Page 11 of Sin

“It doesn’t matter why you can’t focus,” Noah says. “Because Ethan’s going to help you do exactly that. Each week, you’ll meet up and figure out a game plan. The next week, you’ll review what worked and what didn’t.” He smiles. “He’ll be just like a coach.”

I roll my eyes. “You mean he’ll be my parole officer.”

“I won’t be your parole officer,” Ethan cuts in. “I’ll let you set the pace. You tell me how you want things to go, and I’ll listen.”

I snort. “Listening isn’t one of your finer qualities, Ethan.”

Ethan’s eyes fill with an emotion I can’t quite pinpoint. Is he hurt that I think he’s a bad listener? Strange. I’ve said much meaner things to him in the past. Hell, two nights ago I called him a joy vacuum, and he laughed.

“I want you to start logging your activities,” Noah says. “It’s a great time-management hack. You can see how you spend your time and decide if there are better ways to utilize it.”

I release an unsteady breath. “Who gets to decide the best way to utilize my time, Ethan or me?”

“You,” Ethan answers right away. “You’re the ultimate judge. I’ll just be there to help you brainstorm. You’re in charge, Lily. I know you think I boss you around, that I’m not good at listening… I won’t be like that. I promise.”

“Brace yourself,” I say. “I don’t think it will be easy for you.”

Ethan’s eyes twinkle. “I’ve survived your viciousness for over two years now. After that, I can handle anything.”

My breath catches slightly, and my heart gives an unexpected flutter. When did Ethan start matching my energy and teasing me back? I shouldn’t be warmed by it. He’s probably just trying to manipulate me. To get me to agree to this stupid plan for Noah’s sake.

“We both have your best interests at heart,” Noah says. “You might feel like I’m being a dick with all this, but I’m doing it because I’m worried about you.”

My cheeks suffuse with heat. Worried. I hate that word so much. It’s so fucking condescending. I don’t want anyone’s useless worry. What I want is to fix my stupid sleep and grades and forget about Mason forever.

I ought to tell both Noah and Ethan to go to hell, but is that what the old Lily would do? I don’t think so. She’d probably go along with this plan and use it as an opportunity to antagonize Ethan, her favorite thing to do.

A pleasant thrill runs down my spine. It could be fun to meet up with Ethan every week and tease him incessantly.

I shoot Ethan a lazy smile. “When do we start?”

Ethan’s eyes flicker with confusion and then settle on my mouth. Shit, this is weird. It’s the same look he gave me right before that kiss.

“You’ll need to give it a few days,” Noah says, and the hungry look on Ethan’s face vanishes in a flash.

“Lily needs to start collecting data on her daily habits.” Noah’s expression grows stern. “Make a spreadsheet and write down every single thing you do in a day and how much time it takes. I do mean every single activity. Believe me, it works. Even just collecting the data will make you more productive.”

I groan. “Oh my God, that sounds like torture.”

“If that sounds like torture, you must not be doing any work at all.” Noah’s tone is biting. “It’s not that hard to log your activities. It takes seconds.”

He only says that because he doesn’t have ADHD. He wasn’t cursed with the inability to focus on anything that isn’t remotely interesting.

My biggest problem is that hardly anything interests me at all anymore, outside of the few hours a week I have alone with my paints, canvases, and brushes.

“Noah, she doesn’t need this right now,” Ethan says. “Lily, if logging your activities doesn’t work, we’ll nix it. It’s just a strategy to try. Like I said before, you’re in charge. I’ll work with you.”

A comforting glow spreads through me. I ought to find his coddling condescending, but it’s so difficult when he’s staring at me with such a warm expression. Ethan is usually all hard edges and firm commands.

“How about we meet in three days?” Ethan says. “You can come next door when I’m done with practice. Six o’clock.”

I smile mischievously. “I’ll be there.”

And I’m going to make Ethan wish he never agreed to this.

Chapter Five

Ethan

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