Page 31 of Naive in Love

My heart drops at the mention of the boyfriend I had not thought of once tonight. I love Caleb, but it is so hard to be with him sometimes. With Ethan, it’s easy.

Stopped at a red light, Ethan turns in his seat. Reaching over, he cups my chin and turns my face to his. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, why?"

He rubs his thumb along my jaw line. "Please tell me."

The moment is interrupted when the car behind us honks, alerting us to the light changing. He takes off, and I stay silent. We make it to my parents’ house, and he pulls into the driveway, putting the car in park. As I open the car door, he reaches for my hand.

"You haven’t answered the question."

"Which question?" How can I answer him honestly? This situation is screwed up. I have a boyfriend who does not like me with other guys, but I want to continue spending time with Ethan.

"What was wrong earlier? You looked upset."

I shake my head slightly.

"Tell me."

I take a deep breath. "Caleb probably won’t like our friendship. He’s jealous of other guys around me. But yes, we can still hang out."

"Good." He pulls me across the console and places a lingering kiss on my forehead. "Good night."

* * *

I rushto finish getting dressed when I hear the doorbell ring. Ethan is here to pick me up. A couple of minutes later, my mom walks into my room with a huge smile on her face.

“So, why haven't you told me about McCutie out there?” She plops herself on my bed, sighing dramatically.

“He’s a friend. He’s Preston's cousin. He sees me as a little sister. Yes, he isreally cute, but he is out of my league.”

“Why would he bother taking you out if he didn't like you?” Her brows furrow.

“I told you he is a friend.” I slip on my shoes and say, “Goodbye.”

We are in the media room at Ethan's dad’s house, with a floor picnic of Chinese takeout and a comedy playing in the background. The room is amazing, with three rows of oversized couches facing a huge TV. Each row is lifted higher than the one in front of it, just like in the theaters. The room is decorated in muted colors and a few pieces of movie memorabilia and classic movie posters.

“There wasn't anything else you wanted to do or someone you wanted to see tonight?” I ask while slurping noodles into my mouth.

“Nah… I usually don't see anyone other than family while I’m here. I spend Thanksgiving with my mom and then see my dad for a day or two before I head back home.”

“You don’t go out with your old high school friends while you’re in town? It seems like the whole town knows you. Some random girl stopped me at the party to ask about us, and my phone blew up today with questions about why I was with you last night.”

“Sorry about that.” He takes a breath and shrugs. “I guess I have a reputation. I stopped going out in this town after my freshman year. Too much pressure being a Hayes kid here.”

Not knowing what to say, I blurt out, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It is all on me and my anger about my parents splitting. Especially with my dad. I rebelled. Everything my dad or his family expected of me, I refused… Don’t get me wrong, we never wanted for anything, and I could have gone to school with y’all, but that would’ve been like me accepting my dad leaving, and I didn’t know how to let go of the anger.”

His voice quivers a tad, so I interject, “You don’t have to tell me if it’s uncomfortable for you.” I reach for his hand, squeezing it and attempting a lame, comforting smile.

“It’s fine. I want to tell you. I just don’t talk about it often, and only a couple of people know the truth.” He stands, pulling me up with him and sitting us on one of the oversized couches. I lean against one of the arm rests, and he sits facing me with one leg bent under the other. “People talk, and there are rumors out there, but not the truth. So…uh… I chose to go to public school. My mom couldn’t change my mind, so she let me go. I always made good grades, so my mom never worried about what I was or wasn’t doing. I was partying through high school, had friends and ‘girlfriends,’” he air-quotes with his fingers, “and thought everything was great. I wasn’t innocent, if you know what I mean.” He pauses, waiting to make sure I’ve caught on.

“So you’re saying that you were ‘active.’” I mimic his air quote, smirking.

“Yes, that is what I mean.” He rolls his eyes at me with a hint of a smile. “So anyway, my freshman year in college, I came home for Christmas and hooked up with a girl I graduated with. She told me she was on the pill, and I believed her. I was drunk and didn’t think. The next time I was back in town, I got a visit from her and her mom saying she was pregnant and asking for money for doctors’ visits and child support…” My jaw drops, and I shake my head. He smiles at me, then says, “Yeah, I was as shocked as you are.”

I quickly cover my face with my hands, embarrassed by my expression. “Sorry,” I whisper through my hands.

---