27. Chapter 27

Chapter twenty-seven

Present

W ith Laelia feeling better, she has decided to return to work. Only under the agreement that she takes it easy, which I already know she won't and will be doing everything and anything to catch up. However, I've got to trust she knows what she's doing.

Me, however, I've decided to take an extra day. I haven't spoken one word to Ethan in the last three days and have ignored Jasper's messages of him trying to get us to make up and hash it out.

I know Ethan cares and is looking out for me in his Ethan way, but he needs to understand that Laelia and my unborn child are a priority. They're my life.

I feel like Ethan thinks I'm going to abandon him because I've got this life. He's my brother and has been a part of my life for a long time and none of that is going to change. Maybe I need to get him to see that? Maybe telling him he's going to be the Godfather to my unborn child will make him feel better?

He's stuck with me, whether he likes it or not.

Hearing a knock at the front door, I shove the remaining bite of my toast into my mouth and chew as I walk towards it. As I approach, I hear two muffled male voices from behind it and see a glimpse of blue hair through the frosted glass. Jasper. Meaning, the other person must be…Ethan.

What are they doing here?

Opening the door, they sheepishly smile as they turn to face me.

"Rise and shine handsome, we've come to see you." Ethan grins as he pushes past me, heading to the living room with Jasper following.

I shake my head and smile, but as I close the door, an unsettling feeling sends a shiver through me, a feeling that makes me think I'm about to hear something I'm not going to like and the only reason Jasper is here is because Ethan needs a witness, just in case.

Walking into the living room, a sigh leaves my lips and I sit down on the sofa on the other side of the room from Ethan and Jasper. Ethan's currently got both of his arms stretched out along the back of the sofa, with his feet on the puffin, while Jasper, on the other hand, looks like someone has rubbed him up the wrong way as he slouches over, looking uncomfortable, like he doesn't want to be here, making the unease in my chest grow.

"So," I hesitantly say. "What have I done for you to turn up at eight in the morning. You're not usually out of bed till you have ten minutes to spare," I say, directing it at Ethan.

Jasper sit's up straight and smiles, a smile that doesn't fit, one of those that makes you question what's really happening because you can see right through the lie on his face.

"We just wanted to come and see you," he says. "You haven't been around and we thought it be nice to pop by."

The weird tone in his voice tells me more than he want's me to know. It's uneasy and forced. They have definitely come to talk to me about how I've been absent from work and not been around them for some time. Either way, this isn't going to go down well and they both know it.

Shaking my head, I sigh again and Jasper's fake smile slips right of his face, showing me his true expression. He doesn't want to be here and shit's about to hit the fan.

"Cut the crap," I bluntly say. "You've been dragged here by him," I say, pointing to Ethan. "And the only reason he's brought you is so I don't murder him when he say's what he want's to say. Correct?"

Watching as Jasper shift's in his seat, he quickly side glances Ethan while keeping his head still and looks away, while he constantly taps his fingers against his knees, unable to keep still. He's uncomfortable.

As Ethan leans forward, my attention turns to him to see the features on his face have softened.

"Killian," he says, his voice soft like velvet. He takes his time saying anything else, but I can tell he's carefully trying to pick his next few words. "We…" he starts to say.

"You!" Jasper interrupts. "You!" He clearly doesn't want any blame for what they are here for. Ethan has buttered him up to get him here.

With an abrupt pinched expression and narrowed eyes, Ethan looks at Jasper. "Fine," he huffs. "I," he mumbles, soon turning his attention back to me, with his features softening once again. "Think you need to see someone. You've been having some messed up nightmares, your constantly on edge and something's not right, Killian."

I shake my head. "You can't let it go, can you?" I rhetorically ask. "I'm fine, Ethan. End of story."

"No! Not end of story. We need to talk about this!" he shouts, as his nostrils flare and his chest rises and falls rapidly as he stiffens his posture.

"Ethan," I say with a stern voice. "At the end of the day, my nightmares and me being on edge doesn't actually affect you."

"Yes! It does!"

"No! It doesn't!" I shout, feeling my heart pounding away in my chest and a flush of heat flood over me. "This is my life, not yours. If I feel like something's wrong I'll deal with it."

"What's wrong with you, man? Can you not see that we're concerned? This is getting out of hand. You need to see someone, Killian. How many times have you had these vivid nightmares now?"

"Ethan, I'll be fine."

"No, Killian! This has gone one far too long. I can't do this anymore!" he shouts, as he stands up from the sofa and storms out of the living room, leaving me with Jasper.

As we hear the front door slam shut, Jasper hesitantly smiles and awkwardly messes with his hands as one of his legs shakes and one foot taps away.

"I don't know what to say." He awkwardly chuckles, like he's trying to lighten the mood. "I think I'm better off just going," he hesitantly says. "Make sure Ethan doesn't punch someone or do something stupid in his fit of rage."

As he stands, so do I, without saying a word. To be honest, I don't know what to say, let alone think. What did Ethan mean when he said he ' can't do this anymore ?'

It's not his life. Yes he's going to see me struggle at times, but if I can't deal with something, I'll seek the help I need. I know he's trying to look out for me, but to ambush me and show up uninvited and then shout at me is bang out of order. I wouldn't do that to him.