Page 36 of Taking Care of You
She scurries out of the way, looking at me like I’m the one who told her to make a fool of herself. God, why won’t she just leave him alone?
Ethan tightens his hand in mine. “You okay?” he asks me.
“Mhm. I’m good.”
“You sure?”
“Definitely,” I say with a smile, happy that he put her in her place, and that he’s still holding my hand.
12
When we get back to Ethan’s house, I take a shower and change into my pajamas. I made sure I packed the few pairs of shorts that I own, just to make sure I don’t make him uncomfortable lying around in my boxers.
I find Ethan sprawled out on his bed when I knock. He’s wearing a pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt. Thank God. I was afraid he would be shirtless—it would be hard to hide my boner all night.
Ethan pats the bed beside him and I crawl onto his bed slowly. I sit with my back against his headboard, ankles crossed. He mirrors my pose and turns the television on.
“What do you want to watch, creep?”
I shrug. “You pick. I don’t care.”
He makes a noise in his throat like he’s irritated with me and I laugh. After I picked the shitty action movie, I haven’t picked anymore. That movie was so bad, I don’t think I feel comfortable being in control of the entertainment.
Scrolling through the streaming services, he finds some sports movie and turns it on. It’s some football drama I’ve never heard of that I don’t really understand.
An earlier conversation pops into my head and I glance over at him. “You’re supposed to tell me all about what goes into catching a football.”
Smiling over at me, he mutes the TV and says, “I thought you’d never ask.”
For the next thirty or so minutes, Ethan tells me not only about his position but gives me a brief overview of pretty much every position. He’s very animated, even going so far as to draw me one of his favorite plays. I don’t understand it, but I don’t mind. I like how passionate he sounds.
When he’s done explaining the play to me, I look at him curiously. “Where are you going to college? I know a few of the other football players have announced, with all the press conferences. Which one did you choose?”
He looks at me deeply, like he’s trying to look into my soul. I squirm under his gaze, but I don’t feel uncomfortable. I feel…seen.
Finally, he says, “I didn’t announce because I’m not playing football in college.”
“What? Why? You’re good enough to get a scholarship. I don’t know much about football, but I’ve seen you play. You’re fast.”
Ethan laughs at me like I’m adorable. I roll my eyes at him with a grin. “I don’t want to play in college. I don’t have dreams to go to the NFL like those other guys. I want to be a doctor, like my mom. Not an OB, though. Pediatrics.”
My mouth drops open.
A doctor? Wow. I never would have guessed. I mean, he’s smart enough to do it. I’ve peeked at his grades and he has a 4.3 GPA, same as me. So I’m not shocked by that. I’m more shocked that I didn’t already know. But why would I? This is my first time asking and our first time discussing college.
He's not done surprising me, though. “And I have a scholarship for track and field,” he adds with a hint of pride in his voice.
“Yeah? Ethan, wow. That’s really good. Congratulations. Why doesn’t anyone know? I mean, I never heard about a scholarship.”
If I’m not mistaken, he looks sad. The light goes out of his eyes and he looks away, swallowing visibly.
“I’m sorry,” I utter. “I didn’t mean?—”
“Why are you apologizing, creep?” he asks when he looks back at me. “You didn’t do anything wrong. No one knows because I haven’t told anyone except my parents. I plan to announce during indoor track season. I’ve had articles of my times in the paper since I was a freshman. Reporters keep calling to know my plans.” He says this matter-of-factly, not in a conceited way.
“Where did you pick?”
A wide smile crosses his face and he turns to face me, looking extremely happy, the light back in his eyes. “USC. I can’t wait to run for the Trojans.”
