Page 105 of Catch
“It’s been building for a while, but I’ve been fighting it,” he admits. “Not you, but the whole ‘how do I handle a relationship’ thing.”
I nod in understanding.
“But during the game, whether I screwed up or scored, all I could think about was you. I loved knowing you were here for me, and I want to be there for you too.”
Ethan kisses me again and suddenly I remember where we are.
“You realize that by kissing me right here, right now, you just came out to the entire team, your coach, and probably some of the student population?”
“Go big or go home.” Ethan chuckles.
“Are you sure?” I caution.
“Yes. But I won’t lie; I’m scared shitless,” he confesses. “I’m going to need you to help me. I have no clue what I’m doing when it comes to being a boyfriend, and the last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
His words make my heart pound fast and fierce. There’s so much more to Ethan than his frat boy image. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that his teammates are heading our way and Archie and Hudson are smiling at us.
“We’ll figure it out together,” I reassure him. “Just be yourself.”
“You mean drive you crazy?” he quips with a cocky grin.
“Exactly. Now, hurry up and get changed,” I urge with a smile. “We have a lot to celebrate.”
“The guys want to go out.”
“Of course.”
“But after—” He stares at me with a heated glint in his eyes.
“Yes, after.”
Ethan nods and gives me another kiss before stepping back. His teammates start to clap and whistle, and Ethan’s face gets redder.
“You were right!” he turns and calls out to his teammates. “Happy now?”
“Not as happy as Jett!” Silas shouts in return.
There’s more laugher and clapping as Ethan turns back to me.
“Don’t move.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Ethan nods and stalks off to join his teammates as they hug him and then head into the locker room. I turn around to find Archie and Hudson, now joined by Jackson, waiting for me on the bench, huge grins on their faces.
“What?”
“I never thought I’d see this day,” Jackson murmurs. “I was sure Ethan would be single forever.”
“No shit.” Archie chuckles.
I walk over and sit my ass down on the bench, and just in time because my knees are weak.
“Is this really happening?” I ask out loud, not sure if I’m talking to myself or my friends.
Hudson pats my shoulder.
“Judging by the way he kissed you, I’d say yes.”
