Page 72 of The Summer We Played Pretend

“Good.” He nods once. "You’re great at fixing things, Jackson. Cars, engines, whatever. I just hope you know how to fix this too."

Chloe hasn’t told him we’re over I realize. I don’t know why. Maybe she’s still pissed at him for the way he barreled in. Chances are she’s pissed atme.

“Ethan, I…" I swallow hard. “I ended things," I tell him, forcing the words out even though they taste bitter. "With Chloe. I put a stop to it. For her sake, for yours...because I didn’t want to mess anything up more than I already had."

Ethan’s eyes narrow slightly. "You ended it?"

"Yeah." The word feels heavy in my mouth. "It wasn’t fair to her. Or to you, honestly."

For a second, I think I see something flash across his face but then his brow furrows, and he shifts again, kicking at a loose pebble on the ground.

"Funny," he mutters after a pause, "because Brendan picked her up from a party last night."

My stomach drops. I swallow hard, trying to keep my expression neutral and I have to stop my hands curling into fists.

"Brendan?" I ask, keeping my tone casual—or at least attempting to. "Didn’t realize they were… talking again."

"Neither did I," Ethan crosses his arms now, his expression growing dark. "But apparently, he swung by to apologize whatever garbage excuse he came up with this time." He shakes his head, disgust clear in his voice. "The guy’s a walking red flag. You’d think she’d have learned the first time, but…" He trails off, frowning deeply.

"Right," I manage to say, though my jaw feels like it’s locked in place. Brendan. Freaking Brendan. Of course he’d find a way to weasel himself back into her life. And, of course, I can’t say any of that out loud without looking like a jealous idiot.

"Honestly, I’d take you over him any day," Ethan adds suddenly, surprising me enough that I blink. His expression softens. "Not saying I love the idea of you and Chloe together, but at least you’re not…him."

"Gee, thanks," I mutter, the corners of my mouth twitching upward despite myself.

"Just calling it like I see it," he replies with a shrug, but I catch the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Man, maybe we should’ve just teamed up and kicked Brendan’s ass instead of going at each other."

I blink then let out a short laugh before I can stop myself. "Yeah, becausethatwouldn’t end with both of us in jail for assault or something."

"Please—” Ethan grins “—scrawny dude wouldn’t stand a chance. One wrong move and you’d probably flatten him before I even got a punch in."

"Maybe," I admit, shrugging, but the thought is more satisfying than I want it to be. "Still, it’s not like Chloe doesn’t know what she’s doing. She’s too sharp to let him fool her twice." I glance at Ethan, praying he thinks the same.

Chloe’s too smart to fall for Brendan’s bullshit.

She has to be.

Cause I can’t stomach the idea of her getting back together with him.

"Yeah," Ethan mutters, “maybe.” He gives me a sideways glance. "Still think we should’ve gone with the ass-kicking plan.”

"Noted," I reply, grinning despite myself. "You’ll be the first person I call if that ever becomes an option."

Ethan pushes away from the car. “All right. Guess I’ll let you get back to your lousy car.”

"Be worth it one day," I tell him.

"Right, right," Ethan says, chuckling softly as he heads back to his car and opens the door.

He hesitates, though, one hand resting on the frame, the other gripping the keys. His eyes flick back to me then the car then to me again.

"Spit it out, man," I say. Our friendship might not be back on track yet but I can still read him.

He scratches the back of his neck. "Just...for what it’s worth? I’d take you over Brendan any day."

“What do you mean?”

"Don’t make me say it again." Ethan's grin is lopsided, but his tone carries weight. "I’m just saying...if it was between you andthat guy? Not even close."

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