Page 62 of Ethan
“Then talk to him. Don’t guess. Don’t spiral. Just ask him.” Carter sighed. “You like this guy, right?”
“I really do.” I suspected I more than liked him, but I didn’t tell Carter that yet.
“Then don’t let a little distance turn into a canyon. Find out what’s really going on,” Carter said.
I swallowed hard, throat tight. “Thanks.”
“Anytime. And hey, if he doesn’t see what he’s got in front of him, he’s an idiot,” Carter pointed out.
I managed a small, dry laugh. “You always did know how to cheer me up.”
“That’s what big brothers are for,” he said.
We hung up, and I lay there for a moment longer, Carter’s words echoing in my mind.Find out what’s really going on.Right.
I rolled out of bed, stretching as I padded across the room. The shower steamed up the bathroom mirror while I stood under the spray, trying to shake the weight from my shoulders.
I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. I didn’t want to smother Ethan or accuse him of things I didn’t understand yet.
But I also didn’t want to sit around waiting and wondering if I’d already lost him.
Once I was dressed, I slipped my phone into my pocket and glanced at the clock. The clinic would be open by now.
Maybe I’d stop by. Not to demand answers. Just to see him.
Just to remind myself that he was still real and still here.
Maybe he’d talk to me. Maybe he wouldn’t. But I had to try.
Because waking up to an empty bed was starting to feel like a bruise I couldn’t shake, and I didn’t want to keep pretending like it didn’t hurt.
By the time I reached the pack house, an idea floated to the front of my mind. Maybe… maybe Ethan just needed something small.
Something comforting. Something that would sayI’m herewithout needing to push him for answers he wasn’t ready to give.
Coffee. Or maybe something sweeter. Something from the Vanilla Bean Café.
It wasn’t a grand gesture, but it was something. And maybe it’d get him to slow down long enough to look at me again the way he used to.
So I turned around, hopped in my ride, and drove to town.
The Vanilla Bean was already buzzing despite the early hour, and the line snaked out the door. Looked like half of Pecan Pines had the same idea.
I shoved my hands into my pockets and took my place in the queue. Patience wasn’t exactly my strong suit, especially not lately. Especially not when it came to Ethan.
But I waited. Checked my phone. Still nothing.
I ordered Ethan’s favorite drink and a rich hot cocoa with extra whipped cream for Micah.
I figured if I was going to look like a fool with a hopeful coffee offering, I might as well bribe the snarky kid into sparing me any sharp commentary.
By the time I made it back to the clinic, the mood had shifted.
It was busy. Too busy.
Inside, the air was taut with urgency. The scent of antiseptic hit my nose as soon as I stepped in, sharp and cold. Voices murmured, hushed but tense.
Ethan was hunched over a patient’s chart while Devon leaned over another bed, taking vitals. A pair of injured wolves, neither critical, but clearly roughed up, lay on two of the cots.
