nd getting him settled, I finally collapsed onto the living room couch. It was nearly noon.

lights came back on. The entire team staring. I groaned, bury

on the coffee tabl

night's win tonight. Medical staff

the plane, this was his first text

fessional. If it's about your rehab, text me.

ing dots appe

ur:

hone onto the

to find Marcus Reeves holding a paper bag. "

side. He'd been Ethan's closest friend long before the accident, an

still won't let me score

rcus never acted uncomfortable. He spoke to Ethan like nothing had change

g my eye over his mug.

N

s lips poutin

ly my thing anymore,

it's been t

y coffee. "I have

," he added softly. "I'm saying disappear for two h

ugged at my lips. "

rs. Originality isn

ed. "There she is. I haven't heard you laugh in a while. You des

s right. "...Just for a l

. "I'll pick y

he time we arrived at the crowded penthouse. I imme

me a soda. "Re

for thirt

ho

," I counte

I slipped out onto the balcony, letting the cool evening air gr

s, a drink in his hand, laughing effortlessly. Before he could look

ays leading away from the penthouse lounge. The music became

nough. I reached the corner when a hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist. Before I

pun around, my

th

undone. His hair fallen across his forehead, and the fa

ped, yanking my wrist free. "Hav

moment before speaking. "

ed. "..

voice was quiete

ngs professional." A hum

took another step forw

d. "And

rst and you

re clearly drunk and this

en the door, his hand settled over mine. Stop

y shoulder. "Ge

N

I said as

... s

,You don't get to drag me into empty roo

trying to t

him. "You're trying to m

d. "You have no

escaped me. "You want

.

fore sunrise because Ethan can

e took a step toward me and

k, then come home and do it all over a

na.

voice shook despite my best

ession f

ars I'd been fighting fi

w to live with everything..." I whispered, "...you sho

finish that sentence, the words died again

in shock. Arthur's hand slid carefully to my jaw, as though he alre

gainst mine, his brea

s curled into the front of

e, I kis

as though letting go wasn't an option anymore. I buried my fingers in his hair

ge they seemed capable of speaking. When we finally pulled apart

r drifted down the hallway a

ide

ad just cha