SWNOVELS The Forbidden Freshman: Chapter 49
Ethan threads his fingers between mine as we walk. His hand is so big it engulfs mine, and the sense of comfort is complete. I rest my head against his arm as we walk, letting him lead me, take charge so I don’t have to think.
My exhausted brain is mushy.
The past twenty-four hours has been a trip.
From ecstasy to heartache to elation to triumph to crashing into a burning heap.
And now Ethan is walking beside me, holding my hand and promising to find a way.
As upset as I am, I’m also grateful. Someone’s in my corner for a change, and it feels so damn good.
I squeeze his hand, trying to fight off that wave of insecurity rising over my shoulders.
What if he changes his mind?
What if he leaves me?
“You’re frowning. It’s cute and all, but I prefer your smile.” Ethan’s gentle teasing makes my lips twitch. I look up at him, and he pulls us to a stop. Hockey House is just across the street, but we stand there on the sidewalk, him holding my shoulders, me unable to take my eyes off that beautiful face of his.
“I know it hurts right now, but it won’t hurt forever.” He gives me a quick peck on the lips. “I’m gonna make sure you’re okay. I’m here for you.”
I blink and swallow, my chin automatically dipping as I try to hide my biggest fear.
“Hey.” He tips my chin back up. “I’m not gonna let you down. This may sound intense, but I seriously love you, and I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I kinda like it.” His lips rise into a grin that makes my heart soar. “So I’m not gonna let your bitchy mama steal what we’ve got going here. I’m fighting to keep you by my side.”
And now my eyeballs are burning again. My nose starts to tingle as I battle more tears. “I seriously love you too. It’s fast and it’s terrifying, and I’m gonna have moments where I’ll doubt. I mean… people leave me, you know? I’m very… leave-able.”
“Not me.” He leans down, holding my face so he can look me right in the eye. “I’m not leaving you, and you’re not leaving me. Deal?”
I nod, a smile starting to tug at my lips. It’s hard not to give in to it, so I let it spread across my face, and then it grows even wider when he peppers my cheeks and lips with quick kisses.
“Come on, lover. Let’s go find you a place to live.” He drags me across the street and into Hockey House. I’m assuming we’ll head to his room and start looking for listings, but I’ll have to find a job first in order to pay rent. That’s not a bad thing necessarily, but it’s gonna encroach on my study time and—
“Hey, hockey bros!” Ethan grabs everyone’s attention when we walk into the living area.
Every head in the room turns my way, every face etched with concern. Even Baxter wanders out of his room, leaning against the doorframe and watching me. The guy’s like the recluse of the house. I give him a tentative smile. The edge of his mouth twitches, and I figure that’s like a full-on grin for Mr. Serious. At least that’s what I tell myself it is.
“So, my lil’ mouse here has an accommodation issue.”
Oh, not listings, then. He’s gonna start by asking if anyone knows someone who needs a roommate.
“Thanks to breaking bitchy mama’s rules, she’s been cut off.”
My cheeks flush. Does he seriously have to tell everyone that?
I squeeze his hand, throwing him a sharp frown.
“It’s okay, baby. We can trust these guys. What’s said in this house stays in this house. It’s an unspoken thing we all abide by. Right, guys?”
“Puck yeah!” they all shout.
I wrinkle my nose. That term is seriously ridiculous.
“So, what are you proposing?” Casey crosses his tattooed arms and grins at me. “We getting a temporary roommate?”
“Yeah. Until she can figure this out. You guys cool if she stays a while?”
“What?” I balk. “No! I didn’t ask him to say that, you guys.” I point at Ethan, shaking my head. “I know I can’t move in here.”
Asher’s face is bunched into a sharp frown, and Liam’s looking dubious.
“I don’t want to get in the way of guy time,” I rush out. “I’ll figure something else out.”
“You’re staying,” Asher clips, still looking pissed.
“But… I don’t understand. I thought you guys would hate this idea. I’m a chick. Hockey House doesn’t host chicks.”
“You beat Ash at basketball, you’ve kicked my ass in Devil’s Doorway, and you can finish a slice of pizza in four bites. You practically are a guy,” Casey argues.
Ethan starts laughing while I stand there sputtering.
“But… but—”
“And your mom’s a full-blown bitch!” Asher frowns, then mutters, “No offense. And you’re staying.”
I choke out a laugh. “Are you serious right now? You’re seriously gonna let me stay?”
“You need a home.” Liam shrugs.
“It’s only temporary. Just until I can figure things out. And I won’t move in unless it’s unanimous.” I rush over to the coffee table and climb onto it so everyone can see me. “All in favor?” I raise my hand.
“Puck yeah!” they shout in unison, and I can’t help cringing again.
“That’s so lame, you guys. You really need to come up with—”
“Don’t talk shit, roomie. It’s puckin’ awesome.” Casey grins while everyone cheers.
“Welcome to the house, lil’ mouse!” Asher shouts, and then they all start chanting,“Lit-tle mouse, lit-tle mouse,” like I’m some kind of hero.
Tears quickly build on my lashes, and I raise my hands to stop them. “Shut up, you guys. If any of you make me cry, I’m gonna have to kick your asses!”
They break into raucous laughter while Ethan walks over to the table and grabs me, throwing me over his shoulder.
“Come on. We’ve got a month’s worth of sex to make up for.”
I laugh as he walks me out toward the stairwell. “Wait, wait, wait!” I stop him with a slap to the back. “Kitchen. Kitchen.”
“What for?” He diverts that way.
“Snacks. We’re gonna be burning a lot of calories. Hunger is inevitable. In fact, I’m hungry now… and I know the perfect dinner plate I can eat my food from.”
He chuckles. “And this is why I love you.”
He pops me down, and we load up from the fridge and pantry. Then he chases me upstairs, where I do eat quite the buffet off his rock-hard abs before letting him lick honey and yogurt off my boobs.
And just like that, my day circles back around to ecstasy.