Page 55 of Reconciling With the Rival

He raises his eyebrow at me. “Well, for starters, you’re dressed like it isn't fucking freezing outside.”

I look down at my outfit—a black mini skirt with stockings, a red, lacy corset top, and my black leather jacket—and I think I look great. “You act like I care what you think about me.”

“I think you secretly do, underneath all those layers of hatred and murderous glares.”

“Stop flattering yourself. I think I look nice, and so do half the people in this bar who have been giving me eyes all night.” He can’t say the same, since the girl who was over here is the first person to make contact with him all night.

He prides himself on his looks, but he should know you have to have an actual personality to make people want to go home with you, and he doesn't have one.

Well, besides being a man and an asshole.

“Well, if you did, I’d tell you I think you look like a slag in that outfit, Ella.” He takes a sip of his water while I glare at him. “But you don’t care, so who am I to say anything?”

“Fuck off,” I say as I down the rest of my drink, slam the empty glass on the table, and leave.

I grab my phone from my purse as I storm out of the bar, unwilling to listen to Leo give me his stupid and unsolicited opinions that don’t matter. I pull my phone out to text…nobody. Dammit. Paige is busy with Ames doing who knows what, andHads is studying. Plus, I wouldn't want either of them coming to pick me up and seeing Leo here with me.

Uber it is.

I pull out the app and see how far away one is, but nothing is showing up. I know Grand Mountain is a decently small college town, but there’s usually a few running every night. Why aren't any showing up?

“Ella, let me take you home. It’s the least I can do for my sister.”

Of course it’s for Alissa. Leo Zimmerman would never do anything out of the kindness of his heart for me. “That’s okay. I wouldn't want my slutty outfit to get all over your car.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Just get in the fucking car and let me drive you home.”

I shove him back a bit. He’s way too in my personal space for my liking. “No.” I sway on my feet, a little tipsy.

“I’m waving a white flag here, okay? I’ll be nice. We don’t even have to speak—”

“Ideal for you, isn't it?”

“Just let me take you home safely.”

I look down at my phone again, still not seeing any Uber’s available, so I concede. “Fine. But if you piss me off, I’m tucking and rolling out of your car.”

He only smirks at me. “I’ll make sure to drive fast, then.”

Leo pulls up tomy apartment building, and I have to say, that was the most civil the two of us have ever been. Granted, neither of us said a word, but I would still call it a win.

“Safe and sound. Would you look at that?”

I know he wants me to thank him, but I’m not going to. “Whatever. Do you want to come up for a drink or something?” My eyes bulge, as if I didn't know I was going to say that. I don't know why I did it. The last thing I want to do is continue being in his presence, but I couldn't stop the words as they flowed out of my mouth.Shit.

“Are you continuing our truce, or are you trying to stab me or something?”

“Well, you never know. I guess it’s a gamble.”

He doesn't answer, only turning his car off and getting out of it. He doesn't wait for me as he walks to the door to my building and waits. I have the passkey to get in, and when I scan my badge, the two of us walk up the stairs and head to my apartment.

This feels weird.

If someone asked me how I imagined tonight going, I would have told them I assumed I’d be going home with somebody and having hot sex.

But now, as I climb the stairs with Leo Zimmerman next to me, I wonder where I’ve gone wrong to end up in this situation. Though, if we’re being technical, I got myself into this situation by asking him if he wanted to come up for a drink.

Why the fuck did I do that again?

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