“Have you heard from Colin lately?” Liam asks, and I immediately sit up and take notice.
“Yeah, everything’s cool now. He should be back in a few days. Life throws some wicked curve balls,” Drew replies.
Great, so much for getting the deets on what’s going on. “Life throws wicked curves balls.” What the hell is up with that? That doesn’t tell me crap I could have said shit, but Henry would probably tell on me, and I’d be in big trouble. Per my mom, I have to be a role model for my younger siblings, and apparently real women don’t cuss, except for Julie, who my mom gives a pass to. Really, I don’t know why she gives Julie a pass. Not fair in my book. Not that I would cuss much, but it might be nice in certain circumstances.
As always, Papa’s smells heavenly. With me leading the way inside, we’re spotted immediately by Mama, who rushes forward and engulfs me in one of her famous bear hugs. It takes seconds for Papa to notice us, and I’m swallowed up by both of their round bodies at once.
“My bella, Dora, it is witha much delight that I welcome you home. I see you havea brought a stranger. Jeffrey, we have missed you, you handsome boy.” Mama reaches out and drags Jeff into the hugfest.
“Ah, Mama, look, she broughta old friends. Liam and Drew, welcome. We’re so honored to have you back in our small establishment.”
Liam’s smile is friendly and sincere, but Drew’s seems to lack the warmth it normally has. What is up with that? Could he be jealous, like Jeff said? I hope not, because I don’t get the warm fuzzies with him like I do with Colin. Warm fuzzies—yeah, right. More like rip-his-clothes-off fuzzies.
I end up sitting with Drew on one side and Jeff on the other. Liam sits opposite us with Mama and Papa. I hear a squeal and Julie and Kevin arrive at our table, causing another hugfest. I envy my friends, their faces glowing with happiness, something that seems so unobtainable to me. More chairs are added and questions fly about. Aromatic pizzas and ice-cold beers and wine soon appear on the table. My glum thoughts turn to happy ones as I’m surrounded by the warmth of my friends and food.
Okay, I’ve apparently drunk a little too much wine again, so sue me. I work hard and I need to let my hair down once in a while. So I can’t walk. It’s my shoes, I swear. I have three guys, each willing to help me, but there’s only one of me and I’m giggling watching the testosterone-laden men, aka Drew and Jeff, fight over carrying me. Without a word, Liam pushes them aside and scoops me up into his arms while walking toward the elevator, leaving the other two speechless. The giggle monster won’t let go of me as we ride the elevator to our floor. Drew opens the front door and steps aside to let Liam carry me over the threshold.
“I’m away for a few days and it looks like you guys have been having fun without me.” The familiar British accent sends a shiver of fire throughout my nether regions. OMG, that is so funny and the giggling continues. “I see you didn’t keep an eye on Dora. Too much wine?” I try to focus on his face, but it’s not happening.
“Yep, the light weight had a few too many,” Liam answers.
“Hi, I’m Jeff, and maybe I should take Dora and put her to bed. Come on, sweetie.” Jeff’s face comes into focus and he gently takes me from Liam’s arms. I snuggle against his chest. “Say goodnight to your friends, Dora.”
“Night, my awesomeness friends. Thanks for the night!” I close my eyes as Jeff moves to my room. The room is dark and I open my eyes until someone turns on a light. I’m not feeling too hot, and I welcome the motionless feeling of my bed. My boots are removed and a sheet is pulled over me, and I feel someone kiss my forehead.
“Good night, princess.” I hear Jeff say, and then silence.
“Time to rise and shine, sweet Dora.” Jeff’s cheerful voice makes my ears hurt. No more drinking for me—nope, never ever. I force one eye open and see his grinning face. He’s holding a steaming cup of sweet-smelling coffee.
“What time is it?” I croak. Damn, I sound like a frog.
“Time to get up and run. Nothing like a good run to get rid of the wine toxins. So get your butt up and get changed. Time is awastin’.”
I feel a slap on my behind and I turn over quickly. He’s gone, but the coffee is still there on the night stand. He’s right. A run would do me good, and I don’t have work for the next few days, since I took them off to study, so it would be a good time to start again.
An hour later, I’m dressed, stretched, and ready to go. I walk out into the living room and find not one or two, but all four warm bodies stretching. And you guessed it, dressed to exercise.
Please, if you can hear me, God, don’t let them—I mean, Colin—come with me.
As if they sense me standing behind them, they all turn at once. How can my eyes stand looking at so much male perfection in one room?
“Hey, guys. Are you ready, Jeff?”
“Um, we’re going to have some company. The guys want to tag along,” he says, looking apologetic, as if he can sense my dismay.
“Well, I hope you can all keep up,” I say, trying to act happy about the news.
I run for the front door, not waiting for a response. The elevator is standing open, and I dash forward and hit the button and gleefully watch as the doors shut before they can reach it.
“Morning, Dora. Nice day out for a jog.” Brad’s boyish grin is infectious.
“Yep, sure is. See you later.” I move quickly, pushing open the doors, and dive into the bright sunshine. It’s chilly but bearable, and I take off running for the nearby park, pacing myself, thankful I’m so far ahead of them.
The park is full of activity. During fall and winter, a sunny day is precious, so everyone takes advantage of it. Moms pushing strollers, dog walkers, bench sitters, and other runners fill my sight. It energizes me to push forward, upping my speed. I hear speedy footsteps behind me, and I notice the most females watching me.
I know it’s not me, so it’s got to be the fabulous four hotties on my heels. I feel sudden disgust for my female sisters. These men are just flesh and bones—okay, so fever-inspired hotness—but still, only guys with penises.
There I go with that word again. I’m going crazy. I’ve never been sex-crazed, but all of a sudden I’m thinking about penises. I need to find a nice guy and have nice sex. A guy my mom will approve of.
Quit it, Dora, just run.
Sex is overrated, even if it’s with a hottie. Of course, I don’t know for sure, but one of my mom’s favorite sayings is: “It’s all fluff with no substance.” That’s what Colin is. He has to be. I can’t waste time pining after a dream.
Without any other thought, I pick up my speed, running so that the people I pass are just blurs.
I see a fountain up ahead. The water has been drained in preparation for the winter weather that will soon pounce on us. I make my way around it and travel back, following my steps back home. My breathing is steady. It amazes me that I’m still in such good shape after a few months of inactivity. The boys are just ahead, not wheezing or trying to catch their breath, as I’d evilly hoped. They’re jogging as if they could go all day.
They smile at me and make a U-turn, ending up behind me again. I realize I’m giving them a view of my rear end. I haven’t looked at it in forever. I hope it hasn’t sagged since that time so long ago. Maybe I should get behind them. No, I’m not going to drool over perfection. Let them look. I don’t care if it’s as wide as a bus. At least I have one, not like those skinny anorexics they hang out with.