Page 61 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
Tyler looks relieved. "They like you, you know. They usually don't warm up to outsiders this quickly."
"I like them too," I admit. "They're friendlier than I expected and not at all… fratty. Is that a word?"
Tyler laughs. "Oh, they're plenty fratty. Wait until you see them drunk at a football game. But they're also good guys."
"I'm learning that," I say softly.
Tyler's eyes drop to my chest, where my dark shirt is plastered to my skin. "You're soaked."
"Hazard of the job," I shrug. "Though I'm not sure this shirt was the best choice for a car wash."
"You could take it off," Tyler suggests, his voice dropping. "No one would mind."
Heat rises up my face. "I'm good, thanks."
Tyler studies me for a moment. "You know you have nothing to be self-conscious about, right? You look amazing."
The sincerity in his eyes makes my heart skip. "Says the guy who looks like he belongs on the cover of a romance novel."
"I work out because I enjoy it," Tyler says. "But trust me, you have nothing to be insecure about."
Before I can respond, Drew calls Tyler's name, gesturing toward a new influx of cars.
"Duty calls," Tyler sighs. "But we're almost done for the day. Can you stick around after? This hasn't been much of a date." He grins ruefully. "I think Drew is hazing me today, deliberately keeping us at separate stations. Butwe're having pizza delivered after, so maybe we could hang out then?" His words trail off as he looks at me hopefully.
"Sounds good," I agree.
As he jogs back to his station, I smile, even though I'm soaked and uncomfortable. My clothes are sticking to me, his ex is lurking somewhere, and I have no idea where this is heading, but being with Tyler just feels weirdly right.
By three o'clock, the line of cars is over, and the brothers are cleaning up, collecting the last of the donations and high-fiving over a successful event. According to Drew's count, they've raised over $4,000 for the animal shelter.
I'm helping Marcus drain the buckets when Tyler appears with a stack of pizza boxes.
"Food's here," he announces. "Ethan, come eat. You've more than earned it."
The brothers gather around a cluster of picnic tables, diving into the pizza with the enthusiasm of guys who've been working hard all day. I am seated between Tyler and Gavin, who immediately launches into a story about a dog he fostered last semester.
"He ate my favourite shoes," Gavin says mournfully. "But I couldn't even be mad because he looked so proud of himself."
"That's why I'm a cat person," Ian chimes in from across the table. "They destroy your stuff with intention, not stupidity."
This starts a big dogs-versus-cats argument, with everyone picking sides. I just sit back and enjoy watching these guys get along so well. Under the table, Tyler's leg touches mine, warm and solid.
"What about you, Ethan?" Drew asks during a lull in the bickering. "Dogs or cats?"
"Both," I say without hesitation. "I grew up with both. They each have their charms."
"Diplomatic," Drew nods approvingly. "I like it."
"Speaking of diplomacy," Ian says with a mischievous grin, "I think we raised an extra three hundred bucks just from people coming to ogle our VP today."
Tyler chokes on his pizza. "What?"
"It's true," Marcus agrees. "That group of nursing students who 'happened' to need their cars washed at the same time? They were here for the show."
"They asked me if you were single," Gavin adds, nudging Tyler. "I told them you were very taken."
Tyler glances at me, a question in his eyes. I feel a flutter in my chest at what he might be asking.
