Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The drive home was tense. Barely a word was said as the sound of slow jazz played on the car's audio system. 

Nathan gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly, his foot pressing down just a bit harder on the gas pedal. His patience had gone thin, and every time his eyes looked to the rearview mirror to look at an oncoming vehicle, he caught Lilly’s lingering gaze.

She was not even trying to hide it anymore.

Ethan sat calmly in the backseat, his expression unreadable. Sarah, meanwhile, had the biggest smile plastered on her face. She had caught on to everything, and she was enjoying every second of it.

Vanessa, oblivious to the silent events happening in the car, broke the silence. “That was a lovely dinner, wasn’t it?”

No one responded immediately.

Sarah leaned forward slightly. “Oh, it was fantastic,” she said, dragging out the word. “So many… interesting things happened.”

Ethan shot her a warning glance, but she just winked at him.

Nathan sighed, trying to ignore the tension, but then Vanessa’s voice cut through the air again, this time sharper.

“Nathan, what is that on your neck?”

The entire car went silent.

Ethan’s heart nearly stopped. He felt his stomach drop as his eyes darted to Nathan’s reflection in the mirror.

Sarah, of course, was the first to react. “Ooooh,” she teased, grinning. “Looks like someone had an eventful night.”

Nathan barley flinched. He glanced at Vanessa, his face perfectly composed. “It is just a rash, one of the things that made me have to go to the bathroom to check it out.” he said flatly.

Vanessa frowned. “It does not exactly look like…”

“It is a rash Vanessa,” Nathan repeated, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Ethan exhaled quietly, relieved that Vanessa did not push further. But Sarah? She was having the time of her life. She turned to Ethan, her eyebrows wiggling playfully.

Ethan glared at her. 

Meanwhile, Lilly was still watching Nathan. She had noticed the mark too, and now she was biting her lip, as if deep in thought. She really did not care about anyone else in the car at that point in time. 

Nathan kept ignoring her.

He pressed down on the gas pedal again, speeding toward Lilly’s neighborhood. He could not wait to get her out of the car. 

When they finally reached her house, Nathan barley waited for her to step out before saying, “Goodnight.” His tone was polite but distant, dismissing her completely.

Lilly hesitated for a second, her eyes searching his face. When she realized she was not getting anything more out of him, she finally stepped out and shut the door behind her.

As soon as she was gone, Nathan took a deep breath and exhaled.

Vanessa sighed contentedly. “Well, that was nice. She is a very nice girl.”

Nathan scoffed under his breath but said nothing.

Sarah leaned her head back against the seat. “So, Nathan,” she began mischievously, “what is with all the rush? Couldn’t wait to drop off the girl? Didn't even wait to make sure she walked into her home.”

Nathan did not answer.

Sarah laughed. “Jealous?”

Vanessa chuckled. “Oh, Sarah, stop disturbing him. I think it is sweet that Nathan cares about who Ethan dates.”

At that, Nathan finally spoke. “Actually,” he said, keeping his voice neutral, “I would like for Ethan to never see Lily again.”

The car fell silent again.

Ethan’s breath caught in his throat. He snapped his head toward Nathan, trying to read his mood. But Nathan was looking straight ahead, his grip still firm on the wheel.

Sarah let out a small, amused whistle. “Whoa. That was…. direct.”

Vanessa turned in her seat. “Nathan, that does not really seem like your decision to make.”

Nathan’s jaw tightened. “It’s final.”

Ethan blinked. “Wait, what? Why?”

Nathan finally glanced at him through the mirror. Their eyes met for a brief second, but the intensity in Nathan’s gaze sent a shiver down Ethan’s spine.

“I have my reasons,” Nathan said simply.

Sarah snorted. “What, like good reasons or just possessive reasons?”

Nathan looked at the back of the car, this time not from any mirrors, looking directly at Sarah before turning to focus on the road again. Sarah smiled brightly. 

Ethan, however, was not amused. His hands clenched into fists. He was not upset about Lilly, not really, he did not even like her that much, but he was frustrated that Nathan did not even explain himself.

Vanessa sighed. “Nathan, you can’t just decide who Ethan is…”

“I do not want to negotiate what I said with anyone,” Nathan repeated, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

The rest of the drive was silent. Nathan turned up the music. 

******

When they finally arrived home, Ethan was the first to get out of the car. He did not say a word as he walked inside. Sarah followed close behind, she took a quick selfie, and Vanessa sighed before shaking her head and heading toward her bedroom.

Nathan stayed outside for a moment, staring up at the night sky.

Had he gone too far?

No.

He could not explain it to them, at least, not yet, but he knew he was right about Lilly. The way she had acted tonight had only confirmed it. She was not interested in Ethan. She was playing a game.

With a deep breath, Nathan finally stepped inside and headed to his room.

The next morning, Ethan stirred awake, feeling the warmth of another body beside him.

Nathan.

He blinked a few times, taking in the sight.

For a moment, he just stared, his chest tightening with emotions he could not quite put into words. He was surprised, yes, but okay with it. 

Nathan’s eyes fluttered open, and when he saw Ethan watching him, he gave a small, tired smile. “Morning.”

Ethan hesitated. “Morning.”

Nathan stretched slightly before turning on his side to face him. “You are not mad about last night, are you?”

Ethan shook his head. “No. I don’t really care about Lilly.”

Nathan studied him. “Then what is on your mind?”

Ethan hesitated again.

Then, after a long pause, he took a deep breath and said,

“I have to tell you something.”

Nathan frowned slightl

y, his expression shifting into concern. “What is it?”

Ethan’s heart pounded in his chest.

He took another breath.

And then…..