“On my way home.”
“Our rehearsal is almost done, too. I think Avery and I are finally getting the rhythm of this freaking Stoppard dialog. Not that we can hear much with this storm going on. This rain is crazy, huh?”
“Yeah. Hope your ark-building skills are decent, or we could be in trouble.”
“We don’t need an ark. I have some inflatable pool lounges. They have cup holders.”
“Fancy.”
“No expense spared to save my woman from the watery apocalypse.”
“Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than quality recreational inflatables.”
He makes a noise. “Now I have visions of that inflatable sheep Avery bought for his pool.”
“We said we’d never discuss that.”
“You’re right. Can we talk about how much I fucking miss you?”
I smile. “Can you hold that thought? We’re just pulling up outside my apartment. I need to make a mad dash for the door.”
“We?”
“Yeah, um…” I take a deep breath. “Connor drove me home, so I wouldn’t get drenched.”
There’s silence then, “Uh-huh. You don’t have your umbrella?”
His tone immediately sets me on edge. “Well, yeah, but it’s a storm. Connor’s car was parked behind the theater. Plus, it’s ten o’clock at night.”
Next to me, Connor shakes his head ever so slightly. It frustrates us both that Ethan gets like this every time we’re together. He must know by now that his fear is unnecessary. Does he honestly believe I’ll suddenly develop an overwhelming urge to fuck Connor, because we’re alone in a car?
“Hang on,” I say, and grab my bag. “I’ll talk to you when I get inside.” I push the hold button, and sigh. “Thanks, Connor. See you tomorrow.”
“No problem. Have a good night.” He gives me a look that says he knows the rest of this phone call isn’t going to be pleasant. I exit the car as quickly as possible, then race through the downpour to my front door.
When I get inside, I strip off my jacket and take Ethan off hold.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” His voice is all kinds of pissed. I stifle a groan. I’m too tired to deal with this right now.
“Ethan, it was a five-minute car ride. What the hell do you have to be worried about?”
“I don’t know, Cassie. You tell me.”
“There’s nothing to tell! Do you have so little faith in me that you think I’d even contemplate doing anything with Connor?”
“Well, you seem to be spending all of your time with him these days. Perhaps you’re confused about who’s your actual boyfriend and who’s the annoying fuck trying to get into your pants.”
“He’s not trying to get into my pants! How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“Cassie, I’ve seen how he looks at you.”
“Who cares how he looks at me? He’s never, and I mean never, tried anything! He’s been a perfect gentleman, despite how rude you are to him all the time.”
“Oh, sure, a perfect gentleman who’s spent the better part of six weeks groping your tits.”
“Oh, for God’s sake!” I rub my eyes. “I can’t do this with you right now. I really can’t. You’re wearing me out. We have the most important performance of our lives in four days, and right now you’re tying yourself in knots and taking me with you. You have to stop. Seriously.”
He sighs and goes silent.
I hate fighting with him, especially over the phone. If he were here, I could touch him. Show I love him and only him. As it is, I can just picture him, tense-jawed as he jumps to all the wrong conclusions. Doubting himself enough to doubt me.
“Yeah. Okay. Well, I’d better go. Good night.”
“Wait.”
He pauses. “What?”
“Do you want to come over when your rehearsal is done?”
“Why?”
“Because … I miss you and want to see you.”
“Cassie, you’re exhausted. I’m exhausted.”
“So? Just come over and sleep here. Please.”
“I don’t think so. You need to rest and you just admitted I’m wearing you out.”
“Ethan…”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
The line goes dead, and I flop back onto the sofa.
Crap.
I pull off my wet shoes and socks, then send him a text.
<I’m sorry. I love you.>
Predictably, I don’t get a reply
Half an hour later, I’m getting out of the shower when there’s a knock at the door. I put on my robe and answer it to see Ethan there, drenched.
“What are you doing? You’re soaked!”
“You asked me to come over, remember? I’ve been knocking for five minutes.” He looks past me into the apartment. “What the hell took you so long?”
“I was in the shower.”
I can see suspicion all over his face, and I roll my eyes as I grab the front of his shirt and drag him inside.
“Stay,” I say, and leave him dripping on the rug as I head off to grab some towels.
When I get back, I throw a towel over his head and roughly dry his hair.
“You’re an idiot, you know that?”
“Why?”
I push him down onto the sofa and pull off his shoes and socks.
“Because you have absolutely no clue how much I love you.” I unbutton his shirt and pull it off. “And you think stupid, impossible things, like I could want anyone but you.”
“Cassie…”