Chapter 8
It was quiet at dinner. Too quiet. Kirsten looked over at Sandy, raising an eyebrow, and they both turned to look at the boys. Ryan was sitting slumped to one side of his chair, elbow on table with chin in hand, pushing peas around his plate with a fork. Seth was leaning back in his chair, paying absolutely no attention to his food, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"All right, you two. Something's up. What happened today?" Kirsten looked from Seth to Ryan.
Seth lowered his gaze while Ryan's eyes flicked toward Kirsten. Seth glanced at Ryan. "Did something happen today, dude?" Ryan shrugged. "What makes you think something happened today, Mom?"
"Because you, Seth, are not eating, and more importantly, not talking. And you Ryan, are smiling at your peas. Smiling. Something definitely happened today."
Sandy winked at Kirsten. "Could this something have to do with a girl? Or girls, maybe?"
Kirsten gave Sandy a concerned, serious look. "I guess we're going to have to lock Seth in his room at night while Summer's staying here."
Seth straightened in his chair and looked quickly from his mom to his dad, turning red. "It was an accident. We just fell asleep, uh, watching TV, accidentally, because Conan was boring and Carson Daly was lame, who even cares why Pink hates Christina anyway, besides well, Summer, so sleeping, that's what we were doing. Definitely with clothes on, and then - what do you know? The sun came up and....." Finally noticing Ryan's "shut up" look, and Sandy shaking his head sadly, Seth trailed off. "Aaaaand you wouldn't have known that I didn't sleep in my room if I hadn't just told you, would you?"
"I can't believe you fell for that." Ryan gazed at him, disappointed.
Sandy and Kirsten high-fived each other. "Seth, your mother is the master at that game. Have you learned nothing from my failures?"
"Apparently not," Seth muttered. "And who high-fives anymore? Geez."
"So that takes care of one of you. And you WILL be sleeping in your room from now on." Kirsten turned to Ryan. "What happened with you? You barely smile at 'The Simpson's.' Why are your peas so lucky tonight?"
"It's like the Inquisition, Ryan. The thumbscrews are next. Don't crack under the pressure," Seth warned his friend.
Ryan just looked at him, then turned back to Kirsten. "We went to see Marissa today."
"Traitor," Seth mumbled under his breath.
"Ryan, that's wonderful. How is she? Is she home?"
He shook his head. "She's at a counseling place. But she seems good. Stronger."
Kirsten quickly touched his cheek. " I bet you feel better now that you've talked to her. Everything's ok, then?"
Ryan nodded, a little shyly.
"Good. So what's up with you and Summer, Seth? Looked pretty intense in the kitchen last night."
Seth looked at his mom, wide eyed. "No, I'm done. We already did me; remember my big mouth running about sleeping in the den? Maybe Ryan would like to tell you about his visit with Marissa."
Kirsten and Sandy both shook their heads at him.
"What? You want details? I don't think so. Ryan didn't have to give details." He crossed his arms and shook his head. "That's just wrong."
"Seth. We don't want a play-by-play of the action. We just want to know if you and Summer are together or dating or whatever. Ryan doesn't have to give details because Marissa's not staying with us. If she ever does, he'll be on the hot seat," Sandy explained.
"Oh. Well. Yes, then. We are. As in dating. She's my, she's my, yeah. We are." Seth looked at the table, flustered.
Ryan glanced at him, then turned to Sandy and Kirsten. "He can't say it yet. I don't think he believes it." He gave them a little smile. "She really does like him."
Seth looked up, startled. "I can't say what? I know she likes me. I said we're dating. What?"
His cell phone rang, and he looked at the caller ID with a smile. "In fact, there's my little smitten kitten now."
Ryan rolled his eyes, and Sandy and Kirsten smiled at each other as Seth spoke with Summer.
He hung up and looked to Ryan. "I need to go pick her up. You want to ride along?"
"No, that's ok. You go. Just say it."
"Say what, dude?"
"Girlfriend. Repeat after me, Seth. She's...my... girlfriend."
Seth looked at his parents. "Can you believe that? Ryan gets one kiss and suddenly he's a comedian instead of the major shareholder in "I'm-so- broody" angst."
Sandy raised his eyebrows at Kirsten. "Oh, man. There was kissing with Ryan even! It's a field day for macking in the family, honey. We need to catch up."
Kirsten leaned over and kissed Sandy then. "The night's not over."
Seth stood up quickly. "I'm pretending like I didn't hear that. You definitely just said 'dinner's not over.' Ryan, you sure you don't want to go with me? Cause, ew, as Summer would say."
Ryan gave the Cohen's a sideways glance. "No, I'll stay here. But I do need to uh, go to my room. For something. Anything." He got up to follow Seth.
Seth stopped in the door and turned back to them. "I'm going to pick up my girlfriend, now. That incredibly hot girl that's into me? Summer. She's my girlfriend. Just so you know. I'll be back. With my girlfriend." He stared at Ryan. "Happy?"
Ryan winced. "Wow. Overkill."
Sandy gave him a thumbs up. "Take your time, son." He looked at Kirsten, who smiled up at him. "The night's young."
"Leaving. Now." Seth went out the door with a look of disgust.
"Right behind you. Night." Ryan called back at them.
Sandy kissed Kirsten. "Do we know how to clear a room of teenagers or what?"
****
Seth parked the truck in Summer's driveway and went to the door. As he raised his hand to knock, it swung open and Summer grabbed his arm, dragging him into the house. She kicked the door shut, then crowded him back against it, running her hands up into his hair and kissing him fiercely. His hands hovered over her shoulders for a moment, then the surprise wore off and one settled in her hair while the other slid down her arm. He regained his senses and kissed her back, pulling her up close to him. After a while, she finally broke the kiss, and grinned at him.
"Um. Hi?" Seth managed to pant out, leaning his head back against the door.
"Hey. I missed you."
Seth raised his arm until his watch was at eye level. "I dropped you off 3 hours ago."
"And -?" Summer dropped a hand to her hip, narrowing her eyes.
"Oh no, I am SO not complaining, not even a little bit, nonono, don't even think that, cuz that would be wrong and really - and no. Not even. Any time you want to miss me would be perfectly fine with me, and uh, and if you miss me like that? With all the aggressive shoving and kissing? Well, even better. Uh huh." He threw a thumb back at the door. "I am totally feelin' the door action."
Summer was trying to glare at him, but finally erupted in giggles. "You are so abnormal, Cohen."
Seth took in a deep breath, relieved that he had talked his way out of the wrath of Summer. He looked down at her. "But that's good, right? Like "original" abnormal? "One of a kind" abnormal? And by the way, does "abnormal" still get attacked at the door when you miss him? Cuz hey, he could really get used to that." He looked at her hopefully.
"Anything's possible, Seth." She smiled coyly.
"Anything. Huh." He cleared his throat. "Ok, then. Are you ready to go? I've got the bed parked pretty close to the door, so how many bags do you have? You took 5 to TJ, I can only imagine how many you have now weighing 50 pounds each. I should have made Ryan come. What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You've got what parked, Seth?"
"The truck. Why? Should I have brought the car?"
"You said you had the bed parked."
"Did not. Why would I say that? Summer." He shook his head at her insistent nod.
"Yes, Seth, you did, and maybe because you're thinking about getting me into one." Summer went for the bold approach and expected him to turn into a stuttering blushing mess.
"Well, let's say for the sake of argument that I DID say 'bed', which I didn't, then that shouldn't surprise you after your overly enthusiastic hello against the front door. And that 'anything's possible' comment just sent me right over the edge, and let's not forget the fact that you're freaking gorgeous." He looked her up and down slowly. "So. Maybe I did think about a bed. With you on it. With me on you."
Summer's eyes got wide and she literally felt her knees failing her. How funny. That saying about being weak in the knees wasn't just a saying. She was getting hot, a warm rush sweeping through her. Damn. Neither was the one about 'burning with desire'. "Wow. Where did that come from, Cohen?" she breathed as her hand went to his shoulder to steady herself.
"I'm not really sure, I just opened my mouth and there it was. Words falling out. In a really tactless manner." He studied her face. "But you liked it."
"Oh yeah." She fanned herself.
"Duly noted."
"Do we have to get right back to your house?"
"No. I'd rather not since the parents are fondling each other as we speak."
"Ew."
"Exactly what I said."
"Well then I think it would be only polite to give you a tour of the house." Summer grabbed his hand and led him into the living room.
"We have an entire house to ourselves and you want to give me a tour?" They went through the elegant living room and started up a massive stairway.
"It's a short tour that ends in my room. In my bed." Summer looked back over her shoulder and smiled.
"Score. So again, just to clarify, dirty talk turns you on."
"I'm thinking yes."
"Fair enough." They turned down a hall and Seth put his arm around her. "Hey! You got a Playstation?"
Summer stopped just inside her room and gave him a withering glare. "You totally did not just say that."
"You're right. I absolutely did not just say that. Just like I didn't say 'bed' earlier. Look where not saying 'bed' got me." He gestured around the room and winked at her.
Her mouth dropped open. "You planned this? That whole conversation?"
Seth gave her a wicked smile and sat on the edge of her bed. "You underestimated me, Summer. As usual."
"Oh my God! You're so - you played me! That's - Actually, Seth, that's incredibly hot." She pushed him back on the bed and then climbed on, straddling him.
"That's my girl."
*****
It was quiet at dinner. Too quiet. Kirsten looked over at Sandy, raising an eyebrow, and they both turned to look at the boys. Ryan was sitting slumped to one side of his chair, elbow on table with chin in hand, pushing peas around his plate with a fork. Seth was leaning back in his chair, paying absolutely no attention to his food, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"All right, you two. Something's up. What happened today?" Kirsten looked from Seth to Ryan.
Seth lowered his gaze while Ryan's eyes flicked toward Kirsten. Seth glanced at Ryan. "Did something happen today, dude?" Ryan shrugged. "What makes you think something happened today, Mom?"
"Because you, Seth, are not eating, and more importantly, not talking. And you Ryan, are smiling at your peas. Smiling. Something definitely happened today."
Sandy winked at Kirsten. "Could this something have to do with a girl? Or girls, maybe?"
Kirsten gave Sandy a concerned, serious look. "I guess we're going to have to lock Seth in his room at night while Summer's staying here."
Seth straightened in his chair and looked quickly from his mom to his dad, turning red. "It was an accident. We just fell asleep, uh, watching TV, accidentally, because Conan was boring and Carson Daly was lame, who even cares why Pink hates Christina anyway, besides well, Summer, so sleeping, that's what we were doing. Definitely with clothes on, and then - what do you know? The sun came up and....." Finally noticing Ryan's "shut up" look, and Sandy shaking his head sadly, Seth trailed off. "Aaaaand you wouldn't have known that I didn't sleep in my room if I hadn't just told you, would you?"
"I can't believe you fell for that." Ryan gazed at him, disappointed.
Sandy and Kirsten high-fived each other. "Seth, your mother is the master at that game. Have you learned nothing from my failures?"
"Apparently not," Seth muttered. "And who high-fives anymore? Geez."
"So that takes care of one of you. And you WILL be sleeping in your room from now on." Kirsten turned to Ryan. "What happened with you? You barely smile at 'The Simpson's.' Why are your peas so lucky tonight?"
"It's like the Inquisition, Ryan. The thumbscrews are next. Don't crack under the pressure," Seth warned his friend.
Ryan just looked at him, then turned back to Kirsten. "We went to see Marissa today."
"Traitor," Seth mumbled under his breath.
"Ryan, that's wonderful. How is she? Is she home?"
He shook his head. "She's at a counseling place. But she seems good. Stronger."
Kirsten quickly touched his cheek. " I bet you feel better now that you've talked to her. Everything's ok, then?"
Ryan nodded, a little shyly.
"Good. So what's up with you and Summer, Seth? Looked pretty intense in the kitchen last night."
Seth looked at his mom, wide eyed. "No, I'm done. We already did me; remember my big mouth running about sleeping in the den? Maybe Ryan would like to tell you about his visit with Marissa."
Kirsten and Sandy both shook their heads at him.
"What? You want details? I don't think so. Ryan didn't have to give details." He crossed his arms and shook his head. "That's just wrong."
"Seth. We don't want a play-by-play of the action. We just want to know if you and Summer are together or dating or whatever. Ryan doesn't have to give details because Marissa's not staying with us. If she ever does, he'll be on the hot seat," Sandy explained.
"Oh. Well. Yes, then. We are. As in dating. She's my, she's my, yeah. We are." Seth looked at the table, flustered.
Ryan glanced at him, then turned to Sandy and Kirsten. "He can't say it yet. I don't think he believes it." He gave them a little smile. "She really does like him."
Seth looked up, startled. "I can't say what? I know she likes me. I said we're dating. What?"
His cell phone rang, and he looked at the caller ID with a smile. "In fact, there's my little smitten kitten now."
Ryan rolled his eyes, and Sandy and Kirsten smiled at each other as Seth spoke with Summer.
He hung up and looked to Ryan. "I need to go pick her up. You want to ride along?"
"No, that's ok. You go. Just say it."
"Say what, dude?"
"Girlfriend. Repeat after me, Seth. She's...my... girlfriend."
Seth looked at his parents. "Can you believe that? Ryan gets one kiss and suddenly he's a comedian instead of the major shareholder in "I'm-so- broody" angst."
Sandy raised his eyebrows at Kirsten. "Oh, man. There was kissing with Ryan even! It's a field day for macking in the family, honey. We need to catch up."
Kirsten leaned over and kissed Sandy then. "The night's not over."
Seth stood up quickly. "I'm pretending like I didn't hear that. You definitely just said 'dinner's not over.' Ryan, you sure you don't want to go with me? Cause, ew, as Summer would say."
Ryan gave the Cohen's a sideways glance. "No, I'll stay here. But I do need to uh, go to my room. For something. Anything." He got up to follow Seth.
Seth stopped in the door and turned back to them. "I'm going to pick up my girlfriend, now. That incredibly hot girl that's into me? Summer. She's my girlfriend. Just so you know. I'll be back. With my girlfriend." He stared at Ryan. "Happy?"
Ryan winced. "Wow. Overkill."
Sandy gave him a thumbs up. "Take your time, son." He looked at Kirsten, who smiled up at him. "The night's young."
"Leaving. Now." Seth went out the door with a look of disgust.
"Right behind you. Night." Ryan called back at them.
Sandy kissed Kirsten. "Do we know how to clear a room of teenagers or what?"
****
Seth parked the truck in Summer's driveway and went to the door. As he raised his hand to knock, it swung open and Summer grabbed his arm, dragging him into the house. She kicked the door shut, then crowded him back against it, running her hands up into his hair and kissing him fiercely. His hands hovered over her shoulders for a moment, then the surprise wore off and one settled in her hair while the other slid down her arm. He regained his senses and kissed her back, pulling her up close to him. After a while, she finally broke the kiss, and grinned at him.
"Um. Hi?" Seth managed to pant out, leaning his head back against the door.
"Hey. I missed you."
Seth raised his arm until his watch was at eye level. "I dropped you off 3 hours ago."
"And -?" Summer dropped a hand to her hip, narrowing her eyes.
"Oh no, I am SO not complaining, not even a little bit, nonono, don't even think that, cuz that would be wrong and really - and no. Not even. Any time you want to miss me would be perfectly fine with me, and uh, and if you miss me like that? With all the aggressive shoving and kissing? Well, even better. Uh huh." He threw a thumb back at the door. "I am totally feelin' the door action."
Summer was trying to glare at him, but finally erupted in giggles. "You are so abnormal, Cohen."
Seth took in a deep breath, relieved that he had talked his way out of the wrath of Summer. He looked down at her. "But that's good, right? Like "original" abnormal? "One of a kind" abnormal? And by the way, does "abnormal" still get attacked at the door when you miss him? Cuz hey, he could really get used to that." He looked at her hopefully.
"Anything's possible, Seth." She smiled coyly.
"Anything. Huh." He cleared his throat. "Ok, then. Are you ready to go? I've got the bed parked pretty close to the door, so how many bags do you have? You took 5 to TJ, I can only imagine how many you have now weighing 50 pounds each. I should have made Ryan come. What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You've got what parked, Seth?"
"The truck. Why? Should I have brought the car?"
"You said you had the bed parked."
"Did not. Why would I say that? Summer." He shook his head at her insistent nod.
"Yes, Seth, you did, and maybe because you're thinking about getting me into one." Summer went for the bold approach and expected him to turn into a stuttering blushing mess.
"Well, let's say for the sake of argument that I DID say 'bed', which I didn't, then that shouldn't surprise you after your overly enthusiastic hello against the front door. And that 'anything's possible' comment just sent me right over the edge, and let's not forget the fact that you're freaking gorgeous." He looked her up and down slowly. "So. Maybe I did think about a bed. With you on it. With me on you."
Summer's eyes got wide and she literally felt her knees failing her. How funny. That saying about being weak in the knees wasn't just a saying. She was getting hot, a warm rush sweeping through her. Damn. Neither was the one about 'burning with desire'. "Wow. Where did that come from, Cohen?" she breathed as her hand went to his shoulder to steady herself.
"I'm not really sure, I just opened my mouth and there it was. Words falling out. In a really tactless manner." He studied her face. "But you liked it."
"Oh yeah." She fanned herself.
"Duly noted."
"Do we have to get right back to your house?"
"No. I'd rather not since the parents are fondling each other as we speak."
"Ew."
"Exactly what I said."
"Well then I think it would be only polite to give you a tour of the house." Summer grabbed his hand and led him into the living room.
"We have an entire house to ourselves and you want to give me a tour?" They went through the elegant living room and started up a massive stairway.
"It's a short tour that ends in my room. In my bed." Summer looked back over her shoulder and smiled.
"Score. So again, just to clarify, dirty talk turns you on."
"I'm thinking yes."
"Fair enough." They turned down a hall and Seth put his arm around her. "Hey! You got a Playstation?"
Summer stopped just inside her room and gave him a withering glare. "You totally did not just say that."
"You're right. I absolutely did not just say that. Just like I didn't say 'bed' earlier. Look where not saying 'bed' got me." He gestured around the room and winked at her.
Her mouth dropped open. "You planned this? That whole conversation?"
Seth gave her a wicked smile and sat on the edge of her bed. "You underestimated me, Summer. As usual."
"Oh my God! You're so - you played me! That's - Actually, Seth, that's incredibly hot." She pushed him back on the bed and then climbed on, straddling him.
"That's my girl."
*****