“I’m, uh, kind of involved with Hannah.”
Blake narrowed his eyes. “Hannah? Hannah who?”
Eric thrust a hand through his hair and grimaced.
“Oh, hell no. Not James’s Hannah.”
“Yeah. But it’s—”
“End it. James will kill you. You know he’s still in love with her. And even if he wasn’t, that’s a big Bro Code violation.”
“I know.” Eric nodded. “I know all this. Which is why I came to you to talk. You broke a code too.”
“Nope.” Blake gave a loud, humorless laugh and shook his head. “That’s worse. I mean, like way way worse. You don’t go after your friend’s ex.”
“I didn’t go after her. It’s the last thing I wanted.” Eric gave a laugh of frustration that rose in pitch. “It just kind of happened. Our paths crossed one day.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m serious.” He paused, remembering the connection. “The day you got hurt at work, actually, and had to go to the hospital. She was out with Kristen, and we all happened to be in the same restaurant at the same time. So Kristen asked me to drive her home.”
“Aw, shit.” Blake thrust a hand through his hair. “So that kicked it off?”
“Not really. We ran into each other not long after that in the grocery store. She was all freaked out, and it turns out she has some parent from school somewhat stalking her.”
Blake’s mouth thinned. “Did she call the police?”
“It’s a little more complicated than that. There’s not a lot of proof he’s doing it. But now, well, long story short—” he took a breath “—I’ve moved in with her for the week to keep her safe and pose as her fake boyfriend.”
Blake stared at him hard for a moment before signaling to a passing waiter. “Excuse me. I’m gonna need another beer, please.”