Better Without Your Love

Lucas stumbled through the door, his face flushed and eyes half-lidded, reeking of alcohol.

One look at his drunken state, and I knew better than to leave things to chance. I discreetly dialed Charles' number.

Lucas' gaze drifted to the packed suitcases by the door. "What do you think you're doing?"

Ignoring him, I grabbed the suitcases and started to leave.

"Hold it right there!" He grabbed me by my shoulders, pinning me in place.

"Lucas," I said calmly. "Let me make this clear—we're done. From now on, we're just business partners."

Yet, he gave me a lazy, mocking smile. "Wow, you really pulled out all the stops to get my attention this time. You're breaking up with me? Please. Every time I mentioned it before, you begged me to stay, cooked for me, did my laundry, and—"

"That was the old me," I cut him off. "Right now, all I want is to end things with you."

"And who says you get to call it quits?" His tone was lazy, but the contempt and impatience on his face were unmistakable. "We'll end things when I'm tired of you."

I pushed his hand off my shoulder and glared at him. "I'm not in the mood for this. If you ever lay a hand on me or harass me again, I will call the cops!" I threatened.

Lucas narrowed his eyes and studied my face skeptically. Then, without warning, he grabbed my jacket. "This jacket is Charles', isn't it? So that explains why you're breaking up with me today. So you're screwing my brother now? Is that it?"

"Enough!" I snapped. "Charles and I are just friends. Don't twist things and turn our relationship into something it's not."

My explanation fell on deaf ears.

Lucas' face flushed deeper, and he got more worked up. "I get it now. You couldn't have me, so you went after my brother instead. You're using him as my replacement!

"You know what? Fine—I admit I haven't been treating you well lately. I'll change."

I looked him dead in the eye and said, "There's nothing left between us. We're done."

"You're taking this little game way too far, Jessica. This is your last chance."

"Right, so let's break up."

Lucas' expression congealed, and with one swift kick, he sent my suitcases tumbling. "You're not going anywhere tonight!"

"Let her go, Lucas!"

Just as I started to panic, Charles finally showed up. He stepped between Lucas and me, taking my side.

The tables turned in an instant. This time, I wasn't alone anymore.

"Stay out of this, Charles," Lucas spat. "Jessica's my girlfriend."

This was the first time he had ever acknowledged our relationship in front of someone else.

But I immediately shook my head. "That's not true. Your girlfriend's Emily!"

Lucas stared at me in disbelief. "Jessica, come on, you know I was just messing around. Now that I've admitted we're together, why aren't you happy? Isn't this what you always wanted? I even got the ring back. Here, put it on."

However, this time, I turned and bolted. Behind me, Lucas' voice echoed, angry and loud. "Don't come crawling back to me—because when you do, I'll never forgive you!"