Page 11 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
I clear my throat, then make my way over to her. Her face registers panic as I approach, and she quickly turns away. I freeze in place. Clearly, she doesn’t want me to come anywhere near her. I still don’t understand why, but if she’s disgusted by me, then I should keep my distance.
She doesn’t look my way for the remainder of practice.
Once we’re done and Cody and Katie leave the basement, I swing my guitar off my shoulder and place it in its case. I just…I can’t stop thinking about her and why she’s acting this way.
Ethan places his bass on the floor. “What’s up with you today?” he asks.
I wave my hand. “Just stop.”
He crosses his arms over his chest, watching me for a few seconds. Then he tilts his head back, his bangs falling away from his eyes. “Did something happen between you and Katie?”
“No,” I stress.
Ethan and I used to be close and told each other everything, but it’s not the same now. He’s so confident with girls, and while I usually don’t have a problem, it’s different with Katie. I don’t know why. And I don’t want him to know what happened between us because I don’t understand it myself. Not to mention it’s embarrassing that she’s so revolted by me. And besides, I’m pretty sure Katie wouldn’t want me to tell anyone what happened.
He nods slowly, giving me a look like he doesn’t believe me. “Well, whatever’s wrong with you, fix it.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, snapping my guitar case shut. “Going to my room.”
As soon as I get there, my gaze springs to her window. The shade is shut. Not that it surprises me. I wonder what she’sdoing in there, if she’s thinking about what happened between us.
Then I want to laugh at myself. I’m sure I’m the last thing on her mind.
Dropping down at my desk, I try to shove anything Katie-related out of my head. I need to get this song down for our next gig.
Chapter Four
Ethan
Why is it that the only thing I can think about whenever I shut my eyes is the feeling of Phoenix’s soft, warm arms wrapped around my waist?
She’s not the first girl to ride on my bike. Charlotte has ridden behind me countless times. But never have I lost sleep over it.
I laugh when I think about her squeezing my stomach as I sped up, or the way she poked my back with her nose. The normally cool and confident girl was actually terrified to be on my bike. She’d never admit it, though. That’s what makes me chuckle even more. She’s always got this strong armor on, but I’ve had a peek at the vulnerable side of her. And I can’t forget her relieved look when my bike pulled up beside her when she was alone on the streets. She masked it with anger, but I know she was glad I came.
I sweep my phone from under my pillow to check the time. School will start in an hour and a half. Pulling myself up, I take a shower, get dressed, and meet Mom downstairs in the kitchen. Eric’s still in his room. What was up with him and Katie yesterday? He thought he could hide it, but I’ve known him for sixteen years. As curious as I am, I’m not pushing him to tell me. I just hope he gets it together by next practice.
Mom smiles at me. “You’re up early.”
I grab some cereal and milk and join her at the table. “Yeah.”
“Everything okay?”
“Fine.”
I look over my texts from last night. Nothing from Charlotte. I don’t even know what we’re doing or what we are. And I don’twant to ask her because I’m worried what her reply would be. Would I be able to handle her rejecting me again?
Mom watches me check my phone every five minutes. “Are you waiting for a text from a girl?”
“Sort of. Charlotte and I have been texting and video chatting.”
“That’s great, honey.” She takes a sip of her steaming coffee. “Charlotte’s a nice girl.”
“Yeah.” She’s not just nice. She’s everything. Before I was a jock and popular, I had a massive crush on her. Never thought I’d ever muster the courage to talk to her. But I did and we were together for two years, until she broke up with me.
Eric stumbles into the kitchen half an hour later, rubbing his eyes. His hair stands up on all ends, as though he didn’t bother brushing it. And he looks like he hardly slept. Hmm. Does Katie have anything to do with it?
“Morning,” he mumbles as he grabs a bowl and plops down next to me.
