My life was full of unexpected happenings, but this wasn't exactly something that should've ever happened in the first place.
We pulled up to a modern, regular two-story home with a functioning, in-service auto garage attached to the side. The sign on the garage read "Swanson Auto/Body Repair," and suddenly the rumors about the motorcycle didn't seem to be true. And neither did the rumors about his family being gangsters. The house had a clean, well-kept appearance, with a neatly trimmed lawn and flower beds lining the walkway. The garage doors were open, revealing a bustling workshop inside with various cars in different stages of repair. Tools and equipment were organized neatly along the walls, and a couple of mechanics were busy at work on some cars.
As I watched him park the motorcycle and take his helmet off, a new realization hit me. Ethan wasn't the person everyone made him out to be. The rumors and stories didn't match the reality of the guy who had just saved me a morning beating, talked shit to my brother and brought me here. He looked over at me, a small, genuine smile on his face, and for the first time, I saw him in a completely different light.
"Don't look so scared," he said as he took me inside his house. To my surprise, the place was incredibly normal. The living room had a cozy feel with comfortable sofas, a large TV, and family photos on the walls. His dad looked a bit scary as well, but I guessed that's where Ethan got his looks from. Ethan led me upstairs and into a bedroom that had the unmistakable vibe of a regular teenage boy's space.
The room was filled with car magazines and posters of models on motorcycles plastered across the walls. There was a desk cluttered with school books and some car parts, a gaming console hooked up to a TV, and clothes strewn about. The bed was unmade, adding to the casual, lived-in feel of the room. It was a mix of chaos and order, the kind of place where a teenage boy spends most of his time.
We sat down on his bed, and despite the initial awkwardness, I found myself starting to teach him math. Ethan admitted he sucked at the subject, and before I knew it, we were working through equations and formulas together. The atmosphere was relaxed, and I could see the student side of Ethan, one that was eager to learn and surprisingly patient.
"You'll get the solution if you substitute it here," I said. "Do you get it?"
"I think so."
"Try solving the next one on your own then," I said.
As he worked through the problems, I realized just how much I had misjudged him too early on. He was attentive, asking questions and trying his best to understand the material. It was a far cry from the intimidating persona he projected at school.
"You're a good teacher!" he said, picking up a pitcher of lemonade. With a quick glance at me, he tilted his head back and took a deep gulp. The liquid splashed as he drank, his annoyance growing with each sip. "That idiot! I told him to get a proper water bottle!" he exclaimed, slamming the glass down on the study table. Preoccupied with my own schoolwork, I barely looked up at him. "Can't we just drink water? Why do we have to drink sweet tea all the time?" he mumbled, clearly overwhelmed by the situation.
Ethan stood up and took his shirt off, shirtless and slightly damp, his chiseled physique caught the light.
It was like looking at a Greek god.
Ethan headed to the closet. The sound of hangers clanking together filled the room as he searched for something to wear. "Ugh... I think my dad wore my clothes again," he muttered.
Oh man, even his back was muscular and perfect.
My gaze lingered on Ethan's toned body. Finally, noticing the stare, Ethan turned around with a puzzled look. "What's up?"
I quickly looked away, cheeks flushing slightly. "Nothing. Your body... looks nice. You must work out," I admitted, returning to my notes with a subtle glance back.
"Oh you dirty boy, should we get psysical since we're together now?" Ethan sat next to me, super close, just so I could feel him flex his muscles a bit.
"No!" I exclaimed, my face flushing red with embarrassment. I turned away, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with Ethan, who was now lounging on the bed, shirtless and grinning.
Ethan leaned in closer, his voice teasing. "Why not? Are you shy?" he asked, reaching out to touch my hand.
I flinched, my heart racing as Ethan's fingers brushed against my neck. I could feel my face growing hotter. "Um... yeah," i stammered.
What do I do? How do I tell him that I'm not ready for this? The panic was setting in. I slid my hand away from Ethan's touch, trying to create some distance between us.
Ethan, noticing the tension, moved even closer, his presence almost overwhelming. My body stiffened, unsure of how to handle the situation. I could feel Ethan's warmth and his teasing gaze, making it harder to think clearly.
"Hey, let me see your face," Ethan said, leaning in closer than before.
I hid my face as much as I could, trying to conceal my growing blush. I wasn't sure why I was reacting this way. I should be scared, but I wasn't—mainly because I knew Ethan wouldn't cross the line. I had never had someone show genuine interest in me before, and the unfamiliar sensation left me flustered and unable to think clearly.
Ethan, shirtless and getting increasingly close, made me nervous and unsure of how to respond. When he lightly touched my lips with his fingers, I instinctively shoved him away. "N-no! I'll tell you when..." I began, but my words faltered as my hand accidentally landed on his bare chest. Holy shit, I could feel my bisexual panic kicking in.
Ethan leaned in, our noses nearly touching. "What should I do first then?" he asked, his voice low and intense.
Just then, a man's voice shouted from downstairs, "Ethan Swanson, what the fuck is yer bike doin' downstairs?!"
The shout startled us both. Ethan pulled back with a mix of irritation and embarrassment. "That's my dad," he muttered, glancing towards the door as it slammed open.
"Ethan! Ya lil' shit! Why're ya skippin' school again!? Ya dope!" Ethan's dad stomped into the room yelling. He looked like an older, more tired version of Ethan, and he smelled of motor oil. "I'm tellin' ya, ya best not be fixin' ta give me a bullshit answer!"
"Whatever," Ethan rolled his eyes. Without warning, he grabbed Ethan and wrestled him to the ground. The room erupted into chaos as they began to argue loudly.
Ethan struggled to break free, but his dad had a firm grip. "What the hell are ya doin', Ethan? Ya know the bike ain't supposed ta be here now!" he yelled, his voice filled with frustration.
Ethan shot back, "I needed to get away from school! It's not a big deal!"
Their voices grew more heated, the argument escalating as they rolled on the floor. I watched, unsure of how to intervene or if I should make my escape now.
"What did ya do after ya left school, huh?"
"I brought my boyfriend here!"
"Bullshit! What friend? Ya mean goon?!" His dad snapped.
"He really is my boyfriend! Ow! Get off me!" Ethan snapped. "Why do you insist on knowing everything?!"
"I'm yer father jackass!"
"Get off! You're embarrassing me in front of him! Dad!" Ethan struggled. His dad finally let go, stood up, and looked at me.
"What's yer name, kid?" His dad asked.
"I'm Kyle," I said lowly.
"What were ya doin' before I got here?" he grilled.
"I was helping him with math, and we just studied—"
"Studyin'? Ya skipped to study?! Idiot!" Ethan's dad turned back to him as he pulled a shirt on. "If ya can make his grades go up, I'll allow ya to date ma son."
No! I don't particularly want to date your son! He's just hot and he's got it in his head that we're dating for some reason! I don't even want to be introduced as his boyfriend!
"I'll ace the next math test now thanks to him! Get lost!" Ethan snapped.
"Yer mom won't be happy! She left the shop early ta cook cause we gotta guest now! Ya coulda told her at least," Ethan's dad sighed. "Ya better come down in twenty minutes."
"Fine, whatever," Ethan rolled his eyes. "Let's get back to studying, Kyle."
He sat next to me and behaved well as I continued to teach him.
Dinner with Ethan and his parents was an unexpected turn of events. The warm, inviting atmosphere of their home was a shocking contrast to the chaos earlier. Ethan's mom and dad were incredibly welcoming, making me feel like I was already part of their family.
As we sat down to eat, Ethan's mom beamed at me from across the table. "We've heard so much about you over the years, Kyle. Ethan's told us all about your academic achievements. It's so nice to finally meet you!"
Years?
Ethan nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah, Kyle's really into the STEM fields and he's always on the honor roll. He's helping me out a lot with math."
His mom clapped her hands together. "That's wonderful! I think you two make such a lovely pair. You're both so hardworking and talented. To think my baby boy could really date someone this cute and smart!"
"Relax, Mom, he's mine."
Ethan's dad, slightly tipsy but in high spirits, raised his glass. "Here's ta Ethan n' his boyfriend Kyle. I'm sure havin' someone like ya around will only bring good things fer Ethan's future. Yer a positive influence, I can tell!"
"You eat so well! Here, eat some more beef!" Ethan's mom put more beef ribs on my plate.
"Yer gonna make 'im pop woman!" Ethan's dad said, taking one of the ribs for himself.
"I just wanted to fatten him up though."
I blushed, feeling a warmth spread through me at their kind words. The meal was the most nourishing I'd ever had, filled with delicious homemade dishes that seemed to embody the care and affection of Ethan's family.
How did Ethan end up being such a bully? Or how did Ethan gain the reputation?
Throughout dinner, there was actually room for me to be part of the conversation, even on things I couldn't relate to like cars. Ethan's parents asked me questions about my interests and future plans, genuinely interested in what I had to say. His dad even offered to help me with a part-time job at their auto shop answering phones when I graduated. We talked about everything from favorite books to school projects, and I felt incredibly nice to fit in for once.
For the first time, I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn't experienced in a long time. Ethan's family made me feel valued and included, and it was a comforting reminder that maybe not everyone saw me through the same lens as my school peers and family.
"I'll bring you home, Kyle," Ethan said, grabbing his bike helmet.
I said goodbye to Ethan's lovely parents and hopped on the back of his bike. I spent the entire ride thinking about just how wrong I had been about Ethan... maybe he was worth getting to know, at least for now.
I still didn't want to date, but how do I tell him that?
"Thanks for giving me a ride," I said, handing him his helmet.
"Is that all?" Ethan asked.
"What?"
"Hurry up and kiss your boyfriend on the cheek," Ethan smirked mischievously, catching hold of my hand. What is wrong with him? If I didn't want the kiss earlier, why would I want one now? "Oh, should we go somewhere more private?"
"No!" Who knows what he might do in private! If it'll get him to leave, a kiss on the cheek should be absolutely harmless.
It's a kiss on the cheek, Kyle! Why are you so scared? Why are you shaking so much? Just peck him!
I leaned closer just as Ethan started to bend down.
"Kyle?!"