Page 20 of I’m Already Gone

He didn’t notice me at first, turning on the small lamp by the entryway.

“Welcome home,” I said from the couch.

He jumped at the sound of my voice. “Jesus. Lily, why are you sitting in the dark?”

I stood up and stepped toward him. “What do you think? I was waiting for you.”

Like always.

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his tousled, golden hair, frustration etched across his face.

“Ethan. No more excuses. I need to know what the hell has been going on with you these past few months. Be honest and tell me the truth.”

He lifted his head to face me, his shoulders tensing. “What are you implying, Lily? Are you accusing me of something?”

I crossed my arms defiantly, meeting his stare head-on. “Is there something to accuse you of?” I challenged.

Ethan sighed. “Of course not, Lily.”

He started to walk away, but I said firmly, “Please don’t walk away from me, Ethan.”

He paused, resting his hand on the banister. “I don’t want to fight, Lily. I’m tired. Can we discuss this tomorrow before we say things we can’t take back?”

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “That’s what you always say, yet it never happens. You leave before I’m up and come home while we’re asleep.”

I took a step closer. “We are having this conversation. Now.”

He turned to face me fully.

Taking a deep breath, I softened my tone to ease the tension in the air. “You’ve seemed so different lately, and I’m worried about you.”

He looked away, his jaw clenched. “I don’t need you to worry about me.”

“That’s too bad because I’ll never stop worrying about you, Ethan.” I closed the distance between us, reaching out to touch his face. But before my fingers could make contact, he withdrew. My heart plummeted to my feet.

“You don’t want me to touch you now?” I whispered.

“Lily, I’m tired, alright? It’s been a long day,” he said, sidestepping the question.

I swallowed hard, dread settling heavy in my chest. The question had kept me awake for nights, circling endlessly through my mind. I didn’t want to ask it, but I needed the truth. “Is there someone else?”

His expression softened, though exhaustion still shadowed his face. “No, Lily.”

I threw my hands up. “What am I supposed to think, Ethan? Something is holding you back from being here with your family. You need an excuse to be away from your family?”

“No, Lily, I don’t need an excuse to be away from any of you.” He flinched. “No, no, I didn’t mean it the way it came out. I just meant that…” His voice trailed off, his gaze skittering away from mine, unable to meet the raw fury in my eyes.

“No, Ethan. It’s exactly what you meant,” I snapped. “It’s exactly what you’ve been doing.”

He turned back to face me. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re never home, Ethan! You work late every night. You barely answer my text messages, and you never seem to have time for us. And you missed my birthday! What is going on?”

He met my gaze, and for a fleeting moment, I saw pain in his eyes, but it was quickly covered by frustration. “I don’t know anymore, Lily.”

“What does that mean?”

“What do you want from me?” He stormed past me toward the living room.