Page 72 of Saving the Halfback

Ethan shuddered. “No, I don’t need a ride from you.” His voice was flat.

Oh. That probably shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did. I scooched down a bit farther in my seat.

“That was a bit harsh,” Nolan said.

“No, it’s fine. He’s right, we aren’t those kinds of friends anymore.” I glared at Ethan, but he neither confirmed nor denied my accusation. There was a tick in his jaw, and that was the only response I would get. I turned music on for the rest of the drive. I could hear Lachlan and Nolan talking, but it wasall hushed tones, so I couldn’t make out exactly what was being said. Gossiping hens.

I directed Ethan to Nolan’s place, then I busied myself getting the ramp ready for him. Nolan walked his bike off; it was much easier than loading it on. Once his bike was parked, he helped me put the ramp and everything back into the truck bed and then closed the gate.

“Need a ride tomorrow?” I asked while Lachlan and Ethan got back into the truck.

“Please.” Nolan smiled at me. Then he reached out, pulling my lip free and easing his thumb across it in a gesture I was starting to understand was his way of chasing my worry away. “Don’t let Ethan’s grumpiness get to you.”

“Oh, that? I’m used to that.” I smiled, but it was tight.

Nolan looked up to the truck, and I didn’t have to look to know Ethan and Lachlan were watching us. I could feel them staring through the mirrors. His blue eyes shifted back down to me before he leaned forward and slowly pressed a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth.

I had leaned forward, turning my cheek for him to do so, and part of me wished he had kissed me on the lips. I didn’t think I would ever have the courage to initiate it myself, but even if this was just a platonic gesture of comfort, I would take it.

I hoped I didn’t look pathetic leaning into Nolan. I hoped I didn’t look like any of the names Ed would call women who showed PDA. Nolan was comforting to me. We were platonic friends.

I was nervous to pull back and look him in the eye, but when I did, he smiled, brushed what strands of my hair had broken from the ponytail behind my ear, and whispered, “Call you later.”

I nodded, sure I was fifty shades of pink by the time I made it to the truck.

I got back into the passenger seat and was so relieved when Lachlan broke the silence right away, instead of making me sit in it for a while. “You know what I was thinking? Eth, you remember, we must’ve been eight or nine or some shit, when we got the canoe off Murfield's dock and went fishing.” Lachlan didn’t live far from Nolan, so it wasn’t long before Ethan pulled down his street.

Ethan didn’t take the bait, didn’t respond.

“We did that a lot,” I said.

“Yeah, I’m talking the first time with the four of us.” Lachlan leaned forward in between the seats, resting on them. “Back when Ethan still refused to admit he was one of us and did everything in his power to deny himself any ounce of happiness,” he deadpanned, staring directly at Ethan. “You remember that…don’t you, Bailey?”

My eyes swung to Ethan. “Yes,” I whispered.

Ethan pulled into Lachlan’s driveway and put the truck in park. “What’s your point, Lachlan?”

“Nothing, was just thinking. I knew you would’ve remembered, Bails, you were the one practically dragging him onto that canoe. See you tomorrow.”

I smiled softly at Lachlan, and then he was sliding out of the truck. Ethan and I sat in silence as he pulled out of the driveway and put the truck into drive. It wasn’t until I noticed we were heading out of town that I spoke. “We should drop you off first. I can drive home from your place.”

“No. I’ll drive you home.” His voice was emotionless, and all I could think was Lachlan was right. Ethan was doing that distancing thing he used to do when he was younger.

I sighed. “Ethan, I know I hurt you guys by not talking for so long. I’m not going anywhere, I want to fix things, I want to make up for it.”

“Don’t. There’s nothing to make up for, it’s better this way.”

I frowned. Was it really better for him to keep us away? Because, to me, what was better was having them all back. Having my friends with me, hanging out, having fun with no pressure, no fear, and no guilt. To be normal again.

He took us down my driveway and parked outside the house. “Bye,” was all he said as he got out of the truck.

I quickly got out. “You can’t walk back! Take the truck.”

“I’m fine,” Ethan said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and walking down the lane.

“Ethan! Don’t be dramatic, just take the damn truck. You can pick me up in the morning.”

Ethan whirled around on me. “I can’t take your truck. Do you have any idea what my father would do if he saw it in the street?” He straightened, clearing his throat. “I’m used to this, Bailey. I’m fine.”

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