Chapter 3 The Argument

He spotted Jason across the room, leaning against the wall, a drink in hand, and a smirk still lingering on his face. The sight ignited a fire within Ethan, and he pushed through the crowd once more, his resolve hardening with each step.

"Jason," Ethan called out, his voice cutting through the laughter and music. Jason turned, his expression shifting from amusement to curiosity.

"Back for more?" Jason asked, a hint of mockery in his tone.

"Yeah, actually," Ethan replied, his voice steady. "We need to talk. Alone."

Jason glanced around, then shrugged. "Sure, why not? Let's give the crowd a show."

Ethan led the way to a quieter corner of the venue, away from prying eyes and ears. The music faded into a dull thrum, and the chatter of guests became a distant murmur. He turned to face Jason, who leaned casually against the wall, a confident smile still plastered on his face.

"Look, I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not going to let you manipulate Claire's feelings," Ethan said, his voice low but firm. "You may think you can just waltz back into her life and pick up where you left off, but it doesn't work that way."

Jason's smile faltered, and for a moment, Ethan saw a flicker of something else-perhaps regret or anger. "You really think I'm trying to take her away from you? That's not my intention."

"Then what is it?" Ethan pressed, stepping closer. "You're here, reminiscing about the past, and it's clear that you still have feelings for her. You can't just expect me to stand by and watch you try to win her back."

Jason sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Ethan, I'm not trying to win her back. I'm here because I care about her. I want her to be happy, and if that means she's with you, then I'll respect that. But you need to understand that I'm not going anywhere. I'm part of her history, and that's not something you can erase."

Ethan felt a surge of frustration. "You think I want to erase you? I just want to protect what we have. Claire deserves someone who's fully committed to her, not someone who's still hung up on the past."

"Is that what you think?" Jason shot back, his voice rising slightly. "That I'm still hung up on her? You have no idea what I've been through since we broke up. I've moved on, but I can't just pretend that our time together didn't happen."

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to rein in his anger. "I get that. But you need to understand that Claire is with me now. I love her, and I'm not going to let you jeopardize that."

Jason's expression softened slightly, and for a moment, Ethan thought he might actually understand. "I don't want to jeopardize anything, Ethan. I just want to be a part of her life, even if it's as a friend. But if you're going to treat me like the enemy, then I can't promise I won't fight back."

Ethan's heart raced. "What does that mean? What are you planning to do?"

Jason shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that belied the tension in the air. "I'm not planning anything. But if Claire finds out about the things I've kept from her, things that might change her perspective on our past, then it's not my fault."

Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean? What are you hiding?"

Jason's gaze hardened, and he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Let's just say there are things about our relationship that Claire doesn't know. Things that could change how she feels about me-and about you."

Ethan's mind raced, panic clawing at his insides. "You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I?" Jason replied, a smirk returning to his lips. "You're the one who's threatened by me, Ethan. I'm just here to remind you that the past has a way of resurfacing, and sometimes, it's not as easy to bury as you think."

Before Ethan could respond, Jason turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, heart pounding and mind racing. The weight of Jason's words hung heavy in the air, and Ethan felt a sense of dread settle in his stomach.

He had to warn Claire. He had to make sure she knew the truth before Jason had a chance to twist it into something that could tear them apart. As he rejoined the party, he spotted Claire laughing with friends, her smile bright and carefree.

But now, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. He approached her, forcing a smile despite the turmoil churning inside him.

"Hey, can we talk for a minute?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Claire looked up, her expression shifting from joy to concern. "Sure, what's wrong?"

Ethan took her hand, leading her away from the laughter and music, to a quieter spot near the bar. He could feel the weight of Jason's threat pressing down on him, and he needed to tread carefully.

"Is everything okay?" Claire asked, her brow furrowing as she sensed his tension.

"Not really," Ethan admitted, his heart racing. "It's about Jason."

Her expression hardened slightly at the mention of her ex. "What about him?"

"He's... he's back in town, and I just had a conversation with him," Ethan said, choosing his words carefully. "He said some things that worried me. He's not just here to catch up; he's got some kind of agenda."

Claire crossed her arms, her defensiveness rising. "What do you mean? What did he say?"

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to find the right way to explain without causing her unnecessary distress. "He implied that there are things about your past with him that you don't know. Things that could change how you feel about him-and about me."

Claire's eyes widened, and Ethan could see the gears turning in her mind. "What kind of things?"

"I don't know exactly," Ethan replied, frustration creeping into his voice. "But he made it sound like he has some kind of leverage. I just don't want you to be blindsided by whatever he's planning."

Claire shook her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and anger. "Ethan, you can't let him get to you like this. He's just trying to stir up trouble because he sees us together. You know that, right?"

"I do," Ethan said, his voice softening. "But I also know that he's not the type to back down easily. I just want you to be aware of what he might try to do."

Claire stepped closer, her eyes searching his. "I appreciate you looking out for me, but I need you to trust me. I can handle Jason. I've moved on from him, and I'm with you now. That's what matters."

Ethan felt a flicker of hope at her words, but the unease still lingered. "I know you're strong, Claire. But I can't shake the feeling that he's going to try to manipulate you. I just want to protect what we have."

Claire reached out, placing a hand on his cheek. "You don't have to protect me from my past. I've dealt with it. I'm here with you because I want to be. Just promise me you won't let Jason's games get to you."

Ethan nodded, though doubt still gnawed at him. "I promise. But if he tries anything, I'll be right there to stand up to him."

"Good," Claire said, her smile returning, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Now, let's go back and enjoy the party. I don't want to let him ruin our night."

As they walked back into the thrumming atmosphere of the party, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that the night was far from over. He kept a close eye on Jason, who was now mingling with a group of guests, his demeanor relaxed and charming.

Ethan felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him. He had to stay vigilant. He couldn't let Jason's shadow loom over their relationship any longer.

As the night wore on, Ethan tried to focus on Claire, on the way her laughter lit up the room and how her presence made everything feel right. But every time he caught a glimpse of Jason, that smirk on his face, the knot in Ethan's stomach tightened.