Ethan Edwards & Noah Rogers ~ Family Affairs. By Carter P, Monacur

Chapter ~ 15# ~ Captive

Ethan ~ POV

As I sat with Noah next to me, I couldn't help but feel relieved. I know snapping at him was wrong; I just wish I could keep my anger under control better. Though I couldn't help but wonder if I missed something. After Noah hit me just above my eye, I couldn't help but notice a faint blush. Did Noah like me... in that way? The thought kept with me through the rest of school. I mean, honestly, Noah's cute looking; not going to lie. His slim frame and the way he tends to geek out had this weird charm to it. But did I like him like that? That question bounced around in my head through most of my classes.

At home, I was in the garage. The MMA club was still canceled, so I mostly tried to keep myself distracted while working on something; anything. And considering the last time I fought with grandpa ended with me sore and losing. I knew that wasn't an option, especially since I still can't figure out how he throws me so easily. So I turned my attention to something else, working on my old electric bike. I still planned to sell it to Rebecca when she had the money. Plus, she might need the baskets, so I don't have a problem selling them with the bike. I was cleaning out the old basket I would sell with it when I heard someone walk into the garage. Looking back, I could see it was grandpa. He smiled down at me as he walked in.

"So, what's on your mind?" He asked me as he walked over.

"Just thinking..." I said as I looked over an emergency tool kit I left in the saddlebags.

I already made a new emergency kit in case the bike broke down. So It's not like I need another; my thoughts were interrupted when Grandpa spoke up from behind me.

"You know avoiding problems isn't going to solve anything." I couldn't help but let out a sigh.

Swear this man; always reading me like a neon billboard.

"I'm not avoiding a problem... I want to know the battlefield before I step into it." I said to grandpa without looking back.

One of his greatest lessons he taught me is to wait and be ready.

"Preparing and avoiding are two different things." He said; not sure why but I stopped what I was doing.

I turned back to him.

"So, what am I avoiding?" I asked and crossed my arms.

Grandpa shrugged his shoulders.

"How the hell am I supposed to know?" He asked as he looked me in the eyes.

"Then what makes you think I'm having trouble with something?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"Because I raised you... I know you...." He said as he stepped forward, inching closer to me.

We both remained silent as we looked at each other. I could feel grandpa's sharp gaze staring through me. I tried keeping a tough act up. Though it stopped quickly when I knew I wouldn't win either way.

"I think someone... likes me... in that way," I said as I looked away and rubbed the back of my neck.

I could see from the corner of my eye that grandpa smiled as I said this.

"What do you feel?" He asked, curious as he stepped over and grabbed two folding chairs for us to sit in.

He flicked the chairs open easily before setting them down. We sat down, and I couldn't help but feel a slight uneasiness in my chest.

"I... honestly don't know...." I was confused out of my mind.

No one had shown me romantic love so feeling it for the first time is new. Up till now it's all been one sided on my end and now that someone feels something to be is... very weird. Grandpa sat quietly with me before he placed a hand on my shoulder.