Page 54 of Between the Lines

“It’s this easy?” I asked, eyebrow raised. “After being apart, we’re just…going to decide?”

He shrugged. “…Actually…yeah.”

Chapter Thirteen

SHAW

What the hellis she doing here?

I had a hard time telling myself it was mere coincidence that pulled my attention to the front of the premiere party just as Stella walked in, with a little entourage of her homegirls in tow. It was more like…my protective instinct for Ellie was already kicking back in—if it ever left, honestly.

In any case…I had my eyes open.

Not like I thought Stella would try anything violent—she wasn’tthatbrave or bold, and it would be stupid to do something like that here.

Still.

Itwaspretty brash for her to show up here at all, on tonight of all nights, after she’d spent the last few weeks doing her damndest to get underEllie’sskin, which was…wild.

If there was anybody to have an issue with, it should’ve been me.

But for whatever reason, she didn’t care to have the conversation it was pretty clear we needed to have—she’d ignored all attempts I made to squash this shit, even through our publicity reps.

That was how I knew she was just hellbent on having a problem, period.

Case in point—she and her coven made a beeline for me as soon as I fell into her view.

“Hey, stranger,” she started, getting much closer than she needed to have a conversation with me—putting on for any camera that might get turned our way, I was sure.

“Don’t start the bullshit,” I said simply. “It’s supposed to be a celebration, not…whatever energy this is.”

“You’ve got a lot of nerve to talk about bad energy and bullshit after whatyoupulled,” one of her homegirls chimed in. “We know your good vibes act is a damn front.”

“That’s the line you’re feeding people?” I asked, directing my attention solely at Stella. “This is the path you want to take?”

“What other path is there, Shaw?”

“I don’t know—maybe thetruth?” I countered. “I was never anything less than upfront with you—the same respect I try to give everybody. When I knew things were changing on my end, I made myself clear, that’s all. I wasn’t mean to you, wasn’t rude, I don’tthinkI led you on, so…shit.” I huffed. “What more would you have had me do? What was the right answer?”

“Iwas the right answer,” she snapped, shaking her head. “What does she have that I don’t?”

“My heart.”

There it was.

I didn’twanther walking around hurt, but that ship had apparently sailed. It was a conversation I’d tried to have privately so many times, in spaces where there weren’t eyes on us from all sides, but she didn’t want to hear it then.

Since she wanted to force the conversation now…there it was.

“You’re an asshole,” she said, quietly, as one of her more level-headed friends grabbed her arm to pull her away.

“I’m sorry I hurt you, Stella. Truly.”

“Fuck off!”

Her friends had her dragged away before she could say more, or cause a scene, and…damn.

As much of a mood-killer as that little conversation had been, I was supposed to be “on”right now.

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