Chapter Nine #2
“Yes,” I admitted, begrudgingly enjoying the sensation of air cooling my legs down.
As the tram chugged toward the casino, I watched Ethan as he gazed out the window.
This end of The Strip was mostly parking lots and pavement, but he still seemed to be enjoying the view.
As if he was completely comfortable. I wondered what it would be like to relax like that.
What would it feel like to not constantly worry about school, my parents, or the future?
Or at least to not let it show. How was Ethan doing this?
He probably got a lot of hugs as a kid. That had to be why he was so chill about this whole #GrannieGate fiasco. The thought popped into my head right as the tram slowed, and I couldn’t stop the silly grin from spreading across my face.
“Ready to get some food?” Of course Ethan chose that exact moment to face me. Taking in my goofy grin, he asked, “What?”
“Nothing.” I managed to suppress a laugh as I imagined Buzzy smothering him in hugs.
“You are not looking at me like it’s nothing.” His eyebrow lifted as he pulled the backpack on and stood up.
“It’s just. You seem like someone who got a lot of hugs as a kid.” I giggled as we walked off the tram. “It has to be why this whole GrannieGate thing isn’t stressing you out.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m unfazed,” Ethan replied, guiding us toward the entrance to the Luxor. “But I did get lots of hugs. What’s so wrong with being openly loved? All those hugs gave me too much confidence. That’s why I’m the envy of everyone at TrendCon.”
I snorted. “Why would you be the envy of everyone at TrendCon?”
“Because I’m here with you.”
I almost tripped over my own shoes as I tilted my head up at him to see if he was serious. Ethan returned my gaze, and my mind went back to go-karting and the electricity between us. As the seconds stretched, I wondered if that was all in my head, or…
Ethan leaned down, and my heart rate went up. He was so close to me now. I stepped a fraction of an inch closer, unsure of what to expect from him but also sure that I wanted to find out. His eyes searched mine; then he whispered, “And who wouldn’t want to wear your sweaty backpack?”
My brain basically froze as I watched him straighten up with a mischievous cackle as he extended a hand to reach for the Luxor’s door.
He’d been joking. That was why he was leaning in.
He wasn’t going to try to…well, I don’t know what I thought he was going to do, but clearly it wasn’t anything intimate.
Which, now that my heart had stopped racing, should have been obvious.
What was going on with my imagination today?
Clearly, I was hot and tired and officially inventing meaningful moments between Ethan and me instead of picking up on jokes.
I blamed Sterling and Nittha for putting ideas about us in my head.
I gave myself a shake as I walked through the door and laughed. “Don’t forget, I’m also hangry. I have so much more to offer than a heavy, sweaty gear bag.”
“Ah yes. The vague, appealing threat of being pummeled to death if we don’t get food soon. Speaking of which…” Ethan stopped to mentally peruse the shops, until he spotted something promising. “Will ice cream work? Or they have chips and stuff at that little stall there?”
“Can we have both?”
“I think so…” Ethan’s voice trailed off as he checked his phone and winced. “Lunch is almost over. I don’t think I can get back too late, or my grandma will start to worry.”
“Yeah.” I thought about what little footage we’d managed to shoot so far and tried to work out a way that we could rush through the shots I had in mind.
Unless we physically sprinted to the shark tunnel, what was left of the time we had allotted would more or less be eaten up by walking to the other side of the casino.
I sighed, my shoulders dropping as I faced Ethan.
He seemed to read the resignation on my face as I said, “I don’t know if we have time to do the aquarium. ”
“Who knew Las Vegas was so impossible to navigate?” He exhaled, fluttering his lips as defeat crossed his face.
“The good news is, we did get some decent shots of you with all the hotels and screaming roller-coaster stuff in the background, so this adventure wasn’t a total waste.
” Searching for something to cheer him up, I said, “And there is the Influencers Over Forty Mixer tonight, so if your grandma is going to that, we could try for the Bellagio fountain.”
As soon as I said it, the reasonable part of my brain kicked in. This was a partnership, not a friendship. I’d already snuck off twice to see him in one day. A third time was really pushing my luck.
Ethan took a deep breath and rubbed the back of his head, mulling my offer over. “What we need is a car.”
“Or better timing.” I nudged him jokingly. When Ethan didn’t perk up, I added, “Does being hungry make you mopey?”
“Maybe. A little.” He chuckled begrudgingly. “Okay, yes.”
“I thought so. Let’s get food. Then we can figure out a better plan on the tram.”
“I’ll get the chips if you get the ice cream?” Ethan asked, some of his usual lightness returning.
“Works for me. What kind of ice cream do you want?”
“Anything cookie based.” Saying this, Ethan seemed to give up on sulking entirely.
“Got it.” Feeling strangely better now that he felt better, I gave him a playful salute, then turned on my heel to go get ice cream.
“Wait, what kind of chips do you want?” Ethan called, halting me in my tracks.
“Jalapeno, please.” I batted my eyelashes at him as I said please.
“Spicy food is your solution to hanger.” A lopsided smile traced his lips as he shook his head in surprise. “I’ll remember that.”