I bite back against the rush of denial.
Whatever happened, Ethan clearly feels betrayed.
He glares at me now, still angry I’m up in his business and keeping him from knocking himself out with booze even though he’s the one who put me on the counter.
The paper towels are almost soaked through.
“What did he do?” I ask softly. Thunder vibrates the room again.
Upstairs, Ares lets out a deep howl, calling to the storm because I know they don’t scare him that much.
For a second, Ethan laughs bitterly, shaking his head.
His eyes are the darkest circles I’ve ever seen.
“This is ridiculous. All of it. Go pack your shit,” he tells me.
It takes a second to sink in, and it cuts me to the bone.
We’re in the eye of the storm, I think, everything oddly quiet now except the soft rain and the sound of his voice.
“When you told me to leave… you meant leave-leave? Um, no. You don’t get to do this.” My voice quivers. “You don’t drag yourself in, get stinking drunk, and end it just like that.”
“Wait until the storm’s over, then. Whatever. I’ll be gone, if that’s easier.” His eyes are wild, almost glowing in the light. “Hattie, I’m fucking gone!”
His words punch a hole through me.
I shake my head, fighting back scalding tears even though they’re pushing into my nose. “You can’t. Your inheritance—”
“Fuck it all to hell! I don’tcareanymore, woman.” He bares his teeth, breathing harshly. “That was a sick game Gramps played. One more game in a whole life of them. It’s over now. I don’t give a fuck whether I inherit his fortune or one wheat penny. I’mdone.”
For the first time tonight, I’m scared.
“What? No,” I say again, numbly, still shaking my head. “You don’t mean that. You can’t—”
“Don’t tell me what I mean—and don’t worry.” His voice gentles. “You still get your money and your little store. I’m not screwing anyone over. I’m not a complete asshole.”
“It’s cute that you think that,” I spit.
His eyes flash with surprise.
But my anger, my hurt are unleashed.
Until now, I’d pushed them down because I figured Ethan needed some kind of calm, some time to regain his senses, but this is too far.
“Are you being serious? How much did you drink before you came home on the plane?” I search his eyes.
They glitter with irritation, too many blue fires to count.
“You sure you want to pick a fight right now?”
“Why not? Why the hellnot, Ethan? If you’re going to end things on a whim because you’re mad at your grandpa and you won’t tell me why?”
“Don’t.” Jaw tight, nostrils flared, he narrows his eyes. “Don’t go there.”
“I have to.” I’m so mad I’m not hearing the words leaving my mouth.
My biggest fears are coming true. That’s all I know.
