Chapter 34
Ethan
Ethan stood in the spare bedroom, the bed’s springs creaking as he paced, his boots thudding hard against the floor. Morning light filtered dimly through the curtains, the air thick with tension he couldn’t shake. It’s been two weeks since the fire, and everyone was suffocating him, his sergeant ordering him off work, Diana and Mark running the house rebuild like it was their mission. Ranger whined at his feet, paws scratching the floor, his police K9 instincts twitching from too much downtime. He felt it, too. Restless, trapped, ready to snap.
Mark sat on the bed, his voice calm but firm. “Ethan, I really think you should take more time off,” he said, folding his hands. “You’ve been through a lot. Work can wait.”
He stopped pacing, his chest tightening, and turned to face him. “Mark, I’ve had enough of everyone telling me what to do,” he said, his voice sharp and loud. “I already have a father, and he’s not you.”
Mark’s face flinched, a flicker of hurt crossing his eyes, and he knew it had come out wrong, but the anger roared too loud to stop. “I’m a man,” he said, stepping closer, his fists clenched. “I can take care of my family—I don’t need you or anyone else doing it for me.”
Mark opened his mouth, but he cut him off, his words spilling fast. “I appreciate everything you’re doing, Mark. You, Diana, the firm,” he said, his voice cracking. “I know it’s meant to help, but you’re all taking over, making decisions for me like I can’t handle it. It’s making me feel helpless, and I hate it.”
Mark’s jaw tightened, but he stayed quiet, his steady gaze piercing through the storm. He pressed on, his voice rising. “I’m a veteran—I’ve fought for this country. I’m a police officer—I protect this town every day. I’m a son, and I’m your boyfriend, a really great guy, you’ve said it yourself. I’m not some project you need to wrap in bubble wrap and fix.”
He took a breath, the heat fading slightly, and ran a hand through his hair, his tone softening. “I’m sorry for being rude,” he said, meeting Mark’s eyes. “That’s not my intent—I’m not trying to hurt you. But Mark, I’m losing myself being with you because you’re not letting me be the man I am. I need to stand up—for my family, for me.”
Mark shifted, his hands resting on his knees, and he nodded slowly, his voice measured. “I hear you, Ethan,” he said, his tone calm, lawyer smooth. “I’m not trying to take that from you—I just want to help.”
He narrowed his eyes, the calm stoking his fire again, and stepped closer. “You’re holding something back, Mark,” he said, his voice low and hard. “I’m a smart guy—two plus two isn’t adding up here. Pacific Edge, you, all this help for my home doesn’t make sense. Tell me what’s going on.”
Mark’s face tightened, a flash of something—guilt?—crossing his eyes, but he straightened, his voice steady and controlled. “Ethan, I hear how frustrated you are,” he said, his words careful, deflecting. “I’m not trying to control you or your family—I’m just doing what I think is right.”
He stared at him, Mark’s calm slicing through his anger, and shook his head, his voice sharp. “No, Mark, that’s not enough,” he said, his chest heaving. “You’re dodging me—I can feel it. I don’t want your lawyer talk—I want my boyfriend’s honesty.”
Mark’s eyes softened, hurt flickering there, but he stayed quiet, his hands gripping his knees tighter. He wasn’t mad—just wounded, and that stung worse than a shout. Ethan’s jaw clenched, the silence cutting deep, and he grabbed his keys from the nightstand, Ranger leaping up with a sharp bark.
He unclenched his fists, his chest still tight, and turned back from the door, his voice dropping low and steady.
“Mark, I’ve got to go to work, but we’re not done with this,” he said, his tone flat but softer now. “One thing I’ve learned in life is that we never know what the future holds. I don’t want to leave here today pissed off or you upset. Two people who care about each other shouldn’t part like that. So how about I say thank you for letting me get all that out? I’m sorry it came out so harshly. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done, but please, let’s continue this later, more calmly. I want you to have a good day, Mark, I don’t want you upset, and I don’t want my first day back at work to be distracted. Can we do that?”
Mark stood, his eyes still carrying that flicker of hurt, but his voice stayed soft and firm. “I hear you, Ethan,” he said, his tone steady. “I’m sorry I’ve made you feel this way—I didn’t mean to. Thank you for saying that. Be safe at work today, alright? I’ll be here when you get back, and we’ll talk then.”
He paused at the doorway, Mark’s words ringing in his ears, softer now but still heavy with their jagged rift.
I didn’t mean to cut him that deep.
He nodded once, grabbing his jacket from the hook, Ranger nudging his leg with a quiet whine as he moved. The morning light outside hit harsh, his chest a tangle of anger at Mark, fear for his family, and love twisting through it all. He stepped out, Ranger at his side, a tether to duty pulling him forward, the storm inside simmering but held, waiting for a calmer reckoning later.