I’ll Be There by Samantha Chase Page A

does that mean?”
    â€œThis situation isn’t anyone’s ideal, Zach. I was looking forward to going back east for a couple of days and checking on the house and just having a little time away with Summer. Obviously, that’s not going to happen right now. We all have to make sacrifices. Summer will go to North Carolina alone and I’ll…go away with Gabriella.” Ethan almost laughed at the shocked look on Zach’s face.
    â€œFor work ,” Zach growled and then cursed. “Whatever.”
    â€œMaybe it’s all for the best,” Robert said. “Now you can focus on getting your strength back. Gab…I mean, I heard your new therapist already has a schedule in place for you. Do you like him?”
    Zach shrugged. “If he does what he claims he can do, then yeah. I’m not getting my hopes up.”
    â€œWhy him then?” Ethan asked.
    â€œHe was the first therapist who actually talked with me about what I wanted to accomplish and how I felt about the schedule we were going to need to keep.” He paused. “He talked to me like…a man. Not just a patient.”
    â€œIt’s definitely a step in the right direction,” Robert said, a smile crossing his face. “What else can we do for you? Anything?”
    Zach opened his mouth and then immediately shut it. He looked over at Ethan with barely concealed rage.
    â€œRobert, why don’t you head out?” Ethan finally said, his eyes never leaving Zach’s.
    â€œYou rode here with me. How are you going to get home?”
    â€œI’ll borrow Zach’s car. I’ll get it back to him tomorrow.” He waited for Zach to at least acknowledge what he said and when he saw the slight nod, he turned his attention to Robert. “I just want to stay and hang out for a while.”
    Robert hesitated a moment, but got up and wished them both a good night on his way out. Both men waited until the door was closed and they heard the car start.
    â€œYou don’t mind my borrowing the Porsche, do you?”
    A mirthless chuckle was Zach’s immediate response. “Sure, it’s not like I can drive it.”
    Ethan stood and went to the kitchen to grab them both a beer. He walked back and handed Zach his. “Aren’t you tired yet?”
    â€œOf what?”
    â€œOf being a complete tool.” He laughed and took a swig from the bottle. “You know, I felt bad for you for a good long while. I was sympathetic and I kept encouraging everyone to just give you time. Well, you know what?”
    â€œNo. But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
    â€œThis whole ‘woe is me’ crap you’re throwing around is getting old. I’ve known you far too long to believe this is the guy you want to be.”
    â€œThen you don’t know shit.”
    Ethan sat back down and faced his friend. “What are you afraid of?”
    â€œMe? Nothing. Not a damn thing.”
    â€œDon’t bullshit me. It’s insulting to us both.”
    Zach sighed loudly. “You want to know what I’m afraid of? How about…losing my job? Getting stabbed in the back by my best friend? Never being able to walk again? I mean, take your freaking pick, Ethan!”
    â€œOkay, now we’re getting somewhere,” Ethan said, relaxing in his seat with a grin. “Losing your job? Not likely. It’s still yours, man. I’m just having to take on some of the tasks you can’t—or won’t —do. I don’t like it any more than you do, so you can stop claiming you were betrayed or stabbed anywhere.”
    â€œI don’t know what to do, Ethan,” Zach said wearily after a long moment. “I’m doing exactly what the old man asked—I’m committing to therapy and I’m doing the business stuff. And I still got the shaft.”
    â€œYou weren’t committing to the business stuff and you know it. I don’t know what the