Page 50 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
"I'll be there," Ethan promises. "Should I bring anything?"
I'm about to answer when I realize the kitchen has gotten suspiciously quiet. I turn to find not just Gavin, Marcos, and Drew now, but also Ian, Rex, and Cameron, all pretending not to be listening while very obviously hanging on every word.
Putting my hand over the phone, I try to block their noise. "Don't you all have something better to do?" I whisper-shout.
Six heads shake in perfect unison.
Sighing, I uncover the phone. "Just yourself," I tell Ethan. "We have all the supplies."
"Are you okay?" Ethan asks. "You sound weird."
"I'm fine," I say, shooting daggers with my eyes at my so-called brothers. "Just, uh, multitasking."
"He's surrounded by nosy frat bros!" Gavin calls out loud enough for Ethan to hear.
My eyes squeeze shut, imagining a world where brothers respect privacy instead of turning phone calls into spectator sports. "Please ignore my idiotic ex-best friend.That was the sound of Gavin volunteering to clean the entire house bathroom with his toothbrush this weekend.""
Ethan laughs, and the sound sends a warm current through my chest. My stomach does that ridiculous flip it's been doing since Halloween night. I could get addicted to making him laugh like this.
"How many brothers are currently listening to our conversation?" he asks, his voice turning playfully suspicious.
Looking around doing a quick count. "Six. No, seven," I correct as Noah slips in, grinning.
"Hi Ethan!" several voices call out together.
"Oh my god," I groan.
But Ethan just laughs again. "Hi Delta Psi Omega," he calls back, loud enough for everyone to hear. Then, in a lower voice meant just for me, he adds, "So, a car wash, huh? Does this mean I get to see you in a wet T-shirt or without one?"
Heat rushes to my face as the guys hoot and holler, clearly able to guess what Ethan just said based on my reaction.
"If you're lucky." My pulse and something else begins to rise.
"I'll find something lucky to bring with me then," His reply has me picturing the smirk on his face. "See you Saturday. Try not to get your brothers too excited before then."
"Too late," I mutter, watching as Gavin does some kind of victory dance. "See you Saturday."
Hanging up, I immediately face a barrage of questions and teasing.
"Dude, you're so red!"
"What did he say about your shirt?"
"Is he bringing anything? We're short on sponges."
"Did you actually say 'date' or did I imagine that?"
Holding up my hands for silence. "Yes, it's a date. Yes, he's coming to help. No, I will not repeat what he said. And for the love of god, please behave on Saturday."
"Us?" Gavin places a hand on his chest in mock offence. "We're always perfectly behaved."
"Right," My voice drags that one word out. "Marcos, remember last year when you used the hose to spray Drew just because he was on the phone with his mom?"
Marcos grins unrepentantly. "It was hot. I was helping."
"And Rex," I continue, "you and Tahir had a soap fight that left the entire parking lot covered in bubbles."
"Good times," Rex sighs happily.
