I got up Sunday morning and had a leisurely shower, then made sure my apartment was tidy. I had then dug out all the stuff I needed for the boy’s pancakes. I was nervous but excited at the same time.
I got the skillet out and lightly oiled it. I got the bacon from the fridge and decanted the fresh orange juice I had bought yesterday into a pitcher. I set the table for three.
My doorbell rang and I had to stop myself from running to answer it. I opened the door and was swept up into a huge bone crushing hug. I looked over the shoulder of my assailant and grinned at Matt. Theo finally put me down as he walked into my living room and then it was Matt’s turn to hug me. I don’t think I had been so happy in a long time.
“Nice digs here Lil Bit.” Theo commented as he looked around. I looked around my apartment, it was humble but it was mine. I smiled shyly. “One bed?” He asked as he started to prowl around. I sighed in exasperation, there was no need to scold him, he wouldn’t realise he was being nosy. It was only me after all.
“Two beds.” I corrected as I watched him poke his head into my spare room. I was using it as a study mostly but it still had a single bed in it. He grinned appreciatively and then frowned at the one bath.
“So…you’re alone?” He asked.
“Yes.” I confirmed, I shifted nervously, I knew where this was going.
Theo frowned, “Where’s your dad?”
“He isn’t here,” I mumbled and started to head to the kitchen.
“How can you afford the rent for this Lil Bit?” Matt asked, the guys knew I didn’t come from money, so me having a two-bed apartment on my own, raised eyebrows.
“Oh I’m a hooker at the weekend.” I joked. Both guys stared at me. “Oh my God. I’m joking! Asshats! Come and get breakfast before I decide not to feed you.” I scolded. I wasn’t ready to tell them. They needed to know, I had been so worried about seeing the others, I hadn’t thought about having to tell them about dad.
The guys settled at my insistence and it was really quite funny seeing two hulking guys sitting at my tiny kitchen table. I heated the skillet as Matt poured us all juice.
“So seriously, how can you afford this Ari?” Matt asked.
“I came into some money a few months ago. I thought buying a place was better than renting or whatever.” I shrugged. I started pouring batter onto to the skillet.
“Win the jackpot in Vegas?” Theo joked. God they were like dogs with a bone. I didn’t raise my head as I added blueberries to the mix before flipping the pancakes.
“My dad died.” My voice came out in a whisper, “I got money from that.” I looked at them and shrugged, I turned my head back to the breakfast.
There was silence. I looked up again – Matt and Theo were just looking at me. I felt uncomfortable.
“Jesus Ari, what happened?” Matt asked. He looked torn between reaching for me and staying put. So, as I fried the bacon and made the pancakes. I gave them a quick rendition of the last eight months. As I plated up the boys had remained silent the whole time. They ate in silence as they listened to me. I knew they were numb but they still managed to eat every scrap of food I put in front of them. I looked at them. Matt looked distraught, Theo looked suspiciously glassy eyed.
“You should have called us.” Matt said. “Wait that’s why you called me wasn’t it? That night, it wasn’t because you missed us.” His tone was slightly accusatory.
“I did miss you, all of you. Yes, it wasn’t long after that, it was my first night here.” I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “So...how’s school?” I needed to break the silence. Wordlessly I was lifted off of my seat and put on Theo’s knee. He hugged me tightly.
“I’m not even going to mention that you phoned Matt and he didn’t tell any of us.” A glare at Matt for that, “Nor am I going to say you should have called us, because you should have and you know it. What I will say is that you are never going to be alone again. I don’t care about the drama, you’re one of us and you will never be alone again. Ok?” I looked at him and felt the tears streaming down my face. I nodded. He patted me on the head. I called him a jerk. He laughed.
I was lifted off of Theo’s lap, scooped up onto Matt’s and hugged again.
“I have a question,” Matt said as he set me down on my feet “Where’s the coffee, caffeine queen?”
I laughed – I wiped my eyes and laughed hard. It felt good. I obligingly went and poured these precious men two steaming cups of coffee.
They helped me clean up. Theo was in love with my apartment, he especially liked my veranda on the back. As we did dishes, we chatted about everything and nothing. I didn’t mention the Dawson brothers and neither did they.
“I forgot to tell you Ari, I’m in love.” Theo declared. My coffee almost sprayed the table as I fought not to choke. I looked at Theo in disbelief. Matt was shaking his head in amusement.
“You? You are in love?” I asked sceptically. Trust me, if any of those four were going to be in love, it most certainly wasn’t Theo. He was a manwhore. I loved him, but he was.
“Yes.” He was beaming. I began to feel slightly guilty for being so condescending.
“He met her Friday Bit; he doesn’t even know her last name.” Matt said, he was leaning back on my couch grinning. Theo punched him, they mock fought. I jumped in between them before my apartment was wrecked. They were only play fighting, but these guys played hard. They broke apart; I was settled in between them. I sighed happily.
“I’m telling you Ari, she’s the one.” Theo affirmed as he flopped down on my couch again. I laughed out loud; I had missed them so much.
“What’s her first name?” I asked Theo as I grinned at Matt.
“Names are unnecessary when you are in love.” Theo declared.
“Oh my God you don’t even know! You complete useless man child!” I screamed as Theo launched himself at me and started tickling me relentlessly. Matt eventually came to my aid and we collapsed on my sofa laughing hard.
The rest of the day passed like that, with laughter and really bad jokes. We watched old movies and ate pizza and popcorn by the bucket.
Matt glanced at his watch, he shifted slightly, it was getting late, but I knew that wasn’t the problem. Theo tensed minutely beside me.
“You have to go?” I asked quietly. They nodded.
“We’re getting them from Denver Airport.” Matt confirmed. I nodded, of course they would be. I stood up, so did the guys.
“You best get going. It was soooo good to see you.” I said as I twisted my hands.
“Hey, don’t be sad,” Matt said, “This isn’t bad, you’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of us, I promise.” Theo was nodding emphatically behind him.
“Most def, you’re not alone anymore and we’ll get rid of that Ronnie guy for you too.” He half growled.
“Robbie.” I corrected and I slapped his arm. “He is a friend, a friend only.” I said firmly. Theo snorted. Matt grinned but it wasn’t a fun filled grin.
“Yeah, he’s not a friend Ari. The way he looked at you, that guy has you and friends as the last thing on his mind. Trust me, I know.” Theo said as he pulled his boots on. “I’ll have a word with him.” He grinned at me. I felt anxious for Robbie.
“Please don’t.” I pleaded. I looked to Matt for support. He was in full agreement with Theo I could tell. “Please?”
“We’ll talk about it later Lil Bit.” Theo ruffled my hair as he pulled me in for a hug, then he was out the door.
“Matt?” I turned to him and he smiled as he pulled me in for a hug too. “Later Bit. This was fun, missed you so much. I’ll be in touch.” Then they were both gone. I groaned and laughed at the same time. I went to bed with a smile on my face, this was the happiest I had been on a very long time.
Maybe things were looking up?
I woke up Monday morning still light hearted and actually realised I was singing in the shower. With a skip in my step I got ready and pulled on my favourite jeans and a plain black t-shirt.
Grabbing my jacket, I headed out the front door. Morning classes flew by and as I was heading out my last class before lunch, I was still smiling.
The smile faded as I came face to face with Connor in the hall. He was leaning against a wall, he looked so relaxed, and he just seemed to be waiting for someone, had he been waiting for me to come out?
“Connor?” I had frozen, midway out of the class and I was holding people up. I could feel them gather behind me. Connor grinned at me in that manic way of his that warned me that I wasn’t going to like what happened next. He reached out and took my arm, guiding me away from the crowd.
“Arielle, walk with me.” He started to walk away pulling me reluctantly along behind him. I glanced frantically over my shoulder, looking for a quick getaway. I glanced back towards Connor, he had stopped walking and was looking back at me. The grin was quick and mocking, he knew I wanted to run.
“Going to run away again Arielle?” He was definitely mocking me as he let go of my arm.
I felt my temper surfacing. I glared at him and took the few steps that drew me level with him. When he saw that I was willing, he resumed walking. We walked out of the building into the autumn sun but I felt cold. He led me over to a bench situated under a tree, somewhat in the shade.
“So, how have you been?” He asked me. He didn’t turn and look at me, he was looking out over the campus. He appeared so relaxed, but I knew him well, he was wound very tightly.
“How did you know where I was?” I asked. I couldn’t believe the boys had told him where I was.
“I saw you in the library.” Connor said, he glanced at me. His jaw clenched and he looked away again. “I saw you dive behind that guy. I wasn’t sure it was you but as you hid behind a bookshelf,” his hands clenched into fists, “I caught a whiff of lavender and I knew it was you.”
I laughed at the irony. I had changed so much, but I was still a creature of habit and my shampoo and conditioner where the same brand I always used. I felt relieved, Matt and Theo hadn’t told him, they had kept their promise and I felt horrible that I had doubted them.
Connor was looking at me, his eyes ran over me then he looked away again. “I can’t believe you hate me so much you hid from me Ari.” I saw him shake his head as if he still didn’t believe it.
“You hardly saw me; I can’t believe you recognised me in that small instant.” I replied softly.
Connor threw his head back and laughed. “I always forget that you will never realise that no matter where you are, you are always the most beautiful girl in the room. There wasn’t a guy in that library that wasn’t checking you out. I think I knew it was you before I even saw you.”
I shifted uncomfortably, I caught Connor’s rueful look.
“So,” he continued, “What brings you here?” Another quick glance at me, then out again over the campus.
I took a deep breath, ready to start talking but then I felt someone standing close.
“Elle?”
I looked up at Robbie, he was looking between me and Connor with obvious confusion.
“Robbie, hi, um this is...” I started, oh good lord, how do you explain Connor to someone?
Robbie looked peeved, “How do you know this guy? I thought you said you didn’t know him? Wait, is he friends with your fiancé?”
My heart stopped.
Connor’s head turned to me so quickly I swear he must have given himself whiplash.
“Fiancé? Are you joking?” Connor was on his feet, he was glaring at me. Robbie was frowning between both of us. I stood also – it made no difference really but made me feel better.
Connor was livid and looking at me, demanding an explanation. He lurched forward and grabbed my hand, examined the ring briefly and threw my hand away from him.
“You better start talking, right now.” He said at the same time Robbie demanded that he not touch me. Connor was in his face before he stopped talking.
“Seriously, you better walk away before you can’t walk.”
“Connor!” I placed my hand on his arm trying to pull him back. “Robbie’s a friend, c’mon let’s go for a walk.” He wasn’t budging, how was I suddenly in this crazy again?
“Hey guys what’s happening?” I turned to see Matt and Theo hurrying towards us, I felt myself exhale in relief. Theo was beside Connor not moving him away from Robbie just standing there as if in support. I looked at Matt beseechingly – he rolled his eyes at me in exasperation.
“I don’t know how you do it. How does this always seem to happen?” He muttered as he walked past me. “Hey Connor, let the guy walk away, he’s a friend of Ari’s.” Matt started to talk Connor down.
I stood there slightly perplexed at what Matt had implied, it wasn’t really my fault this was happening, was it?
I focused back in as I noticed Robbie of course was having none of it. “Of course, both of you again, I should have known you were friends with this jerk.” Robbie looked really angry.
All I could focus on was that he had just alerted Connor to the fact that both Theo and Matt knew I was here. I was suddenly very on edge again. I saw Theo take a step towards Robbie, now I wasn’t sure who was going to swing first.
Connor glanced at Matt, eyes hard. “Again?”
“Look man, we can explain, let’s just go somewhere and talk,” Matt, still trying to diffuse the situation.
“What, so we can talk about her fiancé?” Connor bit out, that hard stare was trained on me now. Theo snorted.
“She’s not engaged man, she just told this douche she was so he would stop hitting on her.” Robbie took a step back, now he was glaring at me too. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Connor relax somewhat.
“You’re not engaged?” Robbie demanded.
In an instant Connor was in his face again. “Why’d my girl have to lie to you, were you bothering her?”
“I’m not your girl!” I half shouted in frustration, “I’m not anyone’s girl!”
“What do you mean your girl?” Robbie was definitely enraged; his attention was back on Connor. Both of them seemed to be itching for a fight.
“Yes Connor, I thought I was your girl?” Came a soft voice from behind me. I turned to see the girl from the library. She flicked her eyes at me, but her attention was all on Connor.
“Corey baby, I didn’t know you had class today.” Connor’s smile was all charm and I couldn’t help it, I snorted. He glared at me briefly and pulled the golden goddess into his arms.
Meanwhile Robbie was still glaring at me and waiting for an explanation. Theo was standing very close to him, ready to stop anything from further developing. Matt had sidled up beside me and his hand was on my lower back.
“What’s happening here Connor?” Corey wasn’t fooled with the embrace and Connor’s easy smile. She looked at me, a quick once over appraisal and she frowned. “Who is she?”
“This is my dear good friend Arielle. An old friend from back home, I haven’t seen her in months.” Connor was looking at me too, although the easy smile had vanished and his eyes were hard again.
I flinched at the tone. Robbie moved around Theo.
“So, you’re not engaged?” He demanded, his eyes were confused and I almost wanted to lie again.
“Course she isn’t moron,” Theo laughed “You think a fiancé would let someone that looked like Ari go to college without coming with her?”
Connor’s grin was feral as he turned to Robbie. “Yeah take the hint wanna be lover boy, she’s not interested, run along.” He flicked his hand in a shooing motion to add insult to injury.
“Will you all stop!” I growled. My patience had run out, this was the worst scenario I could have imagined, my nerves were fraught.
“Connor, it was nice to see you, but I should let you get to class or whatever.” I was being lame and a chicken. Connor called me on it immediately.
“No no Arielle, we need to have a nice long talk.” He was back to being a jerk again. He turned to the golden goddess in his arms, he kis
sed her cheek. “I need to chat with Arielle real quick with the guys, I’ll catch you later ok baby?”
Corey took a step back, she looked at me and then Matt and Theo before looking at Connor. “You all need to talk to her?” I could see how she would be confused. It was a little weird. “Have none of you seen her?”
Connor barked out a humourless laugh. “Oh no my guys have been seeing her regularly, but this is the first time I caught up with her.” Theo muttered it wasn’t really regularly, but Connor ignored him.
“Well what are you going to talk about?” Corey asked. Her hands were on her hips. She had on a short denim skirt and a flowery camisole. Her long blonde hair was in a ponytail and really, I don’t know what Connor was thinking letting her go just to speak to me. She was gorgeous.
Her blue eyes flicked to me, as if to say, why are you so important? I felt Matt run his hand up my back as if to reassure me, I knew he knew I was tense.
“Well we need to talk about old times and I want to know how her dad is, you know how it is babe, catch up.” Connor was trying to placate her.
Robbie snorted. “You’re not that good a friend you don’t know her dad’s dead.”
I gasped. I hated him in that minute, how dare he say it so callously, say it to score a point in a game he was never going to win.
Connor froze. I jumped when Theo punched Robbie. Robbie wasn’t expecting it and went down with the punch. Matt sprang forward to stop Theo following through with anymore punches. “You do not talk to her again, or I’ll do more than punch you, now fuck off.” Theo growled down at him.
Matt had his hand on Theo’s arm but I could see it was tentative hold, I don’t think he would have stopped anything else from happening. Meanwhile Connor was looking at me. In that moment I saw my Connor, the 15-year-old Connor who made me laugh and love him. His eyes were bright, as I realised, he had tears in his eyes.
“Jeff’s dead?” He came towards me, I nodded as my own tears spilled over. He had me in his arms in a moment and wrapped them around me. I sank against him for just an instant. He let me go, I nodded I was ok. Connor turned to Corey, he raised his hands helplessly.
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