Ok so I never did take an opportunity to talk to Ethan about what happened. I chickened out, or Ethan would somehow change the subject once I worked up the courage to say something... He never did say or do anything that made me think Noah had told him. And before I knew it, it was the GOT finale weekend...
I tried faking sick but I'm not a great liar. Ethan teased me for my pathetic attempt but didn't ask why. And then there was a knock at the door. Noah was early. I went to hide in our bedroom.
"Chels, can you please get the door? I'm wrist deep in guaco here!' Ethan yelled from the kitchen.
I couldn't think of a believable lie as to why I couldn't go and let our guest in. Terrified, I threw a jumper over my already modest trakky daks and oversized t-shirt, and slowly made my way down the hallway.
KNOCK KNOCK, more insistent this time.
"Cheeeellllllssss" Ethan nagged.
"I'm getting there!" I yelled back. I opened the door and Noah straightened up.
"Chels! Long time no see!" He beamed at me. What an incredibly normal way to greet someone, I thought. I didn't say anything. He leaned in a bit closer and said in a deep voice: "Have you missed me?"
My stomach flipped. And then the cocky bastard winked at me!
"Ayyyyyyy!!" Ethan yelled out behind me, coming up the hall.
"He man, how are ya Eeth?" Noah pushed past me and he and Ethan bro-hugged and started chatting.
I took the opportunity to try to vanish and scuttled back to the bedroom.
I don't know how long it was, but Ethan knocked on the bedroom door. It was almost time for GOT.
"Just another minute!" I told him. I was trying to think of last-minute excuses I could give to possibly get out of this... But I realized I would have to just bite the bullet and get it over with. I told myself to put my big-girl panties on. If I was capable of betraying Ethan in such a way, I was capable of getting through one measly tv show. Still, I begged for the floor to swallow me up as I crept from the bedroom to the living area. And my heart sunk when I saw a pile of washing dumped onto one lounge chair, and Ethan and Noah sitting on either end of our 3 seater sofa... It was obvious where I was expected to sit... I could move the pile of laundry, I thought. But that would be suspicious then wouldn't it? Damn...
"Oh, while you're up, can you please grab the corn chips off the bench?" Ethan asked.
I scooped up the bowl, and grabbed a blanket off too, thinking I could hide under it like a little kid hides from monsters... Then I plonked my butt as close to Ethan as I possibly could. I felt so awful. Using Ethan as a safe base when I had betrayed him like I had. And the person I did it with only 2 feet away. I threw the blanket over myself and put the bowl of chips on the couch between myself and Noah. Yes, as many barriers as possible, I thought. And then the intro started playing on the TV and everyone was focused on it. I felt a slight relief, like I could actually get through this night and then be done with it, and I would tell Ethan afterwards what I had done and he would forgive me and we'd live happily ever after. And before I knew it, half an hour had passed!
"Chels, its really hot, mind scooting over a bit?" Ethan squirmed a bit next to me.
"Uh.. sure" I was hesitant but I couldn't really do anything else. I edged about half a foot closer to Noah. It made it feel as though he was breathing down my neck. Just paranoid.
"Actually, I'm a bit chilly, mind if I share the blankie with you Chels?" Noah asked. Such an innocent question. Not at all suspicious. But Ethan was watching the show and I was looking at Noah's face. His smile was downright devilish. I needed an excuse. My brain fumbled.
"Oh, actually Noah," I said excitedly: "Ill just grab you another blanket!" I started to get up off the couch.
"Oh, babe, they're all in the wash" Ethan burst my bubble. "Just go and cuddle up with Noah, it's cool"
It most definitely is not cool, I thought. I couldn't think of any more excuses though. I picked up the almost empty bowl of corn chips and tossed the blanket so it covered Noah's legs as well as mine. I was about to put the bowl back down between us, but Ethan snatched it from me.
"Ooh, we need a top up! This bits boring anyway, Ill be back in a tick!" and Ethan skipped off towards the kitchen.
The second Ethan had disappeared from view, Noah's hand shot under the blanket to my thigh. I jumped as if a spider had landed there! Almost immediately I slapped it away.
"Aw Chels, you'll hurt my feelings!" Noah put on a fake pout.