Page 144 of Master of My Heart

Ethan retrieved his backpack and headed to the bathroom. Sabrina poured herself a bowl of cereal and thought about what she’d learned about Chase.

*****

Ethan, Jayson, and Sabrina left the apartment an hour later. Liz had headed to Jon’s after Sabrina had gone to bed the night before. Sabrina bounced down the steps to the sidewalk and waited impatiently for the guys to catch up.

“You’re way too chipper for a Wednesday morning,” Jayson grumbled, squinting in the morning light.

“I’ve missed dancing.” She did a pirouette and then shook her head when Jayson rolled his eyes. Ethan laughed.

Jayson rolled his eyes again as they took off down the sidewalk.

“You sure you’re okay on the couch?” she asked Ethan as they walked.

He laughed, his humor evident in his warm hazel eyes. “For the hundredth time, yes.”

She felt bad that he was sleeping on the couch, but he said he was perfectly fine with it. Liz had been staying with Jon more and more. They’d been contemplating moving in together, which would leave a bedroom for Ethan. Until then, he was stuck on the couch.

“Sabrina, when you’ve slept in some of the places I have, you’re thankful just to be inside and warm.”

“Okay.” There were times in hell when I would have been grateful for a couch to sleep on. Maybe it’s the same thing.

“I’ve seen pictures of where you’ve slept,” Jayson said with a laugh. “I’m glad I chose dancing over the army.”

Ethan punched Jayson in the arm. “You chose wisely, my friend.”

Jayson narrowed his eyes playfully. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ethan’s face turned innocent. “I don’t think you’d handle mud in your butt crack very well.”

“Ew!” Sabrina exclaimed. “That’s happened?”

Jayson made a disgusted face when Ethan nodded. “Oh yeah. And worse.”

She wrinkled her nose and imagined mud in her intimate places. “Blech.”

“I think I’ll stick with dancing and listening to your stories.” Jayson shuddered.

Ethan nudged Sabina with his shoulder. “He came camping with us once.” He started laughing.

“I like being clean,” Jayson grumbled.

Sabrina couldn’t help but giggle at their exchange, imagining Jayson with dirt on his face and sitting at a campfire.

“I will say, though, you are a pretty good shot,” Ethan said seriously. “We were impressed.”

“Chase taught me. I’d better be good!”

When they reached the studio, Sabrina walked inside and was immediately surrounded by her fellow dancers. She received many hugs, and by the time she’d heard everyone tell her how happy they were that she was okay, she was nearly in tears.

Martin appeared in the doorway and hurried over to her. She hugged him hard and started crying. “I’m so sorry, Martin,” she said between sobs.

“For what, honey?” he asked, pulling away. His kind blue eyes were full of tears.

“For last week. For... For not asking for help.”

He put his hand on her cheek and gave her a warm smile. “I’m just glad you’re okay. Chase told me what happened between you and Aiden. Then you were taken...” He shook his head. “So much has happened since then, eh?”

She nodded as she wiped away her tears. “I promise, I’ll show you I can handle this.”

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