***
I drove to Bella's in silence as my thoughts danced around my head. Why had Ethan drunk texted me the night before? It was almost funny, but who had he been with? Where had he been?
My phone buzzed in the seat next to me as I pulled up to the diner and I was surprised to see it was Char. I'd just left there.
"What's up?" I parked the car, but left it running.
"I just watched the news and it was all about Ethan and his brother, Liam? I think that was his name. Anyway, they were at some club last night and..." She snorted and laughed. "They were wild. Let's just say the media is having a field day with it."
"Oh no. You didn't see him naked or anything, right?"
"No. Just dancing... very sexually with a few girls. I just wanted you to hear it from me first."
"All right. Thanks." I dropped the call and walked toward the restaurant. I could see Deza sitting toward the back of the place. The look on her face worried me. Sadness. Deep sadness. Over Ethan?
I walked in and pointed toward her as the hostess glanced up. "I'm meeting a friend. She's already here."
"Awesome. Enjoy your meal."
"Thanks." I walked toward her and smiled as she stood and offered me a friendly hug.
"Hey. I'm so glad I get to see you." She held on a little longer than I would have expected.
"You okay?" I moved back, but didn't release her.
"I'm supposed to ask you that, silly girl." She nodded and sat back down. "I'm just trying to work through a few things right now. Between Ethan and Darren, I'm ready to crawl back in bed and just stay there."
"Uh oh." I pulled my napkin into my lap. "My best friend just called and told me about the news report on Ethan."
"I'm not surprised. The whole damn universe is talking about it."
"And what are they saying?" I sat back, feeling calm and collected. It was an odd sensation seeing that anything related to my career, Deza included, left me unraveled and nervous as hell.
"I'm sure they're judging him, thinking he's not the great guy that he is." She shrugged. "I don't know. I just want to protect him, but sometimes he makes it so fucking hard."
"Maybe he doesn't need your protection. He's twenty-four. He's a man, D." I tilted my head to the side and studied her. She was beautiful, but she didn't know it. Why she didn't was a mystery. "Maybe he just needs your love. I think you're the only one besides his wild-ass brother that he lets near him."
"You're right." She glanced down at her hands and back up, straightening her shoulders and changing her expression back to business. "Let's not talk about a bunch of trivial crap. Let's get you rolling on your coaching sessions and then we can chat."
"Sounds great." I picked up my menu as the server came over and quickly ordered two eggs and a piece of toast.
She ordered and pulled out a folder, extending it toward me. "I have several options for coaches that I think might be good for you. My top pick is Clayton Welms."
"Clayton Welms?" Goosebumps ran down my arms and legs. "Like, the Clayton Welms?"
She laughed. "Why did I think I would have to sell Clayton to you?"
"No clue. His face is all over the drama hall at UCLA. He's... he's a legend."
"Right, and he's always strict, demanding, a cocky bastard and hotter than sin. Ethan hates the guy, but they grew close a few years back and Clayton stabbed Ethan in the back." She let out a short sigh. "At least that's the way Ethan sees it."
"I don't even want to know what happened." I glanced down at the picture of Clayton. He was in his mid-thirties and far too old for me, but he was insanely dreamy. Dark hair and charcoal-colored eyes. I hadn't known a woman that didn't swoon over him. He was Ethan, less playful, more grown up. Solemn.
"So here are the others." She handed me a stack of folders. "We'll go with any of them that you want. We just need to know which you would be more comfortable around."
"I don't even have to look. Clayton would be my top pick." I handed them back, but kept his folder. "When do we start?"
"Excellent." She clapped her hands. "I'll call him today and see what his schedule looks like. I am hoping that he will be open for a Tuesday afternoon session. How does that work?"
"That's great. I have a few tests this week and my drama final on Friday afternoon, but other than that, I'm ready to start now."
"Awesome. He's going to be so good for you. Just don't ask Ethan his opinion."
"I won't. I seriously can't wait to meet him. I needed some good news." Sweat gathered in my palms and along my hairline as my pulse raced. Clayton Welms. I couldn't believe it.
"Finally... someone with some damn sense in their head." She laughed. "Oh, and we deposited your first check in the bank account you gave us. Make sure you check it and let me know that it got there."
"Perfect." I waited until the food was served to slip away to the bathroom. I had to check the account to see how much it was. My hands shook as I pulled up the app on my phone and checked it.
$28,485. I almost swallowed my tongue. Tears blurred my vision as I closed the bathroom door and sat down on the toilet, fully clothed. One week. If I'd had this money a week ago, would my mom still be alive? I couldn't help but think she would.