Crossing the Line

By CrimsenLiz

Chapter 1

Morelli and I are currently drinking a couple beers and watching the Rangers game. We broke up a few weeks ago but still are good friends. I'm grateful for that; he has been such a big part of my life for a long time.

"So Cupcake, have you seen Manoso lately?" He began.

After I cleared up that I wasn't breaking up with him for Ranger, Joe instantly felt better. I wasn't breaking up with him for Ranger because Ranger didn't want me. And if he did, it wasn't common knowledge to me.

"I haven't seen him in a few weeks. He's been in Miami on business." I answered.

"I just figured he'd be all over you now that we're broken up."

I scowled. Ever since my break up with Joe, Ranger's avoided me like the plague and eventually went to Miami, stating he had business there to take care of. I keep telling myself he's just busy, but I'm starting to believe he just doesn't want to see me. At first I was mad, now my feelings are just hurt. "His life doesn't lend itself to relationships Joe. Those are his words, not mine."

He laughed. "That's an excuse if I ever heard one. He's a fool Cupcake. There's someone out there for you, someday you'll find him."

I didn't know Joe could be so sweet. I guess we are better friends than we are lovers. "Thanks Joe." Just as I said that my phone rang.

Who could that be? I picked up the phone expecting my mother. "Oh my god Steph!" Mary Lou's voice said over the phone line.

"What's wrong? Are Lenny and the kids ok?"

"Yea, yea, they're fine. I've got some MAJOR gossip! Your cousin Shirley the whiner left Eddie! She picked up and left, moved to Vermont with some guy that's been coming to town on Business. It's rumored that they've been seeing each other for a few years and the last two boys aren't even Eddie's!"

Holy shit! "How did you hear about this? It can't be true!" I hope for Eddie's sake this is all just a joke. Eddie and Shirley always seemed like the perfect couple.

Mary Lou kept going. "Sheila heard it from Kathy who heard it form Carol who was at Pino's tonight. Apparently Eddie is drunk off his ass, nearly in tears blubbering his story to Pino himself."

Good grief. "That's horrible Mary Lou! I've got to go down there and make sure he's ok."

I stood up looking for my Doc Martens.

"Call me later and tell me how it went." She said to me.

I Love her to death but anything I tell her will be all over the Burg in minutes. I could never betray Eddie like that. Joe interrupted my thoughts. "What's wrong Cupcake?"

I relayed the story Mary Lou told me. "Shit, that really sucks. You want me to come with you?" He said

I thought for a moment. "No I better go alone."

He gave me a lopsided smile. "Call me if you need anything." He said pressing a kiss to my brow.

Chapter 2

I walked into Pino's and my attention immediately went to the bar. Eddie was hunched over on the bar stool and was working on the pitcher of beer in front of him. "Mind if I join you?" I said to him, sitting on the stool beside him. All the seats around him were vacant, probably because he scared everyone away.

He turned to look at me. "I guess you heard." He slurred. The scene before me broke my heart. His eyes wee bloodshot and his brown hair was a mess.

I didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry Eddie, if there's anything you need I'm here for you." I motioned Pino for a glass. He brought me a cold mug and I poured myself some beer.

We drank in silence for a few minutes until Eddie started talking. "What did I do wrong Steph? I was a good husband. I didn't beat on her, I gave her children, I gave her a house, and practically anything else she wanted was hers. I loved her so much, still do. Why did she leave me? What did I do to deserve this?" I could see the tears start to fall and took that as a cue to get him out of there. No one needed to see him like this. There's enough going around the Burg already.

I took care of Eddie's tab and guided him out to my car. Practically everyone in Pino's was glued to the front window watching as we pulled out. The rumors were already circulating.

I thought about taking him to his house, but realized it would make him feel even worse to be around reminders of Shirley so I made a U-turn and headed toward my apartment.

He was half asleep and mumbling by the time we arrived at my place. "Where are we Steph?" He slurred.

"You can sleep on my couch tonight, Slugger. Figured you wouldn't want to go home."

He gave me a half smile. "Thanks a million Steph. You're my best friend, ya know that?"

I smile. Of course I knew that. Eddie is one of the best friends I've ever had. "I know, I love ya too Eddie."

By this time we were in my apartment Eddie toppled onto my couch and was instantly asleep. Poor guy was probably exhausted. I covered him with a blanket and went to my room. Just as I put on a t-shirt and climbed into bed, my phone rang. Joe. "Hey Joe." I said quietly.

"I hear you took a friend of ours home tonight. How is he?"

The burg vine has been hard at work. "He's sleeping on my couch as we speak. I didn't think it was a good idea for him to be home right now."

"Good thinking Cupcake, goodnight."

"Bye, talk to you later." I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I woke up to a warm body next to mine. Actually it was wrapped around mine. I rolled over and looked at the clock. Six twenty-three am. Holy crow it's early! I looked back over at the body next to me. Eddie. Who the hell knows how he ended up in bed with me? "Eddie, wake up." I said shaking him. This caused him to snuggle closer to me. I could feel something rubbing up against me. Uh oh, I hope that's not what I think it is. Oh my god!

"Eddie, you have to wake up!" I hissed. Instead of waking up he pulled me closer and crushed his lips to mine. I tried to pull away but he held me tighter. His tongue pushed its way into my mouth. Jesus, Eddie could kiss. His hands grabbed my ass and his package pressed harder into me. If this is any way he kissed Shirley, I don't know why she left him! Oh shit, Shirley. He probably thinks I'm Shirley. I shoved him away and his eyes popped open.

"Oh shit, Steph! I'm so sorry! I didn't realize where I was. Oh god, what did I just do?!"

I was still trying to catch my breath. "It's ok Eddie, you were asleep. I brought you here last night from Pino's and you fell asleep on my couch. Somehow you ended up in my bed." My head continued to spin from that kiss.

"Damn Steph, can you forgive me? I can't believe I just did that!"

I smiled. "Don't worry about it, it's already forgotten." But it wasn't, I was going to need a few rounds with my shower massager. This is crazy, he is one of my best friends, and I'm not supposed to be attracted to him! Hell, I wasn't up until a few minutes ago.

"I'm going to go shower, you can take one after me if you want. We can go out for some donuts and coffee and I'll take you to your truck."

He faked a smile "Ok."

I got out of bed and looked down at the t-shirt I was wearing. I knew I should have put on pajama pants last night. I hadn't planned on Eddie being in my room let alone my bed.

He got out of bed and headed toward the kitchen. Damn, he was wearing worn jeans and no shirt. Sometime during the night he must have shed his shirt. His stomach was flat and his shoulders were broad. A six pack was starting to form where his donut belly had once been. Shirley had forbid him to eat donuts and pizza. Plus she stopped buying beer. Joe said Eddie recently joined a gym and had been working out regularly. His butt wasn't looking too bad either.

Good Stephanie was yelling at bad Stephanie to stop thinking about her friend that way. He's technically still married for god's sake! What have I gotten myself into now?