After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 25

Jesse leaned over and gave Harold a nudge, silently telling him to drop the subject.

Harold just rolled his eyes, poured himself another drink, and tossed it back in one go, copying Ethan’s earlier move. His mood was tanking fast.

The next stretch passed with Harold and Ethan locked in a silent drinking contest, each downing one glass after another. Jesse kept trying to get them to slow down, sometimes pleading with Harold, sometimes with Ethan, but neither one paid him any mind. Ethan had come for one reason: to drown his feelings, and he was doing exactly that.

Even someone with a strong tolerance would’ve struggled to keep up. It wasn’t long before Ethan was completely wasted.

Harold was tipsy too, though he could handle his liquor better than Ethan.

“Harold, I’m going to get Ethan out to his driver. I’ll come back for you in a bit,” Jesse said.

Harold just waved him off, his words starting to slur. “No need, I can walk out myself. I’m not as far gone as he is. Look at him, he probably can’t even stand right now.”

He shook his head, a bitter smile on his lips. “God knows how many times he’s ended up like this because of Natalie. I have no idea what she did to him. There are so many great women out there, but he’s stuck on her.”

“If he wants to do that, fine, but why drag Isabella into it? She never asked for this.”

Jesse looked at Ethan, who was sprawled out across the table, then lowered his voice as he turned to Harold. “Harold… don’t tell me you like Isabella?”

“Please, just say you don’t. Things with Ethan, Jordan, and Natalie are already a mess.”

Harold’s face turned scarlet. “I’ve only met her a handful of times, but she’s always so polite, really sweet, and easy to talk to. I like hanging out with her.”

Isabella was a people person. If she wanted, she could fit right in with all the fancy girls in high society. But that would only upset Jordan. And when Jordan got upset, he made life hard for her mom. To make things easier for her mom, Isabella stayed away from the social scene.

“Isabella?”

But Jesse had already noticed her. “Isabella!” he called.

She stopped, then faced him, forcing a polite smile. “Mr. Mason, what are you doing here?”

“Ethan asked us out for drinks,” Jesse said, sounding tired. “What about you? Here for the same reason? You two really are something else… Anyway, Ethan’s drunk. I’m leaving him with you. Take him home.”

“Harold’s still inside, drunk too,” he added. Without waiting for a reply, he let go of Ethan, leaving him in Isabella’s arms, and disappeared back into the room.

Isabella had no choice but to steady Ethan as he practically collapsed against her.