Falling For Them: A New Adult Reverse Harem Collection

by C. L. Stone

  “Of course we will, sir.” They spoke in unison, and Lily found herself gaping in surprise. He didn’t need to do that; she’d be fine.

  “I’m fine, honestly. It was probably a one off. I feel fine. They don’t need to move, sir.”

  “We’ll watch her, sir,” Josh spoke up, and she looked at him apologetically.

  “I don’t want to split you up,” she said.

  “Nonsense. They’ve been split up since the egg divided in their momma. Work hard, my children. Hand in the air if you get stuck.” Mr O’Connor turned and jumped his way back down the stairs. She was left staring at him in utter amazement. He was a breath of fresh air, that much was true.

  “Just roll with it,” Jake said, opening his book and picking up his pen. “He’s a certified nutter, but a complete genius with it. He saw us right last year.”

  “Did you really get a hundred percent?” Josh asked, and Lily shrugged, opening her own book and notebook.

  “I like numbers, patterns.” She shrugged again. “Has anyone told him his cardy is inside out?”

  “Yep,” Josh whispered as the class started to quiet down as they began to work. “He just blinks at you if you mention it.”

  Lily chuckled, and bending over the textbook, got to work. She wasn’t joking when she said she loved numbers and soon lost herself in the work. The rest of class was uneventful. Lily felt herself becoming more settled as the time passed.

  History was her next class. The twins had Electronics and that was in one of the buildings outside the main building. They said goodbye to her, and she waved in return.

  When she got to the classroom, the rest of the kids were waiting outside to be let in. She moved to the side and leant against the wall. Lily saw the cliques were already formed, and while most smiled at her and said hello, they stayed with the friends they had already made. She didn’t expect anything else. She’d learnt long ago that with each new school, it took time to establish anything more than a passing hello. It didn’t bother her anymore, and with this being her last year, she wouldn’t have to go through it again.

  “Hello, Lily Flower. How are you doing today?”

  She turned to see Matt coming towards her, a big smile on his handsome face. Another boy was with him, but he broke off and moved to talk to a group of girls.

  “Hey, Matt.”

  “You remember my name,” he said pleased.

  “I do, and thank you for helping me yesterday,” she said, hoisting her bag higher on her shoulder.

  “You’re welcome. Okay, now?”

  “I am, yes, thanks.” She smiled at him and realised that now she was standing, he was a good eight inches taller than her. The twins were taller than her by about six inches. She figured they were probably about five ten, but Matt was six foot easily.

  He leant against the wall with her, propping one foot behind him. “You didn’t miss much yesterday.” He nodded towards the still closed door. “He just handed out textbooks. I didn’t realise you’re taking History, or I’d have picked them up for you.”

  “Mr Peters gave me them this morning. But thanks anyway.”

  “So, a bird has told me you’ve moved into the village. We all live there so you can catch a ride home with us instead of getting the bus.”

  “I’ll be fine on the bus,” she said quickly, surprised he was even offering.

  “Yeah, right! You obviously haven’t ridden on it yet. Take it from someone who’s had to use it for the last six years. I was over the moon when I passed my test and got a car. Honestly, the bus takes forever! It goes around every tiny hamlet known to man before heading into the village. The trip takes ten minutes in the car, forty-five on the bus.”

  “I don’t want to be a pain.” She wasn’t sure letting him take her home each day was a good idea, no matter how good looking he was or how nice he seemed to be.

  “You aren’t. But I can guarantee you’ll be in pain if you take the bus. What’s your last subject today?”

  “Geography.”

  “Damn, none of us are taking that one. It’s okay though, we have to pass your classroom to get out. Hang around for us, and we’ll take you home.”

  “Who’s we?”

  “Me, Nate, and the twins. You know us all anyway now.”

  “There won’t be room,” she said, still not sure whether she should take him up on it or not.

  Matt snorted with laughter. “Five seater cars, Lily, wonderful invention. Besides, I drive a Land Rover Discovery, there’s more than enough room. And I promise not to crash.”

  “Morning.” Mr Peters came down the hallway with an armful of papers and his keys balanced on the top. “Sherrie, get the door, please?”

  A tall redhead detached herself from her friends and took the keys from the top.

  “Thank you, Sherrie. I have excellent news about our trip this autumn,” he announced as she held the door open for him. “Get yourself seated quietly.”

  Lily held back, knowing that all the desks would have been chosen yesterday. Matt nudged her with his shoulder and indicated for her to follow him. He settled himself at a desk by the window and patted the seat beside him. She looked to see where his friend was, but he’d sat at the back with another girl.

  “Good thing no one claimed it yesterday.” Matt grinned at her.

  “Our first trip this term is going to be relaxed.” Mr Peters started to write ‘Hamerock House’ on the board. “While the house itself is not related in any way to either of our courses, there’s going to be some lectures held there and a play. Don’t all cheer at once,” he added when there was a series of groans throughout the room.

  “Permission forms are coming around. You know the drill, folks.” He handed a stack of papers to those sitting in the front. “Take one and hand them back. Trip is on the last Friday of the month, the 30th. I need those back at the end of next week at the latest!”

  “You gonna be able to go?” Matt asked, waiting for the forms to get to them.

  “Probably. You?”

  “Yeah.” He nodded his head and reached forward for the forms the boy in front was holding out. He took two and handed the rest to the girl behind him.

  “Here you go.” He handed her one, and she took it to read. It was a standard form. She folded it before putting it into her bag.

  Mr Peters clapped his hands for attention, and the class grew quiet

  She was conscious of Matt beside her much more than she had been of the twins. She had a desk to herself in maths, but with Matt, the desks were in pairs. She was highly aware of every move he made; every fidget, every cough. But at the same time, she was relaxed with him. It was an odd state to be in, and her concentration suffered.

  She was so hyper aware of him that when the bell rang, she flung a quick goodbye at him and made for the door before he’d even got his books away. She was going to have to sort herself out, she couldn’t afford to spend the year not concentrating fully because she was aware of him beside her.

  “Don’t forget, wait for us after last class!” he called out. She sent him a wave but didn’t commit herself one way or the other. She wasn’t sure what it was about him, but there was something she was hyper sensitive to. Maybe her brain connected him with her seizure and was trying to protect itself. She knew logically he wasn’t responsible, but she couldn’t help but remember touching his fingers, the jolt of electricity and the subsequent seizure. She dismissed that as ridiculous and headed to her next class. Half of her was expecting him to be there, or the twins, or the other one, Nate. She was split between relief and disappointment when she found a seat and realised none of them were there.

  She didn’t usually make friends this fast and certainly not with boys. She didn’t have an awful lot of experience with boys as more than just passing friends. Yes, there had been Jimmy, but they’d only held hands until he kissed her after the dance. She’d learnt at an early age that trying to build anything more than a passing acquaintance was a pointless activity. It would
lead to pain if she let herself get too involved with someone, only to never see them again after she moved.

  So far though, Matt and the twins were acting as if they wanted to be friends with her, or at least friendly. The twins were just being helpful yesterday. Matt was just concerned because he’d witnessed her seizure, and he was being kind in offering her a lift home. They were all being friendly, and it would be nice to have friends so quickly for once.

  The problem was she found all four of them attractive on a physical level. Plus, they were all easy going and seemingly kind. Well, the jury was still out on Nate. But he’d been the one to pick her up; he wouldn’t have bothered if he wasn’t kind hearted. She’d been embarrassed and her head fuzzy with pain, but on a basic level, being held in his arms made her feel—safe. And when she thought about it, really thought about it, she felt safe with all of them.

  She just wasn’t sure what to make of that.

  6

  FRENCH

  Lunch time found Lily sitting at the same table as before, but this time she’d brought her own lunch. She’d picked up a carton of juice from the vending machine, and was contentedly munching through cheese and pickle sandwiches while reading the book she’d brought with her.

  “Lily Flower.” Matt sat down opposite her, depositing his tray on the table with a bang. “Not risking your life with the school dinners then. Wise decision.”

  “Hey, Matt,” she said, picking a piece of pickle from the edge of the bread before it could fall off. She popped it into her mouth, looking at his plate. “Health risk? And yet, here you are again, going for the lasagne,” she pointed out.

  “What can I say? I’m a masochist.” He grinned and picking up his fork, he started to eat.

  “I’m getting dèjá vu.” Nate sat down beside Matt at the table. “If we sit here will it cause a repeat of yesterday?”

  “Nate!” Matt smacked him on the arm and then shook his head at Lily. “Ignore him.”

  She looked at Nate, his head was slightly tilted to one side, those blue eyes of his were staring right into hers. She got the feeling he didn’t trust her. But she had no idea why. Was he ignorant enough to think epilepsy was catching? A ripple of annoyance went down her spine, and she shifted slightly, straightening up.

  “If you’re that worried, you can sit somewhere else,” she said calmly.

  “Well”—he clasped his hands together and leant towards her slightly, a strand of black hair fell over one lens, but he didn’t move it—“we’ve been at this school since we were twelve, and through all those years, we’ve always sat at this table for lunch. So if someone needs to move, I wouldn’t say it’s us, would you?”

  “Jesus Christ, Nate!” Matt cried out, dropping his fork. Lily felt a rush of humiliation go through her. Stung, she got to her feet and grabbed her things. She felt her cheeks grow hot under his stare, but she held his gaze.

  “I hadn’t realised you’d marked your territory for so long,” she said sweetly, but steel edged her voice. “I’ll go before you need to pee on the table to re-mark your scent.”

  Nate sat back, a muscle worked at the side of his jaw as he continued to watch her.

  “Lily, sit down; ignore Nate. He’s a total ass sometimes. Nate! You fucking prick!” Matt growled at Nate.

  “I was joking,” Nate said quietly.

  She wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, but the calculating look in his eyes told her he was up to something. She didn’t need that kind of hassle, no matter how good looking he was, or how he’d helped her yesterday.

  “I wasn’t.” She started to move away. Matt jumped to his feet and blocked her way. “Sit down, Lily, there’s nowhere else now anyway,” he said gently. She knew he was right. All the tables were taken; it was the reason she’d sat there. She hadn’t realised she’d sat at their table the day before, and she’d mistakenly thought it wouldn’t hurt if she sat there again.

  “Look, I’ve been in enough schools to know how it works,” she told Matt. “There’s groups, cliques, and you’ve all got your own spots. I get it, I’ll find somewhere else; this is your table.”

  “Lily, please.” He hesitated slightly before reaching out to put his hands on her shoulders. “Sit down.”

  “Sit down, Lily. He’s right; I was being an ass.” Nate caught her attention. “I apologise. It started out as a bad joke and went wrong. You’re welcome to sit at this table, I’ll even pee over you, if you want.”

  It would be better for her to walk away. To avoid getting too friendly with them.

  “Please, Lily. I was being an ass.” She caught his eyes and saw the contrition in them. He helped her yesterday, and she hadn’t thanked him yet.

  “I’ll sit down.” She slid back into the chair. “But I think I’ll pass on the peeing, thanks.”

  “Your loss,” he said with a shrug, and then did the unthinkable and smiled at her. It was a proper smile that started on his lips and ended in his eyes. She found herself smiling back at him.

  “Thank you for carrying me out yesterday,” she said quietly, keeping eye contact with him. “You didn’t have to do that, but I’m grateful you did.” She watched as something seemed to thaw inside him and his whole posture relaxed slightly. It occurred to her that maybe he was as wary of her as she was of him. She just had no idea why though.

  “You’re welcome, Lily.” He smiled, and Lily once again found herself smiling back. His eyes held hers, and Lily felt herself relax; he really did have lovely eyes. She’d never understood what it meant to get lost in someone’s eyes, but now she did.

  “What’ve we missed?”

  The twins stopped at the table, trays in hand and bags over shoulders. They looked as if they’d been outside as their hair was windswept and falling into their eyes.

  “A pissing contest,” Matt said, his mouth full. “Lily won, I think.”

  “I think she did,” Nate agreed, and held out a hand to her to shake. “Let’s start again. I’m Nate Cohen. Nice to meet you, Lily Adair.”

  “Nice to meet you, Nate.” She reached out her hand, grinning at him. She shook his hand firmly and then let go to pick up her sandwich. His grin widened and he seemed satisfied over something, but what it was Lily had no idea.

  “What did you mean ‘enough schools you’ve been too’?” Matt asked.

  “We move a lot,” she said casually. “And I mean a lot.”

  “You and your mum?” asked one of the twins. She looked up at them and nodded. They were eating chips with their fingers, cans of Coke on their trays, and she suddenly saw it.

  “Josh?” One of the twins looked up a split second before the other one did, but it was enough.

  “What?” He took a swallow of his Coke.

  “You’re mirror twins,” she said, and they looked at each other in surprise before looking back at her and grinning.

  “We are.” Josh tipped his Coke at her in acknowledgement. “What gave it away?”

  “You’re opposites. You’re right handed and Jake is left. You’re using opposite hands to each other. It’s why you’re so like each other. I’ve met twins before, but there was always a slight difference facially, but you two? Mirror images of each other.”

  “Yup. Right down to the mole on our hips,” Josh said.

  “So even your bodies are mirror imaged?”

  Jake winked at her and leant forward slightly. “Yeah, and if you’re really lucky, Lily, we’ll let you see those moles one day.”

  “Jake!” Nate shook his head, rolling his eyes. Lily hid her blush by bending to put her book into her bag.

  “It used to be a pain,” Josh spoke up. “Being opposite handed didn’t serve us well when we wanted to fool people, so he learnt to write right handed and I learnt to write left handed. We can use either hand now and our writing is the same.”

  “It’s pretty rare, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “We’re special,” Josh said, a wicked smirk curled his lip.

  “Oh you’re special, alr
ight,” Matt teased. In perfect sync they both flipped Matt off, making Lily shake her head in amazement at how together they were. They really were like one person split in two.

  “Lily?” Matt caught her attention as she finished off her sandwich. “How often have you moved?”

  “I can’t remember a time when we weren’t moving,” she said with a shrug. “I can usually make it to the end of an academic year, and then when summer rolls around we move. Mum paints, and she’s always chasing the next picture I guess.”

  “Shit. You mean you move every year?” Nate asked, surprise in his eyes and face.

  “Yeah. I know it sounds odd, but it’s just how it’s always been.”

  “So, let me get this right,” Jake spoke up and she looked over at him as she opened her carton of juice. “You finish a school year and then move somewhere else?”

  “Yeah, it was a bit odd this time though. I finished up in Brighton and we’d moved to Portsmouth, but then your parents,” she looked at Matt, “got in touch with Mum and we moved the following week to... well, here.”

  “You moved twice in the summer holidays?” Matt snorted. “No wonder you had a seizure yesterday. I think I’d have one if I had to move that quickly.”

  She was suddenly aware that all four of them were looking at her, identical looks of pity mingled with surprise in their eyes. She didn’t like the pity, but it was something she saw every time she told someone how often she’d moved.

  “It’s not so bad,” she said. “I’ve never minded. I’m used to it.”

  “It must make your head spin,” Matt said, shaking his head. “You don’t know whether you’re coming or going.”

  “Sure I do,” she replied. “I’ve never known anything different. I’m okay with it. I love seeing new places, meeting new people.”

  “But you can’t put roots down,” Josh said. “What about your family?”

  “Mum’s the only family I have. My dad died when my mum was still pregnant with me.”