4. Ethan
Chapter four
Ethan
I strum the last chord of my favorite song, 'Bad Habits,' and the sound reverberates through my small living room. Playing guitar always helps me unwind after a long day and today was particularly taxing. I am just about to launch into another tune when there is a sudden, loud banging on my door.
I flinch, nearly dropping the guitar. Who the hell is that? Setting the guitar down I head to the door, irritation bubbling up inside me. The banging continues, relentless.
"Hold on, I am coming!" I shout, fumbling with the lock. I yank the door open to find Ami standing there, and she is furious … furious.
“Ethan! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she snaps with hands on her hips.
“What does it look like I am doing? I am playing my guitar. It's called music.” “You're ruining my nap time! I can hear you from my house, crying out loud. Do you have any idea how loud you're playing?” she hollers, storming past me inside my house.
I close the door behind her.
“It’s not even that late, Ami. It’s barely eight o’clock. And last I checked, it’s my house, and I can play music if I want to.”
"I don't care if it's your house. I just got back from a long day at the bookstore, dealing with Aunt Maggie's new cat, and all I want is some peace and quiet. But no, I have to listen to you butchering 'Bad Habits.”
“It’s not my fault you can’t handle a little music.”
"A little music? Do you call that a little music? It sounds like a cat is dying over here!"
“Funny, considering I hear you were just dealing with a cat.”
“Don’t deflect, Ethan. Just turn it down, or better yet, stop altogether.”
“Why should I? Maybe if you weren’t so uptight, you would actually enjoy it.”
“Says the guy who schedules his day down to the minute.”
“Some of us have responsibilities, Ami. Not all of us can flit around town causing chaos.”
“Chaos? You think I am chaotic?”
I shrug, leaning against the doorframe.
“You’ve always been a bit of a hurricane, Ami. Blowing through everyone’s lives.”
“You have no idea what you're talking about. I care. I care a lot, which is why I’m here, trying to get some damn sleep so I can function tomorrow.”
“Well, maybe if you’d actually talk to me like a normal person instead of barging in here like you own the place, we could work something out.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll talk. Ethan, could you please tone down your music so I can get some sleep?
” I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair.
“Alright, fine. I’ll keep it down. But next time, maybe just knock politely instead of banging like you’re trying to break the door down.
” Ami takes a deep breath. "Thank you. Now, let's talk about something else while I have your attention.
Like, oh, I don't know, why are you contesting the election against Aunt Maggie? "
I blink, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Everything!” she exclaims, throwing her hands up.
“You know she’s been planning to run for months.
Why would you even consider running against her?
” So I tell her exactly how I feel; that I care about this town just as much as Aunt Maggie does.
“I have ideas, Ami. Good ideas that could really help Seabrook.”
"Oh, please. You’re just doing this to get back at me, right? Trying to make my life difficult because we never got along."
“Don't you think you give yourself too much credit? This isn’t about you. It’s about what’s best for Seabrook.”
“Best for Seabrook? Like what?”
"Look, I am not saying your aunt doesn't have good ideas. But I think I do, too. And the town should have the chance to hear them."
“Great. So now we’re just going to have a big political showdown. Just what this town needs. More drama.”
“Maybe it’s what the town needs to move forward. We can’t just keep doing things the same way because that’s how they have always been done.”
Ami just cannot help dragging this out. Her voice rises again as she throws back at me: “Or maybe it’s just you wanting to prove something.
Prove that you can win. Prove that you’re better.
Well, I hope you're ready for a fight, Ethan. Because Aunt Maggie isn’t going to back down. And neither am I.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
And then she turns on her heel, heading for the door. “Just keep your music down.”
I watch her go, feeling a mixture of frustration and something else I can’t quite name.
Ami has always had a way of getting under my skin, and it looks like this time is no different.
It’s going to be a long few months leading to the election.
And if Ami is any indication, it’s going to be a hell of a ride.
This is going to get messy, no doubt about it.
Ami’s fiercely loyal to her aunt, and I can already see the daggers she’ll be throwing my way once the campaign really kicks off.
***
I roll out of bed at the crack of dawn, the alarm blaring like a siren in my ear. Today is our semi-annual fire drill, and as the town's fire chief, I need to be sharp and vigilant.
I splash some cold water on my face and look in the mirror. My hair is a mess, but there is no time to worry about it. Not when there are drills to run and small-town politics to navigate.
And, of course, there is Ami. Ami, who has been a thorn in my side since we were kids.
I throw on my uniform, and as I strap on my boots, my mind wanders to her. Ami. Back in town, and already she has managed to bump into me and reignite old tensions.
Great. Just what I need.
As I head to the kitchen for a quick breakfast, I think about our history. We have never gotten along. Not in elementary school when she ‘accidentally’ spilled juice on my new sneakers, and definitely not in high school when she beat me in an essay competition and rubbed it in my face for months.
She has always been chaotic and messy, while I have prided myself on being composed and collected. We are polar opposites.
And now, to make matters worse, I’m running against her Aunt Maggie for the town council.
Maggie's well-loved in Seabrook, and I know this campaign is going to be a challenge. She has charm, warmth, and years of community service. I have got… Well, I've got my fair share of supporters, but nothing comes easy around here.
I pour myself a cup of coffee, trying to shake off the irritation that has settled in my bones.
Why did Ami have to come back now? And why is it that every time I see her, she looks at me like I’ve ruined her day?
Not that I care what she thinks, of course, but it’s exhausting.
I down the coffee in one gulp, wincing as it scalds my throat.
Grabbing my keys, I head out the door, the crisp morning air hitting me like a wake-up call.
The fire station is a short drive, and as I navigate the quiet streets, I catch glimpses of familiar faces. Seabrook has always been a small town where everyone knows everyone's business. This election's going to bring out all the skeletons, I am sure of it.
Pulling up to the station, I’m greeted by the sight of my team prepping for the drill.
They’re a good bunch and are reliable and hardworking.
I step out of the truck, putting on my game face.
“Morning, everyone. Ready for the drill?” I call out, earning a chorus of nods and murmured greetings.
We get to work, and for a while, I manage to push thoughts of Ami to the back of my mind.
The drill runs smoothly; the team is in sync, and everything's on point.
Moments like these remind me why I love this job.
Lost in thought, I don’t notice the fire truck pulling up until the siren blares.
I jump, cursing under my breath. “Ethan, you coming?” one of the guys calls out.
I nod, heading back inside. The next phase of the drill is in full swing; I’m in my element and need to stay focused and observant.
The organized voices, the sound of the alarm blaring, people moving in a somewhat orderly fashion, it’s all second nature to me.
I direct people out of the building with calm, authoritative gestures, ensuring everyone is accounted for. “Alright, folks, keep it moving. Remember, stay low and follow the evacuation plan. We have got this!” I call out.
And, amid the commotion, I catch a glimpse of Ami standing to the side, arms crossed, watching me with an amused expression. What on Earth is she doing here? As the last few people trickle out, I make my way over to her.
“Something funny?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"I just didn't realize you could be so... calm. It's a nice change from the grumpy control freak I’m used to," she replies with a smirk, teasing me once again.
“I’m no control freak.”
"Sure, sure. But you must admit, seeing you all calm and collected is a little weird. Where is Ethan, the guy who freaks out over every little thing going differently from the plan?" she asks as she leans over the wall.
“He is right here, making sure people don’t burn alive. You might want to take notes.”
“Oh, please. I think I’ll stick to my way, thanks. It’s more fun.”
"Fun? Do you think chaos is fun? Ah… Maybe that's why you're always in the middle of it."
“At least I am not a boring stick-in-the-mud. You should try loosening up once in a while.” “Loosening up? And end up like you? No thanks,” I shake my head. “Some of us actually have responsibilities.”
She can’t seem to let go and she continues giving me her always strong opinion. “Oh, give me a break. You act like you’re the only one who has a hard job. Just to bring you out of your bubble, Ethan, everyone has responsibilities. You're not special.”
I should just walk away but there is something about this girl, this woman, that drives me crazy, and I can’t stop with comebacks. “Yeah, well, at least I am not the one causing half the problems around here. Maybe if you took things a little more seriously, you wouldn’t be such a pain in my butt.”
“You know what, Smoke? Forget it. Keep being your grumpy, uptight self. See if I care.”
She turns on her heel and stalks off, leaving me standing there, frustrated and oddly exhilarated.
As the team and I continue, I can't help but wonder how things will play out with Ami. That drill's over, but the real battle's just beginning. And with her back in town, it will be a bumpy ride. She's never backed down from a fight, and I doubt she'll start now.