Steal Your Heart Away Read Free Page B

said.
     
    “I told you, I think you’re nice.”
     
    “A lot of people are nice,” I replied.
     
    “Steve is nice.” That hit me out of the blue. Again, he had forced his way in to my thoughts and I was instantly jealous of his name on her lips.
     
    “You like Steve, don’t you?” I asked, half curious but mostly hoping she’d say no.
     
    “You like me, don’t you?” I couldn’t believe how bold she was.
     
    “I haven’t decided yet.” Two could play this game.
     
    “Good, don’t decide yet.” She sat up and kissed me on the cheek before gathering her things and heading for the door. Again, I found myself disappointed that the night hadn’t progressed more. I closed the door behind her with a smile that remained on my face well in to my sleep.
     

Chapter 8
     
    When she didn’t text me the next day I was somewhat worried that I had said too much the night before, that I had somehow managed to scare her away. I went in to work determined to talk to Steve about everything that had been happening between me and Lexi. When we finally sat down for lunch I could tell he, too had something on his mind.
     
    “How have you been, Amanda?” he asked, awkwardly formal.
     
    “I’ve been good. How have you been?” I responded nervously.
     
    “You know, I could be better.”
     
    “What’s up?” I asked.
     
    “I think you know what’s up.”
     
    “Listen, Steve, I meant to tell you but I didn’t know how.”
     
    “I drove by your house last night to drop off some food, thought you could use it since you had such a rough day. Didn’t look like a rough day to me.” He slammed his tray on the cafeteria table before storming off to dump his food.
     
    “Steve, please.”
     
    “The worst part is that she told you how much she liked me. And you tried anyways. Don’t you know that no means no? She told me how you came on to her.”
     
    “What?!” I was so confused. I didn’t come on to her. It was Lexi who fell into my lap, who kissed me on my cheek. Not once did I suggest anything else. Did she tell him that?
     
    “Oh, don’t play oblivious. She told me everything Amanda. We are done here.”
     
    I sat, stunned with tears in my eyes. What had just happened? I wanted to tell Steve it was all a lie, that she was trying to come between us. I felt a pit in my stomach. Why would she say such terrible things? She seemed so comfortable last night, had I done something wrong?
     
    I tried to brush it off, get my work done then go home and sort through my thoughts. I couldn’t help but feel hurt. I felt betrayed by both Lexi and Steve. Lexi for telling lies and Steve for believing them. Had I asked for it, though? Was this my payback for not backing out while I still had the chance?
     
    Furious, I pulled out my phone and texted Lexi.
     
    “You lying little bitch. I did not come on to you. You came on to me. You invited yourself over. Not me. Try to come between me and my best friend. I dare you.”
     
    I hit send and turned it off so I could eliminate distractions and get back to work.
                 
    Steve and I worked side by side on two surgeries that day, but we remained silent only to talk when absolutely necessary. If I had known that this was what our relationship would come to, I would have never pursued Lexi. I kicked myself for being so stupid.
     

Chapter 9
     
    Days passed and still no response from Lexi, nor any contact from Steve. The first couple days were hard but I soon got back into my daily routine. I didn’t need either one of them. It was Friday night and I was not about to stay in and feel sorry for myself. I decided to go out.
     
    There was a cheap lesbian bar just down the street that I went to a lot when I was younger, but had since lost a lot of its credibility. It was having a grand reopening and I figured I could pick up a cute college girl and have a decent time not having to worry about anyone else. I got dressed up and hit the road.
     
    I