Ethan pulled out of the basketball court parking lot, feeling relieved that the intense game was over. He had tried to use basketball as a distraction from what was going on in his life, but now all he wanted to do was go home, take a hot shower, and collapse onto his bed.
As he drove down the highway, the warm sun beating down on his face, he felt his eyelids growing heavy. He was so tired that he didn't even notice when his phone started ringing.
But as soon as he heard Aubrey's voice on the other end, he was wide awake. "Hey, babe, I'm so happy to hear from you," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "Are you okay?"
There was a pause on the other end, and for a moment, Ethan wondered if he had said something wrong. But then Aubrey's voice came back on, her tone serious. "We need
