Ethan sat on the edge of his bed, the bruise on his jaw throbbing in time with his heartbeat. Every pulse sent a fresh wave of pain radiating across his face.
The cut on his lip had finally stopped bleeding sometime in the early hours, but every time he swallowed, the metallic taste of blood mixed with the bitter aftertaste of regret.
His mother had knocked on his door twice already, her voice thick with worry. “Ethan, honey? Are you okay in there? You came home looking like you’d been in a car wreck.”
He hadn’t answered either time. What could he possibly say? That he’d been caught balls-deep in his best friend’s little sister? That he’d destroyed his relationship with Sarah, his friendship with Jake, and quite possibly Mia’s entire family in one reckless night?
For the first time
