The Taste of Trouble

Kissing Ethan Carter was never part of the plan.

But that was the thing about us—plans didn't matter.

Logic didn't matter.

Nothing mattered except the fire that kept pulling us back together.

And now?

Now, I was trapped in the wreckage of my own choices.

Because no matter how many times we tried to stop—

We never did.

We just kept playing this reckless, destructive game.

A game where the only rule was no one could win.

I barely slept that night.

Not after that kiss.

Not after the way Ethan's hands had gripped my waist like he couldn't let go.

Not after the way I had kissed him back, knowing damn well I was making the biggest mistake of my life.

So, when my phone buzzed the next morning, I already knew who it was.

Ethan.

Ethan: We need to talk.

I stared at the screen.

The logical part of me knew that talking was a bad idea.

Because talking led to touching.

Touching led to falling.

And falling?

Falling was dangerous.

But of course—

I replied anyway.

Me: Where?

We met at his car.

A place where no one could see us.

Because that was how we worked now.

In the shadows.

Behind closed doors.

A secret neither of us wanted to admit we were keeping.

Ethan leaned against the car, arms crossed, watching me carefully.

Like I was something fragile.

Like I might break.

I hated it.

Because the truth?

I was already broken.

"I thought we weren't doing this anymore," I muttered, crossing my arms.

Ethan let out a sharp breath. "You're the one who walked up to me at that party."

I scowled. "Oh, so this is my fault now?"

His jaw ticked. "That's not what I said."

Silence stretched between us.

A thick, charged silence.

Finally, he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.

"This has to stop, Liv."

Something in my chest tightened.

I forced out a bitter laugh. "Then why are we here?"

His eyes locked onto mine.

Dark. Intense.

Filled with a truth neither of us wanted to admit.

"I don't know." His voice was rough. "But I can't stay away from you."

My breath hitched.

Because that was the problem, wasn't it?

Neither of us could stop.

No matter how much we tried.

I should have walked away.

Should have said something cutting, something final.

But instead—

I stepped closer.

"Then don't," I whispered.

Ethan's muscles tensed.

"Liv—"

I didn't let him finish.

Because I was already grabbing his shirt, already pulling him into me.

And just like every other time—

He didn't stop me.

He just let it happen.

Let his lips crash into mine, let his hands slide to my hips, gripping me like he was afraid to let go.

And maybe—

Maybe he was.

Maybe we both were.

We kissed like we were drowning.

Like we were trying to swallow the fire between us before it consumed us whole.

It was fast. Desperate. Too much.

But then—

A voice cut through the moment.

"Well, well, well."

I froze.

So did Ethan.

Slowly, we turned.

And standing just a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes burning with fury—

Was Tessa.

Tessa's expression was pure betrayal.

"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered.

I swallowed hard. "Tessa—"

She held up a hand. "Don't."

Ethan stiffened beside me. "Tess, just let us explain."

She let out a sharp laugh. "Explain what? That you've been sneaking around behind my back—again?"

Guilt slammed into me.

I had promised her I was done.

I had promised myself I was done.

But here we were.

Again.

Playing the same reckless game.

And now?

We were losing.

Tessa's voice was quieter when she spoke again.

"I asked you to walk away from him, Liv."

I exhaled shakily. "I know."

Her eyes shone with hurt.

"And you chose him anyway."

My throat closed.

Because she wasn't wrong.

She had given me a choice.

And now, standing here, with Ethan on one side and Tessa on the other—

I realized something.

No matter what I did, I was going to lose someone.

And that?

That was the worst part of all.

Tessa let out a slow breath, shaking her head.

"I can't do this," she whispered.

Then, without another word—

She walked away.

I wanted to go after her.

To beg her to stay, to tell her that this didn't mean I didn't love her.

But I couldn't move.

Because Ethan was still standing beside me.

Silent.

Unmoving.

And when I finally looked at him—

He just exhaled.

And said the one thing I didn't expect.

"She's right."

I frowned. "What?"

His jaw clenched. "We're just hurting people, Liv."

My stomach twisted.

Because for the first time—Ethan was the one pulling away.

And suddenly?

I wasn't sure if I could handle that.

Tessa finally catches them—this time, it's worse.

Liv is forced to face the reality—she's losing her best friend.

Ethan realizes they might be doing more harm than good.

Does Ethan mean it? Or is this just another game?