Page 32 of Taking Care of You
Up until the next play.
Ryder gets the ball and drops back to pass. Ethan is wide open, so Ryder snaps his arm forward and throws. Ethan makes a beautiful catch that even I can appreciate. He grabs it one-handed, with the tips of his fingers, and brings it close to his chest. The cheers that go up are immediately halted when one of the other team’s players—defenseman? lineman?— completely levels Ethan. Takes him off his feet and almost slams him into the ground.
To my alarm, Ethan doesn’t get up right away. He stays down, not moving for longer than I think is normal. His team crowds around him, blocking my view of what's going on. I stand from the bleachers, gripping Crystal’s hand, willing Ethan to get up. It’s taking all my strength not to hop down from the bleachers and run to the field to check on him, to take care of him.
After what seems like forever, but could have only been about ten seconds, I see the huddle part, and Ethan walks out from the middle, looking shaky, but otherwise okay. I release the breath I was holding and drop heavily to the bleachers. This is why I should stay far, far away from a football field. That almost gave me a heart attack. What will happen when he plays college football? Or goes to the NFL? If we’re still friends, I’ll be a nervous fucking wreck every time he plays if something likethatcould happen.
The game ends a few minutes later, and I tell Crystal to go ahead since I’m catching a ride with Ethan. She gives me a hug and says, “He’s okay, Koby. Don’t worry.”
Twenty minutes after everyone clears out, I’m standing in front of the gates, waiting for Ethan to come out of the field house that is sometimes used as the outdoor locker room. I would have stayed on the bleachers, but I didn’t want him to come out and think I left.
Ryder comes out first. He waves at me and jogs over.
“Did you like our pic?” he asks with a genuine smile directed at me. I don’t remember the last time we spoke, but I don’t think he’s ever smiled at me. Maybe the fake boyfriend thing is working.
I give him a small smile and tell him, “I did. I laughed.”
He chuckles and taps me on the arm. “That was the point,” he tosses over his shoulder as he walks away.
I turn back to the field house and see Ethan walking towards me. It takes restraint not to run to him and check him over.
He pulls me into a hug and kisses my forehead. “Thanks for coming, creep.”
“I wish I hadn’t,” I mutter into his chest. It’s muffled, but I know he heard me.
Ethan pulls me back and looks slightly hurt by my comment. “Why? Did somebody bother you? Did you not have fun?”
I sigh and wring my hands together. “No one bothered me. Dammit, Ethan, I was scared. I thought something happened to you.” I say it in a rush, not even embarrassed to be telling him that.
He stares at me for a moment, really taking me in, then pulls me to his side. “Creep, I wasn’t hurt. He knocked the wind out of me. That’s why I didn’t get up, but I’m not hurt. No concussion, nothing. I’m good. Okay?”
I’m sure if he were really hurt, they would have sent him to the hospital. I saw the school nurse checking him over when he got to the sidelines, so I know he isn’t lying.
But I was still afraid.
“Come on,” he tells me with a huff. “Let’s get you home and feed you. You’ll feel better when you’re not hungry.”
He’s probably right. All me and Crystal had were the tiny-ass hot dogs they sell at the concession stands.
When we get to his car, he turns the radio up and lets me sing, knowing that will make me feel better.
11
I’m super nervous getting dressed for Homecoming. One, I’ve never worn a suit before, and two, I’m going with Ethan. Even if it’s just for appearances, I’m going to be on the arm of Ethan King. We’ll take pictures together and basically be together all night. Hopefully, I don’t fuck this up and we can keep up the charade.
As I’m getting dressed, I realize ties are not my friend. Frustrated, I throw it on the bathroom counter and look at myself in the mirror. The blue suit looks good, fitting me to perfection, of course. The color looks good against my skin, making the soft brown tone look almost luminous. I look down at the red tie on the counter that’s basically glaring at me, and I give it the evil eye.
Maybe I can get away with not wearing a tie altogether.
There’s a knock at the door and it opens before I can answer. Ethan slides in and closes the door behind him, eyes roaming up and down my frame. “Damn, creep. You look good.”
“Yeah, right. I can’t figure out the stupid tie. I’ve never had to do one before.” I turn back to snatch up the offending material.
I meet his eyes in the mirror and I know he can see the flush on my face. Even though Ethan knows how much money I don’t have, it’s still embarrassing to tell him about things that are basic for someone like him. Maybe not all eighteen-year-old kids know how to tie a tie, but it seems like something I should know.
Ethan walks over to me and turns me around slowly. He reaches out and grabs the collar of my shirt, flipping it up. Taking the tie, he wraps it around my neck and starts to tie it for me. I’m mesmerized by how deftly his fingers move.
On a shuddering breath, I say, “You didn’t wait for me to say, ‘come in’. I could have been naked in here.”
