Page 89 of Ethan

After much contemplation, I'd dispelled mine. Regardless of the arguments against us being together, I knew I wanted to spend my life with Ethan. How ever many years we had together.

His reluctance to engage in exuberant conversations concerned me.

I needed to turn the decline in our relationship around.

Me: I'm bowling tonight.

No answer.

Me: I'd love for you to be there.

No answer.

Me: I miss seeing you. I think we need to talk.

Ethan: Sorry. Not tonight. I'm busy.

Me: I need to see you.

Ethan: Sorry. I've got a lot on the go.

Me: Ethan.

Ethan: Daniel, I have some things I need to process. Give me half a second, please.

What the hell does that mean?

I didn't know how to respond to the blunt statement … so I didn't.

My bowling night was crap. I was in the unprecedented last place which meant even Avery was beating me. I couldn't stop thinking about Ethan and how abrupt he'd been with me.

"What the hell is going on with you?" Lance asked.

"Relationship issues?" Carl added. "Things not going well with your lady?"

Lance grunted but didn't say anything. He'd seen Ethan and me together behaving like a couple and yet, he hadn't mentioned it to me. I appreciated that he hadn't told the rest of the guys.

"We've hit a rocky patch," I admitted.

"What kind of rocks?" Avery asked.

"I think they might be the age difference kind," I replied.

"How many years are we talking about?" Carl asked.

I sighed. "Almost twenty."

Carl laughed. "And that's a problem, why?"

"Maybe the old man is having trouble keeping up with her," Avery teased.

"My stamina in bed is perfectly fine … thank you very much."

"Fuck." Lance got to his feet and wandered off.

"What's his problem?" Carl asked. "He's up next."

"Just give him a minute," I replied.

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