Page 8 of Ethan’s Dazzling Daddies

Ethan shook his head, dropping his arms. Could it really be defeat if he was almost excited about what was coming next? The decision was easy. With the attitude Ash had, there was no chance he could keep going like this.

“I quit.”

The words left Ethan's mouth and hovered in the air. He could see the moment they landed. Ash's expression shifted. The scowl came slowly, almost like disbelief.

“You quit?” he asked softly.

Ethan bobbed his head. “Yes, I quit. I'm done with this and the way you treat me. I'm done pretending like everything is okay. You don't like me, and that's fine. But I'm not going to let you make me feel less than. I'm not going to keep believing that you're going to magically change one day, because you won't. Not really.”

Ash opened his mouth as if to speak, but Ethan held his hand up.

“No. Don't say anything. There's nothing left to say. I'll grab my things and go.”

Ethan spun on his heels and moved to his desk quickly. He didn't want to lose his bravado. He couldn't allow himself to go back on his word, not when he'd finally made a decision.

Koa was going to be ecstatic. Ethan chuckled to himself at the thought of what his friend would do and say. Koa had made it known more than once that Ethan's job was a problem.

Ethan had to stop him from coming up to the office to give Ash a piece of his mind several times. The urge grew worse after the incident when Koa and Manny had come up and found Ash mid-tantrum.

Ethan gathered the few things that were truly his, left behind anything that belonged to the company, and logged out of the computer. When he turned, Ash was there, eyes on Ethan like he was finally seeing the other man clearly for the first time.

“Goodbye, Ash,” Ethan said quietly.

For all the man's faults, Ethan suspected him to be a decent person in the grand scheme of life. But when it came to business, there was no bending, no chance that he would apologize or commit to truly changing long term.

Ethan accepted that now.

He carried his bag and his belongings out of the building a few minutes later. He'd said goodbye to the people he genuinely liked, and the rest would hear about it through the gossip mill. People were good at making sure others knew when someone no longer worked there. Nothing spread faster through an office than a change no one saw coming.

Ethan stood at the corner and looked around with wonder. Everything seemed brighter and lighter, like he was going to be okay. Finally.

He giggled, then covered his mouth and glanced around. No one paid him any mind. They were all focused on their own lives, going about their day.

With no particular plan in mind, Ethan decided it was time to go to Club Delight. He had the afternoon free, and Koa would be happy to see him. His friend would also be very happy at the news. He called for a ride-share and relaxed in the back seat when the driver pulled up.

“Everything okay, sir?” the young man asked, his gaze flitting between Ethan and the road. Maybe he could sense that Ethan was happy and free, or maybe it was the wide smile that Ethan couldn't contain that had him curious.

“Everything is wonderful,” Ethan said in a serene voice. “Absolutely wonderful.”

The driver didn't ask anything further. He merely nodded and drove without commentary. Ethan appreciated it. He needed to gather himself before the whirlwind of his best friend spotted him. He kind of hoped Briar was there too, because she had been just as adamant about him quitting as Koa was.

When they pulled up outside Club Delight, Ethan sighed. He was going to go in there and live his best life from now on. After tipping the driver, he climbed out with confidence.

There’d be no more stress from another man's problems. No more dreading going into work. He was done having to mask his true self in a predominantly white corporate environment. And best of all, he could be Little as much as he wanted.

It was time for Ethan to find himself again.

CHAPTER 4

“What are you doing here?” Koa shouted the second Ethan was logged in and past the entryway. “You're supposed to be at work right now.”

His friend pouted, then looked at the clock on the wall like he was upset at not understanding the change in schedule.

Ethan smiled widely, showing off all his teeth.

Koa blinked a few times, then whooped loudly. Several heads turned and Ethan wanted to duck away. The scrutiny was a lot after what he'd just done.

“You finally did it,” Koa said, his voice all breathy and light.