Page 124 of Catch
We walk back to Ethan’s, but every noise has me jumping and looking over my shoulder.
When we finally step inside the house, all our friends arehere, including Ethan’s frat brothers, Gage and Marshall. I finally feel my nerves start to settle.
“Bud, are you alright?” Archie asks me.
I reach out to hug my friend tight.
“I’m fine. Everything’s okay.”
“It’s over,” Ethan snaps. “That prick is done.”
Ethan stalks off toward the kitchen, and I start to follow him, but Dane shakes his head at me.
“Let him go for now, Jett. In fact, if you’re okay here with Jackson and the rest of the guys, maybe Ethan and I could step out for a bit? Give him time to cool off?”
I worry my lower lip and nod.
“I think that’s a good idea. I don’t want him to go after Renner,” I admit.
“He was scared for you, Jett. I’ve never heard Ethan panic like that before.”
“He called you?”
“From Boots.”
My head is throbbing. I don’t remember that at all. I place a hand on my temple and rub gently.
“I guess I was busy talking to the police, so I didn’t notice.”
“That’s understandable. But don’t worry. Ethan won’t do anything to make the situation worse. He cares too much about you to let that happen.”
“I know.”
I know Ethan cares. But does that mean he loves me the way I love him? I’ve been wanting to tell him, but every time I go to speak the words, I freeze.
You’re worried he’s going to run. Which is funny considering that you were the one doing all the running at first.
“And we’re all here. We’ve got your back. Anything you need, anything, just ask.”
“Thanks, Dane.”
He offers a warm smile. “I’m gonna find your boyfriend,take him skating, or maybe to the gym, and bring him back here in an hour, alright?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“One other thing—” Dane starts, then pauses.
“Yes?”
“Don’t wait to tell him how you feel. I think he needs to hear it.”
CHAPTER 27
ETHAN
Cold sweat rolls down my back, and I’m having a hard time breathing. My hands haven’t stopped shaking, not since Jett called me, crying, terrified. When I got to Boots, all I wanted to do was hold him. And then when I heard the recording—Renner’s threatening words, the fear in Jett’s voice—I swear my heart stopped beating.
Why didn’t I go with Jett? If only I hadn’t stayed behind to call my mother.
