“That makes you more the bad guy. Everyone fucks Kaya Cheek.”
Oh, Ethan was aware.
Only, because of Gene, he was strong enough to carry that weight.
“I’ll be the bad guy for you, Callen. I caught you banging her, and you betrayed me. We were never able to mend that fence. Understand?”
He slowly nodded.
“Did you forgive me?” he asked.
Ethan was to the point.
“I just kissed my brother, I’m half naked on a bathroom floor, and you smell like vomit. That’s love, bro. That’s definitely love and forgiveness.”
Callen laughed.
“I’m going to miss you, EJ. I hope one day you come home again.”
Oh, he hoped so, too.
Only, he had to fall on his sword now for Callen.
“What you feel will die when you find the love of your life. I felt it for you, but then, I found Gene. I’m on my path. Get on yours, CJ, and one day, when we both have partners, I’m sure we’ll find each other again.”
Callen knew his brother was his soulmate.
So, he doubted he’d move on.
There wouldn’t be that kick to the chest when he found love at first sight. He’d found love born in the bowels of Hell, but he’d pretend.
For Ethan.
“I know what you’re thinking, CJ. You have a terrible poker face. Move on, and one day, I’ll be back. I’ll punch you in the face, and we’ll pretend until then. This is between us, and it will stay between us. Forget about me that way, Callen. I’m a lousy lay,” he joked.
He laughed.
“So am I. I have to be drunk, apparently.”
It appeared that Ethan had navigated this without anyone being damaged further.
Yay, him.
Because he had to work, he helped Callen up, and back into bed.
“So, this is really goodbye?”
Ethan was getting dressed.
“I don’t think it can be anything other than this,” he said. “Maybe in the next life,” he said. “Maybe never. I know in my heart and from life that we don’t always get what we want. This might be one of those things.”
Ethan took something from his coat pocket and handed it to Callen. Thankfully, he’d carried his clothes over to Callen’s room.
“Here.”
It was the note he’d written him.
“It was the absolute truth. I was ready, but we both have to be ready. Maybe one day we will be.”
