Page 77 of A Certain Step
She placed her fingers along his jaw and stroked adoringly, wanting him to catch that she was joking. “No, I’m just prone to believe things will backfire for me.”
“Something tells me your therapist wouldn’t be happy to hear that.”
He had a point. Every time Willa would say something overly pessimistic, Marie always gave her a look that prompted Willa to dispute the negative belief with a pragmatic truth. “You’re right. She wouldn’t be.”
She pressed her lips to his cheek.
“Willa, I've wanted you for a while now. Probably since the very beginning, even when I didn't realize that's what was happening. I only kept it in because I didn't think you'd want me the same way.”
The statement made her smile. He’d mentioned their first meeting a few times, but did he really remember the exact details? She didn’t. Was it at a table read? Rehearsals?
“Tell me about this first time again—whenexactly did you start feeling this way?”
Hisphone vibrated loudly against the coffee table. “Hold that thought,” he glanced at the caller ID. “Give me a second, please. My mom and I have been playing phone tag for two days.”
“Of course,” she gestured for him to pick up.
Ethan’s face lit up. “Hi, mom,” he answered.
She could hear Mrs. Everett on the other end of the line. “Hi, honey. I’m so sorry I keep missing you. How are you?”
“I’m good. Everything’s good here. How’s Nick doing?” he asked. Was his brother okay? Had something happened to him?
His mom must’ve sighed or something on the other end of the line because she grew quiet. “He’s good, I guess. Is he not talking to you?” Willa heard. She felt weird listening. But if Ethan wanted to keep the conversation private, he would have sat farther away or exited to another room.
That said, had he and his brother been fighting?
“He still hasn’t told me himself. I texted him yesterday to check in, and he kept it dry.”
She said something along the lines of “he doesn’t want to disappoint you, but he’ll be okay. Maybe you can come by soon. We miss you, kid.”
He shut his eyes and tensed a bit. “I know I’m sorry, mom. I could make that work. Can I bring someone with me? If they’d be willing to come?”
Was he talking abouther?
“Of course you can. Who is it? Do I know them?” she asked eagerly, her voice elevating.
He swept his fingers slowly along Willa’s forearm.
“You do, yeah, but I’ll tell you later if that’s okay.”
“Alrighty, I can take a hint. I’ll let you go now. Are you eating and sleeping normally?” she finished off.
“Yes, to both,” he answered.
“Are you sure?” she probed.
He chuckled lightly. “Scout’s honor, mom.”
“Okay, okay. Goodnight. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
She waited for him to hang up and place the phone down before speaking again. He pulled her body closer to him. “Is everything okay with your brother?” she asked.
“He was laid off from work about two weeks ago and hasn’t told me himself. He won’t respond in the family group chat, either. I’m trying to give him space, but it’s odd that he won’t talk to me.”
Willa’s mouth formed into a sad line. “I would understand if he felt like he might burden you.”
