Page 125 of Holding On

"Come back after work."

I pause, considering it. I want to come back but I should really stay in my own bed tonight. I've stayed here every night for a week.

"I think I'll just go home."

"Why? You don't like sleeping with me?"

"I do, but I've been here every night and Mike's giving me a hard time about it."

"So you're letting your brother tell you what to do?"

"No, but..." I'm out of excuses. Mike was it, and although I value his opinion, I don't listen to him when it comes to my dating life. He's too overprotective. If he had his way, I wouldn't even date.

"C'mon." Ethan tugs on my arm. "Come back tonight. Stay with me."

I hesitate, struggling with the decision because this relationship is moving forward at record speed and I'm not prepared for it. I keep trying to deny the strong feelings I have for Ethan, but the fact is, those feelings are there, and because of that, I can't seem to stay away from him.

I smile at him. "Fine. But tomorrow night I stay at my own place."

He smiles back. "Unless I convince you otherwise."

And he does. I stay there again the next night, and again on Thursday. But that's it. Friday night, one of his football friends will be back in town and staying with Ethan for the weekend and I don't want to be there during their boys' weekend.

"Just because Jackson's here doesn't mean you can't stay," Ethan says as I'm leaving for work Friday afternoon.

After being here last night and this morning, I wasn't going to stop here between jobs, but then I did. Ethan convinced me to come over, which wasn't too hard, especially since I won't see him much this weekend.

"I need to spend time at home." I stop at the door and take my keys from my purse. "I have things to do. And you need to spend time with your friend."

"I like this friend better." He pulls me toward him and kisses me.

I laugh, pushing him away. "Okay, stop. I have to get to work."

"At least agree to come over tonight. I want you to meet Jackson."

"I have to work."

"Come by after you're done. Jackson and I will be up playing video games until at least one in the morning. Maybe two if he's beating me. I have to play until I win."

I shake my head. "Boys. I don't get your obsession with video games."

"It's not an obsession. It's just something to do. If we don't play video games, Jackson will get bored and invite people over and I'll end up having a party."

"Which you don't want."

"No." He pulls me close again, his eyes on mine. "A party would make a mess, which would upset the girl who cleans my house."

"It's her job. She's not allowed to complain."

"I'd be the one complaining. Because time spent cleaning is time away from me."

Ever since we started dating, Ethan has kept his house almost spotless. When I come to clean, I run the vacuum, wipe down the sinks and shower, and that's about it. There's nothing else to do, so I spend the rest of my time hanging out with Ethan.

"How about I stop by tomorrow instead of tonight? I don't want to meet your friend when I'm smelling like fried chicken."

"Jackson loves fried chicken. And he loves The Chicken Shack. I told him you work there and how you bring me food all the time. He's totally jealous."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, it's every guy's dream to date a girl who works at The Chicken Shack."

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