Please Don't Tell (11 page)

             
“Still.”Ava slurped her drink then looked back up at us. “Doesn’t look like a Senior, either.”

             
I kept my eyes focused on the pizza and tried to dab the grease with my napkin and avoid the topic of the British stud sharing a bathroom with me. Glancing over to Jason’s table, he was in some hot debate with Matt. That was one thing that I always thought was weird, we never sat together at lunch. They always preferred to have a “guys table” as he once said. It never bothered me because the separation at lunch was nice. I liked hanging with just the girls. And, since public displays of affection turned me off, it didn’t bother me sitting with just girls.

             
After school, Ethan was already waiting at my car when I walked out. Nervously, I tromped toward him looking down with my keys in hand, fumbling for the right one.  I could feel Ethan watching me as I reached the driver’s side.

             
He smiled as I lifted my head. “Sophie, what was earlier about?” He asked climbing into my car.

             
I twisted the key into the ignition. “What was what about?” Keith Urban picked up exactly where it left off.

             
“Lunch? I thought you were going to sit with me.”

             
I started to back up, but then stopped. “Truth?”

             
He nodded. “Of course.”

             
“I can’t stand Heather.”

             
He looked at me for a brief second. “She seems nice enough. She’s in a few of my classes. Even invited me to a party this weekend. What do you say?”

             
Disgust tugged at every inch of my body. How could he even suggest going to one of her parties? Her parties were notorious for drinking until you puke, and girls dry humping every guy in sight. Of course, he didn’t know any of this. “I wouldn’t be caught dead at one of Heather Flowers parties.” I continued to back up. “Besides, I have a double date with Jason, Val and Matt.” I semi-lied. We didn’t officially have plans yet, but we always made some on the weekends.

             
I watched carefully as he twisted toward the window.  He didn’t move or try to speak the entire ride home--which was fine with me.

             
After Val and I discussed the entire episode of General Hospital, I took out a piece of paper from my binder and we started to make a list. A list that I expected him to follow. He needed to know what I expected of him while he stayed with us. This is what we had come up with. I had come up with all of them except number four, that was Val’s idea.

I need to shower first in the morning. Girl thing.

Dress before walking around the house. Completely!

Share the cooking when my Mom’s away.

No funny business.

You will not talk about baseball with Jason.

Heather Flowers is not welcome in this house.

             
That should about do it. Feeling satisfied with the rules that I’d written down, I waltzed up casually to his room. Putting on my most nonchalant face, I took a deep breath and knocked on his door. When the door flew open I shouldn’t have been surprised to see him shirtless, yet again.

             
I leaned back against the wall and crossed my arms. ‘Would it kill you to wear a shirt?”

             
Ethan reached up, stretching both hands over his head, and grabbed the frame of the door. “Sorry, wasn’t expecting any visitors.” He smiled.

             
I was staring, I knew I’d been staring which had made it worse, but I couldn’t help myself. He had to definitely be one of those guys who worked out because a body like that didn’t come for free. Then I wondered if he’d ever checked me out as well. I could have sworn I noticed over dinner the night before, but now he just looked cocky and arrogant as he leaned against the door frame.

             
I pushed off from the wall and shoved the paper into his chest. “Here and please try to follow all of them. Especially the last one.” I turned to walk out, but Ethan grabbed my arm.

             
He didn’t release me which I had to admit kind of made me feel a little frazzled again. His other hand flipped the paper around as he began to read. His mouth turned up into a very large grin. “Wait a minute, let me read this.” He chuckled softly, then released my arm and held his hand up to his mouth. “Five and six might be kind of tough, but the others I could probably manage.”

             
I gasped loudly and stormed off to head downstairs. As I hit the first step, he yelled out, “Could you clarify number four? Because my definition of funny business might be different from yours. If you could show me...”
The nerve of him, like I needed to clarify that one. It should be obvious that I’m taken and have no intention of doing anything with him.  And, if he even thought of bringing Heather Flowers to my house, I’d have his ass shipped back to London so fast it would make his head spin.

Chapter 11

             
The next morning when I woke up in a horrible mood.  I had stayed in the same position so long picturing him shirtless that my arm fell asleep before I could. I started to wonder if he’d been traipsing around half-naked on purpose. I’d tried thinking of different ways to avoid him, but gave up once I realized that would be geographically impossible. Hell, we shared the same soap and shampoo now.

             
My mother was already sitting down to her morning cup of coffee with Ethan when I walked down the stairs.

             
“Morning, Sophie,” she said glancing up from the paper.

             
“Morning.” I reached into the refrigerator and pulled out the orange juice. It had just enough left to wet your mouth, but not enough to quench your thirst. I glared behind me at the full glass of juice in front of Ethan. Figured.

             
“Great! We’re out of juice,” I said, as I poured the last bits into a glass and popped two pieces of raisin bread into the toaster.

             
My mother’s phone rang as I sat down beside her.

             
“Charlotte Gerrard,” she answered. She listened briefly, standing up and rinsing her mug in the sink. “No, it’s not a problem Phil. How many interviews do you have lined up?” She turned and faced me, pointing a finger to her planner on the counter. “All right. I’ll be there tomorrow.” She hung up and punched in the necessary information into her beloved Blackberry and stood behind her chair.

             
“Well, I have to head to Chicago for a few interviews tomorrow so I’ll be gone for the night.” She looked over at Ethan, grabbing her planner off the table. “Sorry this is so soon, Ethan. I’ll be back Friday so maybe we could all do something?” Then she glanced toward me. “I’ll call Gran and see if she can come and stay for the night.” Gran, I whispered to myself. I loved my grandmother to pieces, but the only thing she’d been able to do anymore was play a kick-ass game of memory before passing out on the recliner. Not exactly ideal chaperone material.

             
Ethan finally looked up from his oatmeal. “It’s fine. I’m sure we can keep ourselves busy for one night.” As he swirled his spoon in the bowl, his eyes focused on me.  The smug grin I’d seen once before reappeared on his face as he lifted the spoon to his mouth.  I quickly took a bite of my now cold toast then threw it back down on my plate, before I stole a quick look at him.

             
Oh. My.God! This was the one situation I’d been dreading ever since my mom agreed to let Ethan stay with us. Our first night alone. My knees began to feel weak, sweat started to bead up on my forehead. How could she leave two teenagers and a ten year old home alone with a ‘not so there’ grandma? One person can only play so many games of Memory before going slightly insane herself. Was she crazy? Was she delusional? I decided she must be. She had to be. Or maybe, it was her stupid job that made her crazy. I knew she needed to travel, but lately it had gotten out of hand.

             
About a year before the divorce she joined a gym, got all into working out. She bought a new wardrobe and even had her teeth whitened. Then one day she announced she was going back to work full time. Full time! Which meant lots of unwanted babysitting duty that I didn’t want to do. At first it wasn’t too bad, but as she got promoted to Sales Manager she seemed to be gone all the time. The divorce soon followed.  They never really told us what happened.  They both just called it irreconcilable differences. I mean really, what does that even mean?

             
I stood and grabbed my plate and glass, scooting the chair aside. “It’ll be fine, Mom.”

             
She smiled as she tucked her planner under her arm and held her phone in the other. She scooped her handbag off the counter and off she went. “You kids have a good day at school.” She started to walk away, then turned. “Soph, could you wake Austin before you leave?”

             
I nodded. “Sure.” I turned around glancing at Ethan. “You almost ready?”

             
He was standing with his stomach pressed up against the sink, his palms resting on the corners. “I’ve been ready for a while. He walked over and grabbed his sweater hanging from the back of the chair. “Slept like a baby last night.”

             
I paused, disgusted about my night of tossing and turning. That figured. He’s the one who’d been sleeping in a strange bed--not me. It always seemed funny to me how guys could fall asleep anywhere, anytime, no matter what the circumstances. If I had even one idea or one problem running around inside my head, I considered myself screwed for the night. I never could seem to shut my brain off. Do they make pills for that?

             
After waking Austin, I made my way into the foyer where Ethan had already been waiting with his jacket in his hand. His other hand quickly ran through his hair tousling it around the sides as he stared into the mirror. I guess I’d never noticed that his hair had grown out; much shaggier than over the summer.  I didn’t even realize that I’d been staring like some buffoon until I heard him clear his throat.
             
             
             
             
             
             
             

             
             
             
             
             
             
***

             
The night before I thought I’d experienced the worst night of sleep since the divorce, but boy was I wrong. The thought of a night alone with Ethan had me completely coming undone.   I’d paced around my room looking for anything to keep my mind off him. The clock seemed to be working against me. Was it too much to ask for a few measly hours of sleep? I felt like I needed to check into a hotel or head to Val’s just to get a decent eight hours. When that didn’t do the trick, I slammed a shot of NyQuil and stared at the ceiling until the medicine finally kicked in.
             

             
School wasn’t any better. Jason had been so busy with sports that he’d had zero time for me, other than seeing him in the occasional class and in the hallways where he’d cop a free feel. I hated when he made outwardly sexual gestures in public. Ever since we got back together after my summer vacation he hardly let up. I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t want anything sexual to happen with him, I just knew I didn’t. But, boy I couldn’t say it was for a lack of trying on his part. Getting me past second base seemed to be the only thing on his mind. Unfortunately for him, I was very comfortable with second.

             
When I woke, I was exhausted from the lack of sleep. Again. I stared into the bathroom mirror applying a second coat of concealer under my eyes and then covered that with my powder to erase any signs of puffiness.

             
The gentle tapping at the door and the voice that was behind it stopped me in my tracks.

             
“You about done in there?” Ethan called out.

             
After placing everything neatly back in my drawer, I swung the door open. “Just finished. Sorry.”

             
“No problem,” he said, scooting past me with a towel wrapped around his waist. “Just give me ten minutes,” he said, pushing the shower curtain back. 

             
I know I shouldn’t have lingered, but I did. Why did he continue to do this to me? Did he not remember the list? He had to know how amazing his body was and how it could trigger hormonal instincts in any girl within ten feet. Hell, within fifty.  I watched as he bent over and twisted the faucet and sighed quietly before I forced myself to turn away.

             
Walking down the hall I pushed open Austin’s door. He had already been awake and dressed.

             
“You’re up?” I asked, surprised. Austin was never an early riser. My mom once swore a freight train could come barreling through Austin’s bedroom and he would still stay asleep.

             
He tossed the football up in the air. “Ryan’s mom is picking me up early today for Helping Hands.”

             
“Do you want me to make you breakfast?” I asked.

             
He tossed the ball onto his floor. “Nah, I’ll just grab a granola bar or something.”

             
I shrugged. “Okay. Well, I’ll be home right after school. Mom already left for Chicago, so come straight home.”

             
He grabbed his backpack, throwing it over his shoulder. “Why?”

             
“Because I said so, that’s why.”

             
There was no way I could spend the entire afternoon and evening alone with Ethan, that’s why, but I couldn’t admit that out loud. It’s not like my Grandmother could offer any help. She’d most likely come in and sit down then insist on some sort of game before passing out for the night.

             
Ethan finally strolled out after I’d been sitting in my car for several minutes trying to warm it up. I quickly flipped down the visor to stare at anything but him. When he opened the door and sunk into the seat, a shot of musk permeated the inside. Turning my head toward my window I took a small breath in trying to inhale every ounce of his scent without him figuring out what I’d been doing. I forced a loud cough trying to cover it up.

             
He fiddled with the radio, turning the knob until he found something he liked. “So are you cooking tonight or am I?”

             
I stared into the rearview mirror, backing up slowly. “How about we just order a pizza? My mom left a twenty on the counter.”

             
He placed his elbow on the arm rest and leaned over. “Pizza it is.”

             
After that the silence was enough to drive anyone mad. So, I cranked the music up loud enough to escape making small talk, because honestly I didn’t know what to talk about. I just wanted to get to school, see Val and to feel the comfort of Jason’s arms around me.

             
Even though Jason’s wasn’t “the one” I still liked having the distraction. The fact he wasn’t going to be the last boy I’d ever kiss never bothered me. Even though I told myself he was great, my heart didn’t jump out of my chest when he looked at me.  My heart seemed to reserve that feeling for Ethan. And, before that Peter. Was it possible to lust after two guys at once? Yet, I couldn’t explain Ethan. Sure, he was gorgeous and had a body that every guy at school should be envious over--but it was Ethan. Peter’s cousin Ethan who I had to keep reminding myself was supposed to be like family. The same Ethan who I’d hated my entire pre-pubescent life. Sure, Peter was like family too, but sometimes there are rules that can be broken. I expected to break those rules with Peter, but never got the chance.

             
The second we walked into school someone shouted out Ethan’s name. We both turned. Heather Flowers was hightailing it down the hall with her cronies in tow.

             
Ethan reached down and grabbed my hand for a split second. “I guess I’ll see you later.”

             
As Heather got closer I pulled away.“Yeah, meet me at my car.”

             
He winked then turned toward them.

             
I walked in the other direction finding Val and Matt glued to each other at her locker.

             
I tsked. “Better be careful. Teachers might be lurking around the halls,” I teased.

             
Val gently pushed Matt aside, but held onto his hand. “There you are. I called your cell this morning, but you didn’t answer.”

             
My hands instinctively felt all of my pockets for my phone and when I didn’t feel it. I ransacked my handbag. “Shit! I must have left it at home.”

             
Val’s hand released from Matt’s and she wrapped it around his waist. “Oh, well, no need now. You’re here.”

             
“Have you guys seen Jason?” I asked.

             
Matt’s eyes flicked behind me, but before he could answer Jason picked me up from behind. “Hey, girl.” His face leaned over my shoulder, kissing my cheek.

             
I twisted my body out from his grip. “Hey. I was just going to look for you. Can you come over later? My mom’s out of town for the night.” Yep, I was going there.

             
He raised his eyebrows and then frowned. “Can’t. Got practice until six then I gotta cram for two tests tomorrow.”

             
I sighed. “Oh.” I hadn’t expected him to say no.

             
He threw his arm over my shoulder.“What about tomorrow night? Flowers is having the bash of all bashes.”