Love from Scratch

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ethan had one scene left to shoot before they wrapped for the day. They were four hours into overtime and Katherine was marching up and down with such force, Ethan could feel the floor quaking beneath his chair. He looked over the audition pages again, the ones Lena had sent through, his knee bouncing. It was pretty straightforward stuff, a bit of cocky, tough guy dialogue, nothing he hadn’t done in the Thrones movies, though this was better written and didn’t require him to threaten imaginary dragons. It was funny, too, and he knew he could milk every line for a cheeky laugh. His jaw clenched. This was it, the big one, he could feel it. He wanted it so badly he was vibrating.

‘Sorry, Ethan,’ Jem said, settling into a chair beside him. ‘Today’s been a shitfight.’

‘It happens, Jem. Don’t worry about it.’

‘I hope we’re not messing up any plans?’

‘Nah,’ he lied, not wanting to upset her. It was obvious he wouldn’t make it to Max’s on the Beach that night.

Ellie had already helped with the body shots the audition required. They’d snuck away during another lengthy break and shot some shirtless footage of him running and stretching on the beach. But the actual audition scene would take a while to shoot. It had to be right. More than right, it had to be the best work he’d ever done. He needed to wait until the end of the day so it wasn’t rushed, and the end of the day was getting later and later.

Ethan sighed and sent a text to Hazel telling her he’d been held up on set. He was still staring at the message, disappointment jagging in his gut, when his phone rang in his hand. His heart leapt, and he juggled the device, almost dropping it. He checked the caller’s name and took a slow breath before answering.

‘Jesus Christ, Chris, you scared the shit out of me,’ he said to his brother.

‘Janet showed me a gossip website,’ his brother said, without even a hello. ‘That’s my fault. I did that.’

Ethan rested his forehead in his palm. ‘Yeah, I figured. The journo who broke it said something about someone in the boat charter business.’

‘I’m an idiot,’ Chris said. ‘I was bragging about you.’

Ethan’s head lifted. ‘Bragging how?’

Chris was silent for a moment. ‘The young bloke who was driving the boat was talking about how good you were with the dog in that movie of yours and I blurted it all out.’

‘What exactly did you blurt?’

There was another beat of silence, then Chris cleared his throat. ‘That you were pretty fucking amazing seeing as you got attacked by a couple of dogs as a kid.’

Ethan blinked, his head tilting to the side. Had he heard that right? Did his brother really just call him pretty fucking amazing? Ethan excused himself to Jem and strode from set, heading towards a stand of gum trees. He leaned against one, looking towards a mountain in the distance.

‘It was stupid,’ Chris said. ‘I didn’t think.’

‘No, you didn’t,’ Ethan said flatly. ‘But you did me a bit of a favour, to be honest. I’ve been hanging onto that shit for too long. I’d been planning on waiting until I finished this movie and then maybe doing some big reveal on a talk show or something. But this way I get to chat to a local Aussie journo about it and mix it in with promotion for the movie. Which is a shitload less pressure. So, I should probably thank you.’

There was another long pause. Ethan raked a hand through his hair, puffing out a deep breath. He was about to say goodbye when his brother suddenly spoke again.

‘Eth, I’m so fucking sorry for what happened to you. I should have told you that a long time ago. I teased the fuck out of those dogs every day. I’ve never forgiven myself for that, or for how I punished you afterwards – just because I was jealous that you were getting attention from the olds that I wasn’t.’

‘You were jealous? Dude, I was in the hospital half the time.’ God, his mum had been right.

‘Mum and Dad were all about you, and I was a kid. Not sure what my excuse is now. I guess I just can’t forget what I made you live with. I feel sick every time I look at you.’

Ethan laughed. ‘Gee, thanks.’

‘Well, you are pretty ugly,’ Chris said.

Ethan laughed again. ‘Obviously runs in the family.’ He took a beat. ‘Listen, you need to stop kicking yourself for what happened, just like I need to stop hiding from it. Like you said, we were kids, and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m doing okay. Sure, barking, growling dogs might never be my favourite thing, but as someone pointed out to me recently, they’re no one’s favourite thing.’ He took a beat before going on. ‘Chris, I know you didn’t mean for it to happen, and I forgave you years ago – but I should have told you that. We need to put it behind us. Do you think we can do that?’ He held his breath as he waited for his brother to answer.

‘I think that sounds good,’ Chris said. ‘We’ve lost enough time.’

Ethan slid his back down the tree trunk, his arse hitting the dirt as he swallowed down a surge of emotions.

‘Yeah well,’ he said, ‘we’re both at fault for that.’ He scrunched his eyes. The last thing he needed was tear tracks in his make-up. ‘Listen, Chris.’ He cleared his throat. I’m up for that action movie I was telling you about. If I get it, they’ll want me in LA straight away. Why don’t you and Janet and the kids come up here again before I head to the Gold Coast for the studio stuff? Take advantage of the house while I’ve got it. Tell mum to come too, and to bring the old man this time.’

‘Five minutes, Ethan,’ Ellie called out.

‘I’m needed on set,’ he said. ‘But think about it, yeah?’

‘I’ll talk to Janet.’

‘Good. And ah, please don’t spill anything about my audition to some random guy delivering your groceries, okay?’

‘No worries, mate. I’ll only tell the gardener.’

Hazel untied her apron and washed her hands. The meals had all been served and everyone was busy cleaning their stations. Being back in a kitchen with all the noise and frenetic energy as the orders started flooding in was a thrill she hadn’t realised she’d been missing. Every part of her was still buzzing with excitement. She couldn’t wait to spend her nights as part of a kitchen brigade again.

‘Is it okay if I just pop out front to see a friend, Chef?’ she asked.

‘Of course,’ Chef Max said. ‘You finish up. Good work tonight. We’ll look forward to your next shift with us.’

Hazel beamed. ‘Thanks, Chef.’

No one had mentioned that Ethan was there but one of the food servers had told her table five had said to break a leg, so she’d assumed that was him. She stepped into the restaurant and asked the bartender which was table five. He pointed to the back corner of the room. Her jaw dropped. Violet and Meredith were waving madly at her.

Hazel rushed over and they all leapt upon each other in an excited group hug.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asked.

‘We came to support you,’ Meredith said.

‘We wanted to surprise you,’ Violet added. ‘We know your confidence has been a bit shaky. How’d everything go?’

‘It went great. I had so much fun. I’ve locked in three full shifts.’

‘That’s brilliant,’ Violet said. ‘You’re back. I’m so happy!’

Hazel nodded, grabbed Violet and gave her another powerful hug.

‘Yep. I’m back. I’ve had such a good night. I made this tuna dish that was one of the specials, so absolute first time. It was complex too, it had this mango salsa that needed to be made fresh, and you know, you have to get the balance right when you’re pairing sweet and spicy. The table sent their compliments to the chef. Which was me.’ She beamed at them. ‘I can’t believe you’re both here.’

‘Violet’s disappointed,’ Meredith said. ‘She thought your boyfriend Ethan James might be here tonight.’ She grinned.

Hazel’s eyes dropped to her boots, her cheeks tingling.

‘Oh shit,’ Meredith said. ‘I was joking about him being your boyfriend, but you should see the colour of your face.’

Hazel patted her cheeks. They were on fire. ‘I’ve been working in a hot kitchen, and I’m excited to see you both.’

‘Uh-huh.’ Meredith’s brows twitched. ‘You’re about to spontaneously combust.’

‘Oh no, Hazel.’ Violet frowned.

‘Oh no Hazel, what?’ she asked.

‘I think you know what,’ Meredith said, her grin widening. ‘You’ve been cooking with him, haven’t you?’

‘I’ve cooked for him a bit. You know me, I love cooking for everyone.’

She looked from Violet to Meredith. Violet was practically glaring at her, while Meredith was bouncing on the balls of her tiny feet.

‘Have you had sex with Ethan James?’ Violet asked bluntly.

‘Shh.’ Hazel’s gaze darted around the restaurant. How did her sister always see straight through her? ‘No.’ She scrunched her eyes. ‘Okay, yes. But it’s only been the once. I mean, it was four times, or maybe five, but only the one night. And this morning.’

Meredith threw her arms around Hazel. ‘Oh my god! I’m so jealous,’ she said.

‘Lucky your husband didn’t hear you say that,’ Violet said.

Meredith brushed her comment away. ‘Oh, Marco wouldn’t care. He’d give me a hall pass for Ethan James. I think he’s even got a crush on him.’

‘Turns out most people do,’ Hazel said. ‘Anyway, where are you staying?’

‘Oh my god, no way are you changing the subject,’ Meredith said. ‘We need details.’

‘We’re staying with you,’ Violet said, coming to her rescue with a deep frown. ‘Is that going to be inconvenient?’

‘Of course not. It’ll be wonderful. Where’s your stuff?’

‘We left our bags on your back deck. You really should lock your gate. And there was a dog barking at us from inside. Do you have a dog now?’

‘No, that’s Harry, Ethan’s dog. I left him with Kevin. They’re kind of friends.’ She laughed at the surprised looks on their faces. ‘I know, it’s weird. Kevin’s almost a completely different cat.’ She glanced towards the kitchen. ‘Give me a minute and I’ll go get my stuff.’

Hazel ducked into the storeroom, rested against the wall and squeezed her eyes shut. As happy as she was to see them both, she was equally disappointed that Ethan hadn’t come. What exactly did that mean? It meant nothing, she told herself, because they were nothing. Officially. There weren’t a thing. So she shouldn’t be disappointed.

She grabbed her backpack, digging around for her phone to see if he’d at least messaged her. When she saw his name on the screen, relief flooded her body.

Ethan: We’re running into overtime. I don’t think I’m going to make it. I’m so sorry. Hope you’re having an amazing night. Miss you

It was a little after midnight by the time Ethan’s audition was nailed and sent. He’d had a fourteen-hour, super-stressful day and he’d intended to head straight home, but somehow he found himself parked outside Hazel’s house. He was happy to see that her lights were on, because that meant she was still awake, which meant she could be in his arms in less than thirty seconds.

He strode up the path with purpose, but as he approached the door, his pace faltered. Music and laughter drifted out into the night. She had someone with her. He should have called or texted, not just turned up. But then the door was open and Hazel was in front of him, still in her chef’s uniform, her hair down and her cheeks flushed, even more gorgeous than he’d spent all day imagining. Harry burst out the door, tail wagging. Ethan scooped the little dog up, his eyes still glued to Hazel.

‘Hi,’ Hazel said. She took half a step towards him, glanced over her shoulder and stepped back again. ‘I saw your car pull up.’

‘I should have call—’ he started to say, but was cut off by a voice from in the house.

‘Oh my fucking god!’

Ethan leaned forward and peered in at the two women on the couch.

‘You’d better come in,’ Hazel said. ‘Unless you don’t want to. Which I’d completely understand.’ She flicked a look at the two women, then grimaced at Ethan.

‘Of course I’ll come in,’ he said. He put Harry on the floor and stepped into the room.

Both women gawped.

‘Ethan, this is my sister, Violet.’ Hazel pointed to a woman who looked remarkably like Hazel, only shorter and with no pink in her hair. She was the one who had a thing for him, he remembered. That might explain the staring.

‘And our friend Meredith,’ Hazel added. Meredith was about five foot and definitely drunk, an empty wine glass swinging from her fingers.

He glanced at Hazel, realising there’d be no PDAs and she wouldn’t be in his arms in thirty seconds or even thirty minutes. He swallowed back his disappointment and summoned his best movie-star smile.

‘Ladies,’ he said. ‘Lovely to meet you both.’

Meredith slurred a ‘Helloooooooo’, while Violet gave a small, stunned wave.

‘They surprised me at the restaurant,’ Hazel said. ‘And they’ve both had a bit of wine.’ She grimaced again.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t make it tonight,’ he said. ‘It was a shitfight on set. We went long and then I had some stuff to finish up.’ He was busting to tell her all about his audition, but that would have to wait until they were alone. ‘Did you get my message?’ he asked.

‘Not until after my shift. No phones in the kitchen. But it’s fine, Ethan. You were busy.’

‘But…’ He stepped closer and lowered his voice. ‘I wanted to be there for you.’

‘And that’s all that matters,’ she whispered in return. She ran a finger along the back of his hand and a jolt of heat shot up his arm.

Meredith stood and wobbled towards the kitchen. ‘I’m going to make some margs. Would you like a marg, Ethan?’

‘No thanks, I’m driving.’ He glanced at Hazel and they exchanged a smile, her slightly pained expression saying exactly what he was thinking. No sweat-drenched, sex-filled night for them.

‘Hey Kev,’ he said to the cat rubbing around his legs. He picked Kevin up and gave him a quick hug, pressing his chin into the cat’s purring body. Meredith and Violet stared, chins slack.

‘I told you,’ Hazel said. ‘Ethan is the Kevin whisperer. I don’t know how it happened, but he breezed in here all smiles and dimples and somehow got under Kevin’s skin and into his heart. No one was more surprised than me.’

Hazel caught Ethan’s eye, her teeth tugging at her bottom lip, and he knew she was talking about her heart, not Kevin’s.

He burned with a need to hold her, to touch her, to be with her. Just the two of them, alone.

‘I better take a shower,’ Hazel said. ‘I probably stink of food. Will you be okay without me?’ She looked genuinely concerned.

‘We’ll be fine, won’t we ladies?’ Ethan said, grinning at them.

‘Be nice to him, you two.’ Hazel wagged a finger.

‘You’re not going to join her, Ethan?’ Meredith asked. Her mouth curved into a lopsided smirk. ‘I mean, don’t mind us. Pretend we’re not here.’ She cackled.

Ethan’s brows drew together. He slowly turned to Hazel, who was wincing so hard he could barely see her eyes.

She mouthed ‘Sorry’, and without a second thought, he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. The air left her body in a breathy laugh. He grinned, pressed his mouth to hers and kissed her exactly the way he’d been dreaming of all day, deep and bruising. She staggered a little when he broke the kiss and he held her steady until she found her feet.

He whispered, ‘See you in a minute,’ then turned to the silent, gaping women and said, ‘I’m right for a shower, thanks Meredith, but do you need a hand with those margaritas?’

Hazel and Ethan were cuddled up on one couch, Kevin stretched along the length of Ethan’s thigh, while Meredith and Violet sat on the couch opposite with Harry snoring at their feet. The two women had finally relaxed around the movie star and they had been talking non-stop ever since, filling Hazel in on news from home. She was loving having them there, and she was loving that Ethan was comfortable enough to wrap himself around her, his hand drifting up and down her arm, gently caressing her skin. It felt perfect, which was utterly terrifying, because it had no right to feel that good.

‘Did you know Jet got married?’ Violet asked Hazel.

‘I did not know that,’ Hazel said.

‘That could have been you,’ Meredith said.

‘Dodged that bullet,’ Hazel added.

The three of them nodded and took a sip of their cocktails.

‘Old boyfriend, I gather?’ Ethan said.

‘My first real boyfriend, if you get my—’

‘Yeah, yeah I got it.’ There was a chuckle in his voice. ‘Was he pale with tattoos?’

Meredith hooted out a laugh, slopping margarita onto her skirt.

‘Oops,’ she said, wiping it off with her palm ‘That’s why you’re so unusual, Ethan,’ she said. ‘Because look at you. You’re so far from translucent.’ She waved her hand in his direction.

Hazel cringed. ‘Jet wasn’t translucent. None of them were.’

‘They practically were,’ Violet added. ‘All your crushes looked like vampires.’

‘Oh my god, they so didn’t.’ Hazel shook her head and looked at Ethan, who was grinning so widely she thought his cheeks would split. ‘Stop it!’ She bumped him with her shoulder. ‘You know tanning is your skin screaming out in pain, right? It’s protecting itself.’

‘I use sunscreen.’ He turned to Meredith and Violet. ‘I do. Skin care is very important to me.’ Their eyebrows flew up.

‘He uses those little under-eye patches,’ Hazel said. ‘Collagen ones, right?’ She smirked at him.

‘Make fun of me all you like, I’m not going to be the one with fine lines.’

Hazel laughed and snuggled into him.

‘Bet you didn’t think you’d be talking beauty tips with movie star Ethan James tonight,’ Hazel said to Meredith and her sister.

‘I did not,’ Violet answered. ‘But I’m one hundred per cent here for it.’

‘Why am I thinking about makeovers and pillow fights?’ Meredith said.

‘Hmm.’ Ethan tilted his head, one eyebrow cocked. ‘I don’t know, why are you?’ he rumbled in a deep, throaty growl.

‘Hey.’ Hazel elbowed him. ‘Watch it with the casual flirting.’

‘Hazel thinks I flirt too much,’ he said.

‘Don’t hold back on my account,’ Meredith said with a wide grin.

‘Or mine,’ Violet added.

Hazel blinked at her sister. ‘Oh my god, even you?’ she said. Violet shrugged.

‘I’d better behave,’ Ethan said as his lips curved into the most crooked of grins. ‘She gets kind of mad about it.’ His finger traced circles on Hazel’s shoulder, his eyes gleaming.

A shiver fluttered down Hazel’s spine at his exquisitely gentle touch, and she couldn’t drag her eyes away from his scorching gaze. His thigh was pressed against her, his warmth and his touch so teasing she was worried she might moan. She was dying to straddle him, to watch as pleasure played across his lovely face, until he groaned.

His throat bobbed as if he knew exactly what she was thinking, then he swept her hair from her temple and leaned in for a lingering kiss, his lips so velvety soft, her entire being turned to jelly.

Hazel looked to her sister and Meredith, barely able to focus. They were staring at her, with wide eyes and open mouths.

‘I think I should probably go,’ Ethan said. ‘Let you ladies finish catching up.’ He scratched Kevin behind the ear, then gathered the sleeping Harry into his arms and headed to the door. ‘Nice to meet you both.’

He wrapped his free arm around Hazel and tugged her to him. She melted into the wall of heat that was his chest. ‘Am I seeing you tomorrow?’ he asked.

‘Is the afternoon okay? I have to drop Mer and Violet to the airport.’

‘Of course,’ he said. ‘You’re welcome anytime.’ And he tenderly kissed her goodnight until her toes curled on the cool wooden floor.