Keeping Casey (Keeping Him #1) - Amy Aislin Page 0,39
like an uncoordinated lion—almost literally—in his own onesie.
“I like your costumes,” Ken said. “I’ve never seen The Wizard of Oz, but I might have to watch it now.”
Ethan gaped. “I thought everyone had seen it. It’s a classic.”
And Casey was suddenly made invisible as Ethan launched into the many things that made The Wizard of Oz awesome.
Erica tapped Casey’s hand with her wand. “What’s going on with you?”
Attention diverted, he blinked at her. “Huh?” She was dressed as a fairy, with a sparkly white dress, shimmery wings, and a wand with a star on the end.
“You were so gung-ho about the Archeology Club when you first signed up, but I haven’t seen you at a single event. What gives?”
“I’ve just been busy with schoolwork. I got a part-time job too, so I’ve got less free time than I thought I’d have.”
“Archeology Club?” Theo piped in. “Sounds fun. What do you guys do?”
Erica gave him the same spiel she’d once given Casey, and while everyone around him was busy talking, Casey slipped out from beneath Ethan’s arm and moved away.
Ethan didn’t even notice.
In the empty backyard, Casey hugged his arms around his middle and leaned back against the deck railing. He blinked up at the stars and blew out a breath.
What was wrong with him? First, he let his mouth run wild and accidentally told Ethan how he felt. Then he avoided the topic entirely, determined to erase what he’d said. Pretend it never happened so he and Ethan could get back on equal footing. Then he’d staked his claim on Ethan in front of a guy who was obviously interested in him.
Then he sulked when Ethan didn’t notice him missing?
Fuck. He couldn’t have it both ways—he either wanted more with Ethan or he didn’t.
What if Ethan genuinely liked Ken and wanted to get to know him better? Potentially date him? What if Ken was the guy Ethan wanted to be exchanging casual touches with? And more?
Ugh. He scrubbed his hands over his face, the wind tugging at his lion’s mane. Ethan was right—this onesie was warm, but it wasn’t enough to fight autumn in Vermont. Fuck, it was cold. No snow yet, but this was fall in New England. Anything could happen.
The kitchen door slid open and his shoulders slumped. Was his sanctuary about to be invaded? He was normally perfectly happy in the middle of a crowd, but he was feeling so confused and hopeless that he just wanted to be left alone to wallow in stupid emotions.
“There you are.”
His head snapped up. Ethan. “Here I am.”
“What are you doing? It’s cold.” Despite said cold, Ethan settled himself against the railing next to him, his shoulder warm against Casey’s.
Casey shook his head. Didn’t matter. He shivered, tucking his chin into his chest. “Do you like that guy?”
“What guy?” Ethan asked, looking toward the kitchen door as if that guy was standing right there.
“Ken.”
Ethan shrugged, the motion jostling Casey slightly. “He’s a friend.”
“He’s interested in you.” The words left a sour taste in Casey’s mouth.
“Is he?” Said so breezily, Ethan might as well have been asking about the weather.
Fists clenched, Casey asked, “Are you interested in him?”
“I just said I wasn’t.”
He hadn’t. Not exactly. The confirmation, however, loosened something in Casey’s sternum. It’d be okay if you were, he wanted to say, but the words got stuck in his throat.
Wind barreled through the backyard, ruffling the few tenacious leaves still clinging to the trees. Ethan stood, making Casey whimper as his entire left side was again exposed to the elements.
His breath caught when Ethan took one of his hands, then the other, and tugged until Casey was standing. He stilled, hardly breathing, when Ethan pulled him into his arms, wrapping himself around him.
“What are you doing?” Even as Casey asked, he burrowed his nose into Ethan’s neck and lifted his arms around Ethan’s lower back, the hay on Ethan’s hat poking the top of his head. Ethan was warm and strong, and Casey wanted to sink into him and be a part of him forever.
Ethan’s arms tightened around Casey’s shoulders, and he ran a hand up and down Casey’s back, the friction making Casey shiver for reasons that had nothing to do with the cold. “Warming you up.”
Casey sighed into Ethan’s neck. “Such a good fake boyfriend.”
Hand freezing on Casey’s back, Ethan sucked in a harsh breath. “What if we weren’t?”