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She reaches out to squeeze my hand reassuringly. “Okay, sweetheart, I just want you to be happy.”
I offer her a weak smile, grateful for her understanding but still feeling conflicted about the situation.
Deep down, I know there’s a part of me that’s drawn to Ethan in a way I can’t fully explain, but I’m not ready to confront those feelings just yet.
25
Ethan
I’m in the middle of a set of bench presses when my phone vibrates insistently in my pocket. Ignoring it at first, I focus on the weight in my hands, pushing myself to finish the set. But as soon as I set the barbell back in its rack, my phone buzzes again, the notifications piling up.
I wipe the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand before reaching for my phone. The messages are from Lysa, and they’re becoming increasingly insistent.
Lysa: Hey, Ethan, can we talk? It’s urgent.
Lysa: Ethan, are you there? I need to ask you something important.
Lysa: Ethan, this is serious. Please, answer me.
I sigh, feeling a growing sense of irritation. She has been acting strangely lately, and I have a sinking feeling that her messages have something to do with Jessy.
Me: What’s up?
I finally reply, trying to keep my tone neutral as I type out the message.
Almost immediately, another message pops up on my screen.
Lysa: Is there something going on between you and Jessica?
I furrow my brow, taken aback by the directness of her question. How does she even come up with this stuff?
Me: Where is this coming from?
I reply, hoping to deflect her inquiries, but she isn’t easily deterred.
Lysa: I’ve just noticed some things, that’s all. Are you seeing her outside of work?
I let out an exasperated sigh, feeling a surge of frustration building within me. Why does she always have to stick her nose where it doesn’t belong?
More messages from her appear on my screen, and I feel a knot forming in my stomach as I read her words on how convenient it was that we both got stuck in a cabin on our trip.
I grit my teeth, feeling a surge of frustration at her insinuation. Is she seriously suggesting that Jessy and I orchestrated being stranded together? The idea is absurd, but I know Lysa well enough to understand that once she gets an idea in her head, she won’t let it go easily.
I take a moment to compose myself before responding, my fingers tapping out a reply on my phone.
Me: It was just a coincidence, Lysa. There’s nothing more to it. Besides, what Jessy and I do outside of work is none of your business. I suggest you focus on your own responsibilities and leave the personal matters alone.
I hit send, hoping that will be the end of it.
Drake glances at me, his brow furrowing with concern. “Hey man, what’s up? You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
I let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through my hair. “It’s Lysa. She’s been bombarding me with messages, asking if there’s anything going on between Jessy and me.”
Drake’s expression hardens, a flash of annoyance crossing his features. “I thought we already discussed this. I told you to set boundaries with her and make it clear that her meddling isn’t welcome.”
“Yeah, I know. I guess I was just giving her the benefit of the doubt. She apologized and promised to change.”
Drake listens to my explanation, his expression skeptical. “So, she apologized and promised to change? Ethan, you know what they say about leopards and their spots.”
