Steve was shocked after what he heard, she expected this reaction, she again turned back to face the scenery outside and continued as it was much easier to talk without looking at Steve, "Lisa informed me, you guys wanted to get intimate and needed some alone time together and my presence was not letting you guys to be with each other."
"Are you serious?" Steve questioned her.
Erica nodded her head, "Hmm, Lisa told me this and she said you pitied me as I don't have many friends except for you two, and you were not comfortable in talking about this so she with a very heavy heart is informing about all of this on your behalf, she hated doing it but since she is your girlfriend and my best friend, she believed talking out things is the right thing to do, so she is sharing all of it with me honestly as I will understand the dilemma you guys are going through and will distance myself from you too. Obviously, she also added not to mention it to you as it will be embarrassing and you would feel guilty."
Steve couldn't believe what he heard, he can't even blame Erica for distancing herself from him after what all Lisa said as any good friend would do what Erica did.
Erica added, "I didn't want to be the reason for your and Lisa's relationship to go astray. So, I distanced myself but somewhere I used to hope for you two to meet me and ask me to hang out with you guys occasionally as I understand me always being around could be annoying but I didn't expect to be completely cut-off from your lives. It really hurt me."
Erica was sharing her emotions honestly so without realizing she was pouring her heart out and confessed what all she felt and how upset she was because of their ignorance.
Steve didn't say a word and walked towards Erica who was standing with her back facing him, he held her waist, turned her around and tightly hugged Erica, startling her.
Erica didn't expect him to suddenly hug her and she didn't know how to react.
With his one arm around her waist, Steve stroked her head, "I am so sorry for making you go through so much pain."
It was usual for people to distance from their friends but for Erica, Steve meant a lot, he became her closest friend in a very short time and the way they separated from each other was indeed a very sad thing and Steve could imagine how Erica felt when he didn't even talk to her.
"I am fine" Erica lightly pushed him as her heart was thumping at a very high speed and she didn't want Steve to hear it.
"Actually, it was Lisa who had some issues because of your presence." Steve started explaining his side of the story.
"Wait, what?" Erica was really surprised as at that time Lisa and she were very good friends and she couldn't believe her friend had issues with her presence.
Steve smiled softly, "You will be even more shocked if you will know why she had a problem with you?"
"Why?" Erica asked in anticipation worrying what it might be about her that made Lisa uncomfortable.
"She always thought we were in love with each other" Steve laughed as if he just cracked a joke.
Erica was very disturbed when she heard his words.
Steve raised his eyebrows and laughed again, "Don't you find it funny?" He asked her.
Erica too awkwardly laughed to hide her real feelings, "What the fuck, are you serious?"