Returning to my bedroom, I dress quickly and slide my phone in my pocket, ignoring the niggling urge to call Brandon and tell him all about my night, like I always do when something big happens. But I can’t. This wasn’t a normal night, and it’s not something I can just casually tell him, which sucks because I really could use a friend right now.
I rummage through my mini fridge while Ethan takes his turn in the bathroom, finding nothing but a half-empty bottle of Gatorade and some questionable yogurt. With a sigh, I check the freezer compartment and spot the box of Hot Pockets I bought last week.
“Hope you like pepperoni pizza for breakfast,” I say, holding up the box when Ethan returns from his shower.
He stretches, then gives a little shrug. “Better than nothing.”
I grab two from the box and head to our suite’s common area, conscious of Ethan following behind me in nothing but his boxers. I pop them inside the microwave and hit the quick start button.
As the microwave hums, I turn to face a beaming Ethan. Standing in front of me in nothing but his underwear, I can’t help but notice how happy he looks?happier than I’ve ever seen him?and it’s not entirely lost on me that I was the one to put that smile on his face.
My gaze quickly flickers over his body as I bite my lip. It’s a monumental effort not to compare his body to Brandon’s. Because if the two stood side by side, I’m not sure there’d be much of a comparison. Where Brandon’s body is all hard lines and muscle, Ethan’s is on the softer, leaner side.
Taking my perusal for invitation, Ethan draws closer and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into his chest where I instantly tense, then force myself to relax. This should feel good, right? Natural?
“I can’t wait to have a repeat of last night,” he murmurs in my ear before he brushes a soft kiss against my neck.
I hum out a response while a surge of panic sweeps through me at the prospect of doing thatagain, followed by guilt.
The microwave beeps, and the tension in my body melts as I turn and grab the Hot Pockets, placing each one on a paper plate before handing one to Ethan. “Careful, they’re hot,” I warn as we take them to the couch.
“Maybe if I burn my taste buds off, I won’t taste them,” he says with a wink.
I chuckle, taking his joke in stride as I focus on my food, surprised when he says, “You’re gorgeous.”
I glance up at him to find him staring, his eyes soft as he tells me again, “Seriously. You’re gorgeous.”
My heart softens, and I duck my head, feeling a small smile tug at my lips in spite of myself. Maybe I’ve been too hard on him, judged him harshly. After all, he really cares about me, and I like him. A lot. More than a lot.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
After a few minutes, we finish our breakfast, then lounge around, making a plan to grab lunch and a movie this afternoon when my phone rings.
I fish it out of my pocket, and glance at it to see Brandon’s name flashing across the screen. It’s the second time he’s called this morning, and though I’d love to hear his voice, I send it to voicemail. We’ll have plenty of time to talk once Ethan’s back at school.
“Who is it?” Ethan asks, watching me as he pulls on a clean T-shirt.
“Huh? No one.” I scan the room, hoping for a distraction when I ask, “You ready to go?”
“You know, it occurred to me last night that I’ve never really heard you talk about any girl friends,” he says, and my stomach sinks.He saw my phone.
I shift, unsure of what he’s trying to say.
“Is there anyone you hang out withotherthan Brandon?” he asks.
And there it is.
“Um, there are a few girls that sometimes go out with us,” I say, even though I’m not sure they consider me a friend, seeing as how I only know them through Brandon. “We’re not super close, but a few of them are dating some of Brandon’s teammates, so they’re always around as we get along pretty well.”
Ethan nods, and I can see his wheels spinning. “So, this is a group thing? With guys from the football team?”
I nod, twisting my hands out in front of me.
“Have you ever thought of hanging out with them separately? I mean, don’t you want girl friends? Don’t you miss bonding over clothes and hair and makeup and shit?”
Clothes and hair and makeup?
I almost laugh at how sexist a statement it is. Even though he’s not entirely wrong?I do sometimes wish I had closer female friends?Brandon has always been everything I’ve ever needed.
