~ Ethan ~

I nearly exploded the second she stepped in the bathroom, bringing that cold stream of air from the open door, caressing my skin as I pulsed and steamed from the inside out... and coming like a fifteen year old boy seeing his first set of tits is something I don't do. Ever.

I wasn't going to say anything to her. I planned on letting her stay blissfully ignorant of the fact that I knew she was watching me. That I knew she stayed longer than was necessary to asses the situation and gracefully bow out... but then she looked up at me in the kitchen with those needy, desperate eyes... and I wanted her to remember something the next time a guy came on to her... me.

She sat, gaping at me. Grasping for air, or something to say, I don't know - her golden brown hair hanging in loose waves around her thin shoulders and her makeup free face glowing like no artificial bronzer ever could.
I'd never met anyone so beguilingly innocent, yet so quick witted and charming. It was beautiful.

No matter how hard I've tried, this girl hasn't been far from my mind since our unexpected interaction on New Years Eve.

I decided to show her mercy and change the subject. "What are your plans for the day?" It was Saturday and I was hoping she was free. I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to Eve Bailey. Even if it was the right thing to do.

She finally gathered the breathe she had been searching for. "Nothing, I think?"

"Spend the day with me. You can grab a shower-" I winked. Ok, maybe I'd mess with her a couple more times. "-and we can stop by your place so you can change. Actually, you can grab some athletic clothes too."

"For what?" She asked. "Not that I'm agreeing to anything yet."

I grinned as I slid a plate of food in front of her. "Boxing... we need to toughen you up."

***

Cal's gym was a hole in the wall in the middle of the city. Eve followed next to me as we went down a wide alley, glancing at me as if she was questioning my sanity. In her defense, we were in the ghetto. A couple of guys sat against the wall, their entire life next to them in thin plastic bags.

"What's going on guys?"

"Nothin much York," Eddy laughed. "Whose the nice looking lady?"

I smiled, handing them the containers I'd brought. "Paws off, I'm still trying to get myself in her good graces." I teased. Eddy and Sam were a couple of good guys down on their luck. They kept an eye on the place, and in return, Cal let them crash inside at night.

She walked closer, grinning. "I'm Eve. Nice to meet you." She didn't so much as flinch when she reached her hand out.

Sam looked at me, then shifted his eyes to her - slightly embarrassed. "Sorry Mam, but my hands might not be the cleanest."

She kept her hand and smile in place. "You have no idea where mine have been. Maybe I should be the one apologizing to you."

He laughed, reaching out to grip her. "Ain't that the truth. Gotta watch out for those pretty girls."

***

We walked into the gym through a thick metal door. In the summer the garage style doors next to it would be wide open, letting the slight breeze from the city circulate the smell of salt and sweat, but those were shut up tight until April at the least.

It was packed like it usually was on the weekend. This wasn't a come and go with your waning resolutions type of place. The people here were die-hards and this was their palace of worship.

I'd never brought anyone to Cal's with me and I glanced down at Eve to take in her expression.

She stared at the ring where John had Steven backed into the corner with quick body jabs;
then looked up, feeling my eyes on her. "Are you sure this is... I mean... I'm not sure-"

I rubbed my hand on her back, easing her ridged spine. "You'll save the ring for another time champ. I actually have a friend who teaches self defense here. He said he'd be happy to give you a few lessons if you'd like."

She looked slightly green, still recovering from one hell of a hangover. "When did you ask?"

"I sent him a text while you were getting dressed." Speaking of getting dressed. A pair of baggy, grey sweatpants and a fitted white tank top shouldn't have been so sexy, but hell. I bit the new lip ring, sucking it into my mouth.

"I meant to ask," she said, touching her own lip while nodding to mine. "When did you get that?"

"While you were at the game last night." I Guided her to a set of benches and hooks filled with jackets and gym bags. Boots were shoved around haphazardly creating a miniature maze.

"Oh." Her mouth formed a little O.

Yeah, Eve. Oh is right... Fucking Mason.

I don't care if I'm suppose to keep my mouth shut. I don't even care if it's true or not... actually, fuck that. If I found out it's true, I'd beat him to a bloody pulp and dump his body in the fucking Hudson. The only thing holding me back is the fact that she promises, she swears it wasn't him.

Like fucking hell I'm going to let him get too close to Eve though.

"Why is your face all scrunched up?"

I glanced down at her. "No reason."

**********

So, this is a little rushed, and I'm not sure if I should have put it out quite yet, but I thought I'd give you guys a little surprise. Did you like hearing things from Ethan's point of view???

Anyone want to see how cute Eve and Ethan are at the gym? Here yah go.

Oh, and guess what? You guys are so much fun to talk with, we've almost hit 1k comments! Crazy right? (Keep em coming!)

Alright, enough rambling, I've got to get back to real life.

With love always,
xxxBre

(If you're enjoying the story, please take a half-second to click the star at the bottom and VOTE. It's like a form of payment for the time we put in writing. Thank you ⭐️)