11
We were out late, and Ethan had too much to
drink.
I took him home.
L
When we got to his beach house, I asked him
for the key.
He searched through his pockets, looking at
me, his eyes red. “I don’t have it.”
I didn’t know what to do.
He looked coherent. “Your place.”
My place wasn’t far.
We didn’t have any other options.
I took him home.
He walked beside me, wobbling a little,
looking at me.
L Hic oves were very direct.
L
He asked suddenly, his voice soft. “Liv, when
did you start liking me?”
I didn’t hesitate.
“Six years, Ethan, I’ve liked you for six years.”
This was a forbidden topic for us these days.
He was probably drunk to ask that.
He paused. Then he tensed up.
I
I gave him a bowl of soup once we got home..
He sat on the couch, holding the bowl, and said. “That’s good.”
I smiled, it was just some simple soup.
He finished it, and I took the bowl from his
hands.
Then the lights went out.
A power outage.
I was about to get up when he grabbed my
waist.
I fell on top of him.
Our breath mixed together.
The alcohol made him strong.
His lips almost touched mine, his breath
warm.
He kept saving my name. “Liv. Liv.”
<
I pushed him away. “Okay, you can lay down
and sleep. It’s almost morning.”
My flight was early, and I had to pack.
I didn’t have time to deal with him right now.
A few minutes later, the lights came back on.
Ethan looked uncomfortable and was trying to
take his clothes off.
I wanted to help him change into a softer
shirt.
I always took care of him when he was drunk.
But then I remembered.
I wasn’t supposed to do that.
<
I turned to go into the bedroom.
Then, he grabbed my wrist.
He held me tight, his breathing was uneven.
He mumbled things.
I couldn’t hear.
I could only make out “regret” and “like“.
The moonlight came through the window.
And I thought, oh, this is the guy I had been
crushing on for six years.
I left while Ethan was still asleep.
I called Finn. “Ethan’s at my place. Come pick
him up.”
L
Finn asked, without thinking. “What about
you?”
I looked at my suitcase. “I’m going to
Chicago. I won’t be back for a while.”
He was quiet for a minute. “Does Ethan
know? Is he letting you leave?”
I didn’t get it. “Why wouldn’t he let me go?”
Finn was at a loss for words. “I mean… even
if you need to go, you don’t… need to go so.
far.
“If you stayed, Ethan would help you out.”
I laughed. “We’re just friends. It’s not like
that.”
