It Started with a Snap by Piper James

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ethan

“Fucking pussy,” I gritted through my teeth as I slammed into my house.

I told myself a dozen times on the way home that I’d done the right thing. That Ember and I were just becoming friends, and I didn’t want to do anything to mess up the easy comradery we’d formed between us.

And kissing her would royally fuck it up. Especially if she didn’t want it.

But if I was being totally honest with myself, the only thing that had stopped me from tasting her lips had been that flash of fear I’d seen in her eyes as I held her against my chest. Warning bells had gone off in my head, screaming at me to stop before I did something stupid.

Because if she rejected me, it would ruin everything.

It was my own fear of that rejection that sent me hauling ass out of there, but by the time I pulled into my driveway, I was cursing myself. I should’ve just kissed her, consequences be damned. An old quote I’d read about missing a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take scrolled through my mind on repeat, and fuck if I wasn’t wishing I’d just taken the damn shot.

If she rejected me, she rejected me. There’d be nothing I could do about it but try to act normal after that and restore our friendship. But if she didn’t…

“God damn it,” I muttered, stalking into the bathroom and turning on the shower.

I continued to berate myself as I washed the day’s sweat and grimed from my body and hair. Once I’d dried off, I pulled on a pair of loose athletic shorts and padded out into the kitchen. I was looking for something to eat when my phone started to ring.

My heart leapt into my throat as I dashed toward the counter where I’d left the phone. Seeing Noah’s name flash across the screen, I sighed.

“Hey, man. What’s up?” I asked by way of a greeting, hoping he didn’t hear the desolation in my voice.

“What’s up with you?” he shot back. “You sound like someone just kicked your puppy.”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, keeping my voice even. “How’s Florida?”

“It’s been good, man,” he said, thankfully letting the subject drop. “Dakota’s family is awesome, and I’ve somehow managed to fit right in. But I’m glad we’re coming home tomorrow.”

“That’s great,” I said with a smile. “I’m glad they didn’t forbid Dakota from marrying you the second you opened your mouth, no doubt saying something ridiculous and inappropriate.”

“Ha, ha,” he said. “They actually love my inappropriateness. They find it as refreshingly charming as Dakota does.”

He went on to describe his fiancée’s parents and the retirement community they lived in. They sounded hilarious and fun-loving, so I was sure Noah fit right in with them as well as he claimed. Dakota’s sister sounded like an amazing person, too.

“Well, I’m glad everything is going so well for you out there, but it’ll be good to have you back,” I said when he finished.

“Thanks, bro. So, how are things going with you? I see Ember hasn’t killed you, yet.”

“Nope. Still alive and kicking,” I said. “We actually called a truce. We’re friends, now.”

“Friends?” he asked, punctuating it with a hum.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I shot back, feeling defensive. “You don’t think she would be friends with me?”

“Woah, slow your roll, brother. I never said that.”

“It sounded like you did,” I murmured, and then scolded myself for being so defensive.

I had no reason to snap at Noah like that. He was my brother, and would always have my back, no matter what.

“Sorry,” I said. “I’m just feeling a little on edge, I guess.”

“I wonder why,” he said, his voice laced with humor. “Could it be because you’re spending every day with a woman you’ve crushed on for months, and apparently got yourself locked in the friend-zone?”

“What do you mean, crushed on her for months?” I asked, feeling my defenses rise again.

“Oh, please, Ethan. Do you remember the dinner party Dakota and I threw, during which you practically admitted to me that you liked her?”

“I did no such thing,” I grumbled, remembering exactly what he was talking about.

It was after my drunken diarrhea of the mouth at Chase’s, when she heard me call her slutty and obnoxious. During dinner, I said something smart-assed in response to a comment she’d made. She, in turn, flipped me the finger. The tension had been palpable between us.

Noah found me later, and I told him the whole story. He’d said something about asking myself why I’d said those things to Chase in the first place. I maintained that it was just drunken idiocy, but I knew even then what he meant.

I knew why I said them. I’d been jealous.

And Noah knew it, too.

“Fine,” I said. “Yes, I was attracted to her, and it’s even worse now that I’ve gotten to know her better. But it doesn’t matter, Noah. She barely tolerates me.”

Something in my chest cracked a little as I said those words. They weren’t exactly true, were they? She’d taken me to the carnival and asked me to come inside afterward. And we’d held hands practically the entire time. We texted, we talked for hours on the phone, and she even admitted she found me physically attractive.

Then there was that almost-kiss at the boutique today. It seemed like she wanted to, and I was on the verge of pressing my lips to hers when I saw that spark of fear in her eyes. I couldn’t ignore it, so I pulled away.

I left the boutique like the place was on fire, and I’d been kicking myself ever since.

“Listen, man,” Noah said, unaware of my internal debate. “Sometimes you just have to take your shot. If Dakota hadn’t pranced through the house half-naked to take hers, where would we be right now? Ow!”

I heard Dakota’s muffled voice through the speaker as she berated and swatted Noah for saying that, and I chuckled. They were so perfect for each other, and I’d never seen my brother so happy. And even if I couldn’t admit it out loud, I wanted that, too.

I opened my mouth to tease him, but the words cut off as a knock sounded against my front door.

“Hey, Noah. I have to go. Someone is at the door.”

“Get ‘em, tiger,” I heard Dakota yell in the background as Noah said goodbye and the line went dead.

“What the hell did that mean?” I whispered to myself as I tossed my phone to the counter and headed for the door.

And when I swung it open, I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.