Chapter 20

Erica

Erica was glad Marcus was driving, though she had no idea how he kept them on the road given everything they had just witnessed.

Marcus decided to take the first exit as soon as it became obvious what their spouses were doing, and Erica didn't protest. She didn't want any part of Alex's stupid idea, nor the danger they were putting every single person on that motorway in.

It was the longest time they had been silent in each other's company, neither of them knowing what to say.

Erica felt sick.

A couple of times she had almost asked Marcus to pull over, but she knew once they did, nothing would happen, and they'd have to confront the insanity. She couldn't believe she married a man who would do what Alex had just done.

Erica was no prude, and over the years, she and Alex had made some questionable decisions, but never anything that put the lives of other people in danger.

She had counted at least fifteen cars on the short stretch of the motorway they'd travelled that had bulky car seats in the back seats. If Alex's new kink was thrill-seeking, more power to him. But he had no business involving other people in his idiocies.

"I think I'm done," she said, finally ending the silence.

"I know, Eri. I'm taking you home now."

"No, that's not what I mean." She took a breath and shook her head. "I'm done with this marriage."

Marcus shot a look in her direction and nodded once before focusing back on the road. Presuming he'd accepted her answer, he surprised her by pulling into an empty supermarket car park.

Killing the engine, he unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to face her, giving her his full attention.

It was just a stupid, small thing, but emotion prickled at the back of her throat. He was so in tune with her, so sensitive to what she needed.

"Talk me through where your head is at."

Where to start? Her marriage was over long before tonight. She had never tolerated cheaters, and Alex never had any chance of winning her back.

Their game of pretending had been fun and, given the choice, she would do it all again, not only to fuck with Alex but to spend time with Marcus.

But playtime was over.

Alex had let his anger drive him so far past stupidity, it wasn't even funny. And to drag Sophie along with him was unforgivable.

Erica may not like the girl very much, but she could see when someone was being led astray. Sophie was young enough for Alex to manipulate and try to impress.

It was disgusting what he'd done, and she'd had enough.

"He could have died tonight," she said, whispering the words. "And he'd have taken plenty of people with him."

"I know. I'm still trying to get my head around that."

"And I think that's the limit I'm willing to go to. God knows what he's going to do when I serve him with divorce papers, but I'm done."

"It's a shame," he said, reaching for her hand and playing with her fingers. "I understand, but it's a shame. I've enjoyed being in cahoots with you."

"I'm sure we'll find another way to cause mischief," she said, offering him a smile. "I'm just not sure making my soon-to-be ex-husband angry enough to become suicidal is the right way to go."

"You're right." He lifted her hand, kissing her knuckles. Her stomach clenched before settling into butterflies.

What happened after she divorced Alex ?

She couldn't deny she felt a pull towards the man in front of her. But would they ever have a chance at something uncomplicated going forward?

He was always going to be the man who felt off-limits.

Mixing business with pleasure was always messy, but the history between them and their exes felt like too much to wade through.

But God help her if the idea wasn't tempting.

"So, what's the plan?" He asked, pulling her attention back to the present. "You just want to serve him with papers?"

"No. That's too easy."

"I didn't think so," he chuckled. "So, what?"

Erica spread a slow smile and shrugged. "I may have an idea or two."

"Don't play coy, young lady. Tell me."

She had a plan, and it had been brewing for a while, but it would require her dragging other people into her drama, which she wasn't sure she was comfortable with.

"I want to serve him with papers at my parent's Christmas dinner," she said, meeting his gaze. "While giving my family copies of the texts he shared with Sophie."

"Ah. So, you're going nuclear."

"That's the plan," she nodded. "But you're going to have to convince me it's the right one."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"I'm not a very selfish person by nature, Marcus. And this would require me to be so incredibly selfish it leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach."

"But why?" He frowned, rubbing his thumb along her finger. "I don't understand."

"It's Christmas," she said with a shrug. "And Christmas is always so magical at my parents. Mum and Dad go all out and treat us like we're kids again.

"We never really struggled growing up, but my parents were fairly frugal. We got what we needed with a few treats here and there. But at Christmas, they went all out and spoiled us. It's been the same ever since. "

Erica swallowed as Marcus ran the tip of his finger over the inside of her wrist, sending chills racing up her arm. His eyes roamed her face as he gave her his full attention.

She felt so seen. So heard.

"I've pictured us all around the table, belly's full after eating the meal mum worked so hard on. We tend to sit there for a while, exchanging gifts while we all get pissed on champagne.

"Only this year, I want to ruin that peace and kill the celebration Christmas day is supposed to be.

"Josh will react first. I know he will. He'll launch himself over the table to throw the first punch." She laughed without humour, running her hand through her hair. "Liv will be there in seconds, trying desperately to calm him down."

"Protective, is he?"

"More than," she said with a nod. "He's the big brother everyone wished they had. And Liv is a sweetheart. She'll get through to him, but only because he'd be afraid of her getting hurt."

A smile tugged at Marcus' lips. "I think Josh and I would get along together very well."

"I think you would too," she replied. "But I think Josh could get along with anyone. He and Alex are good buddies, so he'll be throwing a punch for himself, not just for me."

"Do your parents like him, too?"

"Of course," she nodded. "Everyone does. Mum treats him like one of her own. She loves him so completely, so fiercely. It's all going to crush her, and that'll have Lottie rushing to her side to comfort her. She's always been such a mama's girl."

"And your dad? Where's he in all this chaos, do you think?"

If Lottie was a mama's girl, then Erica was the biggest daddy's girl. She could picture her dad so clearly, holding the evidence in his hands, half-read because he wouldn't need to read it all.

His eyes would roam the room. See his eldest, his boy defending his sister, admire his youngest comforting her mother .

And then his eyes would land on the middle child, on Erica herself. She'd find comfort as he held her gaze – the kind of comfort only a father can bring.

"Dad would be the calming presence," she said, her eyes only seeing the imagined image in her mind. "He wouldn't have to raise his voice to command attention, but when he finally speaks, everyone will listen. He'll tell Alex to leave and dare him to argue.

"If he's smart, Alex will leave without a fuss because there's nothing more ferocious than a father protecting his little girl." She chuckled. "Even if that little girl is nearing her thirties."

Marcus smiled and nodded. "I get it. My dad is the same. But I'm confused. What about any of that makes you selfish?"

"I don't want to ruin their day with my drama. It's going to be such a fantastic day. Everyone is going to be so relaxed and happy and sleepy. And I'm going to come in with my evidence and Christmas will be forever associated with my divorce."

"There's a reason you chose that day, though," he said. "You've been picturing Christmas for a reason. So why?"

"Because of everything I just described," she said with a shrug. "There's like, two weeks until Christmas, right? Can you imagine after such a rough couple of months, I start acting normal again? Or at least normal in Alex's book."

"Ah, I see where you're going with this. You're gonna pull the rug out from under him."

"Exactly," she nodded. "He's going to think I'm over whatever I was going through. He'll think it just part of the ups and downs of marriage—"

"And when he's settled and comfortable—"

"On a day where no one expects something bad to happen—"

"You're going to fuck his entire world."

"You got it." She grinned at him, the butterflies dancing in her stomach once again.

"I think you should do it," he said, squeezing her hand and finally pulling back. She shifted in her seat, already missing his presence. "Your parents will understand, and if they're anything like you've said, they'll make sure you still have a good day."

"That's true," she agreed. "Thank you, Marcus. For listening to me ramble on."

"Always," he grinned at her. "I am always here, Erica. I like listening to you ramble, so it's hardly a chore."

"Well. Since we're ‘breaking up', what do you plan to do?" She asked.

"I like the idea of a Christmas day break up, actually," he replied. "I don't have any big plans."

"Oh, really ?" She raised an eyebrow, her brain working a mile a minute, stumbling from one thought to the next.

"I know that tone," he teased. "What are you thinking?"

"Maybe you should come to our house for dinner. My parents should meet my business partner, after all."

"You're diabolical. And quite possibly trying to get me killed. I'm not sure Alex will appreciate me showing up."

"I'm not sure Alex gets a say."

Marcus was right. This was not a good idea, and she knew it. But now it was out there. She wanted so desperately for Marcus to be there.

Just like Josh, he'd protect her. Just like her father, he'd keep her calm.

Maybe that was why she found herself so connected to him. Because so many parts of him reminded her of people she already loved.

"You really want this Christmas to be memorable, huh?"

"Now that I've said it, I can't imagine you not being there," she admitted. "It's not even about winding Alex up, really. Although that's a welcome bonus."

"Even if I get hit?" He chuckled.

"You won't get hit, Marcus. I'll put myself between you if it comes to that."

Something flashed in Marcus' eyes, the humour fast gone from his expression. "No, you won't," he said. It wasn't a request. "Erica, under no circumstances are you to put yourself in danger."

"Oh, come on. I don't actually think he— "

"I don't care," he replied. "If Alex so much as looks at you with any visible anger, I will not be responsible for my actions."

Erica swallowed at the intensity in his eyes and the resolute tone of his words. He was not playing around. There was a flutter in her chest at the thought of this man becoming her knight.

"You don't need to protect me, Marcus," she said. "That's more than I can expect from a friend."

"It's the very least you should expect from a friend," he replied. "And besides, that isn't exactly the word I'd use."

Suddenly, the mood in the car shifted. Tension cracked between them, pressing against her in a way that was suffocating.

It wasn't so much what he said, but more what he didn't.

She knew as well as he did that friendship was far too tame a word to describe their relationship. Forbidden feelings were bubbling beneath the surface, waiting for a crack so they could burst through and ruin the peace.

Erica wanted so desperately to give in to those feelings. To let herself feel everything she was holding back. But once they opened Pandora's box, there was no going back, and she wasn't ready to unleash what she knew she couldn't tame.

And yet, despite herself, she could feel herself swaying towards Marcus, closing the gap between them.

"What word would you use?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He inched closer until she could feel his breath fall against her lips. Her mouth felt dry, and her heart threatened to beat through her chest. She didn't dare move, barely dared to breathe.

Marcus pressed his forehead against hers, releasing a slow breath before chuckling.

"Business partners, of course," he murmured.

"Of course," she repeated, taking his hand and enjoying the moment, and words left unspoken.

It seemed she wasn't the only one afraid to open that box.