Page 40 of Catch
I hear a door slam and the echo of footsteps. Good, we’re about to be interrupted.
“Someone’s coming.”
“Are they?” Ethan replies and casually picks up my backpack.
Huh, I didn’t even realize I’d dropped it.
That’s because all your attention’s on Ethan.
Then he swings my bag over his shoulder, turns, and starts down the stairs.
“Um, what the hell are you doing?” I ask as I chase after him.
“I’m doing what any friend would do. I’m carrying your bag.”
“Give it back.”
“Just let me help you for fuck’s sake.”
“I don’t need your help,” I growl. “God, you’re the most infuriating person I’ve ever met.”
He pauses and turns.
“You look unsteady after tripping over me. It’s the least I can do. Do you need to hold my hand?”
“Do I need to hold yourwhat?”
“My hand. Hold it if you feel dizzy.”
“Are you high?”
“I don’t do any of that shit. Some weed occasionally, but that’s it.”
He starts ambling down the stairs again, and my eyes can’t help but roam over his back, lower, to that big, beautiful hockey ass.
“Like what you see?” he calls out over his shoulder.
“If we weren’t on these stairs, I’d kick your ass. And I mean that literally—my boot in your ass.”
“Keep talking dirty to me, Sugar. I like it.”
“Ethan.”
He ignores me and keeps walking. I let him carry my goddamn bag because I’m already tired of arguing at this point. When we finally reach the exit and step outside, Ethan stops, smiles, and finally passes me my backpack.
“Let’s call a ceasefire,” he offers, and we shake on it. I can feel the shock of his touch all the way through to my bones. “At least for the next hour.”
I nod in agreement even though I doubt we’ll make it that long.
As we stroll across campus to the library, walking side by side, our shoulders occasionally brush. I’m all but vibrating with the unexpected need to get closer and trying to ignore the feeling.
“So, how long were you and Renner dating?”
That question comes from out of nowhere.
“A couple of months,” I admit.
“How did you meet?”
