"Wait, wait, wait, back up, what do you mean he fingered you in his apartment?!"
Jason had all but spit out his coffee on Sarah's dining room table so Sarah was up, grabbing a napkin for him, and a paper towel for the table. He had come over an hour after she was lying in bed thinking about the crazy turn of events that had become of her evening.
"Yeah, I went up there to confront him about work today and we ended up kissing and he kind of…well yeah… while he asked me if it was better than you," Sarah said blushing.
"Oh my god that's so hot," Jason said as his mouth hung open, "But you told him yes, because I'm just an innocent gay caught up in this drama."
Sarah's mouth was in an exaggerated frown, "Well I didn't exactly get to that, but knowing Ethan, hopefully he'll think he's the better man and leave you alone," Sarah said shrugging.
"How did I get caught up in this het-nonsense, you didn't give him the right kind of cookies Sarah!" Jason said dramatically pounding his fist on the table and then sinking into his chair and pouting. He perked up again when he asked,
"So why are you down here and not upstairs banging it out with Dr. Gorgeous?"
"He freaking kicked me out! Like right after!" Sarah answered shaking her head in disbelief over the whole ordeal.
"Like a ho," Jason said shaking his head.
"Shut-up," Sarah said rolling her eyes before continuing, "Speaking of hos, why are you here? What happened with Matthew?"
"I am not here to talk about little-dick-can't-kiss-Matthew, so cute but an utter disappointment, I'm here because Danny left a message with that bartender that I was telling you about, you know the one who took his picture on my phone."
Sarah nodded not wanting to bring up how drunk Jason had been that night it was taken.
"Really, that's great news," Sarah said enthusiastically.
"But he still really only trusts you so he asked if we could meet him tomorrow night," Jason said excitedly.
"Yes, absolutely, we'll get him some literature about transitional housing or shelters, places where he can kick his habit,-oh and I'll ask Dr. Halstead if maybe his brother can help," Sarah said excitedly.
"Awesome, I think he's going to try and get away around eight-thirty or nine tomorrow night and meet us. We can meet beforehand at Molly's and then go."
Jason was now standing as he was preparing to go home.
"Promise me we'll still hang out like this when you move to pathology?" he said looking over his shoulder as she walked him out.
"Promise," Sarah said with a smile.
Pathology; it was still an problem, even with Jason's issues and Ethan being a distraction the consequential day was still closing in. Instead of giving more thought to what she felt she had no control over she went to her bed and tried to devise a way to get back at Ethan, to get some of her power back. She was addicted to that feeling, he couldn't have it all. More importantly she wanted him to feel like her, unsure and a little used. After all it was only fair and to be honest Sarah was actually having a little fun.
…
Work felt like it came quickly the next day. Ethan pulled that stunt with her because he knew he didn't work and he wouldn't see her. Jason was relieved to have an easier day without the added pressure of whatever mood Ethan would be in, it allowed him and Sarah to get the info they needed for Danny. But Sarah was actually a little disappointed. How was she supposed to exact her revenge now?
Ethan was home most of the day doing chores, then running errands, and getting groceries. The mundane tasks kept his mind off of Sarah.
Although he came across fairly controlled in the situation Ethan was anything but that around her. Sarah was supposed to be like a kid-sister to him but even standing in those bunny slippers and cartooned t-shirt she had managed to get under his skin. No amount of teasing her could stop the fact that he was still very attracted to her and it was starting to make him feel out of control; uncomfortable even.
Boxing was only taking the edge off. He needed another way to blow off some steam. Vicky was gone, but there was always Monica.
She was a nurse at the VA hospital. They used to hook-up before things turned serious between he and Vicky and her exact response when they became an item was
"If it doesn't work out with her, you know where to find me."
So that's what Ethan did. He got home, ordered in, sent Monica a text, and true to her word she was at his house in a jiff. They had a beer to break the ice and catch up a bit before they headed to his bedroom.
…
Coming home was now a strange source of anxiousness for Sarah. After what happened between her and Ethan the whole building felt implicated. Sarah got in the apartment and immediately headed to the bathroom to shower. She wanted to hang out at Molly's for a little bit before Jason got there. Sarah sat at the edge of her bed to lotion her legs when the familiar but completely uninvited sounds of moans came through the vent. Sarah stopped what she was doing almost perplexed. "Am I in the twilight zone? I thought Vicky left?"
Jealousy wasn't the only feeling she felt, she actually felt hurt. Had he just toyed with her? Used her for a quick second? Maybe he didn't think anything of it; after all, if this was a game to Ethan then that would just make him a player. The vengeful feeling from the other night crept in and Sarah stood up and picked up her phone and began dialing.
"Hi…oh no I would like to remain anonymous officer?...Jones, yes, Officer Jones I can't be sure but it sounds like a woman is being hurt in the apartment above me, I could be wrong but it's just awfully noisy and I'm concerned for her safety…uh huh, thanks," Sarah ended the call and the fake nice-passive aggressive tone she was using.
She put the phone down and plugged in her diffuser and began blow drying her hair and whistling innocently.
…
Not unlike the sexual carnage he had unleashed upon Sarah; Ethan had Monica literally at his fingertips. He kissed her neck and her loud moans filled his bedroom. He pulled his hand away continuing to kiss her as he positioned himself on top of her, until a pounding came at his door. He looked at Monica and she looked at him both confused.
"Are you expecting someone?" Monica asked raising her eyebrow and slightly annoyed.
"No," Ethan grumbled as he got up and pulled on his jeans.
He walked over to the door and opened it, his confusion continued as a uniformed cop stood in front of him.
"Good evening, we had noise complaint, one of a possible domestic dispute, are you alone sir?"
Ethan's eyes widened as he was completely thrown for a loop.
"Uh-no I'm not, please come in," he said.
He let the cop in and went to get Monica.
Monica came out in a large t-shirt of Ethan's and her jeans.
He took Monica over to a corner of the apartment to question her. Ethan paced back and forth unable to figure out how in the world his evening had ended up here.
"No, the exact opposite, I'm fine, actually I'd be better than fine if you hadn't knocked on the door!" Monica complained.
Ethan tilted his head, "Monica he's just doing his job."
The officer nodded and began walking out when he spotted a picture of Ethan and few of his Navy buddies.
"Which fleet did you serve on?"
"In that picture, we were visiting the 7th but I was on the USS Carl Vinson," he said with a smile. The photo brought back nostalgia, a feeling he missed.
"My dad served there back in the seventies," the officer said.
"Mine too." Ethan said with a laugh.
The officer looked at Ethan's driver's license still in his hand.
"Choi- I'll have to ask my dad if he remembers yours," the officer said still smiling as he handed the ID back to Ethan before saying, "Everything seems fine, I'm sorry to have disrupted your evening."
Ethan began walking him out but as he opened the door he stopped him to ask,
"Hey, just out of curiosity do you know who called in the complaint?"
"They asked to remain anonymous but it was most likely a neighbor, probably some cranky old lady." The officer said before walking out.
Ethan turned around but Monica was dressed in her own clothes.
"You're leaving?" he said.
"Yeah, the mood kind of died," she said slipping into her shoes and picking up her coat draped on the back of the couch.
"Yeah you're right," Ethan said apologetically.
She walked over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Call me sometime, maybe we can get together at my place," she said smiling as she walked out.
With the slam of the door Ethan turned and crossed his arms and thought, "A neighbor…Reese," he growled looking down at his floor.
…
Sarah was done getting ready. She thought about putting on the red lipstick she wore the night of the ball. It made her feel sexy and powerful but she decided against it at the last minute. After all this was about helping Danny, she could help herself after. She was locking up when out of her peripheral vision Ethan stalked up to her. She jumped back as he startled her.
"You called the police!" He yelled shaking his head at her in disbelief, "I cannot believe you called the police on me and my friend," he hissed.
She quickly collected herself,
"I have absolutely no clue what you are talking about Ethan," she answered casually as she twisted her knob making sure she secured the lock.
"Well, someone called the cops on me…a neighbor, you sure you don't know anything about that?!" he said glaring at Sarah.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't, you really shouldn't jump to conclusions," Sarah said looking forward and walking towards the stairwell, she continued twisting the sword, "But, gosh…how frustrating for you, to be oh so close and then boom," she said snapping her fingers, "Snatched, just like candy from a baby. Pleasure and pain can get confusing to the ear, the feelings are so similar."
He was walking behind her when he scoffed with a cold smile,
"Did you get your get your feelings hurt Sarah?"
She stopped walking as his words hurt a little before turning around, with a cool grin of her own.
"Well whatever do you mean, I would've had to feel something to be hurt and I didn't feel very much of anything," she lied cooly and convincingly as she closed in the gap between them.
Sarah lifted to her tiptoes to his ear, "But stick around tonight if you really want to hear what a man who actually makes me feel good sounds like," she said lowering herself and turning.
"Who? Pshh, Wheeler?" he laughed.
"Wheeler's gay," she said still walking, "You really shouldn't jump to conclusions Eee-than, "Sarah said turning to wink as she walked away leaving Ethan in the hall his mouth agape.
