Page 34 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Chapter Thirty

Phoenix

I bang my head on Katie’s desk in her room. We’re sitting side by side, trying to come up with some funny content for a new live stream, but our heads are empty. I get that Katie’s bothered about the whole Eric thing, but what’s my excuse?

“Something’s off with you,” Katie says.

“I know , but I have no idea what it is. I mean, it’s like there’s something in my brain that’s not letting me think properly.”

She taps her chin. “Okay, so what changed between this live stream and your previous ones?” She turns to me with a raised brow. “Does Ethan Palmer have anything to do with it?”

“What? Heck no! Are we seriously talking about this again?”

She lifts her hands in defense. “You told me nothing happened when I left you at the hospital, but I think you’re lying.”

I grit my teeth. “I still hate you for doing that.”

“You’ll thank me one day.”

I give her a look like she’s lost her mind.

“And don’t think I haven’t heard you tossing and turning the past few nights. You’re losing sleep over him. You like him.”

My mouth drops. “You’re crazy.”

“Oh hey, Ethan,” she says, eyes on the doorway.

I whirl around to the door, my heartrate speeding. But no one’s there.

Katie giggles. “Yep, you totally like him.”

“That was cruel. And you call yourself my best friend?”

She laughs again. “Sorry, but you should just admit you have feelings for him.”

My mouth opens and closes, but nothing comes out. I have no idea what to say, what to think. I mean, I’ve had boyfriends before, but I’ve never been as confused as I am about Ethan Palmer.

“And tell him how you feel,” Katie continues.

I blink at her. “What?”

She shifts on her chair. “You like him and I’m pretty sure he likes you. You had a strong connection online and both of you want that in real life. So why not go for it?”

I continue blinking at her. Me tell Ethan how I feel? But I don’t even know how I feel. Do I?

“I know things didn’t work out between me and Eric, but that doesn’t mean you two shouldn’t try.” She takes my hands. “I want you to be happy, same way you want me to be happy. And I think—no, I know —Ethan will make you happy.”

“But he’s a jerk.”

“You know that’s not true. You were so worried about him after his football injury. You care about him. And I saw his face light up when you visited him at the hospital.”

“But…but he told me he wants to be friends.”

She’s quiet for a second. “Maybe he thinks that’s what you want. But don’t wait until it’s too late. Go after him, Phoenix. Be happy.”

Be happy? With Ethan?

***

I’m muttering to myself as Katie and I enter the school building the next day.

I couldn’t sleep all night because I kept thinking about Ethan and telling him how I feel.

I went back and forth, trying to decide if I should go through with it.

What if he tells me he only sees me as a friend?

Or what if he doesn’t want to be with me because of what happened with his brother and Katie?

I guess the worst that could happen is he’d say no. He already hurt me, so why not add more to the pile?

But gosh, I don’t want him to hurt me again. I think I might actually feel it deep this time.

“Stop talking yourself out of it,” Katie tells me as we walk down the hall to our lockers. “I mean, I don’t want to tell you what to do, but I wish you’d talk to him.” She tilts her head in the distance, where Ethan is with a group of fans. Again, he’s not really paying attention to them.

His head lifts and when he takes me in, a bright smile spreads on his face and his eyes light up. It’s like he’s seeing someone special. Special? Nah, I’m seeing things.

But then his smile drops, like he notices the expression of indifference on my face. It’s not how I feel…I’m just way, way too nervous to speak to him, to even see him. Telling him how I feel is so scary. What if he laughs in my face?

Katie slips her hand in mine. “He can’t keep his eyes off you, Phoenix. You can do this. Show him that his feelings aren’t one-sided. The two of you could have this crazy epic romance that you’ve wanted so badly since you were little.”

She’s right, I have. But there’s nothing romantic about Ethan and me. We’re enemies— were enemies. And now we’re friends. That’s it.

But gosh, why does my stomach fizz when his beautiful blue eyes meet mine and hold them like he’s entrapped by me?

The girls push and tug him, but he doesn’t break his gaze from me once.

He looks so…so good. So humble for some reason.

I mean, he’s still the most popular guy at school, but I see it differently now.

He’s not letting it go to his head. Heck, it looks like he doesn’t think he deserves it. Or wants it.

I intake a deep breath, then slowly release it. “Okay, I’m doing this.” There are only a few minutes before first bell and if I want to get this over with, then I’d better act now.

Katie hugs me. “Good luck.”

I breathe in a few more gulps of air before forcing my way over to him. This is crazy. I’m not normally this nervous. Why’s it different with him?

Ethan’s eyebrows rise as I draw nearer. But then they drop, like he assumes I’m passing by to get to class. When I stop before him, though, his eyes fill with shock.

The crowd of girls is just as massive as usual. I force a wide smile at them. “I need to talk to Ethan, so can you all please leave?”

Most glare at me, others roll their eyes. Some look confused.

“It’s about a school project,” I lie. “I need to talk to him .”

Ethan’s eyebrows furrow like he has no idea what I’m talking about, since we already finished our project. But he must realize I’m using it as an excuse, because he asks them to leave in the kindest and gentlest way. It makes my heart skip a few beats.

They protest, each grabbing various parts of him, but he flinches back, telling them they really need to go or he’ll fail the class and won’t be able to play football. That snaps something inside them and they slide away, talking and yelling over one another.

Ethan and I face each other. He leans against the lockers, crossing his arms over his chest and tilting his head back to push the hair out of his eyes. “What’s so important that you had to lie again? First the bug and now this?” He clicks his tongue. “You’re going to corrupt me.”

Normally I’d have some snappy retort, but I’m so nervous I can’t think straight. And my knees are wobbling so hard I’m not sure they can support me. I casually rest my shoulder against the locker near the one he’s leaning on.

“Sorry, but there’s no other way to get rid of them.”

He chuckles lightly.

“How do you stand it?” I roll my eyes. “Right. You love it.”

He straightens on the locker. “Actually, I don’t. I hate it.” He shrugs. “But I can’t get rid of them without sounding like a jerk. I need them to support me and the team.”

“Right.”

Quiet.

He runs his hand through his hair. “Did you want to talk to me about something?”

“Yeah. Why do you keep staring at me?”

He goes still, eyes widening a little. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this cool and collected dude panic before. “I’m…I’m not.”

I roll my eyes. “Liar. Even Katie noticed it.”

He lifts a brow. “She has?”

“Yeah. And she thinks…” I puff up my cheeks.

“She thinks what?”

I press my lips together. I can’t do this. Of course this guy doesn’t like me more than a friend. He can have any girl he wants…

But why hasn’t he picked one?

Ethan places his hand on my arm, and a shock zaps through me so strongly I flinch back. His confused eyes scan mine. He holds up his hands. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

I shake my head. “No, sorry. I don’t know…I mean…”

He steps closer, so close our mouths are only inches apart. He dips his head. “What’s going on, Phoenix?”

I clear my throat, forcing myself to be brave enough to face him as the words tumble out of my mouth.

“I don’t know. Something’s wrong with me.

I mean, I can’t stop thinking about you and I was so worried when you got hurt and Katie says it’s because I like you, which is ridiculous, but maybe it’s not.

I mean, I think about you, like, every second and it makes my heart beat fast and my stomach is in knots and—”

He closes his lips over mine.

They’re strong but gentle at the same time. Warm and soft. It’s the most wonderful feeling in the world. I tingle all over.

But I pull free, glaring at him. “Did you just shut me up with a kiss?”

He stares into my eyes, his chest rising and falling heavily. He slowly raises his hand to my cheek, bringing his mouth close to mine. “You drive me up the wall,” he whispers, his mouth edging closer to mine.

My breath hitches as he brushes kisses on my cheek.

“You drive me insane, Phoenix Ellis, but I love it.” He lifts his head, gazing into my eyes.

His chest still heaves, his fingers stroking my cheek, making me shiver.

“I’ve liked you since the night I drove you home on my bike.

And my feelings for you have grown since then.

Please forgive me for all the pain I caused you. ”

I just stare at him as I absorb his words.

He dips his face toward mine again, our lips inches apart. He stares into my eyes, as if asking permission.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I press my lips to his, feeling this weight I didn’t know I had lift off me. Everyone and everything fades away. It’s just the two of us in the hallway, sharing the most epic and spellbinding kiss in the entire universe.

“You’re a jerkface,” I murmur, my lips near his ear. “But that’s what I like about you.”

He backs up, eyebrows raised. “Jerkface?”

I nod, my chin lifted. “Jerkface.”

A sweet, childlike smile captures his lips, and he bends his head toward mine, closing his lips over mine again.

He kisses me so gently, but with so much feeling.

I’d think a macho football player like him didn’t have it in him to be so soft, but I’m learning that this guy—this guy who drives me insane in a good way—is full of surprises.

There’s cheering and applause all around us, and we yank apart like we’re attached with invisible rope.

Glancing around, I take in all the kids watching us.

A lot of girls look jealous and are shooting daggers at me, but some seem happy for us.

Guys, too. Katie, at her locker, gives me thumbs up.

I also spot Eric at his locker, sending me a small smile, which tells me he’s happy for me and Ethan.

Ethan tugs me close. “I’m crazy about you, you fiery-haired girl with a matching fiery personality.” He rubs my nose with his.

“Does this mean you’re my boyfriend?”

He pulls back, taking my hands in his. “If you’ll let me be.”

I think about it for a few seconds. “Hmm. I’m not sure you’re worthy enough.”

Panic flashes across his face. “What?”

I laugh, playfully slapping his chest. “Of course I want to be your girlfriend. I didn’t just confess my feelings for you like some romance movie for nothing.”

He laughs, the sound coming from deep inside him. Then he holds out his hand, giving me a warm smile. “Come to history with me?”

Returning the smile, I slip my hand inside, feeling just how warm it is. I feel protected, which normally I hate, but now I don’t. I like having him watch over me.

He tugs me close to him, and together we make our way to class, passing through the throngs of students in the halls who haven’t taken their eyes off us.

As we walk through Ethan’s fans, they all gasp and cry and yell after him. I look back, nervous for some reason. Maybe that they’ll steal him away from me? I mean, Ethan said he doesn’t like the attention, but what if he gets bored of me? Or is tempted to go after one of these girls?

His hold on my hand tightens and he wraps a strong but cozy arm over my shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he says, voice soft. “I’ll never leave you.”

I continue glancing back. “But those girls—”

He stops walking. “Are nothing compared to you, Phoenix. Nothing.” Raising his hand, he tucks some of my loose hair behind my ear. “My feelings for you are real and deep,” he whispers. “Please trust me.”

“I do.”

He bends his head, his lips hovering over mine, when the bell rings. We don’t care, and press our lips together. Everyone else around us rushes to class, but we have all the time in the world, our mouths fused together like we can’t get enough of each other.