Page 21 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
Looking between them, I'm thrown by the complete lack of negative reactions. "Thanks. Most straight guys get weird when I mention ex-boyfriends."
Drew laughs, the sound open and relaxed. "Well, we're not most guys. Sounds like a good call to me." Drew says, sliding an empty cup towards me. "What's your poison?"
The red solo cup might as well have 'DANGER' stamped across it. I'm still holding the untouched drink Gavin handed me earlier. "Actually, I'm still working on this one," I say, subtly tilting the still full cup.
"Not a fan of Gavin's mixology skills?" Drew asks with a smile.
"Just being careful." Shrugging while my eyes search for a discreet place to ditch the drink.
Drew catches on immediately. "First time at a frat house?" He takes my cup and casually pours it into a nearby plant.
"That poor plant," I mutter. "First nursing school killed my houseplants, and now I'm an accessory to plant poisoning."
Drew laughs. "Don't worry, that thing's survived worse. Non-alcoholic option?"
"Please. And yeah, it's that obvious I'm new to this?"
"Let's just say I recognize the 'is this drugged?' look." He doesn't miss a beat, reaching for a different pitcher. "We're not those kind of assholes."
The simple acknowledgment of my concern without offence relaxes me a fraction more. I want to explain my hesitation as Drew pours a virgin version of the punch.
"Sorry, I just... I've had bad experiences," I start.
"With frats?" Drew asks, perceptive.
Nodding, then glancing at Tyler, who's watching our interaction closely. "With frat guys who didn't like me noticing they were hot."
I wait for the uncomfortable shifting, the awkward change of subject. Instead, Drew snorts. "Their loss, man. Nobody deserves to be made to feel shitty for being who they are."
Tyler looks oddly proud, as if Drew has just confirmed something important.
Taking a sip of my virgin punch, surprised at how easy it is to talk to Drew. Maybe it's because he's one of the first straight guys who hasn't immediately changed thesubject when I mentioned coming from the nursing program.
"Drew, there you are!" A female voice interrupts as a pretty brunette in a witch costume weaves through the crowd toward us. "I've been looking everywhere!"
Drew's face lights up in a way that totally changes his serious look."Em! Come meet Ethan, our rescue of the night."
Emily slides up next to Drew, giving him a long kiss before turning her attention to me. Her eyes widen in delight. "Oh my god, your makeup is amazing! The glitter work is perfection!"
Just like that, my walls come down. I smile for real, feeling the tightness I've been holding in my shoulders finally let go."Thank you! My bestie, Sylas, held me down and went a bit crazy, but I like it now. Your witch costume is classic. I love the purple spiders crawling on your hat."
"He did this himself?" Emily touches my chin, turning my head side-to-side and examining my makeup with the eye of a connoisseur.
"Sylas has the unique ability to make you look gorgeous while simultaneously threatening your life if you move and ruin his work. I’ve seen him hold a mascara wand like a weapon."
"You've got to give me his number!" Drew makes a noise when she says that. Emily leans over and gives him another kiss, even as she rolls her eyes at him. "I'm Emily, by the way. Drew's girlfriend."
"Ethan. Nursing student and tonight's charity case," the words come out jokingly, without any bitterness in my tone.
"Hardly a charity case," Emily says, linking her arm through mine. "Anyone whocan pull off glitter that perfectly belongs at this party. Did Drew tell you I'm in the theatre department? We could use Sylas's makeup skills."
Just like that, Emily and I fall into an easy conversation about costume makeup and funny product 'accidents' I've seen at the emergency room. It's surprisingly comfortable talking to her, something about her genuinely interested questions and infectious laugh makes it easy to relax in a way I haven't fully managed with the frat guys yet.
As we chat about theatrical wounds versus real medical emergencies, I catch Tyler watching us, a small smile playing at his lips. Drew says something to him that I can't hear, and Tyler nods, his eyes never leaving mine. Something in his eyes, this warm, intense look, makes my cheeks flush under all the glitter.
Drew claps a hand on Tyler's shoulder before heading back toward the makeshift bar, leaving Tyler still watching our conversation with that same intrigued expression.
I shouldn't find his attention so captivating, but something about the way he looks at me makes me feel seen in a way Ryan never even attempted.
