of my wrist

Spinning around, I ripped my arm from his touch "Don't touch me, please just don't touch me, ever.." I spat

He held his hands up in defeat "Just let me explain"

"I already told you, you don't have to explain, why would you have to explain?" I shook my head

We weren't together, we weren't romantic, we had kissed once, barely, that didn't count for anything, not anymore anyways

"Because I want to explain" He tried, his face soft, an expression rare for him

He took a step towards me, but I was quick to take another step back from him

"You can sleep with whoever you want, whenever you want, it has nothing to do with me, but just know that from now on, anything you say to me in an attempt to defend your reputation will automatically be a load of absolute shit.. " I snapped

"What I told you in the car that day wasn't a lie, I'm not that person that Brad and his friends think I am.."

I scoffed "Clearly, you are.."

"No, the only damn reason.." he began pointing behind himself "is because-" His voice turned serious, but he cut himself off as he stared at me

"Because?" I repeated, waiting

He hesitated. I could see his chest rising and falling rapidly, his breathing rigid

I was too impatient to hear his pathetic excuses "as always, good chat.."

I tried to make yet another escape from him, but like he had before, he moved towards me and grabbed me, only this time when I fought to pull away from his grip, he pulled me closer refusing to let go

"Let go of me" I growled, dropping my cheese and keys as I wrestled him from me

"Eden" He fought back, his free hand wrapping around the back of my neck pulling me inches from him

"No" I mumbled, averting my eyes, knowing that one look so close to him would betray my anger

I could smell his cologne, the strong sweet smell of fruit rushing up my nose. I couldn't inhale it enough, but I hated the fact that I knew he had only sprayed it on his clothing to rid himself of the woman he'd just been with

Fighting back was proving to be pointless, but I hoped that the more I fought back, the more likely he would be to give up in fear that someone in the street would notice, even despite the fact that it was now completely dark

"I'm not letting you go until you listen to me.." He softly told me. Knowing there was no way I could escape his strength, I stopped fighting back and kept my eyes on a house down the street, refusing to look anywhere near his face

"Why does it bother you so much?" He asked

"Why does it bother you so much?" I repeated, a snarl slipping out

"I've worked hard to get you to trust me, I don't want to throw it away because of one lapse of my self control"

"Are you kidding me?" I snickered