Ethan's POV (Bonus Book)

Chapter Forty

Pacing in front of the living room window, I crossed and uncrossed my arms over and over like a nervous fool as I waited.

Chloe was supposed to be coming over with her little brother Mason any second now for his playdate with Dylan. Usually, his mother brought him, but today I insisted Chloe bring him here instead. Why? Because I needed to talk to her about Mia.

After the disastrous way yesterday afternoon had ended with Mia, I'd officially decided enough was enough. I was going to come clean to Mia about my feelings, and to do that without fucking up or scaring her, I needed help. Hence why I needed Chloe.

She was without a doubt going to have some crucial insider information about Mia and would be able to help me in ways Lucas simply couldn't. I'd already asked him what to do and his wonderful suggestion was to, and I quote: 'Wait for her on your bed naked with a rose sticking through the side of your mouth. Trust me, she'll get it.'

Long story, short, Lucas was an idiot, and I was never going to him for advice again.

Now back to Chloe. Though I wanted her help, my stomach still churned with anxiety as I awaited her arrival. I'd known her for a long time now, and I knew she was far from mean but that didn't change the fact she was still one of Mia's best friends. Friends that undeniably told each other everything.

This means whatever stupid shit that slips out my mouth today, was inevitably going to be transported back to Mia in a nanosecond and that scared the shit out of me.

My head suddenly shot to the window, noticing a small red Toyota pull into our drive that I instantly recognized as belonging to Chloe. With all the years I'd spent stalk- I mean observing Mia, I'd grown pretty used to searching for that car knowing Mia often car-shared with her.

The gate to our house was already open so Chloe came to a neat stop by the side of the house before starting to park up. In no time at all, she came out with her little brother in hand, and soon enough the doorbell rang out throughout the house.

"I've got it," I called out to my mum.

Marching towards the door, I hurried to open it. Chloe threw me a kind smile as she saw me. "Hey, Ethan."

She had a twinkle in her eye as she spoke. One that scared me. I'd tried to fill her in subtility over text about why I was so desperate to talk to her, and it was obvious she'd gotten the message loud and clear. She was practically smirking at me.

Trying to push the nervousness away, I smiled back. "Hi," I answered politely. Then dropping my eyes downward, I chuckled spotting a blond little boy who was still holding tightly onto Chloe's hand.

"Hey, Mason, how are we doing? Cool hat by the way," I smiled before teasingly dipping down his cap, so it covered his eyes.

He giggled profusely and clumsily reached out to correct it. "Where's Dylan?" he asked while blinking up at me rapidly.

"By the pool with Mum, you can go-"

Before I even finished my sentence, Mason ripped free from Chloe's hand and rushed past me before bouncing his way over to the back doors, in clear search of Dylan.

I snorted in amusement and gestured with a nod for Chloe to come in.

As soon as the door closed, Chloe turned to me and clapped her hands with a smile. "Okay, I'm ready for mission, let's stop Ethan from being an idiot. Let's get started."

Then with a swish of her blonde ponytail, she turned around and started boldly marching her way up the stairs, with a spark of determination to her stride.