Ethan:Not so great. How is yours?
I was still frowning and wondering what was wrong when a new message came through, this time a picture. When I got a look at what was in the image, my hand started shaking, and I had to take a breath to calm down.Jesus, fuck, what the hell happened?
The picture was a selfie of Ethan lying flat on his bed looking up at the camera. I recognized the lavender sheets, or I might not have immediately known it was him. His delicate face was beaten to hell and looked so painful that I even felt ghostly pain from the few times I’d taken a punch or two. His right eye was swollen almost shut. His lush lower lip was busted and split, but the worst were the bruises around his slim neck. It looked like someone had tried to choke him, and I could even make out the finger-shaped bruises around his throat.
I walked out of the bar area and through the door onto the front sidewalk and hit the call button. I had never called Ethan in all these months. We’d only texted and messaged, but for some reason, I needed to hear his voice and make sure he was okay. I listened to it ring a few times then Ethan at last picked up.
“Hey, Jay, what’s up? Like my selfie? I’m thinking about changing it to my profile pic on Instagram and Twitter. I look like a badass now, right?” His voice was rougher than I’d remembered, probably from being almost fucking choked to death. He tried to laugh, but it came off as more of a groan. I had to take a deep breath before I finally responded.
“Jesus, Ethan, what happened?”
He tried to laugh again and was still hopelessly unsuccessful.
“It’s nothing, really. I just got into it with a really bad guy, and he didn’t like my sense of humor. I’m fine, really.”
His voice, in spite of the strain, still sounded so sweet, but there was an undercurrent of doubt and maybe even…fear that had me looking for a better answer.
“You don’t sound fine, Ethan. And you damned sure don’t look fine. What the hell happened?”
I was vibrating with the need to do something, anything, to help, to protect Ethan. I was seconds away from jumping in my car and driving the three hours to get to him. I hadn’t realized it, but somewhere along the line, I had truly begun to care for him. I was attached. Maybe as a friend, maybe more? Now wasn’t the time to figure it out. Now I needed to make sure he was going to be okay. I needed to know he was safe, and I was losing what little patience I had been holding onto.
“Everything is fine…”
“Don't tell me everything is fine. That’s bullshit!” My tone was stern now because I wanted him to feel my sincerity. “You have finger-shaped marks on your neck, for fuck's sake. That is not my definition of fine. I care, Ethan. I care about you and seeing your beautiful face like that is killing me. Now, quit bullshitting me and tell me what I can do to help.”
The silence on the other end of the phone lasted so long that I had to check and make sure he hadn't ended the call. Then I heard a faint sound and realized it was the sound of Ethan quietly crying. I heard a faint mewling sound followed by a quick intake of breath as Ethan tried to pull himself together.
“God, baby, don't cry. Tell me what's wrong so I can help you. I'm about five minutes from jumping in my car and driving over there.”
Ethan broke his silence. “I care about you, too, Jay. I can't explain it, but I trust you.” He paused with another heaving breath, and his voice broke and stuttered when he continued, “I'm…I'm in so…so much trouble, Jay. I don't know what to do. I don't know if there's anything anyone can do.” He stopped speaking as his soft sobs finally took over. Then through the tears I heard him whimper, “Jay, he's gonna kill me, and there's nothing I can do.”
“Ethan, listen to me. If you’re in trouble, I can help you.”
“No one can help me, Jay! You don’t understand. How could you? He knows where I work. He knows where I live. I can’t go anywhere in this city that he can’t find me. I’m so screwed, Jay.” After this, Ethan fell into sobs, and I couldn’t understand anything else he said. But I didn’t need to. My mind was made up.
I walked back into the bar and made eye contact with Remy, then Rhett, giving them a head nod that I needed them. They moved over to my corner of the room and waited for me to get off the phone. I grabbed the keys in my pocket and looked around at all my smiling, happy family surrounding me. I couldn't stay here. Sure it was a holiday and tonight had been wonderful so far, but there was no way I could stay when Ethan needed me.
“Ethan? Ethan, calm down and listen to me, baby. I can, and I will help you. Are you listening?” I heard him calm down finally and take a deep breath.
“Jay, thank you for wanting to help, but there’s nothing—”
“Hush and listen. I’m coming to get you. I want you to pack up whatever you can because I’m bringing you back home with me. I have a guest room and plenty of room for you. This is not a pick up, and there are no strings. I want to help you with no pressure, I swear to you. The guest room is yours for as long as you want it. I might even have a line on a job for you to get you settled. I can give you a new start here, and you won’t owe me a thing. Please let me help you.” I knew my desperation was showing in my voice, but I didn’t care. I didn’t care what I looked like to the boys either. During my plea, Taylor had walked over to see what was going on, too. I held my hand up to keep them from asking questions just yet. I didn’t want to cause a scene. I turned my back on the room and rested my forehead on the cool wall and prayed that Ethan would agree.
The silence on the other end was deafening as I heard Ethan quietly cry, then I finally heard him whisper, “Okay.” Then a deep breath and a bit stronger, but still so broken and sorrowful, “Jay, could you please come and get me?”
Never in my forty years had I ever been as relieved by anything as I was by Ethan’s sweet words. I quickly replied, “Text me your address and pack your bags, Ethan. I’m coming to get you and bring you home with me.” I was pushing it, but I wanted to make sure he was safe for the rest of his life. “And you’re never going back if I have anything to say about it.”
I never wanted anything to hurt him ever again. It was time to bring Ethan home.
