Maybe

Chapter 65 Worth the risk

Nina's eyes fluttered open, her head heavy, her thoughts tangled. The first thing she felt was warmth—strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close. The scent of blood and faint cologne filled her senses, and then it hit her. Ethan.

Her body stiffened as panic surged through her veins. Her heart pounded as memories flooded back—the gunshot, the chaos, the moment her finger pulled the trigger. 

She gasped, pushing herself up in a frenzy. "Ethan—" Her voice was breathless, trembling. Her hands frantically searched for the wound, fingers grazing over his blood-soaked shirt. The sight of red sent a cold wave of dread crashing over her. 

"Oh God, I shot you," she choked out, her breathing ragged. "I—was it you? I was aiming for Aiden, I swear—I didn't—" 

Her words tumbled over each other as she pressed her hands over the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "Why—why are you holding me? You should be—Ethan, say something!" 

Tears blurred her vision as she finally dared to meet his gaze, desperation clawing at her chest.

Ethan's fingers curled gently around her wrists, his grip steady yet soothing. "Hey," he murmured, his voice low and warm. "Calm down, Nina." 

Her breath hitched as his touch grounded her, but the panic still clawed at her chest. "Ethan, I—I shot you—" 

He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, you did," he admitted, his lips curving into a small smirk. "You've got pretty good aim, I'll give you that." 

Her eyes widened in horror. "Ethan, this isn't funny! You're bleeding, and I—" 

"Nina." His voice was firm but gentle, his thumbs brushing lightly over her skin. "It's fine. I'm fine." He exhaled, his expression softening. "No need to panic." 

Her lips parted, words failing her as she stared at him, searching for any sign of pain. He was hurt, bleeding, and yet... he was comforting her. 

Tears welled in her eyes. "But I—" 

"Shh," he hushed, tilting his head slightly. "Just breathe, okay?"

Ethan pulled her closer, his arms wrapping securely around her as if he were the one reassuring her.. not the other way around. His warmth, his steady heartbeat, it all felt so wrong considering the situation, yet Nina couldn't bring herself to pull away. 

"You know," he mused, his voice teasing yet oddly sincere, "when you shot me... I actually felt kinda happy." 

Her breath caught, and she pushed against his chest, staring at him like he had lost his mind. "You're a psycho," she blurted out, brows furrowing. 

Ethan chuckled, the sound deep and amused. "Maybe." He tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Or maybe I just like that you care this much. It's kinda cute." 

Nina scowled, heat rising to her cheeks. "You're bleeding, and you're flirting?" 

"What can I say? Near-death experiences make me sentimental," he quipped, winking. "And besides, if I had to get shot by someone, I'm glad it was you." 

She groaned, shoving him lightly. "You really are a psycho." 

He only laughed harder, holding her even closer.