“Wow, Pandora Ann Phillips, you have most definitely come up in the world.” Jeff is standing in my bedroom taking in our surroundings. “Did your grandmother finally open her Coach clutch for you?” he asks me. One eyebrow rises as he waits for my answer.
“Nope. I actually found this place for cheap, like, insanely cheap. And Julie and Kevin live on the floor below us.”
“I’m surprised you moved out. I thought you guys were like the Three Amigos forever, or something.”
“Well, it was the almost constant loud sex noises, and penis sighting that made me realize it was time to get my own place.”
“Oh, I have to hear about this,” he says, lying back on my king-size bed. I lie down beside him and explain everything.
“It’s not that funny,” I say moments later as Jeff laughs so hard tears are running down his face.
“Oh, my friend, that’s hysterical!”
“No, it’s not. I mean, Kevin’s my best friend, and I was eyeing his penis … and it’s not fair Julie has one and I don’t,” I say.
His laughter intensifies and I can’t help but join in. A pounding at my door makes us stop. We look at each other like children who’ve been caught doing something bad.
“Dora, are you okay?” Drew’s worried voice comes through the door.
Sighing, I get up from the bed and unlock and open the door. Drew is standing there wearing shorts and a sweaty muscle shirt.
“Hey, Drew. I’m fine. Come on in and meet my friend, Jeff.” I open the door wide and Drew steps in while eyeing Jeff on the bed.
“Jeff, nice to meet you,” he says, politely extending his hand to shake Jeff’s. He doesn’t look too happy when he sees Jeff’s luggage by the side of the bed.
“Sorry if we bothered you, Drew, but Jeff is spending the next few weeks with me. I hope that’s not a problem,” I say.
“No, of course not. It’s your room. So …”
I can’t believe Drew’s at a loss for words. I know he’s wondering about Jeff. I’m not going to explain, though. That would be too easy.
“Hey, you want to grab a pizza with us?”
“As long as it’s Papa’s.” Drew looks smug, as if he knows something Jeff doesn’t.
“God, I haven’t been to Papa’s in forever. Forget calling a pizza, let’s go hang out there.” Jeff’s enthusiasm immediately squelches the smugness.
“Okay,” Drew replies. “Give me a few minutes to shower. Dora, why don’t you go ask Liam? I know he’s not busy tonight,” he says over his shoulder as he leaves the room.
“Pandora Ann Phillips is living with two guys?”
“No, actually it’s three,” I say, not meeting Jeff’s eyes.
“Three. One being the famous model Drew Johnson. I’m guessing Liam Chandler has be another one. They’re always in the news together with Colin Lawrence. What the heck, Dora? How did you just stumble upon then place?”
“It just sort of happened. I saw a roommate wanted ad posted up in a grocery store and answered it on a whim. Liam has this thing for the number four, and their fourth roommate had just moved out and they needed one. So, they picked me. I guess I’m a safe bet, as I don’t gush over their awesomeness. I’m normal in their eyes.”
“You, normal? Not a chance. I saw a little jealousy in Drew’s eyes when he saw me. I think he’s hot for the little redhead.”
“Yeah, right. And pigs fly. I have no feelings for him or Liam. They’re every woman’s dream, but not mine.”
“Oooooh, I didn’t hear Colin in that sentence. OMG, you’re crushing on him. I’m right, aren’t I? You’re so blushing.”
“Stop it, silly. I have to go and ask Liam to join us, so behave.”
“Can I come too? I mean, I want to see if his intentions are anything like Drew’s.”
I smack him gently on the head before strolling out the door. I have never been in the others’ rooms, even when I was alone. I respect privacy. That, and I’d have a hard time lying to them if they ever asked me. The blushing would give me away instantly. I have a terrible poker face.
Jeff follows me like a little puppy dog as I move toward Liam’s door and knock.
“Yeah, come in.”
Opening the door, I hear strange noises and realize it’s from a video game Liam is playing on a huge flat screen hung on his sitting room wall. “Brains, we need brains,” a creepy voice says from the TV. I watch as an armed figure fires at the zombie’s head, making it explode into a million pieces.
“Take that, you zombie bastards,” Liam says before turning around.
“Hey, Dora, what’s up?” Liam’s eyes move from me to Jeff, who is now standing beside me.
“Wow, is that Dead Awakening two? I haven’t picked my copy up yet. The graphics are killer.” Jeff moves forward and extends his right hand. “I’m Dora’s friend, Jeff, and you’re Liam Chandler, if the magazines are correct.”
Jeff is so natural at meeting new people. I’ve always envied his way of making people feel at ease. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like him.
“Yeah, mate, that would be me.” Liam stands and takes Jeff’s hand.
I immediately realize why Liam is the way he is, stand offish, brooding and aloof. But his eyes light up when they rest on Jeff. I know his secret. My empath skills have kicked in. Liam is gay! And the world doesn’t know it. Oh, how I wish I was alone with him to talk about this. I wonder if Drew and Colin know. They would have to, right? They’re his best friends. I just want to hug Liam and tell him it will be okay.
“Dora? I swear, she goes off in her own little world all the time. Dora … hello, Dora?”
“Oh, shush, Jeff. I’m here. Just admiring how realistic the gore looks in this game … gross.”
“Uh-huh,” Jeff quips.
He and Liam start laughing and I have to join in. Maybe I could play matchmaker here.
“So, Liam, the reason we’re interrupting your magnificent game-playing is that Drew, Jeff, and myself are going to Papa’s for pizza, and we want you to come with,” I say, hoping he won’t say no.
“Sounds like a plan to me. I was going to spend the evening playing my game, but pizza, beer, and good company trumps that. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be ready.”
Back in my room, Jeff plops down on the couch and is silent, which is a definite first for him.
“Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah,” he says, and again, silence.
“What’s wrong?” I say, wanting to know what causing him to be so pensive.
“I like your roommates. I really think I’m going to enjoy my time here,” he replies with a half-smile.
“Oh, no, sweetie. You’re going to behave, because we need to study. If you don’t, you’ll be high-tailing it back to that cell you call a dorm room.”
“Aww, Dora, I’ll behave. I hate my dorm room. I tell my dad all the time how unbearable it is. It makes him happy that I’m living what he calls normal living conditions.”
I adore Jeff’s parents. They are truly wonderful people and my family enjoys their company. No, we haven’t had them over for any of our dreaded Sunday dinners with everyone, thank goodness. So, they still live under the impression that I have a somewhat average family. When his parents are in town, we all meet up at a restaurant and hang out. They know that Jeff is gay, but it makes no difference to them. They just want him to be happy.
“Don’t worry Jeff, the next few weeks will be anything but normal.”
He grins, oh how I love his grin.
10
The ride to Papa’s is kind of awkward. Drew is driving, since his car is the only four-seater of the house, and Liam sits up front with him. Jeff and I sit in the back. From my position, I see Drew glancing back continuously. I guess his gaydar is off and he thinks Jeff and I are an item. I can’t believe Drew might be interested in me. I know, I need to quit putting myself down, but let’s be honest.