Epilogue Harder Drive
TYLER
"We should probably start getting ready soon," Ethan murmurs against my shoulder, his breath warm on bare skin. The December light filters through our window, already fading but still casting everything in that warm glow that makes time feel negotiable.
"Mm-hmm." The response comes out noncommittal while my fingers trace the curve of his spine. "What time did you say it started again?"
"Seven. And it's already—" Ethan shifts to check the clock, but my arms tighten around his waist, keeping him exactly where he belongs.
"Still early." The words rumble against his neck. "Besides, fashionably late is a thing."
Ethan's laugh vibrates between us. "You're the Vice President. You can't be fashionably late to your own party."
"Watch me."
My lips find that spot just below his ear that makes him melt. "Tyler..."
"What? Just telling you about this crazy dream I had last night." My voice drops lower, rougher. "Want to hear about it?"
Ethan's pupils dilate slightly. "We really should—"
"There was this gorgeous nursing student in my bed," continuing, completely ignoring the protest. "Red-blonde hair all messy from sleep, these incredible green eyes looking up at me like I hung the moon."
"Tyler," Ethan breathes, but he's not pulling away anymore.
"And he is making these little sounds...
Moans and groans as my lips roam up and down his neck and shoulder.
So this is happiness. Not the loud, celebratory shit from an A paper or DPO parties, something quieter.
His fingers trace lazy patterns on my back.
It still catches me off guard that this is real.
That he chooses to be here. That somehow this became his place, too.
Ethan's mouth is right there, lips parted and moving, and fuck whatever he's saying, I need my mouth on him. Now.
The kiss cuts off whatever Ethan was about to say.
Ethan melts into the kiss immediately, that soft sound escaping that drives me absolutely crazy. My hands slide into red-blonde hair, angling Ethan's head for better access while my lips press harder against his, more desperate now.
"Tyler," Ethan gasps when we break apart, but it comes out breathless and wanting rather than protesting.
"Love the way you say my name." My confession rumbles against Ethan's throat as my lips trail down to his collarbone. "Say it again."
"We're going to be late—"
"Don't care." My teeth graze a sensitive spot that makes Ethan arch up against me. "Rather stay right here and remind you how good you feel under me."
Ethan's breath hitches. "God, the things you say..."
"Haven't even gotten started yet." My hands slide under Ethan's shirt, fingertips tracing warm skin. "Been thinking about this all day. About taking you apart piece by piece until you're begging for more."
"Tyler..." My name comes out shaky now, his pupils blown wide with want.
"That's it, baby. Love hearing you all breathless for me." My lips find his ear again. "Want to know what else was in that dream?"
Ethan nods wordlessly, completely lost now.
"Had you pinned just like this, making those pretty sounds while you writhed underneath me. And then..." My words drop to barely a whisper, my hot breath making Ethan shiver.
Three sharp knocks interrupt the moment.
"Tyler!" Gavin's voice booms through the door. "You've got two minutes to get downstairs before we dump pitchers of ice-cold beer on both of you!"
Our foreheads press together as a frustrated groan escapes me. "Two minutes?"
"Should've started getting ready an hour ago," Ethan whispers, but his grin is pure mischief. "Poor baby, all worked up with no time to blow."
"You're enjoying this."
"Maybe a little." Ethan's fingers trace along my jaw. "Don't worry, I'll make it worth the wait later. I’m going to ride you until your eyes cross."
My grip tightens on Ethan's hips. "Jesus, Ethan—"
"TYLER!" Gavin's voice comes again, closer to the door now. "One minute!"
"Coming!" calling back, though I make no move to let Ethan go.
"We have to get up." Ethan laughs, pressing a quick kiss to my lips before sliding out from under me. "But think about what I said." He leans down and nips kisses along my jaw as he teases me. "Gonna ride you until your eyes cross… All… night... Long."
Twenty minutes later, downstairs...
"There's our missing Vice President!" Ian raises his beer as Ethan and I finally make our entrance. "Thought we were going to have to send a search party."
"Just making sure we looked presentable for the party," my reply is smooth, even as my hand finds the small of Ethan's back.
The living room pulses with music and conversation. Red Solo cups litter every surface, and someone's already started a beer pong tournament in the corner. Holiday lights strung around the windows cast everything in warm, festive colors.
"Presentable, sure you are." Ian grins. "That's why your hair looks like you stuck your finger in an electrical socket?"
Ethan snorts with laughter while I try in vain to smooth down my mess of hair. "Shut up."
"Hey," Drew appears at my shoulder during a lull in the music, his usual easy smile tinged with something more serious. "Got a minute? Both of you?"
Ethan and I exchange a glance before following Drew to a quieter corner near the kitchen.
"Just wanted to give you guys an update on the Cher situation," he says, keeping his voice low. "The university was moving forward with disciplinary action, but she decided to transfer instead. Effective after winter break."
"Good for her. Hopefully, she can get a fresh start somewhere else. Maybe figure out whatever's going on with her."
Ethan's hand finds the small of my back, a brief touch that somehow says I'm proud of you and I'm here all at once.
"Anyway," continuing, eager to move past it, "that's done. Tonight's about relaxing, right?"
Drew grins. "Exactly what I wanted to hear."
"ETHAN!" Gavin's voice booms across the room. "We need you!"
"Oh god, what now?" Ethan laughs as Gavin approaches with Marcus and two other brothers in tow.
"Beer pong dispute," Marcus explains. "Taj swears the ball bounced twice, but Kai says it was clean. We need an impartial judge."
"Someone who won't just side with a brother because they're a brother," Gavin adds with a grin.
"Why me?" Ethan protests, though he's already being pulled away.
"Because you're honest to a fault and we all know it," Drew calls after them.
Watching Ethan get dragged off, laughing and protesting the whole way, something warm settles in my chest. Look at him. Completely at ease with these guys who were strangers to him a few months ago. They trust him. They want him around. They've made him part of this without him even trying.
And somehow, impossibly, Ethan chose this. Chose me. Choose all of this chaos and brotherhood and late-night emergencies.
How did I get this lucky?
We hang out for exactly twelve more minutes. I'm counting.
"Okay," murmuring into Ethan's ear during a lull in conversation. "Made an appearance. Done my VP duties. Can we go now?"
"It's your party."
"It's Drew's party. And everyone's having fun without us." My hand slides lower down Ethan's back until I have a handful of his perfect ass. "Besides, you promised me something upstairs."
Ethan takes a sip of his drink, considering. "Did I?"
"Eyes crossing. Ring any bells?"
"Hmm." Ethan's smile is wicked. "Maybe if you asked nicely."
"Please?" My lips brush against Ethan's ear. "I need you. Right now."
Ethan's resolve crumbles. "Fine. But we're being sneaky about it."
"So sneaky." Already pulling him toward the hallway, away from the crowd.
We barely make it past the kitchen before I pin Ethan against the wall, mouth hot and demanding. His hands fist in my shirt, pulling me closer.
"Room," Ethan gasps between kisses. "Need a room."
Fumbling for the first door handle. Locked. "Drew's such a cock blocker," muttering while moving to the next one.
Also locked. Though honestly, it's a smart move considering what I've planned for my boyfriend. The packet of lube is burning a hole in my pocket.
Third door, locked again. "Come on..."
The fourth door swings open easily. "Score."
We tumble inside, lips already finding each other again, and freeze.
James and Caleb spring apart like they've been electrocuted, James's hand jerking out of Caleb's pants so fast it's almost comical. But instead of the usual eye-roll or sarcastic comment we'd expect from getting caught, they both look... panicked?
"Oh," Ethan says, trying not to laugh. "Seems this room is taken."
"We were just—" James starts, face flushing red.
"Leaving," Caleb finishes quickly, taking a deliberate step away from James like he's contagious.
Ethan and I exchange confused glances. Why are they acting weird? They've been dating for weeks.
"Uh, guys?" The confusion comes out in my voice. "You know you're allowed to make out with your boyfriend, right?"
"Boyfriend?" Caleb's voice cracks slightly.
"We're not—" James begins.
"I mean, we're not really—" Caleb interrupts.
They look at each other, then away quickly, like they've been caught doing something actually wrong instead of just being handsy with each other.
"Okay, what's going on?" Ethan steps forward, using his stern nurse voice. "You two are acting like we caught you cheating or something."
"Nothing's going on," they say in unison, which only makes them look more guilty.
"We should go," James mutters, not making eye contact with anyone.
"Yeah, definitely going," Caleb agrees, heading for the door.
They run out like their pants were on fire, leaving Ethan and me standing there completely baffled.
"What the hell was that about?"
Ethan shakes his head slowly. "I have no idea, but something is definitely going on with those two."
Thank you for reading Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet.