“So Dora, do you understand what I’ve just told you?” Drew asks like he’s talking to a child.
“I think so. If I mess up, don’t hate me.” There I go with my Miss Innocent act again.
Half an hour later, I’m winning big. In fact, they each have a small hill of chips compared to my mountain.
Drew rolls his eyes as I win another hand. “Gentlemen, we’ve been had.”
Yes. I have a great actual poker face, and one that my dad is so proud of since he taught it to me.
“What? Are you talking about my beginner’s luck?” I’m trying so hard not to smile.
“Beginner my ass,” Liam quips while leaning back in his chair and sending me a playful glare.
“And I must say, it’s a nice ass too,” I reply, keeping my face stoic.
“Very funny, little girl. You shouldn’t try to pull one over on us big boys,” he replies, liking my comeback.
Jeff, Drew, and Colin sit back and watch Liam and me sparring. It’s fun.
“Are you guys conceding? Are we finished with the game?” All four walking testosterone machines shake their heads, and I start dealing the next hand.
“Dora, have you asked them yet?” Jeff asks, hiding his face behind his cards.
“Asked us what?” Drew looks at me with one sexy eyebrow raised.
“My mom asked me to invite you over for Christmas, but I told her you were all going home. Right?”
“I’m going home next week,” Colin says. “My mum would never forgive me if I miss this Christmas. Our whole family will be together, which due to the size, is quite incredible.” His dreamy accent makes me want to drool.
“I’m off to my homeland too.” Liam interrupts my musings of the mind-blowing kiss Colin and I shared at Halloween. I’ve wondered why he hasn’t tried again, not that I would allow it. Okay, I’m lying. I’d be all over him like a fat kid on cake.
“She always zones out like she’s in another realm or something. Dora?” Jeff’s voice floats into my consciousness and I raise my eyes to see that I’m the center of attention.
“Sorry, thinking about my last exam in two days. I really should be studying,” I lie, and Jeff just grins. It’s like he’s a mind reader.
“Did you hear that Drew is free for Christmas, and he’d be delighted to join us? Isn’t that right, Drew?”
“I would love to spend time with your family. Mine are … well, Christmas is just another day for them. I kind of miss having family time.” The look on Drew’s face is heart breaking. He’s usually the happy-go-lucky guy who acts like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Well, if you get a headache, it’s not my fault” I say. “My family is different, so you’ve been warned. I will not be held responsible for what they do, or say.”
I’m relieved when a smile appears on his beautiful lips. Hey, lips can be beautiful, right? Oh, great. I’ve missed something else.
Concentrate, Dora.
“Drew said he’ll take his chances,” Jeff explains. “I think it’s time for me to put little Dora to bed. Her brain needs a rest.”
Everyone laughs when I stick my tongue out at him. “Little Dora can put herself to bed, thank you. But I am tired. Good night. Come on, Jeff, I’ll tuck you in.”
Jeff flops on my bed after changing into some comfy sleeping clothes. “Well, that was fun.”
“Yeah. It was like spending the evening with ordinary guys, not Greek gods.” I pull on my pajama pants and look over at him.
“I told you they’re normal and they just want to fit in,” he replies, causing me to roll my eyes.
“They’re not normal. Normal is only a few hundred people might know your name, not the whole world.”
“Dora, that’s an overstatement. I bet there’s a tribe in Africa or some poor slob in Siberia who doesn’t know of them.”
“Okay, so maybe a hundred haven’t seen their pics, but you have to admit it’s a little daunting being around them sometimes.”
“Only Liam causes me to be daunted.”
“Yeah, if you like the gorgeous, tall, and solemn type that won’t come out of the closet.”
“Your mom told you Henry says you need to help him and Drew. So maybe your job is to help him come out. I get first shot when you do, okay?” Jeff is so good at pleading.
“Maybe you’re too ugly for him. You are on the homely side.” I giggle as Jeff sends a pillow flying through the air and it hits the top of my head as I bend over to miss it.
“I’m not ugly. I’ll have you know I could’ve been a model, but I didn’t want people attacking me, wanting a piece of this awesomeness.” He laughs as I roll my eyes again, and I move his legs so I can lie beside him.
“Okay, stud, but I don’t want to be mending your heart back together if he doesn’t respond like you want him to. I have to get him by himself before he goes home. It must be horrible living a lie every day. No wonder he doesn’t smile much.”
“Yeah, I’m a lucky one. My family didn’t even blink an eye when I came out to them.”
I turn my head to look at Jeff, who is staring at the ceiling. I scoot over and put my arm across his taut stomach and he places his arm around me. The last thing I remember thinking is that I hope Liam doesn’t break Jeff’s heart.
Playing cards tonight was hard for me. All I wanted to do was stare at her. She has no idea what she’s doing to me. I wish I was the one she’s tucking into bed. I know Jeff’s gay, but I still feel the green-eyed monster raising its dark, ugly head. I wish I knew what she thought about the kiss on Halloween. If I declare my feelings for her, would she laugh in my face? Would she even believe me? I’m so tied up in knots, which is something I’ve never encountered before. I have to bide my time until she trusts me and sees me for who I really am.
16
“I’m so glad it’s over. I never want to see another math book again for as long as I’m alive.” I grab Jeff’s arm and loop mine through his. It’s freezing. Winter has come early and I’m thankful I bundled up this morning. “I think I nailed it though. Thanks, Jeff. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Anytime, my friend. To pay me back, you can buy me lunch.”
“Okay, I guess that’s fair.”
The ringing of my cell has me pulling off one of my gloves and pulling the phone out of my coat pocket. “Hi, Mom. Yes, it’s finally over. I think I did well. Sorry I haven’t called. We’ve been hitting the books hard. Yeah, I asked them and Drew accepted. The other two are going home. Okay, he’s right here. I will. Love you too.” I quickly end the call and throw my phone back into my pocket, pulling on my glove before my fingers drop off from frostbite. “Mom sends her love, and she’s so happy Drew is going to be able to make it. Now she’s stressed about what to buy him.”
“She has a point. What do you buy a zillionaire?” Jeff responds, pulling my hand through his arm again.
We pick up the pace and finally arrive at his car without my frozen nose falling off. The blast of hot air from the vents is almost painful for a few seconds, and then it feels wonderful. I love Jeff’s little sports car. I don’t know what make or model it is though. Cars aren’t really my thing.
“So, where are we going for lunch?”
“Somewhere cheap. Remember, I haven’t worked for a few weeks, and Christmas shopping just about wiped me out.”
“Well, I guess I’ll pay, because I’m not going to eat cheap when I received my Christmas money from my parents today. I went from dirt poor to—let’s just say I have money now.”