It's Our Pride Deep Inside

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"What are you doing, Ethan?" I questioned. He was just casually trailing behind me. He has for the past two miles.

"Following you," he simply answered with a shrug. I sighed heavily.

"I can see that. Why?"

"Why not? The zoo is closed now, so I'm walking you home."

"My house is no where near here. Just go bother your brother or something. Quit following me."

"No happening, Darling."

§  §  §  §  §  §  §

I opened my apartment door. He kept his promise. I went to close the door, but he barged right in. He made himself comfortable on my black leathered sofa.

I groaned in frustration.

"Get out," I ordered, pointing at the door.

"Nah, I think I'm going to crash here for the night." He had a smirk on his lips, and I internally groaned in displeasure.

"Do what you want," I sighed, walking into the kitchen. I grabbed two Dr. Peppers from my fridge, returning to the living room. I tossed him a bottle, and even though he was staring at his cell phone screen and not paying any attention to me, he caught the bottle in one swift motion with ease. "Showing off is charming," I muttered, slumping down beside him.

"I know, that's why I do it," he shrugged, continuing to pay attention to his screen. He twisted open the Dr. Pepper cap with two fingers. He has such a big ego. Such a big ego that if you fed it any more, this universe would be swallowed in a matter of minutes.

"Explain to me again why you're here?" I quizzed, refusing to meet his eyes as he gazed up at me. I took in a sharp breath when he put his phone away and hooked his arm around my shoulders.

Ethan took a swig of his drink, putting the cap back on while stating, "Your father refused to let you bring the cubs home, so I came as their replacement." I looked at him like he was crazy, but he said nothing further. His dark green eyes studied me, looked over me, and watched me. He seemed a little tense and protective.

"What?" I demanded uncomfortably after a silent two minutes.

"I never realized how deep a brown your eyes were, Cal." I blinked at not only the straightforwardness of the statement, but also by how distant he sounded. Like his voice was right here, but his mind and thoughts were somewhere else entirely.

"Ethan? What's wrong?" I murmured, touching his cheek with my fingers lightly. It was like an instant reaction that he refocused on me once more. My chest tightened with worry for him.

"Nothing. Forget it," he replied. He dodged his eyes, standing up with his soda pop bottle. "I need to get home."

"Wait! Ethan!" I called, chasing after him as he stalked towards the door. I hugged his arm close, refusing to let him go. "Don't leave me. Please."

"I have to go."

"You don't need to. You want to, but I don't want you to."

"Yeah. I do want to. Now let me go." He pulled his arm out of my hold, and he left my apartment.

"Eth...an..." I breathed. I dropped onto the soft, plush brown carpeted floor as I cried, clutching my chest.

§  §  §  §  §  §  §

A gentle knock sounded at the front door. I opened my tired eyes, leaning up from the wall. I fell asleep in my spot, in the same position. I stood up on numb legs. I couldn't feel them at all, and I put sudden weight on them. Taking a deep breath, I held onto the wall for support, opening the door.

His saddened eyes turned to small flickers of rage. Cam tensed at the feeling of our eldest brother's furious aura engulfing and drowning us like waves. Jaydon shook his head in disappointment.

"Where'd Ethan go?" Jaydon questioned.

"I don't know," I mumbled, wanting so desperately to cry again. "He just up and left. He said he was going home." Jaydon sighed heavily, glancing at Drasson before rubbing his back soothingly. After a couple awkward, tense moments of silence, Drasson nodded at Jaydon, and Jaydon removed his hand. The boy scooped me up as my knees began to buckle.

He laid his cheek on my forehead as comfort while he walked me towards the couch. Gently, he laid me down, kissing the crown of my head.

"I'm so sorry he did that," he whispered.

"Please find him. Please. Please. Plea-"

"I'll bring my brother back to you. I promise, Cal." Jaydon kissed my head once more before straightening up. "I'll be back in a bi-"

"Get your hands off of her," I heard someone snarl. I swallowed at the deepened voice. There were steams of smoke blown from his nose like he was a bull. He was furious. Oh no...

E T H A N !

He stepped closer, but Cam blocked him. No. No. No. No. No.

"Ethan, wait, please!" I begged. His entire composure changed at my voice. He glanced past my brother towards me. "It's okay, Cam. He won't hurt me."

"But-"

"Cam," Drasson scolded firmly. "Listen to her. She knows him better than you."

"Fine." Cam and Ethan glowered at each other as Ethan slipped past. He glared at his brother with a murderous intent.

Shoving him, he said, "Stay away from my girl." He looked down at me before sighing, dropping on one knee beside me. "I shouldn't have left you like that. I'm so sorry, Liebe."

"Your German is showing," I giggled.

"Good. Let it, Señorita."

"Pick a language, Brother. You know too many," Jaydon groaned.

"Blame Vater. It's his fault."

"I'm aware."

Translations:

Liebe: German for Love

Señorita: Spanish for Miss

Vater: German for Father