He had been checking in. I felt my teeth bare themselves as I thought very unfriendly thoughts about my ex-boyfriend.
They had probably been right not to tell me; not because it would have brought problems with Tattoo Neck as such. I wasn’t an idiot. However, I think they knew I wouldn’t be able to hide my feelings from Connor. Matt nudged me when he caught me and shook his head, but his eyes danced with laughter. Theo had winked at me.
I had snorted a laugh and Colton had turned to three very angelic faces. He had frowned in confusion and suspicion - all credit to us, we hadn’t cracked up.
I looked at the three of them sleepily as I snuggled under my blanket. Theo with his mess of curls, his muscles on display in a black t-shirt. He had kicked off his boots when he came in earlier. He looked like a dishevelled surfer I mused. Matt nudged me with his foot and I turned my attention to him. He beamed at me and I smiled back as I looked at his dirty blonde hair, strong jawline and the mass of his muscles. I honestly don’t know how we both fitted on the couch.
I pretended to turn back to the TV but instead my eyes ran over the length of Colton. Was it wrong to just want to lie here and stare at him? He was simply breathtaking.
Worthless little tramp, I looked away guiltily.
Theo stretched and playfully reached back to tickle me. I squirmed away from him laughing. Matt struggled to sit up and then he had lifted my legs and swung himself into a sitting position.
“We should probably move.” He broke the comfortable silence. I frowned, I didn’t want them to leave, despite the way the day had started and the reason for it. This had been the best day in a long time. I probably needed a hobby. I was collecting men in my lounge, like old ladies collected cats.
Theo rose too and looked down at me as he stood. “Will you be ok here?” Doubt was all over his face. I nodded as I shifted into a sitting position. Theo bent and scooped me up I squawked as I was placed on my feet. He didn’t let go. I was grateful for the support.
“We should take Lil Bit home with us,” he said as he addressed Colton. Matt nodded.
“Guys I live here,” I protested.
“Yeah but we need to make sure you are ok. You hardly ate dinner and you haven’t had enough fluids,” Theo protested.
“The alternative is that we all stay here,” Matt cut in. “I don’t know who is getting the couch, but I know it isn’t me, plus it means one of us would have to sleep with you.” My eyes flew to Colton without thought as I flushed.
Colton grunted. “Theo’s right Ari. We have clothes for you at our house. C’mon, you’re coming with us. That way we all get a bed and no sharing.” My heart dipped in disappointment. Calm down tiger I warned myself internally.
“Why do you have clothes for me there?” I wondered out loud. Matt looked at me like I was an alien.
“Why wouldn’t we?” he asked. I looked at the three of them all staring at me.
“You don’t think it’s weird that you have clothes for me? In a room for me?” I muttered.
Theo looked at Matt. “Did she hit her head?” Matt shook his head. Theo reached out and went to take my temperature, I ducked out of reach in annoyance. Matt chuckled.
“I didn’t hit my head!” Of course, I wasn’t sure, so I looked to Colton who was grinning. “Did I?” He laughed out loud.
“No, you didn’t. The clothes are there because these two weren’t to be told otherwise. When they found out your dad was gone and you were alone, they allocated the room to you. Theo called his mom and she told them what you would need. She then ordered a heap of things online for you and within days you had a wardrobe,” Cole shrugged like it was no big deal.
“That’s so very generous of you, but why?”
Theo had me in a crushing hug in seconds. “Because you are our family. Once we get this fighting out of the way and Connor controlled. Hopefully through sedatives…” Matt barked out a laugh, Colton frowned. “You’re coming to stay with us.”
I pulled back. “I’m what now?”
“I told you, we’ll explain it to her later,” Matt chided, “She’s stubborn. C’mon Bit, let’s go get you ready for a sleepover.” He pulled me out of the room.
I threw a hasty look over my shoulder at the other two. Theo was grinning at Colton who was shaking his head and admonishing him about timing.
They had it all planned out it seemed. Yeah well, we’ll see about that.
Matt tugged me into my bedroom and then promptly sat on the bed. I looked at him, he calmly looked back. I shrugged and he rolled his eyes.
Matt smothered a grin and then stood and began sorting out an oversized tote for me while I focused properly on events. I stood in the room and considered him, he eventually cottoned onto the fact that I wasn’t doing anything and stopped.
He frowned as he looked at me. “Why aren’t you getting your books for school? Are they in the other room? Tell me which ones you need for the next few days and I’ll go get them,” as he started to cross my bedroom.
I held my hand up to stop him. “Matty,” I began, “just stop.” He was still giving me a confused frown. “What is going on here? I don’t need to come to the house with you. I have an apartment,” I indicated the walls around me. “This is my home.”
“No. This place isn’t safe. That alley to your stairwell? You’re lucky it’s still light out, in the winter you won’t know who’s down there until it’s too late. The stairwell? Fire hazard. You have one meagre lock on that door that’s so thin my fist would go right through it. Don’t even get me started on that balcony or the lock on the door to your bedroom.”
“Hey! This is my home and my Gran and Papa approved of it for your information!” I protested loudly.
Matt was nodding as he collected random textbooks. “Yeah, I know, and it’s fine but you need to come stay with us. Rent this out now rather than wait to graduation. Then you don’t need to worry about getting a job and can concentrate on school, whilst receiving an income. We’re thinking of you,” he put my Kindle in the bag as he looked round the room checking he hadn’t missed anything.
“Matt, I just can’t do that! I mean seriously, think of how just entirely fucked up the situation is!” I whispered furiously.
“Nah that will settle down. Anyway, didn’t you two agree to just ignore it?” The look that accompanied that statement told me Matt hadn’t changed his opinion on the whole thing.
I rolled my eyes. He huffed out a laugh as he walked past. I looked round my room and just took a moment to catch my breath. I hadn’t done anything, but I felt it all slipping out of control. I needed five seconds just to centre myself.
I breathed in deeply a few times and exhaled. An arm slipped round my waist and a warm body pressed into my back. I leaned back without thinking and melted into Colton. His other arm slipped around and he hugged me to him. I placed my arms on his and exhaled. I felt him stoop slightly and his chin rested on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and just savoured the feeling of having him close.
However, our stolen moment was interrupted as a shout to hurry up carried down the hall. Sighing in resignation Colton unwrapped his arms and stood back. When I turned to follow, he was already gone.
My eyes widened in disbelief as I walked into the hall and took in the two bags Matt and Theo had with what seemed all my textbooks and my laptop. Muttering I followed them and stood back impatiently as Theo locked up my front door.
Still grumbling I shouted out a protest when Theo gave a bag to Matt and scooped me up again as he carried me to the car.
“I can walk Theo,” I grumbled. He nodded and kept walking.
“This is beyond ridiculous,” I muttered. Colton was failing to hide his laughter. What was worse, I genuinely don’t think either Matt or Theo thought they were smothering me. I shook my head and as I was carefully placed into the back seat of the Toyota 4Runner, I met Colton’s eyes as he glanced in the rearview mirror. He winked cheekily at me and I felt the laughter bubbling to the surface. Theo got i
n beside me and then fussed over me more. It was too much, I dissolved into giggles.
The drive was quick, since it was a Monday night. Before Theo could get to me, I leaped out of the car and raced up to the front door. The three of them were laughing as we entered the house and Theo finally relented and conceded I didn’t need to be carried everywhere. Matt jogged up the stairs with me trailing behind as he led me to my room.
This time I was able to count the doors and pay attention to who was where. First door off the stairs was Theo. Next to him was a spare and then next to that was Connor. Across the hall from Theo was a spare and then Matt and then me, tucked into the corner, across from Connor. Colton was on the level above; another room up there was used by his dad when he was around. The remaining upstairs space was utilised as a games room.
After Matt dumped my bags in my room, he grabbed my hand and led me downstairs to show me the rest of the house. The kitchen which I knew, two reception rooms and a small office were housed on the ground level. I was then taken down to the basement where there was a huge cinema/TV room alongside a gym filling the rest of the space. My nose scrunched at the sight of the gym and Matt ruffled my hair as he threatened me with morning ‘runs’ on the treadmill. I scampered back up to the kitchen.
The kitchen was huge and I itched to cook something in there soon. It was all white units with black granite worktops, with a huge central island. This was a dream kitchen. I eyed the wall with the hanging pots and speculated that they may never have been used. I was changing that soon, I silently vowed.
Matt crossed to the huge double fridge and handed me a bottle of water. I opened it and looked down at my tatty clothing in this pristine house, I looked distinctly out of place.
“Mrs Green comes in every day to tidy,” Matt said. “Honestly you never know she’s here. She prepares meals for us and stuff but if you want to cook, just leave a note on the fridge door and she won’t make anything that day.” Matt took a swig of his own water.
I heard footsteps and turned as Theo entered the kitchen. I smiled quickly and turned back to Matt. “I won’t be here that long to disrupt the routine,” I said firmly.
Matt nodded and carried on. “She also takes care of the laundry, she has some system going on, but I still can’t figure it out. I just know if you need something the next day, put a note on the fridge and she has it ready.”
“I can do my own laundry and I won’t be here for that long.”
“Sure. She also makes the beds and things.” I don’t think he can hear me?
“Wait what? Why can’t you make your own bed?” I interrupted.
Matt looked at Theo, they both shrugged. “Because Mrs Green does it.”
Oh good grief.
“You’re all hopeless,” I stated as I sat down on a stool.
“If you want to make your own bed Lil Bit, you just need to…”
“Put a note on the fridge. Yeah, I got it,” I snapped.
“What’s wrong?” Colton asked softly from behind me as he entered the kitchen. I turned to him and sighed. I shook my head. How was I supposed to explain to three men who came from incredibly wealthy families that it was just an alien concept to me that someone was going to come and make my bed for me unless I put a note on the fridge? This was their lives though, they had always had that cushion where they didn’t need to do anything. It was a wonder they managed to dress themselves. Ok harsh Elle, it’s not any of their faults. I chided myself, it’s their parents. Ouch.
“I’m just tired,” I said instead, he assessed me with a shrewd look.
Theo made us all go downstairs to watch the last quarter of Monday night football. The Rams were currently undefeated and he was keen to see if they could keep it up on the road. I curled up on a huge seat and felt my eyes get heavier. I was still out of sorts from the drug in my drink on Saturday. On top of that there was all the emotion of today, my head was still spinning from all the information.
I heard someone murmur something and then I felt a strong-arm slide under my knees and another slip under my back. I felt myself being lifted. I made an attempt to open my eyes, but I was just so tired. Instead I half-turned into the embrace and snuggled in deeper. A low throaty chuckle encouraged me to open my eyes, but I had no strength left in me and my lids were heavy. I was content to burrow into the comfort on offer.
I was lowered a few minutes later and a soft mattress welcomed me. I sighed in contentment as I moulded myself into the pillow. Something light fell over me and I knew I had been covered with a blanket. A soft sigh of satisfaction escaped me.
“Are you going to just stand there?” Came a soft voice filled with humour.
“I don’t know…” was the soft reply from somewhere beside me.
“You have to stop this. Just tell her how you feel man.”
“No, she’s not ready,” a heavy sigh, “plus we need to think of Con.”
A snort. “That’s all we do, is think of him.”
“I know. It’ll get better. I promise. C’mon we better not disturb her.”
I sighed again, struggling to come back from exhaustion, to find out who was talking. I felt something feather light caress my face, I turned into it seeking the warmth.
“Dude, you have to actually walk away otherwise you’re just a creepy stalker.”
Another sigh, then the warmth left me. “I know.”
“Hey, one day, maybe you won’t have to.” That was said so softly, I think I imagined it.
I woke up during the night hot and uncomfortable. I stumbled out of bed, stripped off my clothes and rummaged for sleepwear. I trundled into the bathroom splashed my face and brushed my teeth. Then in a zombie-like status, I climbed under the duvet and was out like a light.
My phone alarm went off in the morning waking me up and I stretched fully. This was the comfiest bed I had ever been in. I frowned as I struggled to remember climbing the stairs and then rolled over to eye my pile of clothes on the floor. A light knocking at the door had me sitting up as the handle turned.
Matt was fully dressed I noted as he entered my room, however I couldn’t tell you what he was wearing because all I could see was the cup eliciting the most delicious smell.
I stretched my hands out “Gimme!”
Matt laughed and placed the cup in my hands, it was hot, so I turned it quickly to grab the handle. I inhaled deeply.
Matt grinned at me and sat in the oversized chair beside the window. “You sleep ok?”
I nodded while sipping heaven from the cup. “I had a great sleep, woke up once.” I indicated the clothes on the floor. “Got up, brushed my teeth but went straight back to sleep. I have no recollection of climbing the stairs, I laughed, “I must have been totally out of it.”
“You didn’t climb the stairs, you were sound asleep. Colton took you up.”
“Oh.” I ran my hand over my face. Matt’s grin was wicked. I blushed furiously.
He laughed as he stood. “Seriously the quicker you two get it on and get over the bullshit, the easier it will be for all of us!” He was still grinning as he reached over and ruffled my hair. “We’re leaving for class in half an hour. Hop to it, sleeping beauty.” He was still laughing as he left my room.
I slipped out of bed, placing my coffee on the nightstand. I took a second to think about what Matt had said. No. I couldn’t think of it, if I started down that path again, I would just get the ‘talk’ about the family dynamics again. I don’t think either of us deserved that talk again.
Shaking my head – I headed to the shower to get ready for school. I recalled the strange conversation from last night. Matt said I was sound asleep, wishful thinking in my dreams I mused. I lathered my hair and tried to ignore the stab of disappointment that settled in the pit of my stomach.
When I was finished in the shower, I approached the wardrobe cautiously. Theo’s mum was great, she had a very bohemian style. In a way, I was pleased it was her they had asked and not Mary Ellen. If it had been the latter, I wou
ld be looking at numerous twin sets.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to find sensible dark pants, jeans, t-shirts, some shirts and a few dresses. Hardly any wispy chiffon and few abstract prints. I loved the bohemian style but you either need to be very petite or very tall. I was neither – the few times I had tried the style, I looked like I was playing dress up.
However, I did love the fact I could add a scarf to a t-shirt and jeans and be ‘hip’. Maybe not hip, I don’t think hip people said hip, did they? I chuckled.
I walked over to the window and looked out at the glorious day. Stupid weather. Where Connor’s room looked over the pool area, I looked over the side of the house with the beautifully kept landscaped gardens.
I went back to the wardrobe. I reached in and found a pair of navy mid-thigh shorts. I teamed them with a lilac t-shirt that had a delicate butterfly embroidered detail.
I slipped my Skechers on and went back into the bathroom to dry my hair. I half dried it and then hurriedly braided it. A flick of mascara and lip balm that I had brought with me and I was ready.
I sorted out the bags of books Matt had taken and sorted the relevant ones into one tote for today. I had only missed one day but I felt apprehensive. If I wasn’t careful, I’d bring on a migraine.
As I headed down the stairs, I met Theo coming out of his room. He looked so relieved seeing me that I felt a stab of guilt for putting them through the last couple of days.
He took my bag off me and jogged down the stairs, I rolled my eyes. They had to stop treating me like a princess! Matt was in the kitchen chatting to a middle-aged lady, who I assumed was the infamous Mrs Green. She was petite, had brown hair pulled into a bun and a kind smile.
Matt introduced me and we shook hands. He explained I would be there for a few days. I tried to correct him, but he talked over me. Mrs Green nodded as he spoke and then placed a brown paper bag into my hand.
“Colton left a note to say what you like. Hope that’s ok, I will do a shop tonight to make something better for tomorrow.” She seemed almost shy.
Indian Summer Page 25
