Page 72 of Barron's Second Chance
It pained her to reduce the anguish of Barron's betrayal as "high school drama," but she didn't want to give Lissa the satisfaction of knowing just how much her part in Barron's cheating affected her.
"Please!" Lissa scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You should've seen how devastated you looked after Barron fucked me in his office."
Eden stiffened at her explicit words, breathing slowly in and out through her nose to calm down. "Really? I heard that you threw yourself on him, and he turned you down."
She watched Lissa closely for her reaction. Yes, it was a test. While she believed Barron when he promised that nothing happened between themthat time,a part of her - the part that was still wounded - needed reassurance that Barron hadn't been lying to her.
Several emotions crossed Lissa's face. Embarrassment. Shame. Apprehension. Annoyance. Hesitation. Before a shield came down and her features defaulted back to smug bitch.
But that moment of pause, where Lissa allowed her true feelings to infiltrate for just a second, told Eden all she needed to know.
Barron was telling the truth.
"Is that what he told you? And you believed him after he cheated on you? What's that saying? ‘Once a cheater, always a cheater’."
"Aren't you tired of being a bitter shrew?" Eden asked. "I feel sorry for you. You're still stuck in the past over shit that doesn't matter anymore. Some of us have moved on."
Lissa gave a harsh laugh, agitation marring her features. "I don't fucking need your pity."
"Well, you have it regardless. It's so sad to see that you haven't moved on." She shook her head in fake sympathy. "It's turned you even more bitter and desperate than you were in high school."
Outrage washed over Lissa, causing her to rear back, offended at Eden's insinuation.
"I don't still want that asshole!"
"Okay," she replied slowly and condescendingly. "It just doesn't appear that way. I mean, I haven't spoken to you in seven years, yet you've cornered me in the grocery store to berate me for something that occurred when we were seventeen."
Lissa flushed in embarrassment, her eyes darting to the side to ensure no one overheard them.
"I'm sorry that you didn't get what you were after with Barron," the words tasted like ash in her mouth, "but that's not my fault or my problem."
"You think I still want that dickhead?" She screeched. "I can get any man I want. I mean, I did get your man, after all." Her brow lifted in smug viciousness.
Her words stung more than she liked to admit. But Eden kept her head up, bravely meeting Lissa's calculated stare head-on.
She knew the other woman was looking for a more heated response from her. Instead of lowering herself to her level, Eden gave a nonchalant shrug.
"If you say so."
Bored with her antics, Eden went to move past her, keeping her face stoic and her head held high.
"I wouldn't go back with someone who's still clearly hung up on his ex," Lissa called after her, causing Eden to pause.
"Talk about someone still stuck in the past! I caught him still pining after you like a sad little puppy. If you really don't care about him, then let him off your leash and tell him to move on!"
Eden's brow came down at that confusing and heated statement, but before she could turn to respond, her phone sounded.
J: I'm about 10 mins away x
She didn't have time to dwindle and exchange barbs at a clearly delusional woman. She hurried away down the aisle, leaving Lissa and her puzzling words far behind.
17
Rocker Boy
"Andyou'resurethatshe said it was okay?"
Barron held back a frustrated sigh as his hands tightened on the steering wheel. This was the fourth time his Mom had asked him whether he was"absolutely sure Eden invited you"and"you didn't misunderstand?"
