Faithful Horizons

Chapter 28: A Misstep

Ethan leaned against the counter at the gas station, tapping his card to pay for a soda and a pack of gum. The small bell over the door jingled, and as he turned to leave, he froze.

"Carter? Is that you?"

The voice came from behind him, easy and familiar. Ethan turned to see Derek standing there, a sly grin spreading across his face

"Man, I haven't seen you in forever," Derek said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've been laying low or what?"

Ethan shrugged, forcing a smile. "Something like that."

Derek chuckled, his gaze scanning Ethan like he was sizing him up. "You're looking good, man. Cleaner, I guess. Heard you've been hanging with some church crowd these days. What's that about?"

Ethan shifted uncomfortably, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets. "Just trying something new."

"Well, good for you," Derek said, though his smirk didn't fade. "But hey, you should come hang with me tonight. We're hitting up some spots, nothing crazy - just like old times."

Ethan hesitated, his stomach twisting. He knew better. He should say no. but there was something in Derek's tone, a pull toward the life that used to feel so easy, so... familiar.

"Yeah, maybe," Ethan said, the words tasting bitter as they left his mouth.

The evening air was cool as Ethan climbed into Derek's car. The music's bass thumped through the speakers, and Derek handed Ethan a vape pen as he pulled out of the driveway.

"Here," Derek said. "I know you've missed this."

Ethan stared at it for a moment before taking it reluctantly. He didn't plan to use it - but holding it felt like a small rebellion against the weight of his new life.

Ethan's resolve was wearing thin when they reached the first stop, a casual house party on the outskirts of town. Derek passed him a drink, and Ethan took it, ignoring the voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like Grace's.

The next morning, Ethan woke up feeling hollow. The smell of stale smoke lingered on his clothes and his head throbbed. Derek had driven him home late last night, laughing and calling it "just like old times." But it didn't feel like old times to Ethan.

It felt wrong.

He sat on the edge of his bed, his face in his hands. Grace's Bible sat on the nightstand, a quiet reminder of everything he was trying to be.

When his phone buzzed, he glanced at the screen.

Grace: Are you coming to church today?

Ethan stared at the message for a long moment before typing back: Not today. Sorry.

That afternoon, Grace showed up at his apartment unannounced. Ethan opened the door, surprised to see her standing there with a calm but serious expression.

"Hey," she said, stepping inside. "Can we talk?"

Ethan nodded, stepping aside to let her in. She walked to the couch, sat down, and looked up at him expectantly.

"I heard about last night," she said softly.

Ethan's stomach dropped. "How?"

"Derek mentioned it to one of the guys from youth group," Grace said. "They didn't mean anything by it, but... I needed to check in with you."

Ethan sat across from her, his head bowed. "I messed up," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I thought I could handle it."

Grace's expression softened. "Ethan, I'm not here to judge you. I know this isn't easy. But you need to figure out what you want. Because if you keep holding onto your old life, it's going to pull you back in."

Ethan looked up, his chest tightening at the gentleness in her tone. "I want to be better, Grace. I do. I just..." He shook his head, frustrated. "I don't know why I keep screwing up."

"Because you're human," Grace said simply. "And because change is hard. But you're not in this alone. You don't have to fight these battles by yourself."

Ethan nodded slowly, letting her words sink in. "I'm sorry," he said. "For letting you down."

"You didn't let me down, Ethan," Grace said, leaning forward. "But you need to figure out who you're doing this for - me, or you, or God. When you do, everything else will fall into place.

That night, Ethan sat in his room, the Bible open in front of him. He read the verse from Matthew again:

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other."

Ethan stared at the words, his chest aching.

He couldn't keep living in both words. And he didn't want to.

A/N:

Want more? Make sure to vote, comment, and follow so you don't miss any updates! I appreciate every bit of support!