Page 95 of Catch
Dinner is a mix of local food truck pop-ups that line the exterior of the quad. Ethan grabs us a couple of chicken gyros and fries and we sit on the grass and enjoy our meal, the first time we’ve had a real break all day.
“We’re almost there,” Ethan encourages.
“It’s been crazy busy, but in the best way. I think everyone’s having fun. There’s nearly the same amount of students here now as there was this morning.”
“That’s because the games—and the volunteers—are awesome.”
We end the day with a very loud karaoke contest. Teams take to the stage and perform their favorite game-day hype songs. Everyone sings along, waving neon-green glow sticks and cheering for their favorites. It’s tough to choose the winners since every team is enthusiastic, but after we award the top three teams with their prizes, we finish the day with more pictures, and finally, the blast of fireworks that lights up the sky with a rainbow of colors.
Ethan and I head for the stage to officially close out the day, exhausted but knowing it’s been a job well done.
“Who had a good time today?” I ask the crowd, my voice hoarse but happy.
Judging by the thunderous applause, I think we succeeded. I turn to Ethan, who holds up his water bottle. I tap it with mine and offer a smile. I’d like nothing more thanto lean over and kiss him, but I don’t think the welcoming committee hadthatin mind.
It’s clear from working with him today that our strengths balance each other out. I’m the planner, managing the details and acting as a sounding board for students who were feeling overwhelmed by the size of the crowd. Ethan’s the cheerleader, ensuring that no one was left out of the games, and also, getting them primed for the week ahead. Honestly, there’s no one more suited to being a welcome ambassador than Ethan.
“That’s what we like to hear! To new friends, fun memories, and of course, college sports,” Ethan adds. “Thanks for participating today, and I hope everyone has a great week!”
There’s more clapping and cheering, and I know we’ve set the right tone.
Thank God I don’t have any races tomorrow because I’m going to need the rest. It’s been a long day and the week’s just getting started. Sensing my tiredness, Ethan reaches for my shoulder and gives it a squeeze, his hand lingering for a moment.
“We did it, Sugar.”
“You were amazing.”
“You too.” He smiles at me. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
When he steps away, I want to follow him. But I don’t. Because we’re friends. Friends with benefits, and that’s it.
The reality of my situationship doesn’t sit well. Not anymore.
As the crowd disperses, the quiet around me is strangely loud. Too loud.
And it hits me. Right here, right now. Fucking around isn’t enough.
I’m falling in love with Ethan.
It’s foolish, and I know I’m asking for heartbreak, but I can’t help it.
My eyes wander to Ethan, as they have all day. No matter what I was doing or who I was talking to, inevitably my attention turned to him. Even now, my gaze can’t help but track him as he talks to several students who have hung back to chat. One of them’s a beautiful blonde, and as she edges closer to him, I can tell that she’s flirting. I can’t blame her, but my stomach turns over and jealousy sparks like wildfire in my blood. I want to shout that “he’s mine” but the words are stuck in my throat. And they’ll stay that way.
Ethan only does the casual thing. That’s it. I’m a fuck buddy. Nothing more.
I told myself I would never be in this position—falling for someone who could never return my feelings. First the disaster with Renner, and now Ethan. Only, this is worse. Much worse. I was never all in with Renner, always holding part of myself back. But with Ethan? I’m ready to hand my heart over to him, and he’d probably smash it like a hockey puck. Not deliberately, not maliciously, but he’d smash it just the same.
Ethan turns his head, and when his gaze locks on mine, I’m helpless to do anything but take him in, a flash of heat and longing knocking the breath right out of me.
Fuck, what am I going to do?
As if sensing my unease, his brow furrows, but I shake my head.
Nothing’s wrong. Act cool.
Ethan turns his attention back to the students.
I force my feet to move, helping the volunteers clean up the stage, but halfway through tidying up, I get a weird feeling, like someone’s nearby, watching me. And not in a good way. I turn around, but I don’t see anything unusual, and Ethan’s still busy with his conversation. There’s no one paying me any attention, other than the people I’m working with.
