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“Jesus, just tell me.” Ethan's tone took on a level of concern that I hadn't heard in a while, so I cut to the chase.
“I may have, sort of,hiredAspen to be my girlfriend because I couldn't bear the thought of losing my dad's car.”
The line went silent, and my heart thumped hard against my chest.
“I know it was stupid,” I hurried to continue. “And I'm sorry, but I wanted to come clean with you. I don't like lying to any of you, but I couldn't lose my dad's car, man. I know it was my dumbass fault for betting it, but you know me. I was going to do anything to keep that car.”
“I would never have kept the car,” Ethan said. “Would I have driven it around the block? Hell fucking yes. But I would have never taken that from you. Not for longer than an hour. But that's beside the point,” he continued. “You're telling me every time we saw you two together, it was an act? Because if so, she deserves a fucking Oscar.”
“I don't know,” I admitted. “In the beginning? Yes. But now...”
“Holy fucking shit. You fell for her, didn’t you?”
“Yep,” I answered, no point in denying it. “I’m crazy about her. I don’t want anybody else. Can’t picture myself with anybody else and I have no idea where she stands.”
“So, ask her,” Ethan said, like it was the most obvious answer in the world. “What are you waiting for?”
“I don’t know how to do this,” I said. “And how the fuck am I supposed to approach the subject when our entire relationship was based off of a contract? Ipaidher to be my girlfriend, and now what? Should I renegotiate the terms?—”
“She’s not a business deal,” Ethan cut me off. “Not anymore. Clearly. Hell, from the way you were acting around her, I doubt she was a deal one week after you struck it. It was clear to all of us that you were crazy about her, and now what? You’re just leaving it in limbo?”
“Apparently,” I said. “Living in the unknown is easier than venturing into uncharted territory. I’m terrified,” I admitted. “What if I tell her and she says she just wants more money in order to be with me?”
Ethan sighed and took a minute before he responded.
“I get it,” he finally said. “Neither one of us thought we were cut out for this kind of life. And despite your jokes and your past, I know there’s a lot in you that questions whether someone could want to be with you for the long haul. But I can tell you from experience that when it's the right person, there’s no question. There’s no hesitation. Alex changed my life, and yeah it was hard as hell getting to where we are, but with her, everything feels easy. And from the way you were behaving around Aspen, it seems like that's the case for you too. Am I wrong?”
“No,” I admitted.
“When was your contract up?”
“Yesterday.”
“And she's going to the dedication with you tonight?”
“Yes,” I answered.
Ethan chuckled softly. “Well then, what are you worried about? If she's going with you, that's a sign that she's in. The fact that she lasted this long and hasn’t strangled you is another. How many more signs do you need before you can work up the courage to tell her how you feel?”
“I don't know,” I said. “How long did you need before you and Alex got your shit together?”
“Fair enough,” he said. “But no amount of tossing my own shit at me will help you with yours.”
“Fair enough,” I conceded.
“I get that feeling of being completely tossed out to sea and not understanding which direction you need to go. But if it was me, I'd ask. There's literally nothing else you can do.”
“I know you're right,” I said. “I plan to after the dedication tonight. Just the thought of her asking for a check and never wanting to see me again makes me feel like shit.”
“Aspen doesn't seem like that kind of person,” he said. “But if she is, I'll get on a plane. You've always been there for me. I won't hesitate to be there for you.”
“Thanks,” I said. “And you're really not pissed about the bet?”
“Nah, man. Like I said, I was never going to take that car from you. But I'm glad you've learned where your line is. What you aren't willing to lose. Does Aspen now fall into that category?”
“I think she does,” I said.
“Make sure you know,” he said. “Nothinkingabout it. Before you put yourself out there like that, you betterknowshe’s what you want. I think all of us are fond of that girl, and if you break her heart, we may just have to kick you out of our little club.”
