Please Don't Tell (10 page)

             
I watched as she leaned over and took a huge whiff and a little taste off the spoon. “I need this recipe Ethan, it’s divine. Better than Anna’s even.” That’s when the familiar smell hit me. My Aunt Anna always made chicken curry for us when we visited her in London.

             
He pulled a dishcloth from his back pocket. “Just a secret ingredient that my mother taught me.”

             
I looked at Val whose face seemed to take on an expression I had never seen before. Well, I guess once when she couldn’t stop staring at the Abercrombie billboard in the mall.  It took me ten minutes just to peel her away. Her mouth was similarly hung open, staring like she had just seen the sun for the first time. I kicked her and mouthed, “stop drooling.”

             
She gave me the ‘I can’t breathe or think look’ as her fingers fumbled with her zipper. She mouthed back, “Oh.My.God. He’s hot.”

             
Maybe it was the way she was staring or maybe it was the fact that he did look amazing, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was going to be trouble for me. Not in a bad way, but a might-possibly-break-your-heart kind of way. Ethan had sat down at the island and drummed his fingers along the granite to the music that played in the background. Val joined him, so I sat down too. As Val chatted with Ethan, I propped my elbows on the table and studied his face. Val was going on and on about school when he asked her, “Do you have a boyfriend?”

             
Val answered, “Umm, well, kind of I guess.” I shot her an incredulous look. One that she didn’t even notice. Why the hell would he want to know that? Was he interested in Val? She was beautiful, but she was taken. Then part of me wondered if she really would dump Matt if he showed interest. I turned my gaze back to Ethan’s face and stared at his scar over his eye and for some unknown reason wanted to reach out and touch it. “How did you get that scar?” I asked.

             
His head turned to me. “I already explained to Valerie that I got this nasty thing three years ago--surfing. Weren’t you listening?”

             
“Oh, sorry. I must have been daydreaming or something.” That was what I had come up with--daydreaming. I wanted to shoot myself. I could honestly say he never looked so good. Although, he looked good in his board shorts too. It was much easier for me to see him fully dressed. I had to admit seeing Ethan half naked constantly while on our vacation left me more than a little frazzled. I felt like a typical hormonal teenage girl whenever he came near me. Ten minutes later the five of us all sat around my dining room table. I had barely taken two bites when Ethan stood up and walked back toward the oven.  A second later he returned with another heap of chicken curry on his plate. Jeesh, that boy could eat fast.

             
I placed my fork down onto the white linen cloth. Everything was quiet and I felt the need to fill the void. “So, Ethan how do you like the spare bedroom?” I asked, feeling a kick from under the table as I finished my question. “What?” I mouthed to Valerie noting the fact the kick came from the left side of me where she was sitting. She just rolled her eyes at me like I had asked a stupid question.

             
I watched as Ethan swallowed the food in his mouth. “It’s fine.”

             
My mother interrupted my next question. “I just had the cable company put a box in there so you should be able to get all the channels we get on the downstairs telly.”

             
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had asked her for a television for the last five years and nothing. Ethan waltzed in with his preppy English clothes and cute smile and wham he got one without even asking. This was totally not happening.

             
When I regrouped my thoughts everyone was staring at me.

             
“What?” I asked.

             
Valerie still staring at Ethan said, “you made a noise.”

             
“I did not. Well, okay maybe I did.” I looked over to my mother who was now shoving spoonfuls of curry into her mouth. “How come he gets a TV?” I demanded.

             
“Sophie, we’ll talk about this later,” she answered with a smile that said, “not now.”

             
Ethan scooped up his plate and Austin’s. “Feel free to come in and watch anytime. I don’t really watch the Telly. I prefer to read or listen to music, but I would watch with you,” he said, standing up. He peered back over at Val. “So, Valerie what’s your favorite show?”

             
Val stood as well, grabbed her plate and reached down for mine, but I grabbed it back since I wasn’t finished. I hadn’t had chicken curry in years and I was going to eat every last drop.“We can’t live without General Hospital, right, Soph? I mean, everyday we run home after school just to watch it.”

             
Just as I was about to answer, I felt a buzzing coming from the front pocket of my jeans. I sat back, pulling it out and flipped it open. Jason was calling. I couldn’t answer in front of him. I didn’t know if I wanted him to know about Jason yet. Valerie looked over my shoulder.

             
“Aren’t you going to answer? Boy toy awaits,” she said, cheerily and walked over grabbing my mother’s plate.

             
Ethan’s eyebrows shot up when she said boy toy, but he didn’t say anything. I sank back into my chair relieved that he didn’t press the issue. I flipped it back over not answering it. I’d wait to call him later when I was alone.

             
I eyed Ethan as he walked back toward the kitchen with a handful of dishes. Different thoughts both legal and illegal started running through my head.  The thought of doing more with him than Jason crossed my mind. God, why did he have to be so damn good looking? No, I repeated over in my head. He’s a friend of a friend, I mean he’s practically family for crying out loud. I could not let this happen no matter what occurred over the next few months.

             
I jumped out my seat and pushed the chair back under the table. “I’ll be upstairs. Val, are you coming?”

             
My mom leaned across the table for my hand. “Sophie, why are going upstairs so soon?”

             
I shrugged. “I just have some reading I need to catch up on for the next semester.”

             
I looked back at Val. “Well?”

             
Val quickly glanced down at her wrist. “Sadly, no, I can’t. I need to get home, but you’d better call me later and give me an update.” She stepped closer. “ Maybe even put a good word in for me.”

             
“Not tonight, okay? I need to catch up on my reading for English class.” Her eyebrows spiked up. “What? I’m totally behind,” I added.

             
“Just kidding. Happy reading.” She walked out of the kitchen and yelled out, “See you tomorrow, Ethan. Oh, and thanks for the eats.” She looked back over placing her thumb to her ear and pinky to her chin. “Call me.”

             
“Wait!” I yelled. I nearly ran into the foyer to follow her. “Don’t you need a ride?”

             
“Nah, I’ll walk. It’s only a few blocks. Besides I didn’t do any exercise this week.”

             
I grabbed an extra jacket of mine of the rack in the hall and tossed it to her. “Here, at least wear this.”

             
After she left I ran upstairs, and grabbed the copy of The Crucible for English class off my desk. I piled two huge pillows up against the headboard and opened it up to the first chapter. I had read the same paragraph at least ten times and still couldn’t concentrate knowing Ethan was downstairs. With my door still open I heard talking and then the sound of Austin’s Xbox blast throughout the house. Curiosity overwhelmed me knowing that Ethan was still downstairs and I wanted to know more about him. What did he pack? What kind of things does he like to do? I closed my book quickly and jumped off my bed and tiptoed quietly into the spare room.

             
I looked around and noticed that he had two huge duffel bags left wide open on the bed. The dresser was covered with bottles of cologne, razors and magazines.  A laptop sat on the dresser along with his new Television. I walked over and picked up one of his magazines to see what he was in to. It was a Rugby League World magazine with a huge man and a football on the front. I dropped it back down and grabbed one of the cologne bottles. I pulled off the lid and closed my eyes briefly inhaling the woody scent.

             
“Did you find anything you liked?” He asked, from behind me.

             
I placed it down carefully before turning. I could not believe I just got busted smelling his cologne. “Sorry, I was just walking by and I don’t know... I” the words started to sound all jumbled as they’d come out.

             
Ethan grinned. “It’s fine. I already ransacked your room while you were gone.”

             
“You did not.” Oh.My.God. Did he?

             
He stepped closer. “I only took a peek.” He peered down at his things on the dresser. “I’m assuming the photo on your nightstand is the boy toy Valerie mentioned.”

             
I stumbled backwards. “I can’t believe you went into my room.” My voice sounded harsher than I intended it to be, but I was a little pissed.

             
He cleared his throat and looked around. “And, I can’t believe you’re in my room. Let’s just call it even.”

             
I started to walk out, my face felt like it had just turned three shades of red, when I turned back to him. “And he’s not a boy toy. He’s my boyfriend, Jason.” I told him proudly. I walked out then had practically sprinted the few steps to my room. I heard the sound of laughter coming from behind me.  I grabbed the knob to my door and slammed it as hard as I could.

             
             
             
             
             
Chapter 10

             
The next morning, I woke completely frazzled when my alarm clock buzzed in my ear. I flicked on my light next to my bed and sighed. It was early and had still been a little dark outside. I tugged at the rubber band holding my hair into the ponytail and pulled it out, letting my hair stream down over my shoulders.

             
As I got closer to my door I heard the shower running. I knew it had to be Ethan because Austin didn’t wake until after seven and it had only been six-fifteen. If he thought he was going to be the first person in the shower everyday he had another thing coming. I needed every precious moment to get ready in the morning before school.

             
Deciding to pick out my outfit, I ransacked my closet and skimmed through the different shirts and pants for the day and pulled out the outfit I had bought in Seattle. I smiled, as I stared at my new black V-neck cashmere sweater and Hudson jeans.

             
Once the shower turned off, I stepped out into the hallway and noticed that the bathroom door was ajar.  I shuffled out quickly toward the bathroom with my head down, so I wouldn’t catch a glimpse of him. Which turned out to be a huge mistake. Because I slammed right into his chest. Wow! What a chest. I glanced down and couldn’t believe he was standing in front of me with only his boxer briefs on.

             
Pretending to not notice, I faked a smile as I looked up even though it was hard to concentrate with him half naked in front of me. “Do you mind? I need to shower.”

             
His grin widened. “Not at all, do you?”

             
Marbles felt like they had invaded my throat, preventing me from speaking, again but I managed to get out what I wanted to say. I cleared my throat. “Do you mind putting some clothes on instead of parading around half naked?”

             
He shuffled around me. “Sorry, forgot my shirt.”

             
I stood outside of the bathroom as he made his way back in and grabbed his checkered button down. As he walked out he had already put on his shirt, but left the buttons undone. His stomach peeked through, and the bottom of his briefs were visible. Valerie would have probably paid greatly to see this one.

             
After grabbing a quick breakfast, Ethan and I jumped into my car and we pulled away from the driveway.  The first thing Ethan did was rummage through my CD’s. He picked one up. “This is the kind of music you like?” He asked with a sarcastic tone.

             
I quickly glanced over and noticed my Keith Urban CD in his hand. “It’s a great CD.”

             
“Let’s give it a listen,” he said. “Never listened to him before.”

             
I want to love somebody like you blasted through the car as I drove. I looked over and noticed Ethan drumming his fingers on his legs. “Wow,” he shouted. I couldn’t tell if he liked it or not, but I let it go.

             
When I nodded, he turned it down slightly. I started to feel uncomfortable like he was going to start asking a thousand questions. Wishing I had called Val to pick her up along the way. I didn’t like the feeling that I got when we were alone, like he knew more about me than I knew about him. Which was pretty much true since I blabbered my mouth off over the summer. I didn’t know much about him, except that up until last summer, he was a total bully. Only once had I seen a glimmer of hope that day in the park in London, but even then I wasn’t so sure.

             
As I turned the car into the parking lot I noticed two things at once. Val was standing beside her car, shivering with Matt attached to her hip and Jason was standing beside them. I whipped in to the spot next to hers quickly turning the ignition off. I knew Jason had to meet Ethan, but I dreaded it.

             
As I started to step out, I turned to look at Ethan. “Ready?”

             
He was staring out the passenger window and looking directly at the three of them. “Huh, isn’t that your boy toy?”

             
I leaned back into the seat and looked away. “His name is Jason. Let’s go.” I just wanted to get this whole introduction thing over with.

             
When I turned to get out and shut the door, Jason had already been standing in front of me. “Hey,” he said before he’d kissed me. He glanced to the other side of my car. “So this is the nerd from England, huh?” I knew from his uncomfortable expression that he realized Ethan had been nothing like I’d described.

             
Ethan strolled around the car and walked toward the two of us with a smug grin on his face. Not once taking his eyes off Jason. “Nice to meet you, mate. I’m Ethan Chapman,” he said, as he held out his hand.

             
Jason firmly gave him a handshake and matched Ethan’s stare. “Jason. You too, man.”

             
Valerie came running over leaving Matt behind her. “Hi, Ethan.” She smiled and I noticed she had on the same hideous shade of lipstick we bought yesterday at the department store.

             
Ethan broke his one-second too long gaze from Jason and turned. “Valerie, how are you today?”

             
Matt and Jason exchanged looks as Val twisted her arm into Ethan’s. “I’m great. How was your first night?”

             
He smiled down as he unwrapped her arm from his. “Uneventful.” He looked at me then back at Jason. And I did not trust the expression that came over his face.
“So, Jason, Sophie here tells me you like
to play baseball,” he said, grinning before he looked over at me. “Third base right, Sophie?”

             
He did not just go there? I could not believe he asked him that. I felt the blood vessels in my forehead start to beat faster and wondered if anyone noticed. I was going to kill him if he kept this up.

             
Jason twisted around and looked at me then back to Ethan. “No man, I don’t play baseball. I play football, some B-ball. You must have your sports mixed up.”

             
Ethan smiled. “Must be.”

             
I kept my head down as we all entered the building before the first bell. Jason kissed me quickly before he, Matt, and Val headed off for class which left me alone with Ethan. “I can’t believe you said that.” I punched him in his arm. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

             
His hand raised to his chin, rubbing his scruff and just laughed. He handed me his schedule. “Point me in the right direction, will you?”

             
I planted my hands on my hips with my bag dangling from my shoulder. “Are you going to answer me or not?”

             
“I didn’t do anything wrong, Sophie. I asked the bloke a question.”

             
“You knew exactly what you were asking.”

             
He smiled, but didn’t answer.

             
The bell rang and I grabbed his schedule from his hands. “Just follow me.”

             
I studied his schedule as we walked and took notice that we only had lunch together. Which made sense since he was registered as a Senior. Relief washed over me knowing that I didn’t have to see him all day long. I wondered quickly if he’d felt the same way. Stop. I did not care what Ethan Chapman thought about. Did I?

             
I led him to his first period class, Physics, and handed back his schedule. “I need to get to class. We have the same lunch schedule, so I’ll see you in the cafeteria, okay?”

             
He tipped his paper down. “It’s a date.”

             
I rolled my eyes as I walked away wondering if he meant that in a friendly way or a really friendly way.

             
I made it through the first few periods without giving him much thought. Until Valerie, plopped down next to me in English. “He looked even hotter today than yesterday if that were even possible.”

             
Thinking the same thing I looked over at Val. “Matt is just as cute.” I lied. He had nothing on Ethan.

             
“Are you kidding? You know what else?” She asked, as she scooted in the seat next to me. “I think you’re wrong, more like a really young Brad Pitt. I mean, I get how you thought Jude and Becks, but I was thinking more Thelma and Louise Brad. What do you think?”

             
I heard the classroom door shut. Mr. Cassady was notorious for being a few minutes late. “I think you’re crazy, that’s what I think.”

             
I didn’t want to go to lunch next period, but Val couldn’t seem to contain herself. “Okay, so when we sit let me sit next to him.”

             
I shook my head. “Poor Matt.”

             
“Poor, Matt schmat.”

             
“A few months ago you professed your undying love to him. So what happened?”

             
She pulled me back to a full stop before entering the cafeteria. “That’s what happened,” she said, pointing indiscreetly at Ethan.

             
I stopped and stared where Ethan sat surrounded by girls. One in particular that I had detested since the seventh grade. She told everyone that I talked about them behind their backs. It cost me a great deal of friends that year who immediately took her side and ditched me. Which, I can honestly say, I never did. Yet, there Heather Flowers sat--directly next to Ethan.

             
When Ethan saw Val and I walk in, he waved us over. I didn’t acknowledge him other than a quick glare as I tugged onVal’s handbag and headed to the food line.

             
“Do you believe that bitch? She already has her claws into him,” Val said, twisting my body to look back at their table. We both watched as Heather placed her signature cherry blow pop into her mouth and slowly pushed it in, twisting it round and round, then pulled it back out. She’s been doing this trick for years. It not only was gross. but it was getting old.

             
“Yuck, she’s such a ho. I can’t believe she thinks the blow pop trick works anymore,” I said, grabbing a tray off the shelf.

             
“Well, at least she’s trying to get his attention. Let’s just go get him. We have dibs.”

             
I grabbed the pizza off the revolving rack. “He can do whatever he wants. Let’s go sit...” I looked around. “Over there with Ava and Kelly.”

             
“But, I want to sit with Ethan. We always sit with Ava and Kelly.”

             
“That’s because they’re our friends, remember?”

             
As we started to walk to the other end of the room, I glanced back over my shoulder, and watched Ethan laugh along with Heather. I made a mental note to let him know what kind of person she really was. There was no way I was letting her in my house or back into my life. I’d spent the better part of my pre-teen and teen life dodging her, other than a few nasty run-ins, and I’d be damned if I was going to start from scratch again.

             
As I picked the pepperoni off my pizza Kelly leaned across the table. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about him. I had to hear from Val last night.” She turned toward the other end of the cafeteria. “You’re right, hottie with a capital H.”

             
Ava added, “Like there’s no way he’s a junior. Look at him.”

             
“He’s not. He’s a senior,” I confirmed.