Chapter Four
"I think you should meet him."

"What?" Ethan scoffed, rolling out from under his new sculpture. He was a mechanic, but in his free time he likes to make sculptures from junk metal. Mater usually finds his favorite pieces and gives them to Ethan. In return, Ethan gives him a few pieces of art.

"Let me rephrase that."

"No, I understood you," Ethan replied, confusion present on his face. He wiped off his tires, driving towards me. "I just don't get why. What would it help from me meeting Nick?" 

"Well, I just..." I stumbled trying to figure out my words. "Well, you acted like you supported my relationship. I thought I could gain some confidence by having my best friend meet him."

Ethan lightly chuckled, shaking his head. "Look, Stel. I support you and everything you do. Even when you fight with your parents and they're 100% correct," he began. "I just don't really like Nick. To be honest, I kinda hate him."

"What? Why?" I huffed, narrowing my eyes at him. Oh, I was starting to get pissed. He supports me but hates my relationship? How does that even work?

"I don't know, I just do." He shrugged, his brown eyes studying me.

"How can you hate him? You said yourself, you haven't even met him so you can't judge him." I argued, feeling my face heat in anger. Just when I thought things were starting to get back on track with Ethan, he throws this at me.

"Not going to lie, I hate basically any guy who tries to be more than a friend with you." He confessed, slightly nodding his head.

"Since when we were starting to be totally honest?"

"Since we become BFFs?" Ethan slightly laughed. I narrowed my eyes at him and tightened my jaw. Oh, he was really stepping over the line right now. He noticed and softened his face, driving closer to me. "Look, Stella. My hate for the guy has nothing to do with his actual personality. I just don't want to see you get hurt. It's my protective side."

I let out a low groan and rolled my eyes. This again. "I already have my dad freaking out about me being safe. I don't need you to watch my back, too." I snapped.

"Look, I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you mad. I just don't think I'm the right guy to meet your new boyfriend." Ethan explained, trying to calm me down, though it wasn't helping.

"E, I really need you right now. So could you just shut off your protective BFF side and try to judge Nick for what he's truly like? I mean, you're the first family member that's going to meet him." I huffed my blue eyes meeting his brown eyes.

"Stel, I want to help-"

"Then just judge him for what he does, how he acts," I exasperated. "Please, E. It's not like you'll be alone with the guy. I'll be there the whole time."

I could see Ethan's thoughts washing over his face. He really wanted to help, but he obviously couldn't decide whether it was worth it. I don't understand why though. He's my best friend and he's judged my other guy friends before. Why was Nick different? Why was Ethan acting so weird about it?

"Fine. But only because I'd hate to have Nick meet your father first." Ethan agreed, giving me a light smile.

"Thank you so much, Eth. Honestly, you're truly the best! I don't know what I'd do-" I rambled, my worries washing away from me.

"Yeah, yeah. Just pay for my drinks and we'll call it even." Ethan laughed.

xxx

"So, when is your boyfriend planning on showing up?" Ethan asked, swirling his drink as we waited in the restaurant.

"Soon. He had to finish an interview with a new rookie." I explained. God, I was so anxious. What if Ethan didn't like Nick? What if Nick didn't like Ethan? Would I have to choose between the two of them?

"Stella!" Nick greeted, his smile brightening up the room.

"Oh, Nick!" I cheered, rushing to his side. I gave him a quick hug, so glad that he showed up. Not that I was nervous that he would stand me up or anything.

"Wow, you look fabulous." He complemented, his blue eyes sparkling.

"Oh, really? Naw, I just threw these tires on." I blushed.

"Well, they look gorgeous on you." He smirked, making me giggle like a fool.

I stared into his beautiful blue eyes, growing lost in them. I don't think I would have been pulled from my trance if Ethan wouldn't have cleared his throat. "Oh, right," I embarrassedly laughed. "Ethan, this is Nick. Nick, this is Ethan. He's my best friend." I felt Ethan tense up beside me. Was it something I said?

"It's so nice to meet you. Stella has told me so much about you." Nick greeted, giving Ethan a friendly smile.

"Really? Stella doesn't say much about you." Ethan replied, glancing towards me.

"That's not true-" I began, starting to defend myself.

"Oh, really?" Nick asked, giving me a playfully smile.

I stopped in my tracks and shut my mouth. I plastered on a smile and glanced towards Ethan. "Ethan is here today because he's your first judge." I declared.

"My judge?" Nick laughed.

"Yes. He's going to determine if you are truly worth my time so you better start sucking up to him." I chuckled, seeing a smile grow on Ethan's face. There. Now Ethan was finally opening up.

"Oh boy. I hope I pass the test." Nick gave me a nervous face then laughed.

"Well, you have plenty to go through. This is only the first one." I explained as we sat down at the table.

"How many do I have to take?" He asked, a smile still present on his face. He knew my playfully style and knew that this test wasn't do or die. More like a determining factor.

"Depends how well you treat me." I teased, batting my eyes at him.

"So, Ethan. How am I doing so far? I've complemented her and listened to her rambles." Nick grinned, looking at the black truck.

"Hmm. Alright. I've taken off a few points because your name rhymes." He shrugged, making Nick laugh.

"Well, it's a good thing my real name is Nicolas then."

xxx

"Well, this meal really hit the spot," Ethan smiled. "Also all of those free drinks."

I rolled my eyes and sent him a soft smirk. "Your meal is free, too. Nick is paying for us tonight."

"Ahh. I see. Trying to suck up some more." Ethan nodded, looking at Nick.

Nick shrugged his shoulders, tossing the idea around in his mind. "More or less."

"Well, it's working." Ethan laughed.

We were all quiet, sitting in a calm silence. That is, until I felt the tension growing from Nick and Ethan. Although they had been playfully bantering with each other, I could tell they didn't like each other.

Which was just peachy for me. How was I supposed to choose between my best friend and the guy I was totally falling for? I glanced back and forth between the two of them, seeing them each eyeing each other. Oh boy. I better end this.

"Well, this was a lovely evening, Nick," I smiled, backing away from the table. "Hopefully, I'll see you again soon."

"Yeah, I'll see you soon, Stella." Nick nodded, a smile on his face. He leaned over, planting a kiss on my headlight. I softly swooned, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"Goodnight, Nick." I dreamily sighed, looking into his blue eyes.

"Goodnight, Stella," he softly smiled. He looked back at Ethan, nodding at him. "Night, Ethan. It was a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Night." Ethan replied, his lips in a tight line. Once the green car had left the restaurant, I turned and looked Ethan.

"So?" I began, worry filling inside of me. "What did you think? Does he seem like a good guy?"

He paused, studying my face. "I'll have to tally up my points. Then I'll tell ya." He teased, giving me a wink.

I groaned, a smile growing on my face. "When will the results be in? I'm dying of anxiety right now."

xxx

"Alright, Stel. I've got my opinion." Ethan started as we cruised down the highway. Radiator Springs was glowing in the distance and we had just passed Sheriff, who was snoring away every criminal.

"Okay. I'm ready." I nodded, biting on my lip. Ethan stopped, letting out a long sigh.

"I still hate the guy and I always will," Ethan began, lightly laughing as he shook his head. He looked up, a soft smile on his face. "But I think he's a good guy. In fact, I think he's the perfect guy for you."

"Do you really think so?" I asked, my heart beating wild.

"Yeah. I just don't want to see you get hurt, okay?" He chuckled. I laughed, pulling him into a hug.

"Thank you, E. This really means a lot." I explained.

"I know. Just be safe. Alright?"

"Of course. I-"

"Hey, you two. Don't you know the ghostlight haunts these parts?" Dad appeared, a smirk wide in his face. Ethan and I laughed, shaking our heads at him.

"Dad, we're not ten anymore. We know the ghostlight is just a myth." I smiled, driving towards him.

"You sure? 'Cause I'm pretty sure it still hangs around here," He continued as we began driving back to town. I chuckled, knowing he was teasing us. "So, what did you two do on your night away from town?" He asked.

I glanced at Ethan, hoping he would cover for me. I never told Dad I was meeting Nick. If he know, he would throw a fit. "Uh, we just went to go see a movie." Ethan lied, plastering on a smile.

"What movie was it?"

"Uhh, Avengers." I quickly answered, hoping Dad wouldn't question it. He eyed me, studying my posture.

"Didn't you already see that movie?" He lightly laughed, narrowing his eyes at me and Ethan.

"Well, it was really good. We wanted to see it again." Ethan replied, his fake smile still wide on his face. Dad stopped us, his blue eyes shifting between the both of us. We grinned, hoping he couldn't see our fear.

"Okay," he chuckled, shrugging his shoulder. "Well, let's head home, Little Red. Goodnight, Ethan." Dad smiled.

"Goodnight, Mr. McQueen. Goodnight, Stel." Ethan replied, nodding at me. I nodded back, thankful that he kept my secret.

~~~~~~~~~~