Stitches and Scars (8 page)

As Kate watched Elle leave the room, she thought about what both of her friends had said. Today could have gone a lot worse than it had. She hadn’t broken anything, and there would be no permanent damage to her body. In a few weeks, she’d only have a scar to show for her fall. But somewhere deep inside her, Kate knew that statement was false. Something did feel broken, and the scar that would remain would not just be a physical one.

Chapter 8

Mr. Collins

E
than watched as Kate walked out of the exam room. He couldn’t believe what had just happened. Part of him wanted to run after her and explain everything. He wanted her to know that he was breaking things off with Cindy. He wanted to tell Kate that the few times he had spent with her had been amazing. That the pull he felt towards her was indescribable. That seeing her smile made his heart race, and that even though the whole thing freaked him out, he didn’t care. All of these things he wanted to tell her and he just couldn’t. Instead, he stood there, frozen in place, watching her leave.

What is happening to me? I’m acting like love struck teenager,
Ethan thought, running his hands over his face in frustration. He couldn’t understand the effect this girl he hardly knew was having on him. He was torn. His mind was telling him two entirely different things. One part of him thought he was crazy for feeling the way he did and to just forget about her. The other part of him was so excited that he’d finally found her—the one person he was sure he’d never find. The only thing both sides of his brain agreed upon was the fact that he needed to end things with Cindy.

Ethan looked down at his watch. He had two more hours until his shift was over, and he had to get in touch with Cindy before then. Since she’d canceled their dinner plans yet again, he knew he’d have to get creative. It took him a moment to decide what to do, but once he did, he knew it was his best shot.

Ethan dug out his phone and placed a call to Cindy’s roommate. He left a message with her explaining that he got Cindy’s message, and to let her know that he’d be going out with Trent and he’d call her later. He felt bad for lying, but he knew this was the only way.

He hung up the phone, hoping the message would be relayed. Now all he could do was wait. He knew Cindy well enough to know that she was obsessive about her Sunday night TV shows. And if she thought Ethan had plans, she would definitely stay home and stick to her normal routine. Now all he had to do was show up and hope that she would be there.

***

It was a little past eight by the time Ethan made it to Cindy’s place. He pulled up in front of her house and noticed her living room lights were on. Feeling relief that she was home, he put his car in park and cut the engine. With one deep exhale, he climbed out and made the walk to her front door.

He paused for a moment on the front porch and tried to gather his thoughts. Rolling his shoulders, he attempted to somehow physically erase the nerves that were brewing before he began knocking loudly. He could hear the TV blaring from inside and wasn’t sure if she’d heard him. The second time, he was positive she had.

“I’m coming! I’m not deaf! I heard you the first time. Whoever you are, you better have a damn good excuse for bothering me. Don’t you think eight o’clock on a Sunday night is a little late to be knocking on doors? Whatever you’re selling I’m not—” Cindy swung the door open, her words cutting off immediately. Her blond hair was pulled back in a bun, and she was dressed in pajamas. Her light blue eyes went from enraged to serene as soon as she saw it was Ethan.

“Ethan, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” Her voice was extra sweet, a complete one-eighty from the vicious tone she’d yelled in.

“I’m glad I wasn’t trying to sell something,” he said sarcastically. He wished he could say that he was surprised by her behavior, but he wasn’t. He’d seen this other side before, but only a few times.

“I thought you were going out with Trent tonight. Did you miss me so much you had to come see me?” She walked towards Ethan and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, planting kisses along his neck.

“Actually, I came here to talk to you about something.” He leaned back from her and looked her in the eyes. Sensing his seriousness, Cindy untangled her arms and stepped back. “Can we sit for a minute?”

Taking the lead, Ethan walked into the room and sat down on her couch. Once she was beside him, he froze. He knew what he wanted to say, but was suddenly finding it very difficult. After a moment, he decided that best way to handle it was to just spit it out.

“This isn’t working,” he finally said.

“What’s not working, honey bun?”

Ethan looked at her. “This.” He motioned his hand in a circle between the two of them. “This isn’t working.” He was fairly sure that his statement and gesture was the universal language used by all people during a breakup. Surely she would know what he was talking about without having to explain it to her. He was wrong.

“Oh, Ethan, I’m so glad you feel that way too! We are definitely ready to move on.”

He ran his hand through his hair, relieved at how well this was going. “I’m glad you understand.”

“Understand? That’s an understatement—I’m thrilled! When should we start looking at places?”

”Looking at places?” he asked, confused.

“Yeah. If we’re gonna move in together, we need a place, don’t we? My house is too small and it needs too much work. And I like my roommate and Trent, but I don’t think either of us is interested in having a third roommate.”

Ethan sat, slack jawed.
How in the world did she interpret that wrong?
His so-called universal body language didn’t work as well as he’d thought. “Uhh, that’s not exactly what I meant.” He waited, hoping that she would suddenly understand. When she didn’t, he continued. “I’m not interested in dating you anymore.”

Cindy’s back went straight, and she cocked her head to the side. “What?” she asked.

“I’m not interested in moving any further in our relationship.”

Her eyebrows pulled together as if she didn’t understand him. “So, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I think we shouldn’t date anymore.” Ethan waited for her response.

She smiled coyly. “Ethan, I know what you’re trying to do and it’s not going to work.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about this little game of cat and mouse you’re playing.” Her eyelids fluttered.

“What game of cat and mouse?”

“You know, the one where you try to make me think you’re not interested anymore just so I’ll cry and beg you to stay. Well, I’m not going to play it. You know as well as I do that we’re perfect for each other. So let’s just drop this whole thing and go upstairs. I promise you we can still make up.” She got up from the sofa and walked behind it, leaning forward and running her fingers down Ethan’s chest in an attempt to distract him.

As Ethan processed the words that came out of her mouth, he almost started laughing. Here he was trying to break up with her, and she thought he was trying to move their relationship to the next level.

“Look, Cindy, I know you think I’m playing a game with you, but I’m not.” He took her hands in his. “I came over here tonight to end things. I don’t think we should be involved in a relationship anymore. I’m sorry things didn’t work out, and I truly hope you find someone who makes you happy.” Ethan squeezed her hands gently and stood to leave.

As he reached for the doorknob, he caught sight of quick movement out of the corner of his eye. He spun around just in time to see Cindy throw a blue vase filled with flowers in his direction. As he ducked down, the vase shattered against the wall behind him, splattering his shirt with water.
I take it the real Cindy has made her appearance,
he thought to himself as he quickly opened the door and hurried to his car. As he reached the driver side door, he swore he heard her yelling something that sounded like, “Call you tomorrow.” Ethan rolled his eyes in disbelief and climbed into his car.

He was still reeling when he pulled away from Cindy’s house. He never thought he’d have to convince her that he was serious. She wouldn’t accept it. She was insistent that he was playing some twisted game, but Ethan was not the kind of guy to do that. He was always fair and gentlemanly. And given the proper opportunity, he always spoke truthfully about his feelings.

Ethan’s cell phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He half expected it to be Cindy asking what time he’d be over tomorrow. Thankfully, it wasn’t her.

“Hey, Trent. What’s up?”

“Are you done yet, or are you still there? Is that psycho holding you hostage?” he asked, trying to stifle a laugh.

Ethan couldn’t help but laugh himself. “No, I just left.”

“How did she take it?”

“Just like you thought she would. She was in denial. I’m beginning to realize how Elizabeth Bennett felt when Mr. Collins wouldn’t take the hint she truly wasn’t interested.” He knew it was odd to compare his situation to that of a fictional character, but that was the closest thing he could think of.

“Elizabeth who?”

“Elizabeth Bennett. From
Pride and Prejudice
.” He knew Trent wasn’t much of a reader, but he knew he’d read it in high school; they all had to.

“Pride and what?”

“It’s a Jane Austen novel. We read it in high school, remember?”

“No. I don’t remember that sort of stuff. Plus, it sounds like it was a chick book, and you know damn well I don’t read chick lit.” Ethan knew he was right. Trent had rarely read the assigned books in high school, and if it happened to be a ‘chick book,’ he definitely hadn’t read it.

“Let’s just forget about me comparing anything to a book, okay?”

“Whatever you say, ‘chick lit reader.’” He let out a loud laugh.

“It was an assignment, Trent,” he said in defense. “You know how I was in high school. I did every assignment.”

“Yeah, but it sounds to me like you really enjoyed it enough to be talking about it, what, twelve years later?” Trent continued, not letting up in the least.

“It’s a classic. And I have a good memory, that’s all. Drop it.” He paused, half expecting his friend to continue. Thankfully, he didn’t.

Trent quickly changed the subject. “Are we still on for Rain tonight?”

“Yeah, I’m heading there now. Are you already there?” Ethan questioned as he glanced at the clock on the dash. Ending things with Cindy hadn’t taken as long as it felt.

“I’m leaving now, so I’ll catch you there. And you better bring your ‘A’ game tonight, bro. I’m planning on us both leaving with a girl.”

“Whatever you say, man. I’ll see you in a few.” Ethan hung up his phone and pressed his foot to the pedal. Trent’s comment about leaving with a girl tonight reminded him of the one girl he truly wanted to see: Kate. Just thinking about her made him smile. He raced downtown hoping that maybe tonight he would get lucky and see her again.

***

Ethan’s first night out as an official single guy was not as eventful as he had hoped. He couldn’t concentrate on anyone Trent introduced him to. He kept searching for Kate. He wanted desperately to see her smile, to hold her hand. He wanted to tell her that he didn’t have a girlfriend and that he wanted nothing more than to spend time with her, get to know her better.

After two hours of Ethan’s blatant disregard for any female, his friend had enough. They both left the club just as alone as when they had arrived. Ethan could sense Trent’s displeasure and knew he wanted to say something. As soon as they were home, he did just that.

“What was with you tonight? I was introducing you to girls that would clearly hook up with you, and you weren’t giving them the time of day.” He looked like someone told him his dog died.

“I’m sorry. I was just … distracted, that’s all.” Ethan hadn’t decided if he should tell him about Kate. There wasn’t that much to tell anyway. Plus, if he told him the truth about the way he was feeling, he was sure Trent would think he was crazy. After all, who falls for a girl he barely even knows?

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking about that psycho.”

“No. I’ve just had a lot on my mind, that’s all. Work has been hard.” He knew his work excuse would be sufficient to end any further discussion on his attitude. Trent had enough experience with his dad being a doctor to know that some days it can really wear on you.

“Work, huh? That sucks. I still don’t know how you and Dad do it.”

“Someone has to, right?” Ethan tried to lighten the mood and felt a slight sting for not telling him the real reason for his distractions earlier.

“Do you think you’ll be up for going out next weekend?” Trent’s mood was no longer somber, and his eyes looked excited.

“Yeah, I’ll check my schedule.” That seemed to be enough to appease Trent. He grabbed a beer out of the fridge, sat down on the couch, and flipped on EPSN, or the ‘channel of the gods’ as he liked to call it.

Not being in the mood to sit and watch replays of tonight’s games, Ethan headed into his bedroom. He was still feeling the disappointment of not running into Kate tonight as he lay in bed thinking about the last time he’d seen her. It couldn’t have been more than twelve hours ago, and yet it felt like an eternity. He missed her. He didn’t even know her and he missed her. His last thoughts were of Kate sitting on that gurney in the exam room and how beautiful she was.

***

It was the most realistic dream he’d ever had. Kate was sitting in his exam room, just like she had been before. Her deep brown eyes bored into his as he moved closer. The pull between them was just as strong as the first time they’d met, and he couldn’t stop his fingers as they traced over her collarbone and down her back.