It sounded so cheesy—but maybe I wanted it.
Badly.
I let out a shaky breath and picked up my phone to call Ethan.
I’d even memorized his number and used him as my emergency contact when I went to an axe throwing place with my friends for a girls’ night. How had I not put together my feelings for him sooner?
Lifting my phone to my ear, I closed my eyes and waited while the phone rang.
Please let him answer.
He always did, but things had been rough when I left earlier, so?—
“Hey, Muffin.” The warmth in his voice made my eyes burn a little.
“Hi, Cupcake. Where are you?”
“Where we run our shifting classes. Want me to head back home?”
“I’ll come get you.”
“Thanks. See you soon.”
I was already on my feet and walking to his truck when the call ended.
The drive was short, and I found Ethan waiting away from the group, leaned up against a tree. The exhaustion in his eyes made my chest ache.
I should’ve realized how much he was struggling. I’d been too stubborn to admit it to myself. I hated that, but all I could do now was move on and be better.
“Should I be worried about that look on your face?” Ethan asked, as he opened the passenger door.
“No.”
“Good. I missed you,” he gave me a small smile.
I mirrored it, though my nerves were shot. “You’re trying to romance me again, aren’t you?”
“Only if it’s working.”
I snorted.
He played with a few strands of my hair during the few minutes it took to drive home and park in his garage.
I made it out of the truck and to the door that led into the house before realizing he was still sitting in the passenger seat. When I looked back, I narrowed my eyes at him.
He waved casually.
After a solid minute, I walked over to his door and pulled it open. He couldn’t hide his wince when he moved a little, losing the armrest on the door he’d been leaning against.
“How bad is it, Cupcake?” I asked quietly.
“That’s a good question.”
“Rank it. One to ten.”
“Is one good or bad this time?”
“Bad.”
