Keeping Casey by Amy Aislin

Author:Amy Aislin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amy Aislin

Chapter Thirteen

For the first time in his life, Ethan was struggling in his science classes. It was a combination of the material being much, much harder than high school science and of it having been a long time since he was in a classroom setting. He wasn’t as good as Casey at staying on top of everything, and with the added pressure of practices and games, plus his intensive degree and the weekly lab reports for his biology class, he hadn’t had time to do today’s chemistry pre-lab reading. And so he was relying on Ken to hold his hand through it, a fact that was making him antsy as fuck.

Not literally holding his hand because . . . No.

Although, maybe he should think about getting to know Ken better. If Casey was right and Ken was interested in him, what would it hurt? He couldn’t sit around waiting for Casey for the rest of his life when Casey had made it perfectly clear that—

Nope. He’d spent all weekend thinking about Casey, to the point where he’d made a dozen new little felt hooties for him, even though he had no idea when he’d muster up the courage to give them to him. He wasn’t going to let Casey distract him from today’s lab.

Time to focus.

Like every laboratory Ethan had ever been in, the chemistry lab was a long room done in pale cream and divided by eight tall counters. Sitting on a stool, he checked the time as students filed into the room.

“Can I borrow your workbook for a few minutes?” he asked Ken. Because yes, he’d forgotten his chem workbook at home.

“Yeah, of course.” Ken pushed his book toward Ethan. Even though Ken smiled, a sour taste coasted Ethan’s mouth. Still, he got out a notebook and quickly scribbled down today’s lab assignment so Ken wouldn’t be forced to share.

There was nothing Ethan hated more than burdening other people with his problems. Other people had their own shit to deal with; they didn’t want to hear about Ethan’s.

Just like Dad hadn’t wanted to hear about Ethan’s grief after Mom died. Just like his high school classmates, who’d started rolling their eyes when Ethan got one assignment extension after another due to his “extenuating circumstances.” Just like Coach Fallon from his junior hockey days, who could barely stomach the sight of Ethan after he’d noticed the rainbow on his gear bag.

Not that Ethan had let that last one affect him. Homophobic morons were the only people he enjoyed being a burden on. Not that he thought he’d change anyone’s mind by shoving his queerness in their faces—that wasn’t the point. Like with Britton, the point was proving that he was capable. That he was competent. And so, too, were other gay boys who just wanted to play hockey.

“Thanks, man.” Finished copying the assignment down, he slid the workbook back to Ken, shaking out his cramping fingers.

“No problem. The other day, I left the house for the walk to campus and didn’t realize until I got here that I forgot my backpack by the front door.

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