Ethan's POV (Bonus Book)

Chapter Twenty-Three - Ethan's POV

Strolling my way into the boy's locker room, I quickly glanced around at my teammates before finally spotting Lucas tucked up on a bench tying his shoelaces. I quickly made my way over to him. 

"Sup," I greeted as I dumped my stuff down beside him.

Lifting his head, Lucas's lips immediately curved up into a knowing smile. "Wow, someone's still perky after their little closet session with Mia yesterday, aren't they? You're welcome for making your entire life, by the way," he bragged.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't resist a little smile at the mention of Mia and that closet. As much as it annoyed me, he was right. Playing seven minutes with Mia was single-handedly the hottest thing I'd ever been a part of in my life.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I mumbled as I pulled out my gear.

 Unusually for a Thursday after school, Coach had scheduled us an extra practice out on the field. It was a little bit irritating because I wanted to get some work done, but what could I do.

Just as I was about to pull off my shirt, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Quickly pulling it out, I saw my grandma's name flash out on the screen.

"Oh crap," I cursed, realizing I had forgotten to call her. I was supposed to visit her over the weekend, but I'd completely forgot to call her back and arrange the details.

Doing a quick glance around, I dipped to the corner of the room before pressing answer and lifting the phone to my ear.

"Hello," I called out.

"Aww, Ethan honey, it's so good to hear your voice, how are you?" I heard my grandma call in through the phone. Her voice was bright with cheerfulness just like it always was.

I let out a light laugh. "Yeah, I'm great, grandma, how are you?"

"Amazing, considering I know you're coming to visit me on Saturday. I still can't believe you drive down here all by yourself like a big boy. It still feels like just the other day, when you were this little thing, dancing around with all your little teddies," she giggled.

"Grandma," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks flush hot.

She let out a laugh, clearly reveling in my embarrassment. "Anyway, speaking of your big grown-up life. How is that beautiful girlfriend of yours, Mia?"

I froze uncomfortably and swallowed. About three years ago, I had kind of told my grandma a teeny tiny lie that I had started dating a girl in my school to get her off my back. And when she started asking for details, I kept accidentally giving details that happened to describe Mia in every way. It wasn't my fault really – she was always the first girl that popped into my head, and I was bad at making stuff up.

"Erm...yeah, she's good," I mumbled, not wanting to linger on the conversation for too long.

 It was honestly a miracle my grandma still bought into the lie considering I couldn't produce a single picture of the two of us together. I'd just made do with stalking through Mia's Instagram and showing pictures of her to my grandma that way.

"Is she doing anything over the weekend? I've always wanted to meet her. Why don't you bring her here with you?"

My heart nearly leaped through my chest in panic. Over the years I'd made excuse after excuse for why Mia could never visit her, but with each year she just seemed to grow more persistent.

 I shook my head rapidly. "No, no, I don't think that's necessary, grandma. Mia's going to-"

"Do you not want me to meet her or something?" Grandma interrupted; her voice sharpened with upset.