Ethan

I fucked up, again. At this point I should stop trying and just leave the girl alone, but I can’t. I’ve never found someone whose opinion meant more to me than my father’s and I’m not about to let her go that easily.

As she hesitantly approaches, I cringe inside at the reminder of how I put us into this spot.

I should have introduced her as my girlfriend. Anything would have been better than placing her into the employee category. I’m an idiot.

“Hey,” I say when she stops in front of me. I’m leaning against the hood of her car. I had this whole speech planned out. One where I confess, again, to what a jackass I am and how I won’t let it happen again. But now I can’t think of anything except just being near her.

Her eyebrow rises as she crosses her arms over her books in front of her.

“Do you think we can talk?” I ask. Kelsey huffs and her car chirps behind me once she’s hit the unlock button.

“No, you had time to talk last night, but instead you didn’t. Actually, that’s a lie. You said plenty when you made it clear to your brother that I was just an employee.”

She tries to nudge me away, but I don’t budge.

“I was caught off guard. I didn’t want my family to think I came down here to get managing experience only to start hooking up with someone who works there.”

“Well, you did.”

“Yeah, but not in the way it sounds.”

“That doesn’t even make sense, Ethan. If that’s not what happened between us, then what was it? We hooked up. It was fun. That’s the end of it.”

She jerks her car door hard, smacking me with it. I step back and grab the frame.

“I like you, Kelsey. It was more than just a hookup to me,” I finally admit. I don’t sound very manly, but sometimes the truth isn’t.

Kelsey laughs sarcastically. “Well, I’d hate to see how you treat the girl you fall in love with.”

“Just give me one more chance, Kelsey. I swear to you this time. I will not mess it up.”

“Ethan—”

I don’t let her finish the rejection that is on her lips. Instead, I crash mine against them. Her body freezes for a moment before her mouth responds. I grab the books out of her hand and toss them in the car.

This right here, the passion and the way I care about nothing but her, this is why I can’t stay away and it’s the exact reason why I have to get this right.

“This is your last chance,” she says. “I mean it, Ethan. I’m an idiot to give it to you, so do not make me look like a fool.”

I step back, holding her door until she slides inside her car.

“I won’t, you can trust me.”

Even as I say the words, I know they are just as much to convince myself as they are her. Now all I need to do is find the perfect time to explain further why I’m here and not working for my father.

* * *

“You sure ran off in a hurry this morning,” Lance says when I walk through my front door. I head for the kitchen and he follows me.

He didn’t ask me any questions last night. Nothing about Kelsey or the bar. Sometimes I wonder if he really cares what happens or not. He doesn’t seem to concerned about running the BA or being an accomplice to expanding the family feud we have going on between Sara’s dad and ours. Yet he’s still here, just like my father said he would be.

“I didn’t realize I had to inform you of my schedule.”

“Dad seems to think you do.”

“Dad has a control problem.”

Lance glances at me with a shocked expression. I stare back at him, ready for whatever defense he decides to throw my way, but it never comes. Instead, he chuckles as he takes bottled water from the fridge.

“You’re probably the first brother to admit that out loud.” He takes a drink. “And you’re damn lucky you said it to me—Ben might kick your ass.”

“What do you want?” I take a seat at the table. “Uncle Dean doesn’t have anything for me to find. They keep everything clean. There’s no way Dad could pull this off.”

“So tell him that,” Lance says, sitting across from me. “Tell him you can’t find anything and go home.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I made a commitment to Sara. I can’t abandon the bar while she’s gone.”

“Ethan, Dean will be able to handle it just fine.”

I shake my head.

“He’s not here. He’s off searching for a new building so he can make the bar into a chain. That’s why they called Dad in the first place.”

“So there isn’t any reason for you to stay. Not even that girl across the street.”

My teeth grind as I look him in the eyes. “Stay away from Kelsey.”

He laughs. “Okay, so wait a second. Let me see if I have this right. For years, you’ve wanted Dad to know he can depend on you, begging him for the chance to prove it to him, so he sends you here. Then, all of the sudden, an account number is hard to find. You think he’s controlling and now you’re growling at me with an ‘I’ll beat your ass’ look because I mentioned a girl. What happened when you got here?”

I blink a few times as I think about it.

“I guess all I needed was a life without him in it to figure out what kind of person I am.”

Lance nods but doesn’t say anything. A half grin appears on his face as he stands.

“I think I’d better head out. Dad clearly underestimated you, as did I. I thought you’d stay his puppet forever. I’m proud of you.”

He heads for the door and I watch him, still processing the fact he didn’t come here to sabotage me.

“If Dad calls, let’s pretend I’m still here taking over for you. I need some time away myself and you seem to have your shit under control.”

And just like that, he leaves.

One obstacle down and one left to go. All I have to do is build back up Kelsey’s trust and my life will be smooth sailing and secret free.

Chapter Twenty-one

Kelsey

“Gross, you two make me want to vomit.” Beth’s whines from across the table, making me blush. “Can’t I eat my lunch without having to witness people sticking their tongues down each other’s throat?” She guards her eyes with her hands.

“Oh, come on, Beth. When you find someone you’re head over heels for, you will understand.”

“Seriously, Logan, you’re defending them?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“You’re not even dating anyone.”

“But he could be…” Ethan chimes in and nods at Logan. “Right?”

“Yep, that’s right.”

“Whatever. All I’m saying is that I’ve seen this every night I’ve worked at the bar for the last month and a half. Haven’t you moved past this stage yet?” Beth asks.

I grin toward Ethan, who mimics my expression. She’s right. You would think we would be out of this phase, but we’re not even close. My father would be furious if he knew I’ve spent more nights at Ethan’s than guarding his house. I don’t mind it one bit. Waking up with Ethan has been amazing.

Class has been even better. I got the letter this morning about being a finalist in the column competition. Some people from the paper want to meet with me for a dinner in couple weeks, right before Thanksgiving, where they will end the night announcing the winner. It’s like my entire life has finally become what I’ve wanted. I know it sounds lame and cliché that I could feel this way so soon, but I’ve never been happier.

I look forward to the days when Ethan meets us all at the college cafeteria for lunch, like today. Beth usually doesn’t join us, and although I like when she does, I’m guessing she won’t much longer.

“Okay, well I better run. Someone has to open the bar.” Ethan stands and then leans down to kiss me one more time. I slip my tongue into his mouth and he rests his hand on the table to deepen the kiss before leaving for the BA.

“Okay…now I’m taking Beth’s side.” Logan laughs and waves to Ethan when he leaves. “Have you talked to Sara recently?”

“Yes, every morning. Why?”

Logan’s head snaps up and hurt washes over his face. “She hasn’t been answering my calls.”