by Cindy Pike
The doorbell rings out and the dogs all converge at the front door. Owen leaves the kitchen to let our other guests in that didn’t attend Bishops memorial. I hear a rumble from him at the door and all the dogs come back to the main part of the house, resuming their regular dog activities (almost they keep glancing at the door) as Owen leads Gemini with his brother, both helping Heather in to the living room where I’m currently finishing up some school work. Jonas is trailing behind with a case of beer in his arms. Getting my first look at him he’s got that all-American manly look. With his blonde hair and brown eyes, he screams captain of the football team to me. He’s got the body for it too, tall and muscular, not lean but also not bulky; perfectly in between. Then I see Jaz’s head pop out from around Jonas and she’s got a tote bag slug over her shoulder that’s nearly bigger than her. I didn’t even know she had more things outside, I would have helped her if I did. I quickly shut down my laptop and jump up to see if anyone needs help with anything. I was trying to save the slide show so that I could send it to Heath to have.
“Let me help you.” I extend my hand to take the bag from her, but she waves it away.
“No, this is all I’ve got, thanks.” Jaz gives me a smile and sets her bag down next to the couch. Gemini helps Heather get situated and the rest of the guys escape out the back door. Flynn is in the kitchen doing only he knows what. Probably making a mess for Owen to lose his mind over.
“What is all this?” I lean over to peer into the bag and Jaz gets this big smile on her face.
Heather is the one to answer from her place on the couch, “Henna body art supplies. Jaz is a bit of a henna fiend.” She hunches back into the couch and gets a shy look on her face. Her body language is timid and shy, I’m hoping she’ll feel comfortable soon enough.
“Henna?” I question.
“Yeah, it’s an all-natural skin stain made from the actual plant. You use these henna cones filled with the paste and draw on your skin for a stain that usually lasts anywhere from one to two weeks. So, it’s kind of like a temporary tattoo. Only it’s a brown copper color.” It sounds fun, even if I’m not a good artist.
“I can’t draw.” I blurt out.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got patterns that you can place over your skin then you just squeeze the paste out and let it dry. Once dry, you wash it off. No skill necessary!” Jaz makes it sound simple as that. It does sound fun, so I’ll give it a go.
“I can draw for you, Spitfire.” Flynn calls from the kitchen where he’s pouring drinks for everyone.
Jaz points her finger at him and with a death glare tells him, “No! You are banned from the house along with the rest of the guys. This is girl’s night inside!” She’s really serious and even though she’s pint sized I would put my money on her against Flynn right now. Flynn’s saved by the ring of the doorbell going off again and goes to answer it. This time the dogs don’t bother with all the fuss at the front door. Flynn comes back and Levi is following him.
“Did you get Anne settled in at mom’s?” Sara tilt’s her head up for Levi to give her a kiss on her cheek.
“Yeah, they’re going to spoil her, just warning you now.” Levi’s deep voice carries to all of us.
“Like you don’t.” Sara pipes in, as she continues to go through the bag. Levi gives her a mock glare then goes over and lays a hot, wet one on her before he heads out back.
“I wish I had a man to kiss me like that.” Jaz says in a wistful tone. Flynn starts over our way with two drinks in his hands. He gives one to Sara and the other he hands to me.
“What would you ladies like to drink?” He looks to Jaz and Heather.
“I’m good with whatever.” Jaz starts pulling out these weird cone looking things.
“Water is fine, thank you.” Heather says meekly. Sara and I give each other a quick knowing look, but we don’t draw any attention to Heather’s tentative behavior. She’ll learn from watching us interact that she can be herself and we won’t berate or hurt her because of it. Flynn goes to retrieve the drinks (I guess even when he’s not at the bar he can’t help but be a bartender) and then brings them to their respective owners.
“Okay, lets watch a quick tutorial on the basics then we can start!” Jaz rubs her hands together and pulls out her phone, putting a YouTube video up on the big TV screen. It seems rather easy and we all wash our hands and any other body parts we want to do the henna on, so any lotion we might have on doesn’t interfere with the absorption of the henna on our skin.
It takes a few tries, but eventually I get the hang of it and before I know it, we’ve all been at it for just over an hour. The sister revelry has been flowing and every so often one of the guys comes in to refill our drinks. Jaz was the first one done, then she moved on to help the rest of us and do other designs randomly on us.
The back door opens and the men all file in with plates of cooked food.
“Come on, ladies, take a break and grab some food while it’s warm. We’re tired of waiting.” Levi announces. None of us complain and we all stand to gather around the table. Gemini and Jonas help Heather since moving is still difficult for her. I’m not sure of her injuries but she looks about like I did after being attacked in the alley. It’s really beautiful how they both take their time with her and move at her pace.
Once we’re all seated at the table (the guys must have put in two leaf extenders so it could accommodate everyone) the men all load up their plates and ours since we have to be careful until the henna dries. I find myself between Heath and Silas. Heath feeds me and it’s not at all awkward like I expected. In fact, it’s quite sensual and my body starts to heat up. I feel like I’m having hot flashes these past few days with all the sexual tension happening in my body.
“You like being fed, Doll?” Silas leans in and whispers in my ear as I chew the bite I just took from Heath’s proffered fork. My head swivels and I nearly kiss him, he’s so close to me. I gulp down the bite (not just because it was a big one) and run my tongue along my lower lip.
“Apparently, is that weird?” I breathe out to him.
“Not even a little bit.” Silas sticks his tongue out and I feel it on my upper lip. “It’s delicious.” Then he pulls back and takes a bite of his ginormous cheese burger. I can see him look at me out of the corner of his eye, otherwise he acts like he didn’t just set me completely on fire with that little tongue action. Good goodness, is that all it takes? If I keep this up, I’m going to end up in bed with one of them before much longer. Would that be such a horrible thing? I’m starting to have a hard time remembering why it would.
“What do you have planned for your birthday in a few months, Baby Brother?” Sara asks Heath. She’s sitting between Levi and Owen. I look to Heath and am horrified that I don’t know when his birthday is, in fact I don’t know when any of their birthdays are.
“When’s your birthday, G Man?” I feel like such a selfish jerk not knowing any of them.
“The fifth of February, but Flynn’s is before mine at the end of January on the thirtieth.” Heath says after he swallows the mouthful of food he had in it. I make a mental note to get him something even if it’s not much, and to find out when the other’s birthdays are. I’m pretty sure Sara will tell me. “I haven’t really thought about it, I’ve been kind of busy.” My heart falls thinking he’s talking about all the crazy swirling around me and everything that’s happened.
We all finish up the meal and then somehow, we end up all of us in the living room settled in to watch a movie. Sara and Levi are on the floor using a bunch of overly stuffed pillows for support. Gemini, Heather and Jonas are on one end of the big couch, with Orin on the floor in front of Heather. As for me, I’m sandwiched between Silas and Owen, Flynn’s on the floor at my feet. Heath and Kyle are each in the lazy boy chairs to the sides. Jaz has a pillow and fluffy blanket and is sprawled out in the middle of the floor in front of the coffee table. The movie with the most votes (yes, we voted) was Avengers: End Game, we get it queued up and re
ady to go once everyone gets situated. Silas pulls me into his warmth and Owen takes my feet in his lap, giving them a massage. I play with Flynn’s hair, scratching my nails on his scalp. Heath turns the lights out and Kyle starts the movie. It’s a beautiful ending to a beautiful but sad day.
18 Impromptu Date
Burning Man by Andrew Watt
Kyle hasn’t really been around much the last couple of weeks. I’m pretty sure I know why but it is still getting to me. I’ve not had much time to dwell on it though, with school, work at King’s and just life with the guys in general. I use the mouse to shut down my computer at King’s as Heath comes in dressed similar to me in jeans and a deep red shirt that show cases his upper body and arms. I don’t think any of the guys own shirts that don’t do this, to be honest. Just his regular tennis shoes are on his feet as I look up to his hair, he leans on his elbows on the top of my work space. It’s pulled back in a messy top knot that would look absolutely ridiculous on any other man but on him it’s so fucking hot! His grey eyes smile at me like he knows he’s hot and that I think so too. My jeans are a bit lighter in color than his and my shirt is one of the shirts Silas gave me for work when I’m at King’s. It’s a black collared polo and has the logo on the right breast pocket. The only color I’ve got on are my bright purple sneakers Flynn got me the other day. Between him and Owen I’m going to need a new closet for all the clothes and shoes they get for me sooner rather than later.
“You almost ready, Sweetheart?” I can practically feel his voice vibrating through me it’s so deep and rumbly.
“Nearly, I just have to get my purse and hand off Cain to Silas.” Heath is here to take me on a date but he won’t tell me where we’re going. I push my chair back and retrieve my purse from the bottom drawer of my desk and snag Cain’s leash, clipping it to his collar. He stands from where he was laying, practically under my feet and we head over to the elevator to go up to Silas’ office. Heath presses the button.
“Did you get your paper done for your history of psychology class?” One thing about having so many of us with at least one aspect of psychology in their life is a huge help. They are always available whenever I have a question and never make me feel like I’m stupid for asking them.
“Yeah, it was a slow day so I got it done before lunch.” The elevator doors open and all three of us step on. We turn to face the front and I press the button for the second floor. It may seem silly to have an elevator in a building with less than five floors but Silas doesn’t want anyone to be denied access because of any physical limitations they might have. It’s really quite thoughtful of him and makes my heart melt that much more for him. The ride is quick (as most elevator rides are) with none of the awful music in most elevators. Instead Silas plays a variety of low volume music. Currently playing is Burning Man by Andrew Watt, kick ass song. We step off and turn right down the hall toward Silas’ office.
Most people in his position would have a grand office space all decked out, not my Si. His office is plain and has minimal furniture or decoration. Silas is behind a plain wood desk with a new computer screen off to one side and sketch pads on the other. He’s got a few smallish car parts in the middle of the desk in various stages of assembly. He looks up and his eyes light up more than they normally do at me.
“Leaving to go out on your date?” He stands from behind the desk and comes in front of me wrapping his arms loosely around my waist. I drop Cain’s leash and put my hands, palm down, on his chest.
“Yeah, just wanted to say bye and hand Cain over.” I tilt my head back so I can look in his eyes. He ducks his head and kisses me on my lips (no tongue and I don’t know if I should be happy or sad about it with Heath in the room) before pulling back and giving Heath a look. I follow his gaze and don’t see anything upsetting on Heath’s face. Whew! Heath’s eyes catch on mine and they get soft.
“Nora, we agreed to this, if we have an issue, we say something. I don’t care about you kissing the others, so long as you never hesitate to kiss me.” My nerves smooth out and I smile at him.
“Have fun you two, text me when you’re almost home, Doll. I’ll leave when you do.” Since I’m staying at Silas’ house tonight but won’t be there until later, I guess he’s putting in a longer day than normal.
“Always, Si.” I quote a favorite book of mine and both men smile at my dorkiness with Silas shaking his head. Heath extends his hand and calls me over to the door.
“Come on, Nora, we’re going to get some food first, so Silas doesn’t have to worry about if you’ve eaten or not all night.” Heath ribs Silas a bit. He gets a middle finger for it from Silas before we exit his office. I pet Cain and then Heath and I are out the door. Back in the elevator, Heath pulls me under his arms with my back to his front, resting his chin on the top of my head.
“How are the nightmares? Had any since the garage incident?” After that happened, I had a couple rough nights, but they’ve gone away. Mostly, after talking to my therapist about them. The elevator dings our arrival at the first floor and we wait for the doors to open before we head out to Heaths motorcycle. With the cooler weather him and Silas both ride their bikes whenever they can, though Silas doesn’t when I’m with him. He doesn’t think it’s safe even though I trust him to keep me that way. Heath has zero hold ups about it. Riding with him I’ve found I feel so free and like all the things weighing on me have melted away and will never come back. Then we stop and the dream gets shattered, but at least I get the feeling while we’re riding.
Heath holds out my helmet and stows my purse in the seat compartment before he puts his on while I do the same with mine. He swings his leg over the seat of his BMW K 1200S. I have no idea what any of that means, I just know it’s super-fast and really expensive. I put my hands on his shoulders, the far one is a stretch for me because of how wide his shoulders are but I lift my leg and swing it over like he showed me and then my ass is in the seat. I skootch closer to Heath’s back and press my front along him. This is another of the seven hundred reasons I love riding, I don’t have to have a reason to be all over him.
Heath starts the engine and it roars to life, vibrating my entire body with its power. Reason six hundred and twenty-two. He pulls my arms around him so that my fingers can interlace in front of him. Flipping the kickstand, Heath backs the bike from its spot at the front door and turns us so we can get to the exit and then out on the road. Once we’re on the road, he picks up speed going faster than the speed limit, but I don’t care, it’s exhilarating! All too soon we pull into a parking lot of a restaurant. I don’t miss my old job and when I knew I wasn’t going back; I went in and gave my notice. They didn’t make me work the two weeks and told me I was welcome back if I ever needed a job.
I get off first and Heath somehow has a hand on my hips to help keep me steady from his spot in front of me as I do. I step back to give him room and take my helmet off as he kicks down the stand and turns the bike off. I can still feel the vibrations from the bike as I shake out my limbs and try not walk bowlegged. Heath takes my helmet and places it on my spot after he dismounts, retrieving my purse for me and does the same with his helmet. We link hands as we walk up to the front door and he uses his free one to open the door. It’s nice inside, with a laid-back vibe, the menu is on the wall along the ceiling behind the counter. It boasts a variety of sandwiches and soups along with salads and some stick to your rib’s options. With a sprinkle of desserts, just in case.
We place our order; I get a turkey sandwich with tomatoes and sprouts adding mayo and mustard. Heath gets a roast beef sandwich with swiss cheese and mayo. He gets a sweet tea to drink and I get a fix of my beloved coffee.
“Are you going to be able to sleep tonight with all that caffeine?” Heath teases me knowing fully that I’ll have no problem getting to sleep even if I had this plus another cup. I just give him a dry look and he smiles back like I’m the cutest thing ever. I roll my eyes and sip my coffee. A young male waiter brings our order out and then leaves, h
ardly saying two words and no smile. He seems like a bright ray of sunshine! We dig in, me mostly because I’m excited to see what Heath has planned.
“Did you eat today?” Heath asks holding a napkin up to his mouth as it’s full of food as he does.
I swallow what’s in my mouth before I answer, “Yeah, do you really think Silas would let me get away with not eating?” Heath tilts his sandwich in my direction in acknowledgement and lifts his cup of sweet tea so he can take a drink. His throat works with him taking long drinks and I can’t stop looking at it. When he’s done, he sets the cup back down and gives a ‘what?’ look. I shake my head at him not sure how to explain that particular fascination, and go back to my sandwich. We finish our food and toss our trash in the bins provided then head back out to the bike. I grab our helmets and set my purse on the seat while I hand Heath his helmet and put mine on. Heath finishes before me and secures my purse then gets on. I repeat what I did last time and we head out to our unknown destination.
We pull into an ice-skating rink parking lot and I feel like a kid again! Heath parks and I pull my helmet off before I dismount from the bike.
“You’re taking me ice skating?!” My voice comes out in an excited semi-shout. Heaths helmet clad head turns to look over his shoulder before he nods in affirmation. A squeal of excitement slips out and I slap my hand over my mouth in embarrassment. I feel Heaths chuckle and give his shoulder a playful slap before I dismount.
“I’m not laughing at you, Sweetheart. I’m laughing because I wasn’t sure how you were going to like this and I was taking a chance that you would. So, I’m more than glad that you’re so happy about it.” I can hear the smile in his voice. He gets off the bike taking his helmet off and hands them to me so he can get my purse out. Handing it to me, he takes the helmets and puts them on the seat.
Leading me inside with my hand in his, we go up to the counter where you can rent skates and Heath tells the teenager behind the counter our sizes then pays.
