Smile - CrankGameplays

51. Long

Ethan laid on his bed with one hand on his chest and the other in his mouth as he chewed on his fingernails. To his right was an empty suitcase that he was going to start filling with everything he needed for France, and he decided the only way to keep his mind occupied was to start packing three months in advance.

The events that happened with Tucker still hadn't left his mind. The guy had given Reese a promise ring and on top of all the rejection, still had the audacity to show up when he wasn't needed. Ethan assumed Tucker would give up after a while but ever since he saw him in the parking garage, he couldn't get him out of his head. The overthinking was too much, and even with the constant reassurance Reese fed him, it was never enough.

His girlfriend sent a couple more text messages to his phone after he stopped replying a little bit ago. She probably thought he was asleep after the first thirty minutes had passed, but he was very much awake and he had read every single one.

His phone pinged again and he sat up, squinting his eyes at the lit up screen. There was an attachment loading and as soon as it processed, his mouth dropped.

Lo and behold, the picture was of Reese in a white lace bra with intricate trimming. Ethan couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at his phone in awe, zooming in on the picture to get even a closer look at what she had sent.

"Jesus Christ," he mumbled, shutting his eyes and letting his mind wander again before another text rang out.

He eagerly checked his phone to see if she sent another, but instead, it was a goodnight text;

"Kind of missing you a lot right now... sleep well. Hope this is a nice surprise in the morning... xoxo"

Oh, little did she know the lasting effect it would have on Ethan for the next half hour. This was a little odd for her to send considering they had never done anything taboo as this. Sure, they had sex in a car once but it was uncomfortable and the pair laughed almost the entire time. Never did Ethan think he would be receiving tasteful nudes from his girlfriend. Damn, she really knew how to provide the best assurance.

Ethan began typing out a response to let her know he was very much awake and just got sidetracked with time, wondering how far he could carry out this conversation. He ran over to the mirror and took off his grey muscle tee, eyeing his bare chest. The years of gymnastics did him well, but he knew he didn't have washboard abs like some people he knew. An image of Tucker flashed in his mind before he shook it away and flexed. His muscles convulsed and he aimed his phone at the mirror, giving a smirk as his eyes found the camera. A quick click of the phone and he sent the picture off to Reese;

"You look good. Real good. Come over?"

He doubted she would head over, carless and all, but it showed his interest.

He waited around for her reply for a good fifteen minutes before realizing she must have fallen asleep. He shook his head and chuckled, setting his phone on his nightstand and making his way towards his pillow to finally get some sleep.

Reese awoke the next day to five new text messages, two of which were from her boyfriend. Reese smiled at her phone as she peered at the photo he sent.

"Damn," she grinned, pulling the phone into herself and cheesing like no other.

As she was about to type back, she noticed the other three messages were from her ex.

Tucker had sent her a small storm of messages that all pertained to their encounter yesterday;

"Hey, I'm really glad we can be civil with one another."

"Okay. So I'm kind of omw."

"I'm here."

"What the hell?" Reese muttered, rereading the most recent text message he had sent her. She tapped on his contact info and began to call him.

Before he even picked up the phone she hissed, "Tucker? What the hell? Where are you?"

Tucker's voice was firm on the other line, "Outside your house. I was driving around and thought to come say hi."

Reese bit her lip back and sighed, "Why would you think to do that, Tucker?"

A confident chortle was delivered on the other line, "You gonna come down?"

She peered down at the white bra she still had on from last night, "I just woke up, Tucker."

"I know what you look like after you wake up," his voice was still cool, "Trust me, it's not a bad sight."

Reese's cheeks warmed from embarrassment, "Give me a second."

She ended the call and threw her phone onto her bed, running over to her closet and throwing on one of Ethan's hoodies and a pair of his sweats that she mistakenly forgot to return. She rushed into the articles and threw her hair into a sloppy bun, slipping into her slippers and making way towards the front door.

Tucker was waiting for her outside of his car, leaning up against the passenger seat. "Morning, sleepyhead."

She eyed him wearily, "Look, I'm glad we can be civil too... but we can't do this. At least not right now."

"Relax, Reese. I respect yours and Ethan's relationship."

"Yeah? Then why are you here?"

Tucker pulled his lips in, "I think I know who vandalized your car."

"What?" her eyes widened, "Who?"

"Wanna go tell her off in person?"

Her eyebrow creased as she stepped back, "Her? Are you sure?"

"Do you trust me?"

Reese's heart skipped from the small question because at one point, yeah, she did.

Tucker's started walking over towards the drivers seat, "You can't tell me these past four years meant nothing to you. And I mean that in the friendliest way possible. You're with Ethan now, that's great. I'm more worried about who banged up your car so you getting in or what?"

"Okay, fine. Let me text Ethan first."

She fished for her phone in her pocket and typed;

"Hey, long story please don't be upset, but Tucker thinks he found the person who vandalized my car. Call me when you wake up?"

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Haha hiiiiiiiii from my long hiatus again!!! Finally sat down and got writing for the first time in a while, and it feels so good!

- domducky <3