Chapter Eleven
Ethan
Walking into the country club with Lindsay, I smile at several people who call out to me. My hand rests possessively at the small of her back. I can feel the tension radiating from her in waves. I lean to whisper in her ear, “Relax. Everything will be fine.”
“Amanda will never speak to me again. How would you feel if your best friend told you he was sleeping with your sister?”
“I would probably kill him. But this is different.”
“How?” she hisses.
Because I love you. My sister will understand once she knows how I feel. I shove my free hand into my pocket, feeling for the small velvet box resting there. Most people would probably think me crazy for wanting to propose to Lindsay. We slept together once years ago, and I’ve spent all of one week with her recently. That was hardly enough time for me to want to propose marriage. Plus, she has a child, and I’ve never even met the little girl.
On the other hand, Lindsay is someone I have known almost my entire life. I know she is genuine and good, and I feel something for her that I have never felt for another woman. I have fallen in love with Lindsay Williams. I’m taking a great risk in asking her to marry me. There’s no guarantee she will say yes. I’m not even sure how she feels about me. But sometimes, when she gazes upon me, I swear I see something akin to love. It could be wishful thinking, though.
We enter the hall where everyone is gathered. Dinner hasn’t started yet, so there are people milling around chatting and laughing. I scan the crowd, searching for Amanda, but she’s nowhere in sight. Lindsay notices too.
“Where’s Amanda? I thought she would be in the center of all the excitement.”
“Yeah, that is her way, isn’t it?”
“Ethan, Lindsay. You’re here.” My mother waves us over. As we walk in her direction, her eyes drop to my hand in Lindsay’s. She meets my gaze, raising her brows in question.
“Hi, mom.”
“Hi, Mrs. Taylor,” Lindsay says timidly.
My mother gives her a smile and pulls her in for a hug. She has always loved Lindsay. She practically lived with us, as she and Amanda were inseparable as kids. “Hello, dear. How are you? And how’s that little girl of yours? You must bring her over to the house and introduce her to Edward and me. You know we love you, dear.”
Lindsay fidgets with her dress, looking away from my mother. “We’re both fine. I’ll try and arrange a visit.”
I frown, studying Lindsay. She’s never been nervous around my family before. What’s gotten into her? “Where’s Amanda?” I ask.
“I have no idea. She arrived with Nathan but then she disappeared. I can’t get her on her phone.”
“I see.” I whip out my phone. Perhaps I will have better luck. I want us to get this shindig underway and done so I can pop the question to Lindsay. I won’t do it during my sister’s dinner, of course. I’ll wait until I take Lindsay home.
“Ethan?” I’m relieved when Amanda answers.
“Hey, baby sis. Where the hell are you? Everyone is here except you. This is your party, get your ass here.” I frown when I’m met with silence. “Amanda?”
“Is Lindsay there?”
“She is.” Amanda doesn’t sound right. Now I’m starting to worry. “Are you alright?”
“Uh, yeah. Put Lindsay on the phone, will you?”
I hand the phone to Lindsay, who looks at me enquiringly. I shrug. It must be a female thing. I listen to the one-sided conversation, watching the expressions play across Lindsay’s face. Something is definitely wrong.
“Okay, Amanda, just calm down. I know, honey. Stay where you are. I’m coming.” Lindsay hangs up and hands me the phone. “She’s in the restroom. I’m going to her.”
“I’ll come too,” my mom says, her tone filled with concern.
“Um, she asked me to come alone.” Lindsay shrugs apologetically and moves off.
“What the hell is going on?” I ask, quietly.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” mom responds.
I glance toward Nathan suspiciously. He’s chatting animatedly to a group of people who seem quite bored. He’s probably boasting about something or another, the braggart.
“So, what’s going on with you and Lindsay? She’s a good girl, you know.”
My eyes shift to my mother. “I know she is. Why does it sound like you’re warning me off of her?”
Margaret sighs. “You’re my son, and I love you. But you have a certain reputation.”
“Suppose I have changed? Suppose I have met a woman who is worth changing my ways for? Worth settling down with?”
The shock on my mother’s face is quite evident. Of course she’s shocked. I’ve never sounded like this before. “Oh. Well, I suppose that would change everything, then.”
“Yes, it would.” She gives me a warm smile, which I return.
“Your father will never believe you want to settle down. He’ll blame your sudden turn around on being hit too hard and too many times on the football field.”
I let out a laugh. Maybe my father would have a point. I, too, am a bit surprised by the way I have fallen.