“Why do you look so bummed?”
Ethan shrugs. “My dad. You know, the usual.”
He touches the scar above his left eyebrow and winces as if what gave him that scar still haunts him.
I sit on the swing next to him. “I’m here if you want to talk about anything.”
He turns his head so our eyes meet, and a hint of a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. “I’d rather hear about your day. Tell me something good.”
Ethan starts all of our conversations the same way. No matter how bad of a night he’s having, he always wants to know more about me. I love that he puts me first. I love everything about Ethan.
But he’s off-limits.
My brother would never understand our relationship.
When I don’t respond, he repeats, “Tell me something good.”
“Other than being here with you?”
I blush ten shades of red from my cheeks to my chest.
What’s wrong with me?
I’m never this forward.
The words fell from my lips before I could stop myself.
Ethan gives me one of his boyish grins that causes my heart to skip. “Just so you know, Mia, I like talking to you, too. You’re the only person who gets me.”
I grab hold of the metal ropes, the nerves bubbling up in my chest. “What about my brother? Don’t you talk to him?”
“I don’t know. Will says stupid shit that doesn’t help the situation whenever I try talking to him about my parents. And you know how he acts when it comes to hockey.”
“Like he’s too good for everyone.” I make it sound like a joke, though I mean it.
The right corner of his mouth curls up as he winks at me. “Yep. He’s such a cocky bastard.”
“You’re better than him, E. But don’t tell him I said so.”
He cocks an eyebrow at me. “You think so?”
I bob my head. “I know so, and I’m not just saying that because I like you, and my brother gives me a hard time. I’ve watched all of your games over the past year and some of your practices. You and my brother will go pro together. I don’t doubt it.”
Ethan sighs. “I’ll miss you, Mia.” He grabs my hand and holds it tight. “I’m leaving town after graduation.”
My heart plummets into my chest when I do the math. We only have four more days together. I can’t breathe, the sickness rising from the back of my throat, choking me.
He can’t do this to me.
No.
Please.
Don’t leave me.
I want to say all this to Ethan, but the words never come out.
Ethan squeezes my hand once more and smiles. “Tell me about your day. I want to hear all about it. Give me the worst and best moments.”
I suck in a deep breath, holding it far too long before I let it out. The worst moment happened a second ago, but I can’t tell him the truth.
We have four days together.
I won’t ruin them.
“Well, I already told you one of the best.”
He chuckles. “If hanging out with me is even in your top five, then I can’t imagine the worst one.”
I smile through the fear and pain of losing Ethan and hope that our last night together is one I’ll remember forever.
