Page 105 of Third Time Lucky

‘No, you’re scared of feelings.’

‘No, I’m not,’ he says, offended. ‘I’m scared of commitment. There’s a difference. I need space to do my own thing, you know? I can’t have some woman depending on me, I’ll let her down. Just like Dad let Mom and us down. Trust me, it’s best for both of us,’ he mumbles, clearly avoiding eye contact.

‘What I know is that you’ve got some deep-seated relationship issues and fuckboy tendencies and need to see a therapist before you die of gonorrhea, or some pissed off girl kills you.’

He laughs. ‘Never had the clap, thank you very much.’

‘Not brag-worthy,’ I remind him. ‘Listen,’ I get closer to the fence separating us. ‘If you fuck up what I’ve got with Lucy by hurting her friend, I’ll hurtyou.’ I raise the axe.

‘Come on,’ he says, not believing a word I say. ‘You’d never. You’re all soft inside, remember?’

I roll my eyes. ‘I’m not cleaning up your mess this time, so whatever you’re here to ask of me, the answer is no. I’m busy.’ I glance back at my date, who flashes me a gorgeous smile.

Lucy strides over, her axe glinting in the overhead lights. She stops before us, her eyes flicking between Aaron and me.

‘Hi,’ she says. ‘Is everything OK, or did I just hear you say you need space?’

Aaron nods, thankful it seems someone is more understanding than me.

‘From Madi?’ she asks.

He shrugs, suddenly realizing who he’s talking to. ‘Nah.’

‘Oh, so you’re not here because something happened with Madi? ’cause I thought I heard you say you’d hit on another woman in front of her.’

His gaze shoots to me, then back to Lucy, who is also holding an axe. ‘Nope.’ He shakes his head repeatedly. ‘Would never do that.’

I roll my eyes.

‘Huh, that’s weird then,’ she huffs. ‘’Cause I just checked my phone, and I’ve missed fifteen texts. You got caught grinding up on another woman in a club? Is that true?’

He rears his head back, ‘Doesn’t sound like something I would do,’ Aaron lies.

‘You did what?!’ I ask, knowing damn well it’s true.

‘It was just a dance.’

‘A Swayze style dance?’ I snap.

His jaw drops a bit. ‘It’s the best way.’

I glance at Lucy, hoping she’s not judging me based on his mistakes. But her eyes are firmly on Aaron, and it looks like she might be the one to give him his next battle scar. She steps closer to the fence.

‘Well, in case I’m right, you should know I’d never let someone intentionally hurt my best friend, and I’ve got plenty of space in the dungeon back at Mitzi’s if needed. What do you think ofactuallydisappearing?’ She asks teasingly, clearly having overheard our entire conversation, which is why she probably checked her phone, but a fire in her eyes screams: ‘I’ll protect my friend no matter what.’ Aaron might finally have crossed the wrong women.

He looks slightly intrigued yet terrified now. ‘You’ve got a dungeon in that mansion?’

Lucy nods, but considering this is the first time I’ve heard of this dungeon, I suspect it’s just a basement, likely filled with expensive wine and champagne.

Aaron gulps audibly, glancing between us like a deer caught in headlights. ‘I, uh— I’d rather not make the news,’ he says sheepishly.

‘Too bad,’ she says with a smirk. ‘It’s not been used in ages.’

I laugh under my breath, earning a glare from Aaron.

‘Don’t worry, Luce. Aaron can figure this one out on his own because he’s a grown man and he was just leaving,’ I interject, shooting Aaron a pointed look. ‘Weren’t you?’

‘You’re not even gonna help me?’

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