LOGINAnna POV"Pizza is fine with me if that's what you want, love," Eth tells her, earning a big smile from Phoebe.We walk to my car in silence for the most part as I mentally prepare myself for what will be the most awkward lunch date in history. "Can we get pepperoni pizza?" Phoebe whispers to me."No. Eth is a vegetarian, remember? Which means, what?" I ask her, trying to remind her once again that he does not eat meat."He doesn't like animals," Phoebe says simply.Eth chuckles at her reply, and I do the same. Phoebe has a way of making things a little less awkward. Thank God.“I love animals. That's why I don't eat them." He laughs, winking at me. I blush at his gesture, even though there was absolutely no romantic gesture behind it."I love animals, too. I want cheese pizza." Phoebe says simply."Baby, just because you eat meat doesn't mean you hate animals. We can get pepperoni pizza. I'll even try a slice." He tells her, knowing that Phoebe doesn't like plain cheese pizza."You
Anna POVOut of all the times that I blamed him for not putting his money into anything, I disregarded the amount of money he was still paying toward her medical expenses. I should have given him more credit. He did deserve it. I'll have to find a steady job so I can keep food on the table and clothes on our backs. I don't even know if I'll have time for school anymore. I want to cry. I want to break down and cry right here, but I can't even find it in myself to do that. I have to stay strong for Phoebe.But who is going to stay strong for me?We were leaving the church when I heard him call my name."Anna! "I turned around to see James jogging towards us. Phoebe gripped my hand softly, and I smiled down at her to the best of my ability. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He said, out of breath and staring at me with sad eyes."Thank you, James." I smile at him."Are you going to be okay?""Yeah, I think so," I assure him. I have to be."If you need anything, you'll
Ethan's POV"I should probably go into the other room now." She says, leaning up and uncovering herself from the white comforter."Wait, don't go." "No, this was a bad idea. I should get back into the other room. Phoebe is probably—""Phoebe is fine. She knows where we are. Please, Anna," I beg, sounding like the pathetic fuck that I am."Eth...""Please, Anna. I need you right now. I just...I need you. "I admit to feeling completely fucking defeated.She sighs and moves back into the bed with me. I pull her closer to me by instinct, and she tenses under my touch. I try and ignore it, but it breaks my fucking heart."I know you don't trust me, Anna. I know you might not ever trust me again. But I promise that I will try every day to be the man you thought I was. I fucked up, and I'm sorry," I whisper into her back. She didn't reply, but I didn't expect her to. "Get some sleep. You need it," I told her. Although she never replies to me verbally, she does something better than what I
Ethan's POV Anna is sleeping soundly in my arms, and I can't even find it in me to fall asleep. If I fall asleep right now, I won't fully be aware of the fact that she is this close to me. When we wake up, I know things will be different. She'll go back to being distant and cold, and she has every right to be. I don't want to sleep because I don't want this moment to end. Not yet. My phone rings by the pillow next to me. I look at the screen and see Haley calling. "Hello?" I answer, whispering into the phone. "Ethan, what are you doing?" Haley says. "Trying to sleep. Do you need something? I'm busy right now," I ask, trying my best to stay quiet. "I'm in the hospital," she says. "Are you okay?" I ask, instantly worried about the girl that I am also trying to forget. "I will be. I have to stay overnight, but I need you here right now. I can't do hospitals alone. You know that." She says sadly. "Where is your mom?" "I asked her to stay, and she said that the pull-out chair hur
Anna POV I walk over to the dresser and open the top drawer. Multiple pairs of sweatpants and T-shirts are folded neatly, and I reach for a pair of black sweats and a white T-shirt. I can tell these belong to Ethan from the size and the brand of the clothing. As pathetic as it is, I bring the fabric up to my face and inhale the familiar scent of Ethan. The smell of laundry detergent and his Polo cologne is a scent that I will always have etched in my brain. I undress and slip the fabric over my body and instantly feel better. Not too much better, but even a little is better than none. I walk slowly down the stairs and can smell sautéed vegetables and hear the familiar sizzle on the stove. When I walk into the kitchen, Ethan is stirring something in a bowl, and Phoebe is sitting on the counter next to him. As if he knew that I was near, his head snapped up, and he set the bowl down on the countertop."Anna, hey." He stutters out, smiling at me."Hey," I say quietly and try to return
Anna POV I don't put up much of a fight when Ethan tells us that we will be staying with him at his parent's house. I'm relieved that he told me this because I don't know where else we would go. Yeah, I could probably stay with Sara if I asked her, but I know that eventually, that would be a burden. Plus, I know that Lizzie won't mind taking care of Phoebe while I'm at work. As much as I don't want to admit it, having Ethan under the same roof as me makes me feel safe right now. I know that this can't last forever, but for right now, I am going to enjoy the comfort that it brings. "Okay, are you hungry? Do you need anything?" Ethan asks, holding my bags in his arms."No, I'm good. Thanks," I mutter, walking behind him and into his parents’ house."Okay, well, my mom is making dinner right now. I'm going to help you get settled in, okay?" he asks. He has been asking me everything. I just want to be left alone."Yeah, that's fine. Thanks," I mutter again.Phoebe walks into the house b
Ethan POV"You'll get this back when you prove that you deserve it." He yelled, slamming my bedroom door behind him. I didn't come down for dinner that night, and screaming between my parents could be heard from upstairs. I know what they're fighting about. It's me. They always fight about me. I b
Anna POV"Well, not officially. I saw her in the restaurant she works at earlier today. She shouted at me for giving her a tip." He remarked with an entertaining grin. "I didn't yell at you!" I shouted, protecting myself. "Oh, yes you did." He laughed."You know what, whatever." I pouted away fro
Anna POV"So, Anna," Dane said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Have you put any thought into Arizona?" He asks. Arizona? What is he talking about? Ethan dropped his fork on the plate, clearly shocked by his question. “Arizona?" I ask, confusion clear in my voice. "Oh, Ethan hasn't told you yet
Anna POV"Phoebe, this is my mom. Can you say hi?" He asked softly. She came out of her hiding spot on his shoulder and waved to Lizzie with a small smile. "This is Anna's little sister," Ethan said proudly. "She is adorable. Looks just like you, Anna." She smiled."Thank you, Lizzie." I smiled at







