Page 50 of Catch
“But I’ll shit it out before the race.”
Everyone groans at Hudson’s gross reply.
“There’s still time for you to escape,” I warn Ethan.
“Are you kidding?” He chuckles. “This is like being with the Cougars. I feel right at home.”
We start off, and while the rest of the Crew get involved in another bizarre conversation about Hudson’s personal habits, Ethan stays back and walks beside me.
For some reason, I can’t help but push my luck.
“You’re talking to me again,” I whisper. “What’s with this hot and cold routine? Do you treat all your friends this way?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” Ethan admits. “Trying to figure something out. I still don’t have the answer, and I guess I’m preoccupied.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“It has everything to do with you, Jett.”
The sharpness of his tone has my pulse jumping.
“Well, maybe we should nod politely when we see each other and leave well enough alone,” I suggest. “Forget the friend thing. It was never going to work out anyway.”
“I agree with you on that. I don’t think of you in a friendly way.”
Ouch, that was direct. Thankfully my teammates are now way ahead of us. There’s no chance they heard any of that. I hope.
“Fine,” I hiss and begin to pick up my pace, anxious to get away from him.
“It’s more than that,” he calls after me. “And you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
I pause for a second, then keep walking.
“No. No, I don’t.”
“You can’t lie to me, Jett. I see the way you look at me.”
This time I stop and turn around.
“And how is that?”
Ethan’s gaze is full of sardonic amusement, and it makes me want to scream.
“I know you want me.”
I feel like I’ve swallowed a box of firecrackers and they’re exploding inside me all at once. Ignoring the rush, and Ethan’s blunt statement, I shake my head.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t lie. I know when someone wants me. I see the way you look at me. And you sure as fuck know how I’ve been looking at you. I’ve hardly done anything the past two weeks besides obsess over you. Every fucking day, every night. I can’t think about anything else. Why do you think I’m here?”
I don’t know what’s more shocking, Ethan’s confession or the fact that I’m feeling the same. Instead of leaning into my instinct, I pick safety.
“I don’t believe you.”
Ethan steps towards me, and I take a step back. The trail is lined with trees, and I lean against one, needing the support since my legs are about to give out.
“There’s only one way to prove to you that I’m telling the truth,” he whispers and crooks his finger at me.
