Page 93 of Boss and Brat

His father stopped short. “When did that happen?”

“Just a few minutes ago,” Carter said. “Mrs. Evans told him he didn’t have a room in his home.”

Face slack, like someone had yanked the ground out from under him, his father asked, “What the hell is going on?”

“According to her, I don’t live there anymore,” Ethan said.

His dad turned to him, eyes sharp. “You’re not to blame for the break-in.”

Carter didn’t soften it. “She told him he was to blame because of his lifestyle.”

He hated Carter had to repeat it. Hated that his father had to hear it. Hated that it was true.

“What lifestyle is she referring to?” his father demanded.

Ethan swallowed hard. His throat burned with a raw ache. “She said Carter was playing house with me.”

His father’s face flushed red, anger rising fast. “I’m sorry, Carter. She was wrong to accuse you of doing those things with Ethan.”

Carter shook his head. “My problem is she went after him when he’s already hanging on by a thread,” he said, voice low but steady. “He tried to walk into that house and couldn’t even catch his breath.”

Ethan hadn’t realized Carter noticed that.

Carter didn’t look at him—he kept his eyes on Ethan’s father, shoulders squared as if he was bracing against something. “He did nothing to deserve to be talked to like that. Not today. Not ever.”

The words weren’t loud, but they landed heavy. Not a speech. Not a label. Just Carter pointing out exactly what was in front of them. Ethan was still shaking a little, still trying to stay upright, still trying not to fall apart again. And somehow, that hit deeper than being called innocent ever could.

“Apparently she doesn’t approve of Ethan living with me,” Carter said.

“It doesn’t matter what she approves of,” his dad snapped. Then he exhaled, rubbing a hand over his beard like he was trying to reset himself. “I’ll address it. Directly. And immediately.”

Carter’s reply came slower, more measured, almost like he was checking Ethan’s reaction before he spoke. “Good,” he said. “Because he doesn’t need another hit like that.”

His dad nodded once—sharp, decisive.

Carter’s tone stayed low, steady, protective in a way that wrapped around Ethan instead of ordering the room.

His father looked directly at his son. “Ethan, do you want to check out your room with me?”

Ethan’s shallow breath hitched before he could stop it. His body reacted first with his shoulders tightening, and stomach flipping as if he’d swallowed cold water too fast. He didn’t even glance toward the house. One look would’ve been enough to knock the air out of him.

He shook his head quickly. “Dad… no.”

The word came out softer than he meant, almost hoarse. He kept his eyes on Carter instead, as if he needed something steady to focus on while. The rest of him felt scraped raw. “I just want to get ready to leave,” he added, not quite meeting his father’s eyes.

It was a profound weariness that weighed him down, making his arms and legs feel heavy and his chest constricted. Going back inside that house would be walking into a memory he wasn’t strong enough to touch yet.

His father nodded, though he looked like he wanted to argue. Instead, he stepped forward and pulled Ethan into a quick, tight hug—something he didn’t do often. Ethan froze for a second, then let himself lean into it. Just a little.

Relief washed through Ethan so fast it left him lightheaded, like the moment a skittish horse settled under him after a tense start. His shoulders dropped, the tight pull in his spine easing as he pictured his books and photos untouched, still right where he’d left them.

“I’ll get you photos and books from you room for you and we’ll deal with the school stuff later.” His father didn’t look at Ethan when he said it. His eyes were locked on the security crew instead, sharp and assessing, as if he were daring them to miss a single detail. “Right now, nothing matters except keeping you safe.”

Ethan swallowed hard. “Thanks.” His voice cracked, embarrassing and small.

His father stepped closer to Carter, lowering his voice the way he did when he was shifting into business mode. “I’m putting this in your hands,” he said. “Tell me you have a plan for keeping him safe.”

Carter didn’t answer like a man giving a report. He answered like someone who already felt the weight of Ethan pressing into his ribs. “Yeah,” he said. “I’ve got him.”