Page 83 of Ethan's Sky

“Anna? The self-defense trainer from Knock Out’s?” The mention of Anna’s name is stroking Patsy’s curiosity and I know what she’s thinking.

“One in the same.”

“You’re training at Ethan’s gym with one of his trainers? You plan on getting in a fight?” She leans against the counter, her ankles crossed as she puts her tablet and pencil away. She’s settling in which means I’m not getting out of this easily. “Is that why you have that big old bag hanging off your chair?”

“If you must know. I’m training with Kieran and Anna a few days a week. Kieran watched me sparring with Anna and offered to train me. It’s to keep my skills sharp. I don’t plan on fighting anyone for real. It’s just for fun.” I shrug, opening the small pocket of my backpack putting my phone away, hoping she lets this conversation go.

“We’ll see about that.” She quips.Guess not.

Leaning on my elbows, I bite my bottom lip. I want to smile. I know she’s probably thinking Kieran’s going to get me to fight for their women’s MMA team that he is currently seeking members for. But I don’t plan on fighting for sport.

“You think Kieran’s going to convince me to fight for his team.”

“Fight? No. But when Ethan finds out that Kieran’s personally overseeing your meal plans, workout schedule, and spending so much time focused on everything about you….” She stands, a knowing smirk lifts the corner of her ruby red lips. “Well, honey you may not be planning to fight anyone, but you better be ready for one, just in case.” She laughs softly to herself as she walks away pleased with herself.

She has no idea.

“Well, you’re wrong. The only part of any of this Ethan cares about is the fact I’m in is gym. In his personal space. Ethan has an issue with me, and maybe Cash,” I say hoping to sound uncaring and nonchalant, but even I can hear the hurt in my voice. “Besides, it’s Anna who’s training me and seeing to all those things, not Kieran. He agreed with me it was best for me to train when Ethan wasn’t around. Apparently, my presence pisses him off and messes with his training routine.”

“And why do you think that is?”

I roll my eyes. “Ethan doesn’t like the fact I’ve changed, and he can’t control me. He barks orders and is surprised when I don’t jump to do his bidding. Whatever, he can fuck right off with the rest of them.”

“You want to know what I think?”

“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.” She shoves my shoulder calling me a smartass.

“I think Ethan is jealous and frustrated.” I shoot her a disbelieving look. Patsy laughs. “Think about it, baby girl. You’ve changed. You used to avoid confrontation and gave in if you thought something might upset Ethan or Emily. I saw you backdown time and time again even when I could tell you didn’t want to.” She chuckles, tugging a stray hair behind my ear. “You were gone a long time and although we are happy to have you home where you belong, no one knows you anymore.Ethandoesn’t know you and it frustrates him, because the way you and Cash and the others carry on it’s obvious, you’re close.”

“Who are you Sky?”Ethan’s words from last night come to mind.

“It’s not like that between Cash and me. Or any of them really. They’re, the guys.”

“Oh, I know,” she says, her brows both raising as she grins. “If you two were together, Cash wouldn’t be cruising all over town flirting and hooking up with every woman who bats her eyelashes at his pretty face. When these men find their ol’ lady, they put away their man whore ways.” She says smiling. She leans close to my ear and whispers, “Because if they don’t, they know we’d murder their asses, and make it look like an accident.”

I laugh at her words but have no doubt she’s telling the truth. Especially her and Liz. They’ve been around d long enough to learn all the club tricks.

And she’s right. Cash may be a man whore, but I’ve seen him date a few times. When he’s with a woman he’s interested in, he’s faithful. Loyal to her.

“Ethan acts all butt hurt because of the way you and Cash interact with one another. It bothers him to see you smile and relax with another man. He’s jealous. Believe me. Once he lets down his guard and sees the truth for himself, girl there won’t be anywhere for you to run where he won’t find you.”

I wish.

I thought if I came home and gave him some time, eventually we would at least be able to be friends. I’ve missed talking to him. Telling each other about our dreams and making plans. I thought maybe he would understand.

How can he when he doesn’t know the truth?

As for Ethan being jealous of Cash, she’s wrong.Cash, a brother, being nice to me when Ethan thinks everyone should hate me as much as he does is what really bothers him. If Cash treated me like shit, Ethan would probably applaud him. They’d be instant best friends.

“Here you go,” Misty says, topping off my coffee.

“Get her the pumpkin spice creamer in the back, would you Sweetheart.” Patsy sends her off to grab her secret stash. “I kept it on hand for your Daddy,” she shrugs. “Figured you might like some.” A smile tugs my lips.

“Thanks.” She leaves to check on the other customers but not before dropping a kiss on my head, cradling my cheek. “I’ve missed watching you grow up, but I’m proud as hell of the woman I see before me. Your mama would be too.”

I tuck into my food, not paying too much attention to the world around me, lost in my own thoughts. The argument with Cash, then with Ethan. The way Ethan looked at me with such repulsion. The venom in his voice when he told me daddy’s death was my fault. All the things he blames me for.

He believed I could be a fucktoy for the MC.

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