Page 84 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
Katie and I exchange another glance.
I hold my hands over my mouth, deepening my voice. “Visiting hours are over!” I boom. “Unless you want security to escort you out, I suggest you leave.”
Again, nothing. This crowd is so huge and so loud that even a fire drill won’t make them flee.
My shoulders sag. “Guess we should go home.”
Katie is about to say something, when Eric slips through the blockade. He freezes, his eyes widening as he takes her in.
She averts her gaze, pushing some hair over her face. He turns away from us, shoulders tightening.
“Eric, you’ve got to help us get through,” I tell him.
His eyes creep in Katie’s direction for a second before he focuses on me. Then he nods and disappears inside.
I can’t exactly see or hear what’s going on. Until a woman who must be their mom tells the kids that Ethan appreciates them visiting, but he’s tired and needs to get some rest. They reluctantly leave, and it takes, like, five minutes for the place to clear out.
Once it does, I have a good view of Ethan. He’s sitting on his bed, looking perfectly normal, except for some swelling on his head. Eric’s at his side, his mom at his other side. Eric keeps his gaze on the wall, as if making sure not to look Katie’s way. Then he gets to his feet and sweeps out of the room.
Katie watches him go, a large swallow making its way down her throat. Then she pushes a wide smile on her face. “Hi, Ethan. How are you?”
He returns the smile, his eyes brightening when he notices us standing before him. I never realized it before, but he’s, like, really handsome when he smiles. “Hi. I’m great, thanks.” His gaze shifts to me. “Hey, Phoenix.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” I tell him. “I was worried. I mean, we were worried. Everyone was.”
He dips his head slightly. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
I nod and glance away.
“I’m happy you guys came,” he says, flashing us more smiles.
Their mom gets to her feet. She’s very pretty, though her eyes are sad. She doesn’t look one bit like her sons. I guess they get their looks from their dad. She grins to me and Katie, thanking us for coming.
She squints, turning to Ethan. “Are these the girls you wanted to see so badly that you had me get rid of the others?”
Ethan’s eyes widen and he pushes some hair out of his eyes. “Mom…yeah.” He laughs awkwardly, looking away.
His mom’s eyes move from us to Ethan, and I think she’s trying to figure out which one of us her son likes. I want to tell her that Ethan doesn’t like either of us…but is that true? I mean, it was like the sun shone on his face when he realized we came. Was it because of…me? No, that’s crazy.
“I think I’ll go to the cafeteria for a bit,” his mom says, kissing him on the cheek. Offering us another smile, she exits the room.
It’s just me and Katie and Ethan. He gestures for us to sit.
Katie hangs back. “I’m so happy you’re okay, Ethan, but I think I’m going to head home now.”
“Katie….” I hiss.
She ignores me. “See you later.” She waves and leaves me alone with him.
Alone with him.
He looks at me and I look at him. He grins. It really does make him look so much more handsome…Gosh, what am I thinking?
“Want to sit?” he offers.
Like Katie, I hang back. “Maybe I should go home, too. You know, not leave Katie alone.”
He nods slowly, but I can’t ignore the disappointment clouding his face. “Oh…okay.”
