“Shit!” Brie sighs. “I’ve been trying to get on that all year.”
“You really have no shame, huh, Brie?” I say while wiping myself down.
“You’re just noticing this now?” she replies and I shake my head laughing. I should really hang out with these two more often; they’re kind of hilarious.
I’m in the kitchen reading when I hear a knock at the door. I rest my book on the counter and make my way to the front door. I pull it open and then just stare like a complete idiot. Ethan is standing in a pair of low slung dark jeans and a faded blue Stones t-shirt that’s stretched deliciously across his chest. I’m assuming he’s just showered because his hair’s still damp and he smells like soap. I think I may be drooling, but to be honest, I don’t care.
“You gonna invite me in?” he says with a hint of a smile.
“Sorry, yeah come in.” I open the door wider and motion for him to go through to the kitchen while I take a deep breath to try and calm down before following. This boy has a serious effect on me. I walk into the kitchen and he’s leaning his hip against the counter, cocky grin firmly in place.
“So, I have a confession,” he says, his deep blue eyes focused intently on mine.
“Sounds ominous.” I’m trying my best to not look away from his intense stare. “Go on then, enlighten me.”
He pushes off the counter and stands just millimeters away from me, his chest almost touching mine; my body is instantly on high alert.
“We’re alone right?”
“Yes,” I answer, but it comes out as barely a whisper.
“Good.”
My stomach is in knots at the anticipation of Ethan’s next words. My thoughts are running away with me and all I can think of is how close he is to me, and how it's not close enough.
“So my confession,” he states. “I’ve spent all day fantasizing about…”
My eyes widen and a smile tugs at his lips.
“Oreo milkshakes.”
“Wait, what?” My confusion is written across my face and then he laughs and takes a step back. He actually laughs. What a douche.
“You're an ass!” I say, and walk over to the cupboard to retrieve two glasses. He tells me about his piano practice and makes small talk while I fix our milkshakes. He follows me up to my room so we can start studying. I’m wondering if he’ll let me sit in on one of his music lessons. I can’t imagine him playing the piano. I know through Em’s stalking that he’s supposedly stupidly gifted at it. I walk into my room and sit down Indian-style on my bed while he walks around inspecting things. He stops at my desk and moves his head forward to get a better look at my notice board. I freeze. He’s in Em’s stalker pictures and he’s going to notice any second. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!
“I’m on your notice board?” he says with confusion.
“What? No you're not!” I figure the ignorance card is the one I should be playing.
“Sure I am, look,” he says, pointing to the picture I took of Emily off to the side and him at his locker, clearly the main focal point.
“Oh wow, I never noticed that. Funny huh?” My acting skills suck and he must think so, too, because the look he’s giving me tells me he knows I’m full of shit. I want the ground to open up and swallow me now.
“You didn’t notice?” he says. “I take up two-thirds of the picture.”
“Get over yourself,” I say and take a drink of my milkshake, just for something to do other than worry about how much of a crazy stalker he must think I am.
He makes his way over to the bed and sits down, mirroring my pose.
“I don’t have to worry about finding a little Ethan voodoo doll in here, do I?” he asks, one eyebrow lifted and his crooked grin firmly in place. I quickly place my drink on the nightstand, grab my pillow and throw it at him.
“Oh, it’s on, little lady!” he shouts before I’m hit upside the head with the same pillow. The shock of the impact has me snort laughing and I reach behind me to grab more pillows for ammo. I get in a few good headshots before he grabs my arms and wrestles me onto my back as he hovers over me, panting.
“Blair,” he says in a husky whisper that has my insides tightening.
I lie completely still, trying to catch my breath as his face descends. Goose bumps break out across my body and my tongue darts out to wet my lips. His eyes drop to my mouth before returning to meet my gaze. He pauses for a beat as if waiting for me to stop him. I stay completely still, willing him to kiss me and then his lips make contact with mine.