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Mike moved to the window in the upstairs hallway and stared down at the visitor. The truck was unmistakably Ethan’s. He glanced over his shoulder toward Rose.
“Are you expecting your brother?”
He had opted not to sleep at the Boone residence, telling Rose that there was more than enough space for him to stay at his grandparents’ place, but in all reality, he didn’t want to be socked in his sleep.
She moved to the window. “Oh yeah, he asked if there was anything we needed help with since he had a day off. I told him he could take a load to the dump for you. His truck is bigger and if we pile it smart, we could take one trip between the two of you.”
Mike gave her a flat look. “Are you sure that was a good idea? I don’t think I’m his favorite person at the moment.”
Rose sighed. “You two are just going to have to get used to each other again. Show him you’ve changed and he’ll be fine.”
She headed to the stairs, leaving Mike alone with his thoughts. If she only knew what kind of person he still was, she wouldn’t be sticking around.
Hurrying after her, he stopped her halfway down the steps. “Let me take the stuff out. I don’t want you overdoing it.”
She smiled as she patted his cheek. “You’re such a sweetie. How about I fix us a snack from the food they left us last night?”
Mike dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “I think that sounds great.”
He headed outside with the first big box and brought it to the bed of the truck. Ethan leaned against the tailgate, his expression colder than ice.
“There’s a bunch of boxes in the back,” Mike murmured. Without another word, he turned on his heel and headed around the side of the building.
“So that’s it, then?” Ethan hurried after him. “You’re gonna be stubborn about this?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mike tossed back. “I’m just filling up your truck because apparently you agreed to take a trip to the dump.”
Ethan laid a hand on Mike’s shoulder, spinning him around in the process. “You know what you’re doing, Mike. And I want it to stop.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“You’re taking advantage of her.”
Mike scowled, shrugging off Ethan’s hold. “She’s getting paid, or did you not know that?”
“I’m not talking about the work. I’m talking about her emotional state. You’re complimenting her and pushing her into the art world again just so you can put the moves on her.”
Mike’s chest puffed out. “I have never been less than a gentleman with a girl and you know it. Why would you even suggest that I would behave so poorly with Rose?”
Ethan snorted.
“I love her, Ethan.”
His friend stiffened, his jaw going slack.
That was when Mike realized what he’d said, and there was no taking it back.
“You can’t possibly know that,” Ethan muttered. “And if you really cared about her, you’d back off.”
“How does that even make sense?” Mike pushed past Ethan and headed for the pile of stuff they were supposed to be loading, but Ethan stood in his way again.
“Because she deserves better. You’re the last guy she needs in her life. You’re nothing like what my father wanted for her.”
Mike clenched his fists tight at his side. “Careful, Ethan. I could best you when we were younger, and I could do it now.”
Ethan jerked a finger toward the house. “She’s finally getting her life put back together. There’s something to say about the expectations my parents had for us when we were younger. They wanted her to be something.”
“Living with those expectations is what is killing her. Or haven’t you noticed just how miserable she is?” Mike shot back. “You don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
