A Tough Choice

Chapter Eight

I bolted awake as my alarm went off. As my eyes adjusted to the light I saw that Ethan's head was still on my lap. I watched him closely as he slowly stirred.

"Hey." I smiled at him.

"Morning." he said as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. I couldn't help but notice how adorable he looked.

I stood up and hobbled slightly.

"You okay?" he asked worridly.

"Yeah I've just got cramp, you have a heavy head." I teased him.

"Well I have a large brain." he grinned.

"Yeah we'll go with that." I chuckled as I slowly walked upstairs.

Half an hour later, I was finally ready for work. I made my way into the kitchen.

"I made you breakfast." Ethan grinned as he handed me a plate with some toast on it.

"You didn't have to do that." I said as I took the plate from him.

"I owe you one." he grinned.

"Why do you live in Kent?" he blurted.

"What?" I asked in between mouthfuls.

"Doesn't it take forever to get to work?" he asked.

"Yeah but I've always lived here and I like it." I told him.

"I'll give you a lift if you want?" he offered.
"You should stay here and chill out, I can easily get the train." I told him.

"Well I'm going to work anyway so I may as well take you." he answered.

"You're going to work?!" I exclaimed.

He nodded.

"I'm sure Connie will understand that you need a couple of days off after what happened." I reassured him.

"She doesn't know, I just told her that I needed to go to the hospice." he admitted.

"Tell her the truth then." I said.

"I'm not ready for everyone at work to know." he said sadly. I could tell that he was trying not to cry.

"Take a sick day then." I suggested.

"I can't let the patient's down." he said sadly.

"They'll be fine, you have things to sort out, you can go to your flat and get some things together." I told him.

"What for?" he frowned.

"So you can stay here for a few days." I grinned.

"I can't do that!" he protested.

"It's fine, you could do with the company." I reassured him.

He shook his head.

"Besides I like having you around." I added.

"Well I can't say no to that." he grinned.

"I'll see you later then." I said as I grabbed my keys and left.

As I sat on the train on my way to work I couldn't help but think of Ethan. I hoped that he would be alright on his own. I knew that he was upset when I left, but was trying to put a brave face on it. It frustrated me knowing there was nothing I could do to help, it would take a long time for his heart to heal. All I could do was be there for him and I would be, until he no longer needed me.

I eventually arrived at work and sat at the nurse's station. I quickly read the history of the patients as I waited for the handover.

"Morning Emma." I heard a voice behind me say.

I spun around in my chair.

"Caleb!" I exclaimed, shocked that he was here.

"What are you doing here?!" I cried.

"I work here." he chuckled.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Yeah but I didn't think you'd be working today after what happened?" I said quietly.

"What are you talking about?" he frowned.
I stared at him in complete confusion, I couldn't work out if he was being serious or whether he was teasing me.

"What happened?" he asked again.

"Nothing." I said quickly.

I couldn't bring myself to tell him, it wasn't my place. I couldn't understand why he didn't already know. Why wouldn't Ethan tell him. I gasped slightly as I began to doubt Ethan. He wouldn't lie about something like that would he?!

"Are you sure?" Caleb interrupted my thoughts.

I nodded and walked away quickly. I didn't want to keep being questioned. I didn't know what to think anymore. I sighed and carried on with my work.

"I'm home!" I called as I closed the front door behind myself.

I quickly made my way through to the kitchen. I jumped as Koda sat at my feet and meaowed at me.

"You can't have Chinese food." I told him sternly.

I looked up as I saw Ethan leaning against the door frame, a can of beer in his hand.

"Are you drunk?" I asked him as I made eye contact and saw that his pupils were dilated.

"Only a little." he grinned.

"I got Chinese." I told him as I shared out the food.

I badly wanted to question him about Caleb but I was worried about upsetting him.

"I saw Caleb at work today." I said hesitantly.

He raised his eyebrow at me.

"He was his usual cheery self." I hinted.

I looked up as he sighed.

"I will tell him, I just don't know how to." he admitted.

I could see that he was getting upset, so I quickly tried to change the subject. I couldn't think of anything to say so I switched on the radio. I saw him smile slightly. I knew that he hated uncomfortable silences too.

"This is my favourite song." he announced.
I listened carefully to it and instantly recognised 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship'.

"It's an old song." I said wrinkling my nose.
"I know, but the words are really meaningful." he pointed out.

"Dance with me." he said randomly.

I scoffed.

"Exactly how much have you had to drink?" I chuckled.

"Mum was a dance teacher." he told me.

"That's great, but I can't dance." I told him.

I jumped as he took my hand.

"Stop it." I protested.

I squealed as he twirled me and pulled me towards him. He smiled down at me and winked.

"Ethan!" I squealed and laughed as he twirled me again.

I wobbled slightly and fell backwards against the kitchen counter. I watched him as he fell fowards from the momentum and fell towards me. He quickly put his hands against the counter, to prevent himself from falling on top of me.

I blushed as his face was mere inches from mine. I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"Whoops." he grinned as he slowly stood up.

I quickly turned away from him, trying to hide my flushed cheeks. I slowly handed him his plate and took mine into the lounge.