Chapter thirty seven

Chapter thirty seven
Heather

In the last eight years, I have prided myself on making decisions for myself. Which was why I felt a bit hypocritical as I stood before Ethan.

“Well?” I asked when he still hasn't said a word. I had only been standing here for a few seconds but it felt like eternity.

His eyes finally met mine and I found myself holding my breath for his response.
“No.” he muttered.

My brows furrowed, anger swelled in me, coupled with a hint of sadness. I couldn't believe I had put myself through this just to be rejected.

“No?” I asked again like a dumb fool.

“No, you cannot wear this to the party.” He grumbled, his eyes sweeping over the two piece bikini I was wearing.

My annoyance rose to the full level. Fuck him for thinking he could tell me what to do.
“Well, fuck you, because I'm wearing it.”

I grabbed the dress I was going to wear on the bikini and headed for my bedroom, but I hadn't taken more than a few steps before he dragged me back. He spinned me around and kissed me. I melted in his hold immediately.

His kiss was slow and lazy, saying things that words couldn't. I kissed him back as passionately, my anger instantly dissipated. I couldn't stay mad when he was kissing me like this, like I was everything to him.

When he pulled away, I almost pulled him back for another kiss but I managed to refrain myself. He stroked my hair, a smile pulling on his lips.

“I love the outfit, Millie. So much that I want to tear it off you and carry you back to your bedroom right now. I'm afraid we won't make it to the cabin in time if that happens.” He pushed himself against me, showing me how much he wanted me.

I wanted to tell him to do it when I remembered it was my best friend's birthday. Aside from the fact that Lisa would murder me if I missed it, I wanted to see my friends again. It's been so long since we all hung out and I missed that.

“So I should go change into something that doesn't tempt you very much?”

“I doubt there's anything you could wear that wouldn't tempt me. You're perfect, Millie.” he muttered and kissed my forehead.

My insides melted immediately, a very familiar feeling crawled through my chest. I pulled away from him, my heart beating fast against my ribcage as I made my way to my bedroom.

I found another bathing suit in my closet, a one-piece that covers more than the previous one had. It was still scandalous but he seem to approve reluctantly. We headed for the party after that.

Ethan had been coming to my room everyday for the past five days. We hadn't spoken about what this new arrangements meant, we hardly spoke at all when he came. The conversation was bound to ruin things. Because how do you normalize constantly hooking up with your ex?

Solution: you don't.

I was comfortable with our new arrangements. I couldn't deny that I wanted him. I did when I was twenty and a lonely girl in Moscow, I did when I saw him again after eight years of separation, and now that I lived across the hall from him and the opportunity basically presented itself.

It was okay as long as our relationship didn't pass ‘just sex’. My life was way too complicated now. I hadn't found Nadia yet and I didn't want to put him in anymore danger by dating him again. He hadn't proposed it either. So here we were.

“I'm gonna pick up a friend at the next stop. Hope you don't mind?” Ethan said.

I turned away from the car window and stared at him.

“You're bringing a date?” I tried to sound casual but my initial shock had definitely sold me out.

When Lisa announced it in the group chat that we were allowed to bring a date, I hadn't thought much about it. I certainly didn't imagine that Ethan would bring a date to a group hang with me in the car, right after he kissed me breathless.

He nodded, his eyes on the road. I averted my gaze from him and turned to the window. I ignored the ugly feeling at the pit of my stomach.

“Can’t wait to see her. I'm sure she's beautiful.” I muttered.

“I'm so glad to hear you say that.” I could practically hear the smile in his tone. “Because he is very handsome.”

The car skidded to a stop. I stared at him to see a cocky grin on his face. I didn't get a chance to ask him what he meant when the car door opened and someone slipped into the back seat.

I tore my gaze away from Ethan to look at the new comer. It took everything in me not to flinch at his appearance. I had been around Made Men my entire life. I was born into a family of criminals, but it didn't mean I ever got used to it.

“For fuck's sake, Kane! I specifically told you the dress code, a bathing suit. What the fuck are you wearing?” Ethan balked.

“Clothes.” The Kane guy muttered and removed his mask and ball cap.

Ethan was right. If I wasn't already smitten by the man beside me, I would find the new guy strikingly handsome.

“You’re supposed to wear casual outfits. It's a birthday party. I don't understand why you look like you're carrying a hit on someone.” Ethan shook his head.

That's exactly how the man looked like. With dark outfits, a trench coat that seems like it could be hiding weapons from afar, the mask and ball cap he just removed. Coupled with the stealth he had entered the car with, I genuinely thought he was a sniper.

I thought Nadia was tired of hiding and decided to come finish the job physically.

“Sorry boss.” Kane responded, but he didn't sound apologetic at all.

Ethan muttered something about everyone wanting to give him a heart attack and send him to the grave early, which Kane snorted to. His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror and I was hit by how cold they were. He dipped his head slightly in gra eeting while I offered him a small smile.

I made a point not to lock eyes with him again. I stared out the window as we sped to our destination, a small part of me excited that his plus one hadn't been a girl.

More than half of our friends were at the cabin when we arrived. The only people missing were Jenna and Xavier. Kane, Ethan, and I walked to the back of the cabin where the party would be taken place.

I was once again struck by how beautiful this place was, just as I had the first time Dallas brought me here.

The girls were lounging on a bench by the lake while Oliver was no where to be found. Tabitha was the first to spot us. She flashed us a smile which quickly vanished when her gaze dropped to Kane. I could see how hard she was trying to seem unaffected.

Lisa and Dallas seem to be locked in an argument. They didn't notice us until we walked up to them.

“Ladies.” Ethan called. That seem to halt their argument.

“Ethan, hi.” Dallas gave Ethan a side hug which was precisely when Oliver appeared. He scowled at his cousin who winked at him. Dallas rolled her eyes while Tabitha and Lisa snorted.

Oliver walked up to us and put a firm hand on his wife's back.

“No teaming up, don't try to ruin Lisa's birthday.” Oliver said, but his warning seem to be directed to his cousin rather than his wife.

“Aw! Thank you so much for caring about me. I'm flattered.” Lisa responded and wiped an imaginary tear off her eyes.

I'd known my best friend well enough to realize something was wrong. Lisa was being her bubbly self, but I couldn't help but notice how distant she seems. Her smiles felt forced. Her eyes were empty of their usual spark.

She noticed me staring at her and flashed me a smile which I reciprocated. The men moved away to chat with Ethan dragging Kane along. I couldn't understand why he had come when he already seem bored to death.

“Where's Jenna?” I asked.

“Traffic.” Dallas responded.

Lisa filled us in with details about the party. The games, the food, the music, everything screamed Lisa. Except it felt wrong. It seems I wasn't the only one who noticed. Even Tabitha, who usually supported all of Lisa's wild adventures, seems cautious.

“Lis, I'm super happy that you've decided to celebrate your birthday this year and I promise we'll make it a memorable one.” Dallas started. “But babe, are you sure this is what you want?”

Lisa's smile faltered, her eyes twitched as she tried to keep her happy expression. She opened her mouth to respond but was cut short by the sound of swearing.

We all turned to see Jenna in a pantsuit and heels, holding a few shopping bags. She was definitely coming from work. Her heels caught on a tree branch and she wobbled and bumped into Kane.

She steadied herself and narrowed her gaze on him, as if he had bumped into her instead. She walked past him towards us.

A look of surprise crossed Kane's features as he watched her walk away like she didn't just dismiss him.

The four of us exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

“Oh my God! That was–”

“Yeah.”

Dallas was right. This afternoon was definitely going to be memorable.