Chapter 19 Dinner With a Side of Disapproval
Dinner With a Side of Dissaproval
TYLER
The December sun filters through the branches of the massive oak tree on the north quad, creating dappled patterns across Ethan's face as he leans against me.
We've claimed one of the wooden benches tucked away in a quieter corner of campus.
Ethan's back against my chest as he reads from his nursing textbook, occasionally highlighting bits or making notes in the margins.
I have my own environmental engineering textbook open, but I've been distracted for the past fifteen minutes, watching the way the sunlight plays across Ethan's reddish-blonde hair, turning it to gold.
He fits perfectly against me, like we were designed to occupy the same space.
It's been more than a month since that first night in his apartment, and I still can't believe how this feels, how right it is to be with him.
"You're not reading," Ethan observes without looking up, a smile in his voice.
"I'm multitasking," Lips find the top of his head, soft and brief. "Learning about sustainable water systems and also cataloging all the different shades of gold in your hair."
Ethan snorts, but I can see the tips of his ears turning pink. "You're ridiculous."
"Ridiculously into you," cheerfully I agree, earning an eye roll that doesn't hide his pleased smile.
I'm about to suggest we head to the library to actually get some studying done when a familiar voice calls out.
"Tyler! I thought that was you!"
Cher approaches, and I swear she's wearing the exact same outfit half the sorority girls on campus wear, those jeans that probably cost more than my textbooks, and one of those sweaters that looks basic but has some tiny logo that means it's expensive as hell.
The blonde ponytail and sunglasses complete the look: Sorority Girl Level 100.
Ethan immediately sits up straight, pulling slightly away from me. I counter by sliding my arm more firmly around his waist.
"Hey, Cher," Keeping my tone as neutral as possible takes effort. We ended things amicably, well, as amicably as possible when you break up with someone because you realize you might be more into guys, so our few run-ins since have been awkward at best.
"I haven't seen you around much lately," she says, her eyes focused entirely on me as if Ethan doesn't exist. "You missed Sigma Phi's post midterms bash. It was epic."
"Had other plans." Fingers give Ethan's waist a gentle squeeze.
Cher's eyes flick briefly to Ethan, then back to me. "Listen, we're having a mixer next weekend with you guys at Delta Psi Omega. You should come by."
"Thanks, but I'll probably be busy," Ethan goes tense beside me. "By the way, you remember Ethan, right?"
Cher gives Ethan a cursory glance and a tight smile. "Sure, hi."
"Hi," Ethan replies quietly, and something in his subdued tone makes me look at him more closely. His face has taken on that carefully neutral expression I recognize as his shield, the same look he has whenever he talks about Ryan.
"Actually," The words come out stronger now. "Ethan's my boyfriend. We've been together for almost a month now."
Cher's smile freezes, her eyes widening slightly. "Oh! That's... nice. I didn't realize you were..." She trails off, gesturing vaguely.
"Bisexual, yeah, it was a bit of a revelation for me too."
She recovers quickly, her social training kicking in. "Well, that's great. Good for you both." She glances at her watch. "I should go, I have a chapter meeting in fifteen. See you around, Tyler."
With a final, barely perceptible nod to Ethan, she walks away, her heels clicking purposefully on the concrete path.
Turning to Ethan, who's staring at his textbook but not reading. "Sorry about that. She's not usually so..."
"It's fine," Ethan says, his voice carefully light. "Ex-girlfriends are always awkward."
But there's something in the set of his shoulders, the way he's holding himself, that tells me it's not fine. He's pulled back, not physically; he's still sitting close to me, but emotionally, he's retreated behind a wall.
"Hey," Fingers touch his chin, gently turning his face up. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
He shrugs, attempting a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Nothing. Just thinking about how gorgeous your ex is. You two make a very attractive couple."
There's something vulnerable in his tone that makes my heart ache. "Not as attractive as we are," I say firmly.
Ethan rolls his eyes, but there's a hint of genuine insecurity there that I haven't seen before. I'm struck by the realization that Ethan, confident, competent Ethan, might doubt how much I want to be with him.
"I'm serious," Hands turn him more fully, bringing him closer. "Cher and I made sense on paper, but there was always something missing. With you... Everything clicks. It's like finding a piece of myself I didn't know was missing."
Ethan's expression softens, the wall coming down. "You're going to make me blush in public if you keep talking like that."
"Making you blush is one of my favourite activities," I grin, leaning in to kiss him softly.
When we part, I'm struck by a sudden thought. "Speaking of exes and awkward situations... my parents are coming to visit this weekend."
"Oh?" Ethan raises an eyebrow. "That's nice. You haven't seen them in a while, right?"
"Not since the semester started," I nod. "They want to take me to dinner on Saturday. I was hoping you might join us."
Ethan's eyes widen, and he shifts nervously. "Meeting the parents? Isn't that kind of a big step? We've only been together for a little while."
"It's not a formal meet-the-parents thing," I assure him quickly. "They're just in town, we're getting dinner, and I want you to be there. It'll be totally casual."
He looks skeptical. "I don't know, Ty. I'm not exactly great with parents."
"My dad is pretty cool," I tell him, which is true. "And my mom... well, she can be a bit traditional, but she'll come around." That part is less certain, but I'm hoping for the best. "Besides, you've already won over a house full of frat brothers. My parents will be easy in comparison."
Ethan still looks hesitant, so I pull out my secret weapon, the smile he can't resist. "Please? I'll owe you one. A big one. Like, doing-your-laundry-for-a-month big."
He laughs, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "You don't know how to separate whites from colours. You'd destroy all my clothes."
"Then I'll find some other way to make it up to you," The eyebrow waggle is deliberately ridiculous, earning another laugh.
"Fine," he relents. "But if it gets weird, you have to promise I can leave."
"Deal," I agree, relieved. "It'll be fine, I promise. Just dinner at Marcello's, good food, casual conversation. No big deal."
As I kiss him again, I push away the nagging worry that I might be overpromising. My mom's initial reaction to my "I might be bisexual" phone call wasn't exactly enthusiastic, but she's had time to process. It'll be fine.
It has to be.
Saturday evening arrives too quickly. I'm pacing my room, checking my reflection in the mirror for the third time, when there's a soft knock on my door.
"It's open,"
Gavin pokes his head in. "Ethan's here. He's downstairs talking to Drew about some nursing thing." He tosses his car keys onto my bed. "All gassed up and ready to go."
"Thanks again for lending me your car.” The keys disappear into my pocket with a quick swipe. "I owe you one."
Gavin waves dismissively. "No problem. My truck's a hell of a lot more parent-friendly than your death machine."
The accusation pulls a laugh from me. "My motorcycle isn't a death machine. But yeah, Mom would have a conniption if I showed up with Ethan on the back of it. Don't need to give her more ammunition tonight."
"Your mom still giving you a hard time about the bike?" Gavin asks, leaning against the doorframe with his massive arms crossed.
"The bike, my major, my haircut last semester, take your pick," A sigh escapes as my hands straighten my collar once more. "Adding 'dating a guy' to the list isn't helping."
"You look nervous," Gavin observes. "It's just dinner with the parents, right? Not a firing squad."
My laugh comes out strained. “Yeah, but the jury's still out on how my mom is going to be.”
Gavin's expression softens. "That bad, huh?"
"When I called to tell them I was bringing someone special, Mom immediately got excited, thinking it was Cher. Started calling for Dad to come hear the good news about us getting back together."
"Oof." Gavin winces. "And then you dropped the boyfriend bomb?"
"Yeah. The word ‘boyfriend’ hit her like a punch to the face. She went into full denial mode, asking if it was just a phase, if I was confused or experimenting." The memory still stings. "Then she told Dad to 'talk some sense into me' before storming off."
"Damn, Tyler. That's rough."
"Dad was better about it. Said she just needs time to process, but..." The doubt creeps back in. "What if she never comes around? What if bringing Ethan tonight just makes everything worse?"
“No, it will be fine.” The tension in my shoulders refuses to let go. “She just needs time to adjust," The words echo what my dad told me on the phone last week. "Tonight will be fine."
Gavin doesn't look convinced, but he nods. "Well, if you need an emergency extraction, text me. I'll call with a fake fraternity crisis."
"Thanks, G," I’m genuinely touched. "But I'm sure it won't come to that."
Downstairs, I find Ethan deep in conversation with Drew about some hospital policy thing.
He looks up when I approach, and my breath catches.
He's wearing a dark green button-down that makes his eyes pop, paired with slim-fitting charcoal slacks.
His hair is styled neatly, falling in soft waves rather than his usual, more casual look.
"Hey," he says, a hint of nervousness in his smile. "Is this okay? I wasn't sure how formal to be… to dress."