Free Rivals by Felicia Jedlicka Page B

only one doing anything of value here.”
    “Then why does it keep happening? Maybe it isn’t luck, maybe it’s just you. Maybe you are that fucking amazing!” His heart was about to jump out of his chest, he couldn’t believe he was arguing in defense of her, and she was arguing in defense of him. This was a very interesting turn of events.
    She smiled, apparently seeing the same twist. “You are supposed to be taking advantage of this opportunity to get me off your back.”
    He shook his head and crossed his arms. “I don’t want you off my back. I love the competition. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to let you beat me, but that doesn’t mean you can’t walk away from this rivalry with your head held high. So, no, you aren’t quitting, end of discussion.”
    “Oh, yeah?” She crossed her arms to mimic him, but the crook in her smile gave away her amusement.
    “Yeah, and no more Cori-bashing, I won’t have you talking like that about my friend.”
    She mock saluted him and crouched down to poke at the heart. He pushed away the urge to hug her. It was comforting to finally know what thoughts were clanking around in her head the last few months. However, understanding her better would only make it more difficult to deny his feelings for her. He didn’t want to push her, especially since she had explained very clearly why she didn’t want to be with him. But at the same time, she had also confirmed what he suspected: She was attracted to him and had considered being with him.
    “You know, Cori…” She looked up from the fire. “It is possible to be a rock for yourself, and still lean on someone else when you need to.” She seemed to contemplate this for a moment before nodding. She smiled warmly at him and went back to poking her meat. 
     
     
     
     
    15
    Although the heart was chewy and far from tasty, Cori devoured almost half of it, and Ethan finished the remainder. If Danato had accomplished anything by sticking them in the time bubble, he had guaranteed her complete and utter devotion to processed foods.
    After a few baritone belches Ethan announced his fatigue and lay down to sleep. When she didn’t follow, he looked up at her with concern. “Aren’t you tired?”
    She sat watching the flames dance. A few thoughts were rambling through her mind. Once in a while the sorrow demon would throw out his reminder, but she ignored it. “In a bit,” she said with a hint of a smile.
    He continued to watch her. “Are you worried about the dreams?”
    She shrugged. “No, I’ll sleep close.” The worry etched on his face diminished and he lay back and closed his eyes.
    Cori basked in the serenity left by her cathartic day. She hadn’t been that honest with anyone, including herself, in a long while. It felt good.
    She looked through the fire at Ethan. He was right. She had spent so much time trying to avoid leaning on him, but it never occurred to her that it wouldn’t make her weak. But then, it really wasn’t about rocks anymore. All the emotional cards had been dealt, tallied, and shown. No more Go Fish for either of them. The only thing left to ante was the attraction.
    He had wanted her from day one. She had never considered him then, but now it was different. He was different. She was different. The things that mattered before either didn’t matter anymore, or weren’t a factor anymore.
    She had been keeping her distance, trying not to be a tease. She wondered if she had kept him distant for another reason. Maybe she was afraid she would make a move on him.
    Why not?
    Grief? Guilt?
    In the end it was just the two of them. Vince was gone. Whether she waited another month or two to satisfy some preconceived mourning period, she was still going to want Ethan. And he was still going to want her.
    She watched his chest rise and fall with his steady breath. If he knew what she was thinking right then, he wouldn’t be breathing so slow. As it was, she could feel her own heart thump harder