Lost Soul

by Cindy Pike

  We finally find a seat for Zander and leave it in Heather’s room for Gemini’s brother when he comes to get him. Heath, Asia, and I get into his truck and head to Owen and Flynn’s house. Neither of us are really hungry so I make us a quick dinner of mac-n-cheese and chicken nuggets. What can I say being around Zander inspired me for tonight’s meal.

  “Come on, Sweetheart.” Heath coaxes me away from door into the living room.

  We settle down on the couch with Heath sitting normally on the couch with me tucked up next to him, my feet in the seat next to my ass.

  “What do you need?” Heath’s voice rumbles all around me. I put my arm around his abdomen snuggling into him even more, getting super comfy.

  “Can we just veg out and watch bad for us TV?”

  “That sounds perfect, Sweetheart.” Heath turns the TV on with the remote from the end table next to him, and for the rest of the night that’s all we do. Flynn gets home after he closes the bar down for the night and heads to his room after he gives me a quick kiss. Heath follows me to my room and closes the door after me.

  “We should do something for Bishop. I just realized we never really said goodbye with all that’s happened lately.” It’s something that I’ve been mulling over in my mind for some time.

  “That’d be nice. I’ll talk to the other’s and Sara and see when is good for everyone.” He strips down into just his boxers and gets into my bed.

  Letting out a big yawn, I’m too tired to change into proper pajamas so I take off all but my bra and underwear and slip in next to Heath.

  “Okay.” I curl into his warmth and my eyes are closed almost before I’m settled. I slip into dreamland wrapped up in my gentle giant of a man.

  13 Final Fitting

  What Lies Beneath by Breaking Benjamin

  I’m getting ready to head out after my therapy appointment (it was more of a catch-up session, whew, they can’t all be life altering) at Flex when Jaz catches up to me in the lobby.

  “Nora! Wait up!” She’s got on her street clothes instead of her Flex uniform. Boyfriend jeans, with a slouchy green top and white flats on her feet. Her hair is longer than mine and it’s swinging loose behind her back as she approaches me. Asia lets out a low growl of warning when Jaz gets closer than she likes. I’ve got on a pair of boot cut faded jeans with a hole in one knee and another on the opposite leg over my thigh. A maroon racerback tank, with a pair of hunter green Toms on my feet. My hair went up into a messy bun this morning because I woke up late and none of the guys (or me) had time to do anything more with it.

  “It’s okay Asia, easy.” I command her, letting her know Jaz is okay to approach us. Asia sits down and relaxes, slightly.

  “Do you have any plans right now? I wanted to go to the hospital to visit Heather.” What are the odds she’s talking about a different Heather; I don’t think they’re good odds.

  “Heather?” I question her.

  “Yeah, you met her, well, not really, since she was in pretty bad shape from her soon to be piece of shit ex-husband. She’s my best friend, has been since we were kids. She doesn’t have many friends and I was hoping you could help me get her new place ready for when she can go home, hopefully in a few days. I don’t want her to need something and not be able to find it because it’s packed in a box somewhere.”

  “Wow, small world. I actually do have something going on now, but we can text and figure out a time to meet up later. I’ll help her out in any way I can. I’d love to help and be able to pay things forward so to speak.” I remember how I felt after all that happened with Jason, and all my friends essentially abandoned me. “I promise I’ll text you when I’m done.”

  Kyle pulls up in front of Flex and gets out to come in and get me as I go to head out so he doesn’t have to come all the way inside.

  “See ya later, Jaz!” I call out behind me on the way out, sliding my sunglasses up my nose, into place.

  “Text me!” She calls back. I lift my free hand in an acknowledgement wave and stop in front of Kyle half way to his Tahoe.

  “Hey, Ironman.” I smile big at him, excited for what we’re about to do.

  “Nora.” Is all I get back along with a nod before he turns and opens my door, letting Asia and me in. Asia jumps right in. Kyle’s got on a pair of boot cut jeans, that hug his ass in a perfect way, making my mouth water. A light grey t-shirt with steel toed work boots in a fawn color complete his attire today. His hair is getting long and he’s swept back from his face, along his jaw he’s got a good two- or three-days growth on it making him look rugged and slightly dangerous.

  “Are you going to continue to act like this towards me?” I decide it’s time to confront Kyle, even if he doesn’t want to be part of my romantic life, I thought we’d still be friends.

  “How am I treating you, Nora?” Kyle slams his door and starts the Tahoe up, shifting it into gear before he speeds off to the Boutique shop for my final fitting. I’m too busy holding on for dear life to be able to continue our conversation. What Lies Beneath by Breaking Benjamin starts on the radio and it couldn’t be more fitting. I feel like Kyle is purposefully ignoring his feelings about this, he was so great until it came out that everyone wanted to date me. Now he just seems so jaded about anything even remotely close to the subject or me.

  “I don’t want to play games Kyle; you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you aren’t comfortable with the proposed dating situation and can’t get over it then be honest and tell me. Or if it’s something else, then tell me that so I can maybe help. I’m tired of you being so cold towards me, it’s not like I’ve hidden any of this from you. I care about, and have felt closer to you than the others, simply because I’ve known you longer. Even if we weren’t closer than just friends. Since our dinner the other night I don’t feel that way any longer and it’s not because I’m pushing you away. You’re doing it all on you own.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Nora. I feel like it’s a competition and I don’t feel like I should have to compete for your affections. That may not be the case but it’s how I feel, and until I can get past that, I can’t say with one hundred percent certainty that I can do it. So yes, I’m keeping my distance, but that doesn’t mean I’m still not there for you if you need me in any other way. I’ll always be there for you, Honey.” Kyle’s voice gets heavy with emotion as he says the last part. We finally turn down the street for the clothing boutique where we’re all getting our Halloween costumes.

  “I don’t know how to explain that none of you are in competition with each other. You can’t be, because I’m not a prize to be won.” Holding the tears at bay, I throw my door open and jump out before he’s even managed to put it in park and rush to the shop’s front door.

  The bell above the door rings out as I open it and slow my pace once I’m inside.

  “Nora! So good to see you again!” Fran greets me, arms open wide, coming around the counter so she can embrace me in an exuberant hug. I return her hug and Kyle finally enters with Asia in tow.

  “Hey, Fran! It’s great to see you too!” I exchange pleasantries with her.

  “You and the dog stay out here. I’ll take good care of your Nora. Come my dear!” Fran claps her hands and turns on her heel marching off to one of the fitting rooms.

  “I’m not his anything, apparently.” I mutter under my breath with my back turned to Kyle and Asia. Since it is, I don’t see the look on his face at my muttered words.

  Fran has my dress waiting on a hook outside one of the changing rooms. It looks amazing just hanging there, I can’t wait to see how it’s going to look on me.

  I open the door from the changing room and step up onto the platform in the middle of the same fitting room from the first time I was here with the rest of the guys.

  “It’s perfect!” Fran gushes. I have to say, she’s not wrong.

  My dress is an all-black, sleeveless, mermaid cut. With a Sweetheart neckline in the front, it’s got a lace piece that comes up from th
e center of the neck line that goes up and wraps around my throat. Nearly covering the entire chest area, leaving my shoulders and arms bare. Black beads and an assortment of gems have been sown throughout the entire dress making it sparkle in the light at my slightest movement. The kicker to the dress is the back, it’s got a deep plunging cut out that goes down nearly to my ass. There is zero way I’ll be able to wear a bra in this thing, and a four-foot lace train that can be pulled up and attached to the skirt if I want it to be. The entire thing is so kick ass and makes me feel like a total bad ass (in a sexy way), that I’m not sure I’ll ever want to take it off. My shoes are all black Louboutin lace-ups (with only the sole being red, true to the brand), like ballerina shoes that have the ribbons that tie up their legs. The heel is four inches with a pointed toe. They make me feel like a Dominatrix. This is my version of Persephone. Total bad ass, with a shit-ton more sex appeal.

  Fran brings out the piece that Cain will wear so he can be my Cerberus. They really did a good job on it, there are two heads are on each side of where his head will go. The other two look just like him except even more vicious. I sent pictures of him to Fran so she could get the other heads just right, along with measurements of his head so everything would be proportioned properly.

  “We are going to look so kick ass, thank you, Fran!” I gush over her amazing work. I’m going to be one bad ass Persephone. Add in my hair and makeup and the look will be complete.

  “My pleasure, my dear.” She takes the head piece for Cain and puts it in a box so I can take it with me. Then she comes over to me and checks that everything is as it should be. After a few last tweaks, she steps back and clasps her hands under her chin with a pleased smile on her face. “Finished. Now go take it off and I’ll package it so you can take it with you. Go!” She shoo’s me to the changing room. I take one last look at all the awesome that’s me in my dress and then step off the platform to reluctantly take it off. I put it on the hanger and bring it out with me, handing it to Fran’s assistant. He packs it away in a large dress box and takes it out to the front counter.

  Back in my faded jeans and maroon shirt, I thank Fran one last time at the front counter. Kyle already has mine and Cain’s costumes in the back of his Tahoe.

  “All set?” Kyle checks with me before we leave.

  “Yep, ready to go.” I give him a smile and wave to Fran on my way out. It’s amazing the confidence boost one item of clothing can give you. Complete mood changer.

  Once we’re all in the Tahoe Kyle turns to me with a look of remorse on his face and gives me just a little bit, “I’m sorry, Nora. I wasn’t looking at it the right way and I was being selfish. This in no way is going to be easy for me, so please keep that in mind while I try to decide if I can do this. I want nothing more than for you to be happy, I just don’t know if that will be with me involved romantically with you.” It’s such a relief to finally break through with him, even if it’s only a crack and the destination isn’t known yet.

  “I can accept that, and I’ll try to help make this as easy as I can on you, regardless of your choice.” The relief I feel at the tension I didn’t even know I had loosened the knot in my neck. I hope things will be easier between us now.

  He reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze before releasing it and placing his back on the steering wheel. I secretly am smiling inside, I think we might’ve broken through a big barrier, fucking finally.

  I pull out my phone to send a text to Jaz.

  Nora: Hey girly, I’m done. When and where do you want to meet?

  Jaz: Awesome! I’m just leaving the hospital. Wanna meet now?

  She sends me the address, I show it to Kyle, “Can we go and help Jax set up Heathers new place?” On a nod and a smile at me, he flips a bitch at the next available opportunity.

  Nora: Kyle, Asia and I are on our way.

  Jaz: K see you there! Thx again!

  Nora: No thx needed.

  We pull up into an apartment complex, it’s got nice and tidy landscaping. It’s all very clean and well kept, very nice. Kyle parks in a spot near the apartment number we’re headed to. We get out, with me grabbing Asia’s leash, and go up to the door. Kyle knocks and we only wait a few seconds before the door’s thrown open by Gemini.

  “You must be Nora.” He holds his hand out to me in an introductory fashion and I’m more than puzzled. I cock my head to the side in confusion. “Right, I’m Orin, Gemini’s twin. Jaz is in the kitchen putting stuff away. Come on in.” Orin (who I’m sure you’ve guessed looks identical to Gemini down to their hair cut) steps back and holds his hand out for us to enter. Kyle puts his hand on the small of my back to move me forward. I enter with Asia following and Kyle bringing up the rear. Orin and him shake hands in the way men do with other men.

  “Kyle Harper, Nora’s friend.” The friend comment doesn’t slip by me but I’m not going to acknowledge it. Orin gives him what must be a bad ass man’s signature move, chin lift. He closes the door and moves toward the kitchen area. The apartment is sent up so the main living space is one big great room with no barriers to divide the living room from the kitchen/dining areas. A single hallway leads off to what I’m presuming are the bathroom and bedrooms from where the living room and kitchen areas converge.

  “Hey! Come on in! If you want to grab a box and start unpacking, you can just set the stuff on the counter. Kyle, Jonas is in the bedroom setting up Zanders stuff, if you want to help him and Orin.” Jaz takes charge of us, divvying up jobs. Kyle and Orin head down the hall, leaving Jaz and I in the kitchen. Asia is sniffing around in every nook and cranny. My curiosity finally gets the better of me.

  “Who’s Jonas?” I almost burst with my inquiry. Jaz giggles and gives me a knowing smile.

  “I’m impressed, you lasted nearly five minutes!” She continues taking dishes out of the box in front of her as she teases me.

  “Shut up!” I playfully bump her shoulder with my arm (she’s so short compared to me) with a smile on my face.

  “Why are you even interested? You’ve got five of the hottest guys I know chasing after you.” I give her a shocked look. I didn’t think we made things that obvious.

  “Don’t worry girl, I’ve learned a few tricks on observation working at Flex.” She gives me a wink and goes back to her task.

  “He’s a friend of Gem’s and Orin’s. Him and Orin own a construction company together.” Jaz tries to put some cups on a shelf that’s a bit too high for her so I go over and take over putting them away while she moves on to the silverware. “Orin, Gem and Jonas were inseparable from kids. They used to live next to each other and Jonas spent more nights over at their house than his own.”

  We get the majority of the boxes unpacked in a reasonable amount of time.

  “Hey, before I forget, would you like to come to a sort of memorial for Bishop? Heath’s setting it up, but I’d like your help with something.”

  “Absolutely, tell me what you need.” I explain what I’d like to do and her smile dominates her face.

  “You’re perfect for him, I’m on it! Don’t worry about a thing.”

  Kyle and Orin make several trips outside to bring in the bigger pieces of furniture. I never see Jonas; I assume he stays busy setting up the bedrooms for Zander and Heather.

  14 Fair Time

  I Want It by Two Feet

  The knock on Kyle’s front door as I’m lacing up the tie on my second shoe of my bright purple converse, has butterflies going crazy in my stomach. All the guys have really taken the whole dating thing seriously, apparently. Even with all of them having keys to each other’s houses, cars and businesses (save Owen’s because he’s at a hospital) they don’t just come right in. They make things seem as close to a real date (like picking me up and ringing the door bell, opening car and building doors, etc.) as I’ve ever had. It’s super sweet and helps things feel more normal for me. Even though this is only my second date since I’ve met them, it’s with all of them! Eeekkkk!

  “Nora! Flynn
’s here let’s go! We’re all just waiting for you now.” Kyle shouts down the hall. He doesn’t sound upset about it; things have gotten slightly better since that day of my final fitting. He still hasn’t said he’s on board, but things are getting back to normal between us, albeit very slowly.

  “Coming!” I shout back. I fix my pant leg on my skinny jeans and grab my phone and ID from my purse. It’s the day of Flynn’s big Halloween party, the day before the actual holiday, beforehand they always go to the state fair. So that’s where we are heading now. I open my door and walk/skip down the hallway, I’m so excited! I love fairs, but never went before due to me making myself a social outcast.

  I emerge from the hall to all the guys in different variations of the same outfit. Silas has on black pants and a black shirt that says, Her Truth on the front and black motorcycle boots. Owens got dark blue jeans with a sea-green t-shirt with, Her Reflection on the front and a pair of white sneakers. Flynn’s got regular colored blue jeans, but his shirt is the loudest in color, orange, with the words, Her Dreamer, scrawled across his pectoral muscles and red converse shoes with yellow laces. Heath’s jeans are the same as Flynn’s but his shirt is a deep maroon, Her Protector adorns the front side of his shirt with a pair of dark hunter green tennis shoes. Kyle has black jeans on and a light grey colored shirt that reads, Her Rock stretched tight on his upper frame, and white running shoes round out his look.

  Kyle tosses me a t-shirt, “This one is for you, Nor.” I catch it and am so excited to have my own (making me feel like I belong with them) that I turn and rush to the main bathroom in Kyle’s house. I quickly close the door and whip my plain white shirt off then tug the royal purple one Kyle just gave me over my head. Looking in the mirror I see it simply says Her. Their shirts and mine touch me in a way that nothing ever has. I do some quick blinking before I manage to dispel the tears from my eyes. Then I take a deep breath and turn to go back out to them.

  “Do I need to change my shoes?” I look to Owen as I come out. He gives me a once over before he responds.