Mended

39

**warning**
graphic violence

Ethan's POV

Once I'd drained every drop of vodka left in the bottle, I chucked it into the tree with every amount of force I could muster. It shattered on impact, shards of glass flying through the air until they landed in the grass. Underneath the midnight sky, the pieces glittered.

I chuckled at the sight, stumbling back until the back of my legs hit my car. I braced myself against it, allowing myself a moment to steady since everything was spinning right now.

In the distance, I heard the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the empty shore. I couldn't see them, but I heard the water as it turned fiercer with the night. Above me, the sky was pitch black, only a ribbon of moonlight streaming through the darkness.

Involuntarily, my hand drifted into the back pocket of my jeans where I felt my phone. I took it out and scrolled through my contacts until I landed on her name.

Without a second thought, I clicked it and put the phone on speaker.

I wasn't sure if I was grateful that Izzy answered or not.

"Hello?" Her voice was quiet, as if she was trying not to disturb someone. I figured Julian was asleep.

"How's your trip going?"

"Ethan? Why are you calling so late?"

I mindlessly kicked at the rocks with my foot. "You didn't answer my question," I said flatly. "Are you and Julian alright now?"

She hesitated, but I figured it was because of me, not because of whatever was going on over there. "It's good," Izzy answered warily. "We're having fun. I think...I think it's a good thing we decided to come. Things are better now between us."

I smiled. "That's good," I murmured. "I'm happy you're happy." It's what I always wanted for her.

Silence encased us and after a moment, Izzy broke it.

"Why are you calling so late?" She questioned again.

"Because I miss you," I answered simply.

"I've barely been gone," she replied, the wariness still audible in her tone. I tried not to let it get to me because I knew that it was because of Caleb. She still hadn't forgiven me completely but that was alright.

"Yeah, I know." I kicked at the ground again, my gaze landing on one of the shards in the grass. "Is he treating you right?"

"Yeah, he is." Her tone softened as she answered, which reassured me that she was telling the truth.

I smiled again. "Good. Make sure he always does, alright? Don't put up with anything else. You deserve the best, Iz."

Izzy went silent again. "Ethan..." she trailed off. "Where are you right now?"

"Why does it matter?"

"You don't sound okay," she said hesitantly.

I chuckled and glanced down at the grass, leaning further back against my car. "What do you mean?"

"You sound..." she broke off. "I don't know. You just don't sound like yourself. Where are you? Are you with someone?"

I let her question sit in the silence between us for a few moments, before I spoke.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Do you trust me?"