Confusion | Erik Durm + Marco Reus

chapter seven

"Why wouldn't I?" Marco grinned at him.

****

Emma entered the bar, her hand enveloped in Erik's. His grip on her hand tightened as they made their way to the stools.

"Gotta warn you, liebe," he whispered. "Some of the boys can be... erm, dangerous when they're drunk. Alright?"

"Yeah," Emma nodded, remembering a few moments wherein she's seen Marco drunk.

It was not a pleasant experience.

Erik ordered drinks as she began to scroll through her phone.

Take a Look at Erik Durm's New Sweetheart

Erik Durm Dating... Again!

"They make me sound like a douche," Erik sighed beside her. "Again! I haven't even dated that many girls."

Emma remembered when Marco had a similar womanizer image.

"It's alright," she nodded. "You're really nice, it doesn't matter." She kissed his cheek.

Erik smiled at her. "Thanks, liebe."

"You shouldn't let the media affect you," she told him. "Once you learn to ignore them you'll be untouchable."

"Thank you," Erik kissed her forehead.

"Oi, Erik!" Pierre waved at them. "Join us for beer pong! The girlfriend can join too!"

"OK!" Erik waved back, laughing. "Just wait a bit." He turned to Emma, "Wanna play?"

Emma bit her lip, "Alright."

He grinned at her. "Let's go!" He said, dragging her arm.

"Our drinks!" Emma laughed.

"Oh," he said, grabbing his glass and chugging everything down. "Need help with yours, liebe?"

"Knock yourself out," she laughed.

****

Emma looked at Erik, who was sitting on the couch staring blankly. She giggled as drool escaped his mouth and dripped down onto his shirt. He wasn't even blinking.

"Erik?" she poked his cheek.

"Eeeeaaaaauuuuuugggghhhhh," he said, his lips not even moving.

"I'll just use the restroom, alright?" she said.

"Are there beds?" Erik muttered. "I'll go with you." he stood up.

"Nooooope." Emma laughed as she sat him back down. "No beds. You wait here, alright?"

"Why you going alone?" he asked. "Are you gonna cheat on me?"

"No!" she laughed. "I would never."

And before Erik could say another word, she walked to the ladies' room at the back of the bar.

On the way there, she fought the urge to punch the girl trying to eat up Marco's face.

"Oh my god," she mumbled as she sat down on a toilet. "I don't even know anymore."

She believed that she liked Erik. She believed that she had feelings for him. But she still could not let go of Marco.

She wiped a few tears before doing her business, washing her hands, and walking back to Erik.

Mats and Cathy were sitting on either side of him.

"I really think we should get him home," Mats whispered to Emma as she approached them.

"That sounds good," she nodded.

He's drunk. And also I wanna get away from here because I'd hate to see Marco snogging that girl again.

"I have an idea," Mats said, "you're not too drunk, right?"

"I don't think I am," Emma replied.

"Good," he nodded. "You can drive his car, then Cathy and I can follow. Once you drop him off, we can bring you home."

"Or you can stay the night at his place," Cathy winked at her.

"I'd rather go with Mats's plan," Emma laughed. "Let's go."

****

"Thanks for the ride," Emma waved at Mats and Cathy.

"No problem!" they waved back before driving away.

Once Emma entered her apartment, she crashed onto her couch, crying.

Murph is right. I still like Marco.

As Marco's name appeared on her phone screen, she absentmindedly answered the call.

"What?" she said.

"Holy shit!" Marco's voice came up on the other line. "What the fuck? You're crying!"

Shit.

"Please just leave me alone," Emma sobbed into her phone before hanging up.

And it was just one of those many moments wherein Emma hated that she gave Marco a key to her apartment.

"I swear," Marco stormed into her living room. "Was it Erik? I swear, I will fucking end him!"

Emma was too busy crying to protest.

"I told that bastard to not hurt you!" Marco continued to rage. "I fucking swear to God he is gonna get so fucking--"

"STOP!" Emma shouted at him. "It's not Erik!"

"Then tell me who the fuck it is making you cry and I will end him," Marco growled.

Before she knew it, the word that slipped out of Emma's mouth was,

"You."