The Other Side - A Boys of Tommen Fanfic

Chapter 56- In Too Deep

Marci

I leaned back against the bathroom wall, flipping through an old issue of Cosmopolitan, the steam from the shower curling the pages slightly as Ethan's off-key humming drifted through the room.

"You know I think this counts as separation anxiety" Ethan teased from the other side of the curtain where he was showering.

I'd followed him in here of course, not wanting to be left downstairs where the majority of our friends still lingered, wandering in and out of the kitchen to pick up snacks.

I'd expected the entirety of this situation to be majorly awkward, however, I felt unusually comfortable in the moment, especially considering the boy I chose to "swap spit" with, as Claire so gracefully put it, was naked less than two feet away from me.

All it would take was one step...

"Like major separation anxiety" he continued, probably waiting for my response.

I grinned. "Well, someone's gotta make sure you don't drown in there. It'd be a shame if I had to explain that to everyone downstairs."

Ethan let out a loud laugh. "Quit lying, you just wanted to see me naked"

I raised an eyebrow, smirking even though he couldn't see me. "Maybe I did."

I saw Ethan's figure lean against the shower wall through the blur of the shower curtain "You sure did."

"You know," he mused, "if you're going to hang out in here like my personal lifeguard, you might as well join me."

I blinked, my heart skipping a beat. "And how do you propose I do that, genius?"

He made a show of sighing like he was disappointed I hadn't figured it out already. "There's a pair of trunks in my bag on the sink. The blue ones."

I glanced over at his duffel, sitting innocently on the counter. "You came prepared for a midnight swim, huh?" I teased, standing up and rifling through the bag until I found the trunks. They were just a simple pair, but it was impossible not to picture him in them—lean, tan, and ridiculously attractive.

"Wasn't planning on using them for this, but I'm a man of many talents," he said lightly. "Now, quit stalling."

I bit back a laugh, tossing the trunks over the top of the shower curtain. "Put these on, you weirdo."

There was a rustling sound, followed by a low groan. "Cold," he muttered, and I rolled my eyes.

"Wimp."

"You try putting on soaking wet swim trunks," he shot back, the teasing edge in his voice making me grin.

"Well, if it's so terrible in there, maybe I should—"

"—join me?" he interrupted smoothly. "Yes, I think you should."

I swallowed, my heart doing a funny little twist. Before I could lose my nerve, I reached down and tugged my jumper over my head, letting it drop to the floor beside me. My joggers followed, pooling at my feet, leaving me standing in just my bra and knickers. The room felt suddenly warmer, steam curling around me like it sensed what I was about to do.

"Marci?" Ethan's voice drifted through the shower curtain, softer now. Curious. "You okay?"

I hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I'm perfect."

And then I stepped forward and yanked the curtain back, fully expecting the shock on his face. Ethan froze, water streaming down his hair and neck, his mouth slightly parted as he looked me over.