Lost Soul

by Cindy Pike

  “I like things rough too, I’m game.” He uses his body to try and intimidate me and I use a variation of a move Heath showed me by grabbing his wrist and twisting it so it makes him bend forward and away from me.

  “I warned you, my boyfriend will be looking for me and he’s not as nice as I am, fuck off.” I shove him farther away from me and step into the isle so I can run if I need to.

  “Fucking prick tease.” Just like that the guy moves away from me and walks down the aisle.

  I drop the last ice cream carton in the basket and move back to lean on the freezer door, not sure if my legs will hold me up without help right now. The man disappears around the corner opposite the one the woman and her kid went before this happened. I lift my hands and they’re shaking so badly that I doubt if I can hold my phone to call Flynn. The entire encounter was probably no longer than a minute, but it felt like an eternity. What the fuck was his deal? I lean over and place my hands on my knees trying to catch my breath when I see Flynn start down the aisle. He notices my state and stops dead.

  “Nora, what’s wrong? What happened?” He doesn’t approach me, not knowing how I’ll react to that right now. I take a few deep breaths in to help calm my nerves and get my head straight.

  “You can come over, just slowly, please.” I lift my head, catching his eye as he ever so slowly comes toward me.

  “A man got too close to me and wouldn’t move away when I first asked him to.” I watch the heat start to burn in Flynn’s eyes and know that if I see the man again, I’m not pointing him out to Flynn. I lift my arm closest to him and he slides under it, wrapping me up in one of those amazing hugs all the guys seem to give me.

  “It’s okay, Nora. I’m here now, you’re alright. Damn it, I knew I shouldn’t have listened and left you alone.” Flynn’s voice is muffled from him burying his face in my neck and hair. His tight hold helps to calm my nerves.

  “Don’t do that, this wasn’t your fault. Just like what Jason did to me wasn’t my fault. We can’t control others actions, only our own. It wasn’t as bad as you think. He didn’t touch me; he was just too close is all.” I give him a tight squeeze and dig my nails gently along his scalp trying to sooth his anger.

  “Fuck, I’m so sorry, Nora. Are you sure he didn’t do anything else? You’re okay now?” His freaking out is helping me to focus on something else, which is helping me find my calm more than I’d have thought.

  “Yes, Picasso. I’m fine just shaken up more than anything. Some guys just can’t take a hint.” I try to play it off, but I suspect Flynn’s not buying what I’m trying to sell him. He pulls back and places one hand on each side of my jaw, searching my eyes. “I’m not hurt, I promise. He’s gone and didn’t do anything to me. Other than being a moron and not being able to read basic body language he was harmless. I bet he couldn’t read a woman even if we did come with instructions.” I try to joke, and I think it helps as Flynn turns us toward the cart but he doesn’t move behind me, instead he walks next to me while doing something on his phone. I push the buggy toward the front of the store and search for the shortest checkout line I can find, all while scanning for the man, making sure he’s not going to be stupid enough to approach me with Flynn next to me.

  We make it through checking out and out to the Jeep without any further incidents. I help him load everything in the back even though there’s not much. We both slide into our seats and Flynn starts up the engine backing out of the spot then pulls to the parking lot exit waiting for a break in traffic so we can go home.

  “You sure you’re okay? What happened, exactly, Nora?” I should’ve known he wasn’t going to let this slide.

  With a sigh I answer him, “Yes, I’m just fine. I’d tell you if I wasn’t, Flynn.” He gives me a side look as he pulls smoothly into traffic.

  “Okay, just remember that we don’t lie to each other, Spitfire.” I know he means well, but it’s starting to grate on my nerves that he keeps bringing that up.

  “Who lied so badly to you that you feel the need to keep reminding me of that?” I retort. I might be psychoanalyzing him a bit right now, but seriously. I feel like this is more a hang up of his than it has to actually do with me.

  “Who said someone lied to me?” He deflects.

  “Flynn, you can’t bullshit me, I’m going to school for this sort of stuff. Hell, you went to school for the same thing! So come on, spill.” I get blunt with him; I’m not going to let him evade this conversation. I just hope he’ll open up before we make it home… I mean to his house.

  “The first woman I thought I loved at the time. Now, looking back, I see that I was just infatuated with her.” Ah… that explains a lot. Once burned and all that. Mulling a thought over in my head, I’m hesitant to say it out loud. “I can see the hamster running the wheel in your head, spit it out.” He turns my words back on me. Great, now I don’t have much choice. We roll up to a stop light and I decide it’s as good a time as any, so I let my thoughts loose.

  “Would it be fair for me to compare you to… Jason?” I stumble over the name, but I get it out. Flynn’s head whips toward me so quickly I think he’s given himself whiplash. He opens his mouth to respond but I beat him to it, “You don’t need to answer that, I’m just trying to draw a comparison.” Flynn closes his mouth and contemplates that until the light turns green.

  “Touché, Spitfire. I’ll try not to do that again, forgive me?” He’s got the most adorable puppy dog look on his handsome face that I can’t resist.

  “Done. Now, what’s Silas going to be for Halloween?” I’ve tried to get it out of him, but he’s locked down tighter than King Tut in his tomb about it. Flynn, just gets a crooked grin on his face, but doesn’t say one word in response. Ugh… Men! We come up to the drive for his and Owen’s house and Flynn slows down to make the turn, waiting for a car that’s pulling onto the road from along the side. It’s older and you can tell hasn’t been very well taken care of so it sticks out a bit. Once the car passes, I don’t give it a second thought and we start along the long drive pulling into the space in the garage for his Jeep. The door rolls down when Flynn hits the button on the garage opener clipped to his visor.

  “Come on, Spitfire, let’s get these in the house before Dr. Baker sends a search party for his beloved ingredients.” He’s got a smile on his face as he opens his door and heads to the back of the Jeep to fetch the groceries. I get out and by the time I make it next to him, Flynn’s’ grabbed them all but the one with the ice cream. I give him a look of disbelief and snag the lonely bag as he moves toward the house entrance, calling out over his shoulder, “You can get the doors for me, chivalry can go both ways you know.” I catch him giving me a wink as I move in front of him to open said door and then through to the freezer so I can help put up the rest.

  “Flynn, put the veggies over there by the chopping block, wash and start dicing them.” Owen starts giving orders as soon as Flynn’s foot crosses the threshold. “Gorgeous, can you help me by peeling the potatoes then cutting them into inch squares and putting them in this bowl after Flynn washes them?” He asks me as he pulls out a packet of pork chops, slicing it open then dipping each one in whipped eggs and then a seasoning mixture he’s already prepped.

  “Sure.” I move to the knife block and pull out the first one along the bottom to peel with, then a slightly bigger one for cutting the potatoes up. I move to the spot Owen has set up for the potatoes and then help Flynn wash a few before I start peeling.

  “How come she gets asked and I get ordered?” Flynn gripes in a playful way, not meaning it.

  “Because she looks better in a dress.” Owen lobs back rapidly. Flynn clutches his chest in mock hurt and feigns falling to his knees. I smile at his antics and start peeling the first in a mountain of potatoes for dinner tonight. Owen is organized and methodical in his cooking, cleaning as he goes so the mess doesn’t get out of hand. Flynn on the other hand is a mess maker and I suspect he does it just to frustrate the crap out of Owen. I find i
t increasingly hard to hide my amusement as things progress from little things not getting cleaned up by Flynn, to him purposefully making things messier. Owen is starting to get his knickers in a bunch and I swear I can see steam start coming from his ears. My usually level-headed and collected doctor is losing his shit over a messy kitchen! It’s awesome! Though, I’m not brave enough to contribute to Flynn’s prank, I don’t do anything to interfere with it either. Does that make me a bad person? No? I didn’t think so…

  “For Pete’s sake, Flynn! How can someone create such a disaster just chopping up vegetables?!” Owen finally loses his fight against saying anything, and I can’t hold it in any longer. Laughter erupts from deep in my stomach and I have to help support myself with a hand on the kitchen countertop as I bend over in my mirth.

  “You…!” Owen speeds toward Flynn as he tosses the last of the veggies in the air making them fly all over the place. Owen stops mid stride and I can see the look of utter horror on his face. He can’t decide if he should stay and clean up the mess (it’s clearly going to bug him until it’s cleaned) or run after Flynn and dole out his punishment now. He looks to me in indecision.

  “I’ll pick it up, go get him.” I can’t let this go on anymore, so I throw him a life line. He gives a curt nod before he wraps an arm around my waist and lays a hot and heavy kiss square on my mouth. His tongue sweeps in taking control before he releases me and sprints after Flynn. Now I have to steady myself for a different reason after that shockingly, amazing, but far too quick kiss.

  “They’re all in a race to see who can give me a heart attack first.” I muse to myself. Stooping to pick up the casualties of Flynn’s prank I gather some in my hands and drop them in the sink to rinse again once I’ve gotten them all. I’m implementing the five second rule. I’m almost done rinsing them when Owen strides back into the kitchen from the sliding door to the backyard.

  “Did you catch him?” I peek up at him from my spot at the sink.

  “No, he ran and got on Thor before I knew what he was up to. Not to worry, he’ll get what’s coming to him, when he least expects it.” Owen’s got this gleam in his eye that says he’s going to more than deliver on that promise.

  “Remind me never to make a mess in your kitchen.” I tease him. He focuses on me and slides up next to me to help dry the vegetables I’ve gotten done.

  “You don’t have to worry about that, Gorgeous. I doubt you could be messy if you tried.” Owen says off handedly. It’s got my attention, so I ask for an elaboration.

  “What do you mean?” Tilting my head to help emphasize my question I search Owen’s jade green eyes.

  “Nora, you’re almost more orderly than I am. I’ve watched you; you can’t have a dirty dish in the sink for more than a night, less even. I suspect it’s because of what happened to you and not having any control of the circumstances. It’s not a bad thing, you don’t nag us about it or let it interfere with your day to day life. It’s a nice change to my usual roommates’ habits.” The last part is said with a smile even though I know it’s got to bother him, given recent events. “I can only handle so much mess, which Flynn knows, and he likes to push that button from time to time. I know he’s just playing but it doesn’t change my reaction. I’m usually easy going, except when it comes to excessive messes. So, it’s nice having a partner that doesn’t like them either. In the past, it’s been an issue between me and anyone I was dating, part of the reason I didn’t date seriously, until you. Don’t worry, he’ll get his punishment.” At his last sentence, my lower belly tightens and I feel a rush of wet heat hit me. Owen’s eyes sharpen on me and get intense.

  “Nora, did that turn you on?” Owen asks outright. Why is he so damned observant? I hesitantly nod my head. “No, Gorgeous. I want to hear your answers, verbally.” I squeeze my eyes shut and take a calming breath, before I open them and answer him.

  “Yes.” I gulp out.

  “Which part? Punishment in general or me doing it to Flynn?”

  “I’m not sure… Does this make me a freak? Liking anything to do with punishment after what was done to me?” Owen’s eyes get soft and his face is so caring that tears spring to my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. Instead I look up into Owen’s eyes and see nothing but compassion.

  “No. We can’t help what turns us on, Nora. I can help you explore this when you’re ready. I’m actually into some things along this line in the bedroom, not that I have to have them to enjoy myself. If you want, I’m willing to lead you on this journey.” Owen’s offer is beautiful.

  “When I’m ready, I’ll come to you, but I suspect it won’t be any time soon.” The front door opens and the other three guys stroll in, effectively ending that line of discussion.

  “What won’t be any time soon?” Silas asks, catching the end of my moment with Owen.

  “Where’s Flynn?” Kyle questions us. Owen and I stare into each other’s eyes for another few seconds before he breaks it and looks to the guys.

  “Nothing that concerns you, Silas. It’s between Nora and myself, for now, until she wants to share. Flynn is hiding, he made a mess in the kitchen.” Owen goes back to finishing up our food, pulling the pork chops out of the oven and tossing the salad. We all help to take everything to the table for dinner. Flynn slips in the back door just as we’re all sitting down ready to eat. Owen is at one end with Silas at the other. Heath takes the seat next to me, so that leaves Flynn a spot next to Kyle.

  “Okay, Owen, you wanted us all here. What’s this about?” Kyle jumps right in. We all pass the dishes with food around as all eyes move to Owen.

  “We’re here to get some things out in the open and make sure we are all on the same page in regards to Nora, and us dating her.”

  8 Escalations

  Mr. Sandman by SYML

  “I think this is a good idea.” Flynn chimes in.

  “You would, both of you would. How am I the only one with issues with this?!” Kyle’s body is rigid with tension and his voice rises to a near shout as he continues on. “Silas, can you honestly say that you have no problem knowing your brothers are romantically involved with Nora? That them touching her and doing all sorts of things that you want to do to her isn’t going to get to you?!” Silas crosses his arms and glares frozen daggers at Kyle. He doesn’t say a word either way to Kyle’s outburst. Kyle’s breaths are elevated and his shoulders move with them.

  “Kyle, if you can’t have a calm, civilized conversation about this, we won’t get anywhere.” Owen clips out in his domineering voice. It sends very nice tingles down my spine (see I told you I’m odd, who gets those in the middle of an almost argument), making me squirm in my seat. That squirm brings every eye to me. I hunch down trying to make myself smaller. For the first time since he entered the house, Heath speaks out.

  “I think we should first hear what Nora has to say. Then we can all have a turn; I’d like to hear what she thinks first.” Heath has a firm, yet soft look as the words leave his luscious lips. What the hell is wrong with me?! Focus, Nora! I swallow the food I shoved in my mouth to help distract me from Kyle’s anger. “Nora?” He prompts me. I reach out and grab my glass of ice water to help with my suddenly parched throat, taking several deep gulps (in a very lady-like fashion), before I put it down and lift my eyes from the glass.

  “I… I like all of you.” I look each man in turn in the eye. “It’s like making me pick between something I need beyond basic human needs. I need water, air, food, safety, and rest. Without those I can’t live. But, in order to have a full, enriched life I also need security, friends, intimate relationships, feelings of accomplishment, and prestige. Without each of those I can live but it’s like having half a life with no color, sound or flavor. You each bring me something I want, not just to survive but to thrive. Asking me to pick one is like asking me to take away something integral to my life.” I end my mini speech locking eyes with Kyle. I can see the muscle in his jaw ticking away, but he doesn’t say a word. I feel like I didn’t make
any head way with him at all.

  “Thank you, for your honesty and being so open, Nora.” Owen takes over where I left off. “For me, I like knowing that Nora has all of you when I’m working a twenty-four-hour shift at the hospital, so I don’t have to worry about if she’s safe or not. Lonely, having a panic attack with no one to be there for her, or any of the million other things that can happen. I like knowing one of you has got her no matter the situation and knowing that you’re taking care of her the way she needs and deserves.” Owen finishes, glancing at each man then his jade green eyes land on me and his smile is so heart stopping I have to grip my chair along the seat so I don’t run to him and give the other’s a show (not that I think most would mind, save Kyle, of course). Owen goes back to his food and we all parrot him, digging into the outstanding meal he provided for us. “I also like that we match each other, she’s patient with me and we have some of the same quirks, the same likes. While we also have our own interests and she doesn’t need constant attention, even if it’s available to her with all of us.” So sweet! I hold on tighter and bounce my leg to help release some of the energy his words create in me. Owen holds my eyes as he says, “Who wants to go next?” It’s no surprise when Silas speaks up.

  “It’s not easy for me knowing that you’re all having or will have similar situations that I will and want to have with Nora. I’m not into sharing my woman, but I know that she needs more than I can be there for her and more than I can offer,” He gets cut off by Kyle.

  “That’s exactly what I’m talking about! Why can’t one of us be enough for her?” He stops talking to the guys and directs his question to me, “Why am I not enough for you? Why do you need more? Don’t you see how much it hurts knowing I’m not?” His voice cracks on the last word, he looks to his lap and swallows several times before he can look at me again. My heart breaks for him. “How would you feel if anyone of us were to date other women while dating you?” His words make me flinch from the pain and image they conjure in my head.