Page 40 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Phoenix

I practically have to beg my boyfriend to come to my house Sunday afternoon. He’s terrified to meet my parents. Yeah, they’re old fashioned and my dad can be a bit—okay a lot—overprotective, but I know they’ll love him.

I mean, Mom’s been obsessed with the football team ever since she went to school at Mayburn High, so he already has points in her book.

Our hands are clasped as we leave his house. We haven’t been able to let go of each other since we got together.

“Whatever happened to that girl you were texting at the museum?” I ask.

“Charlotte? She wanted to try long distance, but I told her I didn’t love her anymore. I had feelings for someone else.”

I rub my chin. “I wonder who.”

Ethan gazes into my eyes, tugging me close to him. “I think you know.”

“You rejected her because of me?”

He nods. “I told you I couldn’t stop thinking about you since the night I gave you a ride. Speaking of which…” He nods toward his bike in his driveway.

My eyes bug out. “You want to ride that thing to my house?”

With a teasing smile, he nods.

I frown at it, remembering how close we were the last time, how he refused to move until I was securely latched onto him. “I don’t know…”

His face falls, though he’s trying really hard to mask it with a smile. “That’s fine. Maybe another time?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m just kidding. Of course I want to ride on that thing with you.”

He frowns. “Don’t call it ‘that thing’. I saved up a lot for it.”

“Sorry. Note to self: Never get between a man and his motorcycle. I swear you love that thing more than me.”

His face grows serious. “Never.”

A silent moment passes. Did we just admit that we love each other? But that’s impossible. We don’t know each other that well and we only got together a few days ago. But I guess we feel so strongly about one another, like we’ve known each other for years.

With a warm smile, he holds out his hand. “Can I give you a ride on my royal chariot?”

Laughing like a goof, I place my hand in his and let him lead me to his bike. I forgot how huge it is.

Wrapping his hands around my waist, Ethan hoists me in the air like I’m weightless and gently positions me on the bike.

“You good?” he asks.

“Perfect.”

He takes a second helmet and places it on my head. We stare into each other’s eyes as he fastens the clasp under my chin. Then he pushes some hair out of my face. “I never told you how beautiful you are, Phoenix.”

I wave my hand.

“I mean it.” He bends close and lightly pecks my lips. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I push myself closer to him, kissing him deeply, like I can’t get enough. Which is so weird because this guy was my enemy. Now I really, really like him. Love him…

We kiss for a long time, and I swear there’s an audience cheering and clapping in my mind. When we finally break free, I laugh.

“What?” Ethan asks, tucking some hair into my helmet.

I laugh again as I sweep his bangs out of his eyes. “If someone would tell me a month ago that we’d end up like this, I’d think he was crazy.”

He chuckles, getting on the bike and yanking his helmet on. Lifting the visor, he turns around. “Ready?”

“Yep.”

“Are you going to hold on this time?”

Bending forward, I wrap my arms around his massive waist, thinking back to that night. Things were so different back then, it feels like years ago.

Ethan places his hands on mine, leaving them there for a little while. Is he also thinking about that night?

A few seconds later, he removes his hands and I feel cold for some reason.

He revs the engine and the bike lurches down the street.

I tighten my hold on his waist, digging my face into his back.

He smells so darn good and I’m happy I can appreciate it now.

I can love and appreciate everything that is Ethan Palmer.

“Lift your head and look around!” he calls over the wind. “See how amazing everything is!”

I raise my head. The view really is awesome. And being behind him, holding on to him, is exactly where I want to be.

***

The ride to my house isn’t long and I’m a little disappointed when Ethan stops the bike. I want to ride with him forever, into the sunset like all those romance movies.

But unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

Ethan gets off the bike, removes his helmet, and his eyebrows furrow as he looks at me. “What’s wrong?”

“I kind of don’t want to get off. This is so much fun. I see why you love it.”

Smiling, he bends close to brush my lips with his. “Then we’ll ride on my bike as often as you want. But right now…” He swallows, as if just remembering he’s going to meet my parents.

I take his hand. “They’ll love you.” I glance down at the bike. “Although maybe not this so much.”

He laughs, placing his hands on my waist and swinging me off. Once my feet are planted on the ground and my head is helmet-free, he kisses me with more feeling, and I return it just as strongly.

“Ooh!” a voice calls.

Drawing back, I find Natalie at the doorway, with a few of my other siblings. All with wide eyes.

Ethan laughs. “Are those your brothers and sisters?”

“Yep. Come meet them.” Taking his hand, we step toward the house, where I introduce all my siblings to my awesome boyfriend.

Natalie gapes at him. “You’re that hot football player, right?”

Chuckling, he ruffles her hair. “You’re a cutie. All of you are. Do you guys know what a fun sister you have?”

They jump and cheer. I’ve been making an effort to be a good older sister to them this weekend, hanging out with them and helping them with their homework.

Just being there for them. They’ve included me in their lives like I never left, and they understand that I stay over at Katie’s a lot because of my videos and because she gets lonely in that huge house.

Natalie and my other siblings grab Ethan’s hands and pull him into the house. Mom and Dad are seated in the living room, curious eyes trekking to him.

They tell the kids to go play, leaving just the four of us in the room. Dad gestures for us to sit.

Before he does, Ethan holds out his hand to my dad. “Hello, I’m Ethan Palmer.” He shakes Dad’s hand, then Mom’s. They seem impressed with his manners, but I note the suspicion in Dad’s eyes.

We sit down across from my parents. I take Ethan’s hand, holding it tight.

Dad spends a few long, long minutes grilling my boyfriend about everything. And I mean everything . But Ethan doesn’t seem to mind, not growing upset or frustrated. He’s so calm and collected, so charismatic. I can see my mother loving him more and more as he talks.

“Dad,” I groan once half an hour passes. “Can you stop interrogating my boyfriend?”

Mom places her hand on Dad’s arm. “Why don’t we let the two of them have fun? What are your plans?”

I grin at Ethan. “I’m going to announce my man to the world.”

We get to our feet. Ethan thanks Mom and Dad, telling them it was nice to meet them, then follows me to my room.

I pop open the door and Ethan takes a good look around. Normally, I’d be mortified at all the stuffed animals and mess of tech and gear, but I’m not. This guy makes me feel so comfortable and at ease.

I gesture to the set up. “This is where we’ll live stream.” I take his hands. “Are you sure you want to publicize our relationship to the world?”

He bends close, resting his lips on my cheek. “Only if it’s what you want.”

I smile, playing with his hair. “Well, I kind of want to keep you to myself, but my fans are dying to know if we’re together and I want to set the record straight before people start spreading rumors.”

He kisses me sweetly. “Sure, it’s fine with me. Ready when you are.”

I sit down and I try to pat my hair in place. After riding on Ethan’s motorcycle, it’s kind of useless. But I don’t care how I look. I have this amazing and awesome guy beside me, and that’s all I need.

“Hey, FireBirds! How’s your weekend going? Mine’s great. We have a very special guest today. Please give a warm welcome to my boyfriend, Ethan Palmer!”

He gives me a warm smile and I return it.

Our hands are interlocked, and I’m so tempted to kiss him again.

But we’ll have time for that later. Lots and lots of time.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be by my side forever.

And from the intense and deep way he gazes into my eyes and sends me more smiles, I know he feels the same.