“Ugh,” I moan as I force my eyes to open. They feel as if they are super-glued together, and it takes me an extra minute to make them work. I find my phone and unlock it, the light from the screen momentarily blinding me, and I groan in agony.
Note to self, don’t drink that much without food again.
I have half a dozen messages from Eden, worried about me leaving the ball so abruptly, but the one that makes my heart stop is the one waiting for me from Ethan.
Ethan:Good Morning. I left some aspirin and water by your bed. If you read this before I get back, I went to get coffee and something greasy.
What the hell does he mean by “get back”? I see a few messages to and from him from last night, and I scroll up to read them. I squeeze my eyes shut and scrunch my face as I try to remember sending the messages, but I can’t.
Which means I didn’t send them. Which means Everleigh did to get my ass home before I did something stupid. I shake my head and regret it as the world around me spins. I slowly sit up, grab the bottle from the floor, and take the aspirin on the table in hopes of it being an instant cure for the headache.
I hear the front door moments later and pull on the closest t-shirt I find so I’m somewhat decent. I catch a glimpse of myself in my closet mirror, and I’m horrified. I look like death warmed over. I wipe some of the stray makeup from under my eyes and pull open the door.
I gasp and jump as Ethan stands there in his suit from last night. “Jesus, Ethan, you scared me.”
He lifts one side of his lips into a smirk, and damn if it’s not the sexiest look ever. I press my thighs together and give myself a quick mental talk about keeping it together. “Sorry, I wanted to let you know food and coffee are here if you’re up for it.” He glances down at my Rolling Stones shirt and then back up to me. “Do you have the moves like him?”
I glance around me, not understanding what he means. “Like who?”
He gives me a full-on grin, and I nearly come right there. “Jagger. You know, moves like Jagger?” He asks in reference to the song.
My lips part to form an O. “My moves are way better than his,” I mumble as I brush past him in favor of the greasy food I smell from the kitchen.
“I didn’t know what you liked, so I got a few things, and also something healthy in case you wanted that instead.”
We both sit, and I open the bag to inspect the contents. I settle on a bagel egg sandwich with cheese and ham. I unwrap it and dig in. I’m starving after not eating a lot last night and then dancing on stage.
I lower my food and watch him chew. He must feel my eyes on him because he looks at me, swallows, and says, “What?”
“Why are you here?”
He takes a sip of his drink, buying time before he gives me an answer. “You asked me to stay.” He holds his hands up in front of him defensively when I open my mouth to deny it. “I kept my clothes on, and nothing happened.”
I know nothing happened. If something had, I’m sure my subconscious wouldn’t have blocked out such a momentous moment. I’ve been waiting nine long years for the chance to be with Ethan Freeman again.
“I know.”
Relief washes over him as his shoulders slump. “Addy, we need to talk about last night.”
I tense and freeze with my food halfway to my mouth. “I know, it was a mistake. I’ll pretend nothing happened. You don’t have to worry about it. I won’t tell anyone. I was a little drunk, too. I should have stopped it before it happened.” The lie spews from my lips.
He pushes out a breath. “I was actually talking about why you were atRISE.”
“It must have been on my mind since you asked me about it recently. I figured no one would look for me there, and I could have a few drinks.”I definitely fucked up by going there last night.
“How did you get the stripper clothes?”
My heart beats a little faster, and I swallow hard, trying to compose myself. Times like now I wish I was a better liar. I shrug and play it off the best I can. “It really doesn’t matter, does it?”
He narrows his eyes at me. I know his signature move all too well. He’ll bide his time and wait for the truth to come out. A sudden sharp knock on my door makes me jump. I get up and open the door to find my three best friends standing there. I really don’t have time for this. I half-close the door to keep their prying eyes away from Ethan at my kitchen table.
“I don’t have time for this right now. Can we talk later?” I beg in a hurried whisper.
“Addy, what the heck is wrong with you?” Lia asks.Lia.Out of all the people, she was the last person I expected to be mad at me right now.
“Listen, Ethan’s inside, and I don’t want to talk about this now. We’ll talk later.”
Ethan pulls the door open behind me and looks at the four of us. His eyes land on Lia, and he smiles as he places his hand on the small of my back. My body tingles at the familiar sensation. “Hi, Magnolia. I didn’t know you were friends with Addison.”
