co-workers | e.d

78 |

Addison Waters
December 23rd

He nodded, putting his hand on the small of my back.
"Let's go find E,"

I grew tense at the old, yet familiar feeling. Quickly nodding and beginning to walk further into the store to find Ethan.

I went up the three steps of the tiny staircase, turning to the left and down until I saw him there, looking at holiday cards.

I smiled to myself, before sprinting over to him and hugging him from behind.

"Whatcha doin?" I asked, peering over at the very heart warming card he was reading from.

"Looking at cards for your parents."
he briefly said, with no emotion as he paid little to no attention to me.

"Hey," I softly spoke, turning his face towards me.

"What?"
He spat, in a clearly annoyed tone.

"What's wrong? You were fine just a minute ago,"

"And just a minute ago you left me for Grayson."

I furrowed my brows,
"He was just showing me the Charlie Brown ornaments, what's your deal?"

He looked at me, instantly trusting me by the look in my eyes. I soon felt them wander off of me. I turned around to see what he was staring so cold at, and of course it was his own brother.

"Can you stop?" I lowly spoke.

"I don't like the way he acts around you."

"What are you talking about?! He's just being nice," I whispered.

"Well whatever. Do you like this one?" He asked, holding up a card with three snowmen on the front.

I sighed,
"Sure, whatever let's just go."

He nodded, grabbing my hand as he led me over to the cash register, where we waited in line briefly before leaving.

-

The car ride was quite silent, aside from the classic holiday jingles Grayson had playing on the radio.

This time, Grayson was driving and Ethan sat in the back with me. So close to me my thigh was nearly resting on top of his, as he clutched my hand in his.

He stared at Gray through the front mirror, but I'm not sure he noticed, since he seemed unfazed as he hummed along to the Christmas music. Sometimes even quietly singing along.

The air was tense, but I'm pretty sure I was the only one who felt it like this. Considering Ethan was absolutely fuming, and Gray was oblivious to the situation.

I cleared my throat,
"Uhh..Gray?"

"Yeah, Addy?"

Ethan quietly scoffed, mimicking,
"Addy".

I lightly tapped his thigh, glaring at him for being so childish. I don't know why he's suddenly assuming that something is going on, and it's really bugging me because I've done nothing but prove my loyalty to him.

"Could you turn the music up a bit higher? It's a little quiet.."

He chuckled,
"Tell me about it, why the glum look E?"

"I'm tired."

"Long night?"

"You could say that, yeah." Ethan shot back.

"Could you put on jingle bells?" I asked, hoping to clear this subtle argument that seemed to heighten with each line.

"Of course I can," he smiled at me through the mirror, pressing a few buttons before playing jingle bells. To which he also turned the volume up.

I sighed to myself, finally feeling more comfortable due to the silence being broken, and both of their mouths being shut.

I leaned back, and slowly leaned my head on Ethan's shoulder. To which he acknowledged, and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer. This action shocked me, because I assumed he still had this predicament that I had done something.

I looked up at him, smiling as my eyes lit up while they fixated on him. Something that happened often.

He lightly smiled, kissing my temple before leaning his head on top of mine.