Page 47 of Taking Care of You
“What’s going on, creep?”
“Can I…,” my voice catches, so I clear my throat and try again. “Can I kiss you before you eat that?”
He smiles widely then laughs. “Yeah, you can. Come here.”
I scoot over to him and press my lips to his, and he opens me up with his tongue, dragging it over mine slowly and thoroughly. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of kissing him.
When I’ve gotten my fill of his mouth, I scoot away and pick up my fork to eat my food.
It’s really hard to chew with a wide smile on my face.
16
Despite us making our relationship official that night, we didn’t sleep together, in the guest room or his. We want to get to know each other, going on actual dates, and learning to trust each other on a different level before we get physical. Adding to that, I’m still a virgin. Sex is not something I want to jump into right away.
Besides, who knows if his parents will walk in? Even though they know we’re dating—even if they still think it’s not real—I don’t want them to think less of me. We’re both eighteen, but it’s still their house. I don’t want to be disrespectful.
The next morning at school is completely different than other days. It’s like a dam burst open the night before, and I can’t seem to keep my hands off Ethan. On the drive to school, I hold his hand the whole ride. When we’re walking inside, while his arm is slung around my shoulders, I hold his hand and have the other thrown securely around his waist. I would have attached myself to his hip if that was possible.
When he walks me to my homeroom, he kisses me on the lips. It’s a light brush of his lips, but it’s like time stopped. Andnot just for the two of us. Everyone nearby looks on—some with open mouths—like they don’t know we’re dating.
I try to duck my head to avoid the stares, but Ethan tips my chin up. “They’re not important,” he whispers gently, rubbing a thumb over my cheek. “It’s just you and me, creep.” I nod warily, and he brings me in for a hug, kissing my forehead before he jogs off just as the bell rings.
Walking into homeroom today is sort of how it felt walking into homeroom the day after Ethan gave me his jersey to wear. Everyone is staring and a few people whisper. I make my way to my desk and try to make myself invisible for the next twenty minutes.
After what seems like forever, the bell dismisses us and I gratefully hustle out of the classroom.
Just as I’m stepping into the hallway, I almost walk right into Dawn. In the back of my mind, I think it’s weird that she’s here when I’ve never seen her outside of my classroom before.
Sneering at me, she puts her hands up like I just assaulted her instead of accidentally bumping into her. “Ugh. Don’t touch me, queer,” she shouts, making everyone stop and look in our direction.
It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes.
Before I can say anything, I hear, “Back the fuck off, Dawn,” from behind me in a familiar voice. I turn to see Elle, her fiery eyes trained on Dawn. “It was an accident. Stop being a bitch.”
Dawn looks taken aback, like she didn’t expect anyone to check her shitty behavior. But Elle isn’t backing down. Her expression is hard as she stares Dawn down.
Scoffing, Dawn says in a haughty voice, “Looks like somebody doesn’t want to make the squad this basketball season.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder and sneers at Elle.
Elle, one of the nicest people I know and who I love immensely at this moment, hooks her arm through mine andpulls me away. “Oh, please. I didn’t plan to try out this season, you fucking bitch. Not with you as captain.”
Dawn’s face turns red and she opens her mouth, but Ethan walks up and she snaps her mouth shut. She smiles and tries to sidle up to him, making to hook her arm through his as Elle did with me.
He effortlessly shakes her off, then takes my hand. Elle lets me go and waves, before she breezes down the hallway.
Dawn pouts and stands with her hands on her hips. “What is this, Ethan? Are we really done?”
His incredulous look is almost comical. “Dawn, we haven’t been a thing for months. Jakoby and I are dating. I’vebeendone with you. Which part don't you understand?”
“You can’t want him. I mean, look at him. He’s a…. a he,” she finishes with a huff.
“I’m aware,” Ethan says. “Leave me and my boyfriend the fuck alone.” The bell rings, and Ethan turns me around and we walk into our English class.
When we get to our table, I lean over to whisper, “What is her problem? Why is she still bothering us?”
“Jealousy,” he answers simply. “She likes the idea of me and her together because we’re ‘supposed’ to be together,” he air quotes.
As a cheerleader and a football player, it’s expected for them to date and get married and end up with two point five kids, a white picket fence, and the toy dog. I’m sure she didn’t expect for Ethan to even be interested in the queer kid in school, much less date him.
