Page 71 of Ethan's Sky

He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, erasing what we just shared, looking at it with the utmost disgust.

Rage.

That’s what this feeling is.

Pure. Unadulterated. Rage.

Deep breaths, Sky.

I shore up my walls. Lock my armor in place. I will not let him see how he managed to shattered my heart.

I move off the wall and tilt my head. Ethan’s standing with his legs spread, his hands on his hips, shaking his head, looking past me like I’m not even here.

Allow me to introduce myself, motherfucker.

When Ethan finally looks up at me, I don’t hesitate. I swing my leg, sweeping his feet out from underneath him. He wasn’t expecting the move, and winds up on his ass on the ground staring up at me confused as all hell. I lean down where he’s staring at me dumbfounded, I lean in close enough for him to hear me whisper, “Fuck you, Ethan. I’m not leaving Oak Ridge. I already did that once for you, I’m not doing it again.”

“Who are you, Skyler?” Ignoring his question, I step over him and head for the clubhouse door. Cash comes out carrying my shirt and bag taking in the scene in front of him. When sees Ethan on the ground and asks, “Do I need to kill him?” Cash narrows his eyes on me, searching for marks, evidence Ethan physically assaulted me. He knows I don’t strike unless it’s deserved.

“No. He didn’t hurt me.”

When he finds none, he looks back to Ethan who’s finally standing up, his hand gripping the back of his neck. A sure sign he’s trying to reign his shit in.

Bless his heart.

“What did he do then?”

“Made assumption.” I shrug, walking past Cash heading for the truck.

I hear Cash taunting Ethan behind me. “That’s becoming a habit for you. Getting your ass handed to you by a girl. Maybe you should think about postponing your fight with Vargas until you learn to read your opponent.” Cash laughs, then rushes to catch up to me.

“You all right, babe?” Cash puts his arm around my shoulder, asking quietly.

“Sure. I’mpeachy.”

Cash opens the truck door, looks me in the eyes, and says, “Whiskey, costumes, hard music, and a stage you can hide on?” I nod. Cash always knows what I need. He’s the best girlfriend I’ve ever had.

14

ETHAN

It’s been four days since George’s funeral. Four days since I last saw Skyler. Four days since I fucked Scarlet in the back room at the Pearl. Four days since we learned George was the cause of his own trouble. Four days since Skyler spoke those words that have me even more confused than I was before. What did she mean when she said “The only way you’ll be rid of me is ifyou leave town. I already did that once for you, I’m not doing it again.”

For the last four fucking days I’ve been exhausting myself in the gym. From the moment I wake up I’m working out. If I’m not working out in the cage, I’m running cardio or lifting weights. Anything I can to keep Skyler fucking Sinclair out of my head.

I’ve been running the phone conversations over and over in my head, trying to make sense of it all. So many unanswered questions.

Like who’s the boy George was talking about.

What does Ghost need to set right?

What shit did Skyler get caught up in that wasn’t her fault?

And why won’t anyone answer any of these fucking questions?

It’s like no one else heard them but me. Which I know is utter bullshit. We were all in the same room, listening to the same conversations taking place. Well, except when Skyler knocked me on my ass. No one else heard her parting words, but me, and even those don’t make any goddamn sense!

Uggghhhhh!

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