Someone knocked on Ethan's door as soon as he set his phone down after Aria's last text. He hadn't expected anyone to come over, but he waltzed to the door and opened it anyway.
Abe stood on the other side, leaned against the doorjamb like a wannabe James Dean, with his arms crossed and his infamous crooked smile. "Well, you don't look ready to go out to me."
Ethan glanced down at this athletic pants, and plain gray t-shirt. "That's because I’m not going out. Nothing gets by you," he said.
Abe kicked from the door and stared at him as if he'd grown two heads. "Seriously? You forgot?"
Ethan thought about it, remembering Abe's text from two weeks ago about going out that weekend. Ethan grimaced. "Obviously. Come on in, and I'll get dressed."
"That a sport," Abe said, walking inside and plopping down on Ethan's sectional. "I'm surprised you weren't texting me about going out anyway. How long has it been since we went out? Better yet," he said, turning on the TV. "How long has it been since you've been with a woman?"
Ethan stopped in the hallway that led toward his bathroom and glanced over his shoulder. It'd be since Aria started working at Devry, however long that had been, but he wouldn't say it to Abe. Even if he suspected it, something told Ethan to keep it to himself. Abe had been his friend for ten years, but Abe also had a big mouth.
"Where did you want to go?" Ethan changed the subject.
Abe shrugged. "How about Surreal?"
A chill worked down Ethan's spine at the thought of going back without Aria. "Ah, let's try that new place on Main Street?" Ethan suggested.
Abe shrugged. "Sure. Oh," he said. Standing up, he walked over and pulled a rolled-up newspaper from his back pocket into Ethan's chest. "The expansion has made the news. Congrats, Devry."
Ethan glanced down at Devry Media's building and the headline about expanding. He guessed his father spoke with the media about it because Ethan sure hadn't. Not that Marilyn hadn't texted and emailed him ten times about it over the last couple of days.
"Well, it's out now," Ethan said, walking toward his bedroom. "I'll get ready and be finished soon."
Ethan dressed in his usual dark wash blue jeans and casual t-shirt. He didn't see the point in trying too hard since he just planned to have a couple of beers and leave. He needed to give Abe enough for him to be satisfied, but not too much, because he considered what Aria and he had to be exclusive.
His mind reeled at the thought of her obnoxious ex-boyfriend hounding her. She hadn't mentioned it to him, but Aria didn't seem the type.
But Ethan was most certainly the type. The type to put a stop to any unwanted attention toward the girl he called his.
Once he finished dressing, he met Abe in the living room and grabbed his keys. "I'm driving my car in case I need to leave early."
Abe stopped at the door and glanced over his shoulder. "Are you already planning to leave, Devry?"
Ethan walked out and locked his door on his way. "No … just in case."
Abe gave him a look but decided to ignore it. They rode in separate vehicles to a new bar, Rage, in the center of town. It wasn't Ethan's normal style; it was more aimed toward college-aged kids and fraternity boys, but anything to stay away from the memories of Surreal.
Abe grabbed them a seat at the bar and ordered Ethan's usual whiskey.
It felt nice to down it and feel relaxed for the first time in ages. "So, any news from the pops about the Dallas expansion? He still wants you to run it?"
Ethan didn't want to talk about it any longer. It seemed to hang over his head like a bad day. "Come on," Ethan said, gesturing toward their drinks. "Can we not talk about it now?"
Abe lifted a brow toward his hairline but signaled for another round. "Alright, all play and no party tonight, huh? I'm surprised. I would think you'd use that new position as ammunition on getting laid tonight."
Ethan took the glass the bartender handed him and tossed it back. "I'm not planning on getting laid tonight, and the position is the same one I currently have, only in a different city."
Abe placed his elbow on the table and smiled. "Why can't you just admit it? I'm your friend, aren't I, Ethan? I've known you for over ten years, and you won't just come out and say it? You like Aria."
Ethan felt unease settle in his stomach. The liquor was one way to get the truth to spew out, and Abe knew it. But why was it so important to him for Ethan to say it? And why bring it up out of the blue? "What's up with your little assistant, Seth?" he changed the subject. "He's been spying on me, or Aria, I'm not sure which, but I don't like it. What made you hire him?"
Abe chuckled. "Are you just jealous he's taking Aria to the fundraiser? Seth is a great worker—"
"He was asking Aria questions about me."
"She told you that?" Abe asked.
Ethan stared at his dark eyes, and the almost there smile on his face. "No—I heard it with my own ears. I don't appreciate his prying," Ethan said, staring at his empty glass.
Abe chuckled. "Maybe he senses there is something going on and wants to ask her out, Ethan?"
Ethan hadn't really thought about that, and it made sense, but it still didn't sit right.
"Would that be so bad?" he asked.
"Yes, because there are no interoffice relationships."
Abe tossed his head back. "For everyone but you, right? Why don't you just admit it. You like her."
Ethan felt the liquor warming his blood and relaxing his shoulders. Abe had been his best friend for years; he could tell him, couldn’t he? Ethan sighed dramatically. "I like her," he said. "Are you happy now?"
Abe smirked. "I knew it all along."
Ethan mumbled beneath his breath. "Marilyn tried to blackmail me with pictures of Aria coming into my apartment the other night. I shut it down and threatened to fire her, but I'm not sure if she'll still take the pictures to my father or not. I think I can talk him out of any reprimands."
"Sounds about right. Marilyn can't stand not being in charge." His gaze shifted over Ethan's shoulder, and a quizzical look flashed across his face. "Here come the vultures," he mumbled. "They must have read the papers."
Ethan glanced over at two tall, leggy women walking toward them. One looked vaguely familiar from somewhere, and the other he didn't recognize.
The brunette stopped beside Ethan and placed her palm on his shoulder. He immediately tensed at the movement and slid it off. "I think I'm done for tonight," he said to Abe.
"Oh, come on, Ethan. We just got here."
Ethan felt the room spin from the liquor, and he didn't think staying and drinking anymore was a good idea. "Come on," the brunette said. "I was coming over for a dance."
Ethan looked at the other girl eyeing Abe and felt their usual situation playing out in front of him, and he was not going to let it happen today. He grabbed the girl's wrist and pried it away from his forearm. "I'm not interested in a dance tonight, sweetheart. I'm sure Abe is up for some double trouble."
She frowned. "Aren't you Ethan Devry?" she mewed at him.
It struck a nerve that she knew his name and only wanted near because of it. "And that's exactly why I'm not dancing with you, love. You just want to get in with the CEO. As I said, Abe is always down, right Abe?"
Abe looked briefly disappointed but nodded soon after. "Sure thing. See you Monday, Ethan?"
"Yep."
Ethan walked out of the bar with his head held high, ready to go take a shower and sleep off the liquor. He made it outside underneath the streetlight when the sound of heels against the concrete stopped him.
The brunette had stepped outside, and she looked pissed. "So you'll sleep with every other bimbo but me?" she asked, putting her hands on her slender hips. "Am I not pretty?"
Ethan rolled his eyes and slid his palm over the side of jaw. "You're a pretty girl, but I'm seeing someone else."
She stepped closer, trying to slid her arm around his waist, but he sidestepped her. "Just stop before you embarrass yourself any longer."
She frowned but seemed to get it. "Fine, douchebag."
Ethan watched her walk back into the bar door, and he started toward the parking lot. Pride swelled in his chest knowing Aria would never throw herself at a man that way.
And it made him want her all the more.