*Chapter 7: The Garage*
445 Words
6:00am.
The side door opened.
It wasn’t Lily.
Ethan stepped in. Coffee in one hand. Keys in the other.
He didn’t look surprised to see Adrian sitting there in the dark.
“Morning, son,” Ethan said. Calm. Too calm.
Adrian stood up too fast. “Couldn’t sleep.”
“Yeah. Me neither.” Ethan set the coffee down on the workbench. “You get my text?”
Adrian’s stomach dropped. “What text?”
Ethan pulled out his phone. Held it up. The screen was dark.
“I didn’t send one.” He watched Adrian’s face. “So who did?”
“I don’t know.”
“Bullshit.” The word was quiet, but it landed hard.
The garage was cold. The only sound was the fridge humming.
Ethan walked past Adrian to the pegboard. Picked up a rag. Wiped his hands even though they were clean.
“I’ve been married twice, Adrian. I know what lying looks like.”
Adrian said nothing.
Ethan turned. “So I’m gonna ask you once. Did you touch her?”
The question hung in the air.
Adrian opened his mouth. Closed it.
“Did. You. Touch. Her.”
“No,” Adrian said. It came out hoarse.
Ethan stared at him. Long. Searching.
Then he nodded. Once. “Good. Because if you did, you wouldn’t be my son anymore.”
He picked up his coffee.
“Pack a bag. You’re staying at the downtown apartment this week. Give us some space.”
“That’s not— Dad, I—”
“Don’t.” Ethan cut him off. “Don’t make this worse.”
He walked to the door. Paused.
“Lily’s already gone to her sister’s. For a few days. To ‘think.’”
The door closed.
Adrian stood there alone. Heart pounding.
He didn’t know if Ethan believed him.
He didn’t know if Lily was really at her sister’s.
He didn’t know what happened at 1am last night. Who was at his door.
His phone buzzed.
*Lily: He made me leave. I’m at Mia’s. Are you okay?*
He didn’t answer.
---
That week at the apartment was quiet.
No calls from Ethan.
One text from Lily: *I’m sorry.*
Adrian tried not to think about 1am.
Tried not to think about the sweatshirt.
Tried not to think about the way she said _say it was me_.
On Sunday night his phone rang. Unknown number.
He answered.
“Adrian?” It was Lily. Voice low.
“He’s not home,” she whispered. “Can you come over? Just to talk. Please.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’ll be there in 20.”
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