James pushed Ethan away from him with a violent shove, his fist flying out almost on instinct. The punch connected squarely with Ethan’s cheek, snapping his head to the side. Pain exploded across Ethan’s face like fire, but he didn’t cry out—he just growled low, hand flying up to cradle the fresh bruise.
“How dare you kiss me!” James barked, scrambling backward on his hands until his back hit the couch leg. His voice cracked at the end, raw and unsteady, like he was yelling at himself as much as at Ethan.
Ethan stayed on the floor where he’d landed, breathing hard through his nose. “I didn’t do it on purpose,” he said quietly, voice thick. “We fell. That’s all.”
“Shut up. Shut up now!” James shouted. He dragged himself up using the couch arm, legs shaky from the beer and the adrenaline
