Page 113 of Ethan

Why did Daniel put himself through this?

The care aide managed to peel his mom off me, and we escaped into the elevator. As it descended, Daniel turned and nearly collapsed against me, clinging to me and trembling. I supported him all the way to the car and stuck him in the passenger seat.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"About what?"

"About dragging you in there. You didn't need to hear that."

I held his hand. "Neither did you. Does she put you through that every time."

Daniel shook his head. "Sometimes she just calls me the asshole."

"You know none of what she said is true, right? You did not deserve to be beat."

"I know." Daniel sighed and leaned his head back against the headrest. "Hurts that somewhere deep inside, she agreed with him doing it. I almost got killed trying to protect her."

"I wouldn't think less of you if you didn't want to go back."

Daniel closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I need a break, that's all."

"You're a better man than me."

He looked at me. "Babe, stop … you'd never turn your back on family."

He was right. I wouldn't. Now Daniel was part of my family and he needed me. "I'll drive us home." I'd started calling Daniel's house home even though I hadn't moved in yet.

I hadn't spent a single night back at my apartment since we decided to move forward.

Daniel was my home now.

And my home needed me.

I wasn't sure what the noise was at first. I opened my eyes and looked at Daniel. Whatever it was, it hadn't woken him. I rolled away from him as the interruption to my sleep continued.

My phone. I lifted it. It wasn't a number I recognized.

I cleared my throat. "Hello?"

"Hey, Ethan."

I sat up. "Liam? Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, I guess." He took a second. There was a lot of noise in the background. "I'm at the police station. I was wondering … can you pick me up? I don't have my wallet to catch a cab."

"What are you doing there? Why don't you have your wallet?"

"Lost it and my phone somewhere."

"Were you arrested?"

Liam sighed. "Can you come get me? I didn't want to phone Noah and worry him."

"But you don't mind worrying me?"

"Don't bust my balls about this … please."

"Fine." I sat on the edge of the bed. "Downtown?"

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