Mended

7

Ethan's POV

I stirred awake to the feeling of something soft  brushing over my back. When the repetitive motion continued, I recognized who the gentle touch belonged to.

"I know you're awake," Rose's voice was quiet as she spoke softly, letting her fingertips trace the black ink tattooed on my back. My head faced the window, so I couldn't see her, but I felt her warmth pressed as close to me as possible.

I said nothing in response, relishing in the feeling of receiving some form of comfort after the exhausting night I'd had.

"Ethan," Rose whispered, her hand stilling on my back, right above where her pristine, white sheets covered the lower half of my body.

"Keep going," I murmured, my voice husky from the remnants of sleep. Rose obeyed, her hand starting to trace patterns on my back once again.

"It's almost one in the afternoon," she said quietly. "I have to go to work soon."

I stayed silent, keeping my eyes closed. I didn't think I'd be able to open them even if I'd wanted to.

That was how fucking tired I was. It was the type of exhaustion that made my bones feel like cement. The type that made me feel like no amount of sleep I got would cure what I was feeling.

"Can you look at me, please?" Rose asked, and I started to detect worry in her voice now. "Ethan."

I let out a deep breath and reluctantly rolled over on her bed, my gaze meeting a pair of honey brown eyes pooling with concern that I knew was always aimed at me.

I didn't say anything as I came face to face with her. Instead, I let myself study her silently as sunlight streamed into the room from the window behind me, its golden beams illuminating all of Rose's striking features.

"How are you feeling?" She questioned gently, and my eyes followed one of her tawny-colored curls as it fell across her eyes. Mindlessly, I reached forward and tucked it behind her ear, letting my thumb graze her cheekbone. I let it linger there before I shifted it downwards, tracing her full bottom lip.

Rose's hand wrapped around my wrist to halt me when I began to inch my fingers lower, trailing towards her throat.

"No," she stated, her voice quiet but firm as she studied me. Immediately, I dropped my hand. "I want you to talk to me. Not use me as a distraction again like last night."

"That wasn't what happened," I finally spoke, tensing as I pulled away.

In a way, it had been just that.

Elijah's news had shaken me.

I'd left in a panic, not knowing where to go or what to do. Like always, I'd ended up at Rose's because she was the only person who had the ability to make me forget how much pressure I was under. She was my relief.

But it never lasted.

Even now, the thought alone of Elijah, Kaiden and Sophia being so close by permanently made my chest constrict. This was the last thing I needed, especially with everything I had going on now.

Izzy alone was bad enough with her tendency to want to act as my therapist and pry into every aspect of my life. Caleb, my friends, and Rose only added to that, and now I'd have the rest of my family hounding me too.

I could handle most of them. I'd been doing so for years, but the person I had to worry about the most was Elijah.

If anyone were to find out what hell I'd gotten myself into, it would be him. He was too smart. Too observant and watchful. I'd have to be extra careful now.