Page 64 of Taking Care of You
Curious, I ask, “Are you okay after…?” I stop talking, cheeks warming. I’m grateful he can’t see my face.
“After I sucked you off?” he asks with a slight chuckle. Shyly, I nod. “I’m good. I told you when we were in the shower I’ve been thinking about you like that for a while. I was nervous, sure. Nervous that it wouldn’t be good for you, since I've never done it before, but that’s about it. I’m definitely okay. I’ll be okay doing everything with you, Koby.”
I sigh and settle into his arms, happy that I have him, and I get to sleep in his arms tonight.
21
With Thanksgiving over and Christmas right around the corner, I wrack my brain on what to get Ethan. He can afford to buy a lot on his own, so what could I offer him?
A card? Seems childish.
I thought about doing one of those homemade coupon books—the ones where you can trade one in for a massage or something stupid like that. But I nix that as well. That’s a little too out of the box for me.
Whatever. I still have some time to figure it out.
Our classes have been pretty light since it’s almost the end of the grading period, and the holidays are coming up. Ethan is still doing his favorite thing—walking me to class and kissing me before I walk inside with a flaming face.
No one says anything about us anymore. No whispers or stares. Except for Dawn. But it seems like even her friends are getting sick of it. Her digs don’t hurt as much and her jokes are starting to fall flat. So all in all, things are great.
Mitch and Elle plop down at our lunch table in front of me and Ethan. Ryder reaches over to my tray and steals a french fry.I give him the eye, since he literally has a trayful. He laughs, then steals one from Crystal. Unlike me, she just takes one from his tray, making his face fall. Crystal laughs at him, then gives him a kiss on the cheek. He blushes furiously.
“What are y'alls plans for Christmas?” Ethan asks them. “Creep is going to hang out with me. Y’all wanna come over?”
Crystal shakes her head. “Can’t. I’ll be with my dad. We have a Christmas tradition. We watch Hallmark movies and talk about how unrealistic they are. It’s a great time.”
It really is. I’ve been over for a few of those Christmases, and her father is hilarious when it comes to reasons why the leads shouldn’t have fallen in love.
Ryder mutters, “Can I come over? I don’t think anyone will be home but me.”
I’m not sure if I would trade my shitty home life for Ryder’s. We’ve both been neglected and mistreated by the people that were supposed to love us unconditionally. I guess money really can’t buy happiness.
Ethan pats his shoulder, and says, “Definitely, man. We’re having dinner at two. Come over when you wake up, if you want. You don’t mind, do you, creep?” he asks me.
I shake my head.
The bell rings and we throw our empty food wrappers away and head to our classes. I make a detour to my locker, much to Ethan’s irritation, but I have to drop books off; I forgot to go before lunch. I’m tired from the night before, trying to figure out what I’m getting Ethan for Christmas, so my mind isn’t moving as quickly as it usually does.
When I grab my book, Ethan drapes an arm around my shoulder then kisses my forehead. “Come on or you’ll be late.”
“You’re going to be late for sure,” I point out obviously, since he always gets on me for being late.
“It’s fine. I don’t get in trouble for being late.” He takes on a haughty tone and says, “The privilege of being the best wide receiver and two hundred meter runner in the state.”
I laugh and pinch his side. “Whatever you say, babe.” I slap my hand over my mouth. Fuck, I pet-named him. Is that okay? Does he mind? I sneak a peek at him and he’s grinning at me.
Guess not.
I smile back at him, then lean into him while we walk.
“Coming to my place tonight?”
I shake my head. “No, gotta head home for a few nights. I have to get more clothes anyway.” He pouts and I laugh, poking at his lip. “I’ll be over this weekend.”
“Promise?” he asks, dead serious.
Rolling my eyes, I stand on my tiptoes and give him a kiss just as the bell rings. He looks surprised because I never take the lead.
I hustle into my class, my face heating from my forwardness.
