A re-write of the episode 12 Eric route! Please let me know if you like it c:
"You still haven't told me what's on your mind."
Eric had turned up to the Cosy Bear as he did, every other night - like clockwork, ready to lend a hand stacking tables and chairs, putting them away. He got it done a lot faster than I did, and admittedly, I could have a cheeky look at him flexing his biceps and pectorals while I was making him that free coffee he worked so hard for. Although nowadays, I was trying harder and harder to keep my eyes averted, because that would only add to these strange stirrings of whatever that drunken dinner had set off, and I wouldn't entertain it. I just… wouldn't.
"Hm. How'd you know something was on my mind?"
"Your jaw tightens, you get all frowny." I leaned over the counter, taking a moment to straighten my top so that I wasn't showing too much tit. "Come on. Dude, I practically counselled you through this divorce, you're not gonna freeze up on me now, are you?"
"Well, some things are personal, kid. Sometimes it doesn't help all that much to share." Eric reached for the coffee that I'd provided in a paper cup, and I stood, feeling very quietly stung. Well, he was well within his rights to not talk to me about whatever it was. After all, it was Nathaniel he was close to, not me. I just gave the coffee, and the drama, for the most part. Silly to feel upset about it, I knew that.
"My bad, sorry. Sometimes I don't know when to stop."
"Nath's always sayin' that about you. That you were exactly the same in high school. You woulda made a good cop." He took a long drink, his eyes searching off in the distance of the evening - seeing nothing. It was even cooler now, and the skimpy outfit I'd worn to dinner a month or two ago wouldn't fly. Today, my comfy trainers, jeans, and thick cardigan protected me from the wind - although my cropped tank top was thrown in, just to make me feel that little bit sexier whenever I caught sight of my cleavage in a reflective surface. God only knew that I wasn't getting any at home, not with the Master Chef and his head stuck in the books all the time.
I was being ridiculously bitter, and it was so unfair. I knew it was. But I was tired of the unpredictability and the upset, and flying off of the handle, all of those things. Every cancelled plan came to my mind all of a sudden, and I felt the exhaustion washing over me. There weren't any tears anymore.
"Yeah, he would. Although I think I'd be too easy to bribe. Come on, we'd better head."
"I'm pretending I didn't hear that." The first laugh of the evening passed his lips, and I smiled a little to myself as I punched in the alarm code, and headed for the back door.
We stepped outside - the chill almost instantly settling into my bones - and I glanced once, twice down the street. Eric usually accompanied me some of the way home, but in his current mood - which was quiet, brooding - I didn't know how comfortable that would be for either of us, so I was just counting to see how much change I had in my pocket for a bus ticket when I heard the last-ditch question.
"Mmm?" My fist closed around the coins, and I looked back to Eric, blinking up at him. "Hey, do you want to talk after all? I have a bit of time."
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Yeah? Course. You know you can ask me anything."
"I don't, actually. I'm not sure you know what that means." Eric set what appeared to be a full coffee cup down on the bus bench, unfolding his arms from his broad chest. I blinked, my breath hitching slightly as he stepped closer. What was this? What was he - what was he saying? I didn't understand.
"Stop me if you want to," he continued, almost… softly. His firm, yet gentle grip encircled my upper arms, and he drew me closer, pressing his mouth to mine.
And it was all confusing - the warmth flooding the entirety of my body, radiating from my chest to the top of my head, the tips of my toes; my heart beating faster, the way the slow, leisurely kiss seemed to allow us to fit together like two pieces of the same puzzle. I inhaled, kissing him more deeply, the taste of sweet peppermint drifting over my tongue.
"No. Eric, no." My hands balled into fists against his chest, and I pulled away from him, light headed. I almost wanted to sit down on the pavement and do the whole through-the-knees thing, but I didn't know if I'd be getting back up from that, so I managed to keep myself standing upright. When I caught his expression, it was full of… desire. Surprise. Sadness. But no… regret. No anger.
Oh, no, this can't be happening, this can't be happening.
"Eric," I said again, attempting to make my voice as firm as I possibly could, "I'm sorry. I think you have the wrong idea."
"No. I should be the one apologising. Although… Eva, I could of sworn you were kissing me back, for a second." He took another step forward and I backed away, shaking my head.
"No. You just caught me by surprise. You're honestly lucky I didn't slap you."
His laughter was dark. "Maybe I was. Fuck, I'm sorry."
"It's… I mean, it's fine. But that - I have a boyfriend, Eric." I shut my eyes, swaying slightly, but remaining on my feet. "I'm going to call a cab, alright? Don't worry about the trip home, I got it."
"Eva," he said again, lifting a hand - and for a moment, I thought he was going to reach out, and take mine. But it fell to his side again. "Alright."
"I'm not going to tell Nath about this." My fingers tightened around my bag strap - I knew what he thought about cheaters, about… about… "I suggest you don't either."
A tight response. "I appreciate it."
"It's fine. I guess I'll see you."
"I guess," Eric said, turning on his heel, and walking briskly off into the night time.
It was easy to find a taxi; they weren't particularly busy on a Wednesday night, and I just paid via card machine, which I was lucky he had. Sitting in the back seat, I made an attempt to clear my head; but it was only when the driver asked me what was wrong did I realize that I was crying.
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