A Tough Choice

Chapter Forty Eight

Finally my shift came to an end. I sighed in relief, it had been a really long night and I was exhausted.

I couldn't stop thinking about Ethan and how angry he'd seemed. I knew most of his hurt was down to the fact that I'd lied to him. By trying to save him from hurt, I'd ended up hurting him more. I needed to be honest with him from now on.

"Are you going to take me up on the lift?" Caleb asked as I put my jacket on.

"Yeah but we'll need to take Ethan home too." I grinned.

I smiled as he frowned at me.

"He's been waiting for me in the staff room." I told him.

"Oh for god sake." he said rolling his eyes.

I glared at him and wandered along to the staff room. I smiled to myself as I saw that he'd fallen asleep on the chair.

"What a twat." I heard Caleb say behind me.

I elbowed him in the ribs.

"Ouch." he said. I could hear the smile in his voice.

I walked over and gently kissed Ethan on the lips. I smiled as he jumped and opened his eyes slowly.

"That was a nice way to wake up." he said groggily.

"I thought you might like it." I grinned.

"Ugh, someone fetch me a bucket." Caleb groaned.

Ethan sighed as he noticed Caleb for the first time.

I took his hand as we followed Caleb to the car park. I could feel the uncomfortable tension between them as I climbed in the back.

"How are things with Taylor?" I asked, trying to break the uncomfortable silence.

"Really good, she's great." he grinned.

"Aww it'll be nice to see you settle down." I said.

"Yeah well I think she's a keeper." he said happily.

"I've heard that before." Ethan scoffed.

I winced as he said those words, I knew that an argument was bound to follow.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Caleb exclaimed.

"You say that about all your girlfriends and then you do something to mess it up." Ethan stated.

"That's not true!" Caleb protested.

"You did it with Holly, Pauline and Kirstie." Ethan insisted.

"Whatever, I would bring up your exes but you don't have any." Caleb said condescendingly.

"Boys!" I exclaimed trying to calm them down.

"You're lucky I'm letting you sleep on our sofa!" Ethan told him.

"Why are you worried I might make a move on Emma?!" he said angrily.

"Maybe history will repeat itself." he added.

"Caleb, that's out of line!" I exclaimed.
I glanced at Ethan as he fell silent, he was staring out the window. I leant over and gently squeezed his hand.

I sat back in the chair and sighed, if I'd known the atmosphere would be like this, I wouldn't have suggested it. What had I gotten myself into?