Better With You

XXXVII

LUKE'S POV

"No! You can't make me!" Ethan whined from his room.

"Come on, Ethan. You have to get an education!" Ryder argued back.

Today's the day Ethan's supposed to go back to Ohio.

Clearly, he doesn't want to.

"Yeah but can't I just get an education here?" He asked.

"He does have a point, Ry." I said.

She threw a pillow at me.

"Rude." I pouted.

"If you don't go back, Hector will be looking for you. You're not an adult yet." She said.

"I don't want to go back to him!" He said.

Ryder sighed.

"Fine. Tell you what, when you turn eighteen, a legal adult, you can come back to California and I can home school you." She said giving in.

"Wait, really?" Ethan and I both asked at the same time.

She nodded.

"If he tries anything, like abuse call me and I'll try to get a flight for you as soon as possible, okay?" She asked.

"Yes! Thank you! You're the best!" He exclaimed hugging her.

"I know, now let's get you to the airport." She said tensing up at the last word.

I put my arm around her as she got out her keys.

As she drove there, I had my hand on her knee to try and comfort her.

She took a deep breath and helped Ethan with his bags.

"Text me as soon as you land, okay?" She said.

"I know, mom." He said jokingly as she hugged him.

"Remember, take care of her or else." He hissed at me.

"I know, I know. See you later, Ethan." I said as we watched him walk into the airport.

"Now I have you all to myself." I said smirking at her.

She raised an eyebrow at me.

"God damn it." I said as she laughed.