Page 24 of Unfolding Ethan

Mrs. Gena nodded. “Yes, it’s perfectly normal to have a panic attack when pushed in the pool out of the blue. Don’t worry, hon, she’ll be all right. Kiara is strong. Why don’t you wait outside while she gets changed or she’ll get sick.”

I nodded and asked, scratching my neck, “Is there anything else I—uh,weneed to take care of?”

She smiled. “All she needs right now is some rest and healthy food. She is perfectly fine.”

Kiara finally looked at me, a small smile tugging her lips. “Yeah, Ethan. I’m fine.”

I frowned but nodded nonetheless. Something still wasn’t right, but I let go of it because I didn’t want to push her right now.

I kissed her hand and her forehead. “I’ll be right back, okay? Then I will take you home.”

She shook her head. “You don’t have to. I’ll call—”

“Shh, I am taking you home. Go and get changed. I will be back here in ten.”

I left when Katherine, Rio, and Volt came rushing to the office. I was even surprised to see Vivian, Alice, Becky, and other friends waiting outside the office worried about her. As I was still in my swimming shorts and a towel, I got lots of long looks when I walked back to the locker room to take a quick shower and get changed into my clothes.

I knew that something was going on between Liam and Kiara. I didn’t trust Liam, but I did trust Kiara. So, if she decided not to tell me about what was happening with her and Liam, I would stay out of it. She would tell me when she was comfortable with me knowing it.

But back in my mind, I was curious to know what she had said to him that made him snap and push her into the pool. When Liam was still my best friend, they got along well together, and even though they had silly little fights with each other, it never ended up being either of them getting hurt. And Liam would never push anyone in the pool like he did today. Especially not Kiara. I didn’t know what was going on.

I was walking back to the office and sighed in relief when the crowd that had gathered outside had disappeared. The hallway was empty. I was about to open the door when I heard the familiar male voice talking to her in a hushed whisper.

I froze.

“Please, Kiara. You have to—”

I turned the knob and opened the door to see Liam sitting on the same chair I was sitting on moments ago, talking to Kiara, who had changed into leggings and my shirt. I couldn’t decipher her expression when Liam was about to say something and stopped mid-sentence, looking at me.

I clenched my jaw. “What thefuckare you doing here?”

PART TWO

“Give me a better reason for not sitting here all alone with a beer in my hand and sex in my mind.”

Seven

Seven Minutes in Heaven

Kiara

“You know you have to tell him, right?” he asked, his hand squeezing mine. His hands were shaking.

I covered his palm with my hands. “I will when the time is right.”

He took a shuddering breath, his gray eyes glinting. “Please, Kiara. You have to—”

He was interrupted when someone opened the door. My breath hitched in my throat when I saw it was Ethan. He glared at Liam, clenching his jaw and balling his hand into a fist.Uh-oh.

“What thefuckare you doing here?” he asked, his blue and green eyes swirling with the turmoil of anger.

And he says he’s not intimidating at all.My ass. Anyone would pee their pants looking at him straight in the eye when he was angry.

“He was just leaving,” I said before Liam could say anything at all.

Liam turned to me. His eyes turned cold when I let go of his hand. I tucked my damp hair behind my ear. “I don’t care, Liam. Please leave.”

He opened his mouth, but Ethan walked toward me, shutting him off. “That’s enough. Leave unless you want to get your jaw checked.”

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