Chapter 8
One week had passed since the incident at Johnny's house. Kristina had not talked to Ethan in a week. She thought a lot about what happened since that day. Johnny in the car on the way to the shop had told her that Ethan only had reacted that way out of jealousy. That he really did want Kristina but was in denial. Kristina was too pissed off to listen. She was hurt and embarrassed that Ethan had thought her a little girl. A victim that didn't know any better. She thought about what Johnny said mulling it over in her mind .
One day she was having dinner at her dad's house with Michael and Morgan. They were sitting at the table when Kristina asked her father a question that had been on her mind since Johnny's. Of course she changed things and pretended she was asking for a friend. "Dad I have a question. I'm asking for a friend. It's about guys and I need a guy's point of view." Sonny put down his fork, giving his daughter his full attention. "What is it sweetheart." Sonny was happy to do anything for his daughter. Their relationship was so much better lately since they had been going to therapy together. "Well my friend is in love with this guy but he doesn't seem to notice her. Atleast she says he doesn't. Anyways she started hanging out with his good friend. There was a misunderstanding and the guy who she likes caught her at his good friends house hanging out but let's just say there was a misunderstanding and the guy thought she slept with his friend and he totally flipped out. What does that mean?" Suddenly Michael started choking on his food and Morgan had to slap his back just to get him to stop. Kristina glared at him and all Michael could do was stare at her. He couldn't believe it. Was she saying what he thought she was?
Sonny thought on her question a moment before responding. "Well the guy seems to like the girl and was jealous. Case closed." Michael snorted and Kristina kicked him under the table. Or so she thought. She actually kicked her brother Morgan. "Ow! Hey what the hell Kristina!" Sonny looked to his kids in confusion. They were acting very strange tonight. "Sorry Morgan. Leg spasm." Kristina coughed and got back to eating while Morgan looked between his brother and sister suspiciously. "So you really think he hit the guy and freaked out over nothing?" Kristina asked. "He hit the guy too?" Sonny laughed. Michael huffed across the table. "Oh I didn't say that part. Yeah he did. I guess I can tell my friend the good news." Sonny's phone rang and he excused himself from the table to take the call. Michael leaned across the table towards Kristina. "Are you serious? Kristina you were at Johnny's doing god knows what with him and Ethan walked in! I can't believe you." He huffed angrily. "Oh relax Michael. Nothing happened. The bonus is Ethan cares about me. Even if he doesn't know it yet. " Michael sighed. "So have you talked to him yet?" Kristina in fact had not talked to Ethan at all. She had been so mad she had ignored all his texts and attempts to see her. She had not been at Kelly's or near all the spots they normally saw each other. She had texted Johnny a few times to find out that Ethan had remained in fact completely miserable and had asked about her all the time. Her heart warmed to hear it but until now she wasn't completely sure she was ready to see him again. "I haven't talked to him but I am going to. I think it's time." Kristina looked to Michael who looked a little uncertain. "Whatever Kristina, but be careful. This situation with Johnny could get deadly if dad finds out." Kristina reluctantly agreed. She couldn't wait till tomorrow. She felt like she was finally getting an idea that Ethan truly liked her.
Ethan had been having the worst week he'd had in a long time. Nothing was going right. Luke had gone out of town and couldn't help him with his forgery scam and while Johnny had forgiven him for hitting him, he had decided that Ethan didn't deserve to get any calls for jobs. He felt he needed to learn his lesson about decking the boss. Ethan understood but he definitely didn't like it. Maya had been giving him a hard time about getting together. Worse yet he hadn't heard a thing from Kristina. He had tried texting, calling her and her phone had gone right to voicemail. He had been to Kelly's every day and her grandfather Mike told him she hadn't been in all week. Ethan couldn't believe it. Was she really that angry with him? He hated not being able to speak to his best friend. He had to admit that he was beginning to miss her presence in his life. He hadn't realized just how much Kristina had come to mean to him until she was gone.
Ethan arrived at Kelly's and headed up to the counter for his usual. He sat at the counter today, not holding out hope that Kristina would be in today. "Hey Mike. How goes it today?" His voice had a sullen ring today that Mike immediately picked up on. "Ethan? Things going ok?" Mike asked with concern. Ethan shrugged. "It's just a day like any other I guess." Mike poured his coffee, silent for a moment as if in consideration of something. "I can't help but notice you are sitting here today. I guess you aren't expecting anyone today?" Ethan couldn't bring himself to answer Mike's question. They both knew the answer to that.
Suddenly the bell over the door rang. Ethan sipped his coffee and heard Mike clear his throat. "Looks like you'll be needing a table after all." Ethan turned in his seat to see Kristina staring at him, her face expressionless. "Why don't you grab a table. Tell Kristina ill bring her coffee over in a moment. I'll give you two a moment." Mike headed to the back.
Ethan got up and headed over to Kristina. He wasn't sure what to say to her. He couldn't believe she was standing in front of him. He was afraid if he blinked she would disappear. "Hey." His voice was barely above a whisper as he choked out his greeting. "Hey Ethan. How have you been?" she said with politeness. Ethan didn't like how this conversation was starting out already. "Kristina can we talk? Please?" Kristina looked back towards the door and then back at Ethan. "I promise I won't bite." That brought a smile to her lips and she nodded sitting down at the nearest table, gesturing for him to join her.
Ethan sat down across from Kristina and she still hadn't said a word to him which made him very nervous. This wasn't the Kristina that he knew. She was always full of things to say to him. Just as Ethan opened his mouth, saying her name, Kristina started to talk as well. "Oh sorry. Go ahead." he gestured. Shaking her head Kristina said, "Please Ethan you first." Ethan agreed and forged on. "Kristina I just want to apologize to you for what happened at Johnny's last week. I was so upset to think that he could be using you and you deserve better than that. For it to be special." Kristina broke into a smile at Ethan's words. "I appreciate what you are saying Ethan but you have to understand I have had sex before. I am not some virginal little girl anymore and you seem to think I am. You even called me a little girl at Johnny's. That is what pissed me off. I love when you protect me but I am not a little girl anymore. I will sleep with who I please and no one will tell me different."
Ethan did not like the sound of that. Kristina deserved a guy that would treat her like she was his everything. Didn't she understand why he was so protective? The guys that were out there that only wanted one thing. That was what Ethan was protecting her from. "Kristina I understand you aren't a child anymore. Believe me I get that, but you aren't an adult either." Kristina scowled at Ethan, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not in your eyes maybe. God Ethan! Johnny treats me as an equal why can't you. I mean you do when you talk to me, but how you see me…I am not some virginal kid. I have experienced life Ethan! More than you realize!" Ethan sighed knowing he would not win this argument. "Look Kristina I don't want to argue with you. I hate arguing with you. I missed you this week." He told her, his voice quiet. "Aww Ethan that's so sweet. I missed you too." Ethan rolled his eyes, sighing. "Well don't let it go to your head. I am sure you will back to the pain in the ass you always are." Ethan teased. "Oh Ethan admit it. You love me." And with that Kristina got up and left him with a wink and a smile.