“Jesus. You’re actually serious.”
“I know, right?” Ethan groans, grinning like an idiot. “It’s terrifying. What if I mess it up?”
“You probably will,” I say easily.
Ethan glares at me.
“I mean, statistically speaking,” I continue, grinning.
“Oh, fuck off.”
“Hey, I’m happy for you,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “Just can’t relate.”
“Yeah, no shit.” Ethan laughs. “You’d rather set yourself on fire than have a serious relationship.”
“Damn right.”
“But shit, man,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “That’s huge. Congrats, I guess? Are you official?”
“I know!” Ethan groans, dropping his head back against the couch. “Nah, Paige says she doesn’t do labels, but that’s a little weird, right?”
I shrug, I don’t really do labels either, so I get it.
“What if she decides I’m actually super annoying?”
“Oh, she’ll definitely decide that,” I say easily.
Ethan glares at me.
“The key is just making sure she also finds you charming enough to deal with it.”
Ethan snorts. “You’re the last person I’m taking relationship advice from, Hawkins.”
I lean back, stretching my arms out over the back of the couch.
Fair enough.
“I’m happy for you, bro. You’ve always wanted the whole long-term thing. Just never quite made it happen.”
Ethan nods, smiling to himself. “Yeah. Guess I never really found the right person before.”
I don’t say anything to that. Because honestly?
I can’t imagine anything worse than a relationship in college.
Being tied down? Having to constantly check in with someone? Dealing with feelings and expectations and all that other bullshit?
No, thanks.
That’s the last thing I want.
And as soon as I get my first “yes” email back from a competition partner, I’ll officially be back on top.
I refresh my inbox,expecting to see at least one or two positive responses.
Instead I have three new emails.
All variations of the same message.
