Starting Trouble

"I know but...didn't you think you could have at least mentioned it? You don't understand just how awkward I feel now. That's like if Punk and I slept together years ago."

"I didn't think it was worth mentioning." He shrugged with a small sigh. "We started to sleep together when I was 19, that's when I met her. We weren't dating, it was just a friends with benefits kind of thing. Then she started to see other people and it was on and off after that. The last time we slept together was right before she got engaged to that Nathan guy, they fought really bad and she called me, so we went to a bar and the next morning, there she was in my bed. She made up with Nathan a few days after that and we decided that it'd be best if we just stopped that part of our relationship. I haven't touched her since then Ellie, I swear to you."

She sighed a bit and nodded. "I believe you.'' she said. "And I'm not trying to make it a big deal because like you said, it was years ago, but for me...well...not that she needs to know this, I've always felt...self conscious around Lacy." There, geez. "So I guess I'll just wonder if maybe it's better with her than it is with me or if I even compare to her. It's stupid and embarrassing, but...it's just what I feel." she shrugged. "Laugh now."

He frowned. "I wouldn't laugh at that, but why would you feel self conscious around her?"

"Oh please." she said as she shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Lacy is so pretty." she told him. "When we used to hang out and go to clubs and stuff, she was the one that the guys always hit on or stared at while I stood there being the third wheel. It got to me for a long time."

He shook his head and wrapped his arms around her again. "You're right. Lacy is very pretty, but you're beautiful. Don't sell yourself short, I've had to scare off plenty of men when you and I are out. My past with Lacy is just that, my past. You are my present, and hopefully my future, too."

She nodded. "I hope so. I'd like it a lot." she said...then spoke again. "Karla." she told him. "That's who I ran into and told me."

Scott rolled his eyes and let her go, pulling out his phone. He dialed Punk.

She watched in confusion as he called somebody.

"Love machine." Punk smirked. "Talk to me."

"I need you and your girl to go have a little conversation with Karla and tell her to mind her own fucking business." Scott said point blank. "She told her about me and Lacy like it was her business to tell. She's your ex, you fix it."

"Earlier today," he told him. "I fixed things with Ellie but you need to fix that bitch with a muzzle."

"Yeah, I'll set her straight now." he told him. "Sorry if she caused any shit."

"Yeah. I'll talk to you soon." He hung up, took a breath to calm down and looked back at Ellie with a small smile. "All taken care of."

She nodded and kissed his cheek, then rubbed his shoulders a bit. "Maybe she'll finally learn a lesson."

He relaxed a little at her massaging his shoulders and nodded. "Yeah. Maybe."

"Let's just not let her get to us. She's stupid and not worth our time."

"You're right." He turned his head and kissed her hand. "Thanks for not completely flipping out on me."

"Well I had to hear it from you and it's not worth flipping out about. It was a long time ago." she shrugged.

He pulled her over to his lap and nuzzled her neck. "I love you, El."

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you too."

"I love you for just believing me."

"Well I trust you." she said. "If I didn't...well I think this conversation would be way different." she chuckled.

He chuckled. "Well, good." he kissed the side of her head. "Gonna get home tonight?"

"I guess so." she shrugged.