Indian Summer

by Eve L Mitchell

  Theo: Lil Bit? I’m intrigued. Talk to me

  I typed out the quickest response I’d ever written in my whole life.

  Me: How do I know if a guy is coming over me?

  I read the text back and choked back a laugh. Oh shit.

  Theo: WTF? It’s pretty fucking obvious. Are you ok? What the fuck are you doing?

  Me: No no no – I wrote it wring

  I tried desperately to write out the right message, before this all got worse.

  Theo: Wring?

  Me: Shut up.

  Theo: Arielle? Do I need to punch someone?

  Ugh, just hold on I am typing!

  Me: No!

  Me: I meant, how do I know if a guy is coming over for me, or because he wants to have sex with me?

  Silence.

  My cheeks were bright red, I hid behind my hair. Which was stupid, no one in class knew what I was talking about. I kept looking at the phone, now he wanted to take his time? The reply finally popped up on screen.

  Theo: Who is coming over?

  Me: Jay

  This was a stupid idea.

  Theo: I see.

  Me: You’re mad

  Theo: No

  Theo: Yes? I don’t know…

  Me: He isn’t his brother…

  Theo: You don’t know that.

  Me: Colton isn’t Connor! Ugh never mind, I am not going down that road. Are you going to help me?

  Theo: Help you find out if you’re going to have sex with Jay? No.

  Me: Oh…why?

  Theo: My advice? Have sex with the guy you actually want to have sex with and stop being stupid. Both of you.

  I put my phone down in disappointment. What would he know anyway?

  I trudged home somewhat disheartened but then what did I expect? They were loyal to a fault. I shouldn’t have asked.

  I sat in my room and considered my wardrobe. Did I dress for him or did it make sense to just be myself? I thought about back when I was with Connor. I had never gone to any special effort, he had been happy with who and what I was.

  They all were. I should just be myself. I needed to stop overthinking.

  I decided to make dinner. A vegetable pasta bake would be easy and was no fuss to make. Plus, I could just be me in my normal jeans and t-shirt. If Jay expected me to be more, he could look elsewhere.

  Feeling better, I pottered round the apartment. Did some homework. Fidgeted. Fretted. Spoke to myself more than usual.

  There was a knock at the door. I started in surprise. It was five minutes before 7:00.

  Smiling I opened the door to...Matt. I instantly frowned.

  “Hi Bit,” he greeted me as he walked in.

  “Um…” I started to close the door, it was pushed open again as Theo strolled in. “What’s going on?” I demanded. I looked out onto the stairwell to make sure the third musketeer wasn’t behind them and closed it forcefully.

  They were in my lounge. On my couch. Looking perfectly innocent.

  “You’re cock blocking me?” I blurted. “You fucking told?” I demanded of Theo.

  Matt was grinning. Theo was not looking at all apologetic.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, we came over to see how you were.” Theo replied, sorry lied. “It’s been very intense these last few weeks, a lot happened.”

  “Yeah Bit, you left on Wednesday and we wanted to make sure you were ok. I mean c’mon, are we suddenly bad people?” Matt was all innocence.

  Another knock at the door. I glared at them. They smiled back. Theo kicked his shoes off.

  I threw my hands up in the air and stormed to the door. I opened it to Jay and he swooped in to kiss me. Startled, I placed my hands on his chest as he leaned low to scoop me up.

  “Ari, when’s dinner to be served?” Theo called.

  Bastards.

  Jay stopped, he pulled his head back and appraised me. I flushed scarlet.

  He took his hands off me and walked into the living room.

  “You two?” Jay asked as he leaned against the door.

  “Jay.” They greeted simultaneously.

  “What are you doing here?” Jay asked.

  “Having dinner with Ari,” Matt answered. He was sitting in the corner of my couch, his arm resting along the back of it. Perfectly at ease. I suddenly pitied the poor guy who pursued his little sister Amy.

  Jay turned to me. I shrugged. What was I going to do, tell him they were here to make sure I wasn’t sleeping with him? Yeah that wouldn’t be awkward or presumptuous!

  Jay’s grin was a tad rabid when he smiled at Matt. He shrugged off his jacket. “Cool, what are we watching?” He sat down on the couch.

  They have got to be kidding me.

  Nope. They weren’t. All three of them decided to find a film that we all could watch. They settled on one of the Fast & Furious films. I retreated into the kitchen in disgust. Men and their fucking egos.

  I pulled out my tray bake. It looked delicious. I stabbed it ungraciously. Thankfully, I always made too much, so I would have enough to feed four. Not that I was going to be able to eat.

  “Can I help?” Theo asked me from behind.

  “Yes. You can leave,” I snapped turning my head to glare at him.

  He grinned and pulled me backwards from the cooker. He turned me deftly in his arms and squeezed me.

  “I love you Lil Bit, I’m sorry, you just can’t…you just can’t give it to him,” he murmured into my hair.

  “Give what?” I asked nervously.

  “Aw Lil Bit you’re too cute,” he ruffled my hair and then got four plates. Well at least he was letting Jay eat.

  I dished up the pasta and then the two of us carried it through to the lounge. Matt and Jay were in a tense stare off.

  “We ok in here?” Theo asked quietly, with a sharp look to Matt.

  “Absolutely,” Jay answered, he took his plate and then hauled me down beside him. I was almost on his lap. He kissed the corner of my mouth, “thank you darling.”

  I kept my eyes on the TV. I wasn’t looking at anyone.

  I pretended to eat my bake. Matt and Theo dug in. Even Jay focused on the food for about five minutes and then seeing I wasn’t eating reached over and helped himself to mine.

  I saw Theo tense and glance quickly at Matt. I didn’t want a fight, so I jumped up and disappeared into the kitchen.

  I found my phone on the window ledge. I took a breath. I opened my messages.

  Me: Do you know they are here?

  I waited. Three dots finally appeared.

  Cole: Where?

  I sighed. He better not be playing with me.

  Me: Here. Interrupting my, um, date?

  Cole: Are you on a date?

  Me: Why are you asking that? I just said I was.

  Cole: You didn’t seem sure. You said date? With a question mark. You can see how I could be confused.

  Me: FFS Cole.

  Cole: What? I’m confused. Aren’t you an English Major?

  I put my phone down. Asshat. I picked my phone up.

  Me: Asshat

  Cole: What is an Asshat anyway? I never understood that particular insult you are so fond of.

  Me: It’s YOU!!!!!

  Cole: You made up a word all for me? Awww, I didn’t get you anything.

  I snorted out a laugh. I was smiling. Asshat.

  Me: Are you going to come get them or tell them to leave?

  Cole: Nope.

  Me: Why?

  Cole: They’re happy, leave them be.

  Me: They’re ruining my night!!!

  Cole: Are they? You seem to be ok in another room…

  Me: How do you know I’m in another room?

  Cole: Because I know you.

  The smile faded. He did know. Knew me better than anyone.

  Me: I don’t like you.

  Cole: I know

  He sent that with a sad smiley face. My heart skipped.

  Me: Don’t be cute.

  Cole: You thin
k I’m cute?

  I didn’t even…ugh!

  Me: Will you stop it?

  Cole: Nope

  Me: You’re as bad as them.

  Cole: Worse

  Me: True! LOL

  I stood and stared at the phone. There were no more three dots. I read the conversation again. Was this flirting? Why was I in the kitchen flirting with Colton when Jay was in my living room?

  “You ok?” I jumped. Jay was standing in the doorway with two plates. He came into the room slowly. I hastily put my phone in my pocket.

  “Yeah.”

  “Who you texting?”

  “Corey,” I lied

  “Uh-huh,” he shook his head, “you’re a good cook.”

  “It’s a pasta bake, they pretty much make themselves,” I mumbled.

  “Sure.” He smiled at me. He looped a finger through my belt loop and pulled me forward. “I’m going to go. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum in there are here for the night.”

  I grimaced.

  “Want to go out tomorrow?”

  “Where?” I asked.

  “My friend’s having a party.” I tensed. “It’s ok, it’s not Aaron’s friends from the bar, different friends. You won’t know anyone.”

  Is that a good thing? I wondered. He noticed I was unsure.

  “I won’t let you out of my sight,” he tugged my chin up to meet him and he kissed me. I let him.

  “Hey Ari, any more?” Theo asked as he came into the kitchen. Jay stood back in frustration.

  “I’m gonna go,” he said to me.

  “So soon?” Theo asked. He dripped innocence. I was going to throat punch him.

  “Yeah. Shock eh.” Jay ground out as he walked passed him to get his coat from the lounge.

  “You’re a dick,” I whispered to Theo.

  “You love me.”

  I growled at him. He laughed. Jay popped his head in.

  “Tomorrow darling. Leave the goons behind this time,” he said with a wink, then he was gone.

  “What’s tomorrow?” Matt asked.

  I’d had enough.

  “What are you doing? What the hell was that?” I demanded.

  “You’ve got really bad taste in men. We’re here to help you,” Theo explained.

  I was dumbfounded. “What?”

  “Yeah you pick really dodgy guys. We’re going to teach you how to pick winners.”

  “Like you?” My tone was scathing.

  “Good God no, we’re the biggest players you’ll ever meet. We mean the opposite of us. Nice guys. We blame ourselves for leading you astray,” Theo looked at Matt and they high fived.

  “Get out of my apartment before I kill you both,” I growled at them.

  Matt laughed and tackled me over his shoulder and carried me to the lounge.

  “Chill out Bit. It’s Friday. You’re with your family. Let’s watch a movie,” he plonked me on the couch. My heart clenched at family.

  Theo dropped beside me. He slung his arm over my shoulder, I wiggled out of it. He pulled me back.

  “Hey Ari, can you make us some of those pizzas in the freezer? I’m starving.”

  Yeah, I was definitely going to kill them.

  Despite the way it started, Friday night was fun. We watched a silly action movie that had bad acting and mediocre stunts. I wasn’t sure it was supposed to be funny, but I found it hilarious. I eventually thawed to their teasing and their nonsense.

  They just bowled me over with their incorrigibleness. I don’t know whether I forgave them, or they just wore me down to the point where I didn’t care anymore.

  Did this make me weak? I didn’t think so. They were my family. You forgave family. If I could throw them under the bus to their parents – and have them still be here in my life – then they could throw their weight around with Jay. I guess we were even.

  An image of Colton flashed into my head and I reached for my phone. Theo was sprawled over my couch watching the news, while Matt was making tea for us all. Look at us, the happy little family.

  I read the messages from Colton from earlier. A smile played round my lips. I tugged my hair. Should I text him? No. Why? Because he isn’t yours!

  Huh. There was that. I could hear my mums’ words again in my head as I contemplated my phone, pushing her out of my head I decided to text.

  Me: They didn’t leave.

  Three dots popped up. I waited.

  Cole: I figured.

  Yeah. That was lame, they weren’t with him, where else would they be?

  I looked at the phone. No more dots. I sighed. Did I write another message? No that made me desperate. You are desperate. Shut up.

  Matt came in and placed a tray of tea and cookies on the side table. He ruffled my hair, as he handed me my tea. Weak and black. Perfect.

  Me: Matt made me tea and cookies.

  Wow. That was the lamest text ever.

  Three dots…

  Cole: Good good.

  Ok. Stop texting him. He isn’t interested. Why are you trying to start something, you can’t flirt with him. Leave him alone.

  I put my phone down. I looked up and Matt was watching me with a small smile.

  “Our boy ok?” He asked nonchalantly. He sat back in his seat and kicked his legs out. Theo’s head popped up from the cushion.

  “What?” My voice squeaked.

  Matt chuckled. “Cole is he ok?”

  “How do you know it’s Cole?” I asked as I fidgeted.

  Theo’s laughter shook the house. I glared at him. Matt laughed too but calmed down quicker.

  “Because Bit, you play with your hair and blush when you text Colton,” Matt’s eyes were lidded as he watched me, but he was happy.

  “I was just telling him you were still here,” I muttered defensively.

  Theo reached over for his tea. “He knows,” he winked at me, “now why are you blushing so sweetly? You sexting?”

  I spat tea out.

  I wiped my mouth on my sleeve like a child. Matt was grinning at Theo, they were both dicks.

  “Oh my God. NO!”

  “Do you even know what sexting is? You’re so innocent Ari,” Theo said fondly.

  My cheeks were burning, “I know what it is, I’m not a child.”

  “Leave her be Theo,” Matt admonished. Theo winked at me and then dropped his head back onto the arm of the sofa and resumed watching the news.

  I tried to focus on the news, it was all about politics. I didn’t understand politics. My phone lit up. I couldn’t stop the thrill of excitement that ran through me as I reached for it.

  It was from Jay. I found myself caught off guard by how intense my disappointment was.

  Jay: Have the goonies gone, is it safe to come back?

  He wanted to come back, I glanced at the time. It was after eleven. There was only one thing he was coming back for, I frowned.

  “Pretend you didn’t see it, say you were in bed when it came through,” Theo’s voice was soft. I looked at him.

  “It is late,” I said as I worried at my lower lip.

  “It is Bit. We stay with you tonight eh?” Matt asked. I rolled my eyes. My two knights in shining armour.

  “Where are you gonna sleep?” I asked.

  “I’ll go in with you,” Matt answered easily. Theo nodded.

  “Yeah Matt’s definitely the safer option than me,” He grinned wickedly. Matt swiped his legs.

  “Why does either of you have to sleep with me?” I asked.

  “We’re not sleeping with you Bit. Jesus you want me to die?” Matt muttered. “I’m merely sleeping in the same bed with you. We’ve done it before.”

  I looked at the two of them.

  “You’re really not leaving?” I asked incredulously.

  “Sleepy,” Theo said as he immediately closed his eyes.

  “Oh my God! I’m not going to let him in!” I snapped.

  “Good to know,” Theo answered, he still had his eyes closed.

  I looked to Matt. “This is not
normal behaviour.”

  “Course it is.”

  “I need the bathroom.” Grabbing my phone, I marched off to the bathroom and closed the door firmly.

  Me: They won’t leave

  I waited.

  Cole: I’m getting de ja vu…

  Me: Don’t be a dick.

  Cole: Language Ari…

  Me: Cole…this is crazy.

  Cole: ...?

  I had a wicked thought.

  Me: Matt is going to sleep in my bed...with me

  Long pause. I could see the three dots. Then they went away. Then they came back. I started pacing in the bathroom.

  Cole: Better him than Theo

  Me: Seriously?

  Cole: Theo snores.

  Me: You sleep with him often?

  Cole: Matt’s a snuggler.

  I snorted out a laugh.

  Me: Colton! Come get them or tell them to come home.

  Cole: If I come there, it won’t be Matt in your bed…

  Oh shit. Something fluttered low down inside me. I read the message three or four times. I swallowed.

  Me: Colton…?

  Cole: You’re safe Ari, I texted Matt, they’re leaving.

  The disappointment I felt that he wasn’t coming, was alarming in its intensity.

  Me: Oh. Thank you

  I put the phone down and regarded myself in the bathroom mirror. My hair was messy and tangled, my eyes were bright and shining, my cheeks flushed. The way he affected me was insane.

  A sharp knock on the door, made me jump.

  “You can come out Ari, your pleading worked. We’re leaving,” Theo yelled playfully.

  I opened the door and grinned.

  “Busted!” Matt laughed.

  “I’m not even sorry,” I laughed with them.

  “Low blow Lil Bit,” Theo was putting his shoes on, as he grinned at me.

  They gathered their things and in about ten minutes, they were gone. I locked the door behind them.

  I turned the lights off in the lounge, then went and brushed my teeth. I brushed my hair.

  I changed and climbed into bed.

  I looked at my phone. I read the same message about a hundred times.

  I put the phone down.

  I picked it back up. Without thinking about it I punched out a text.

  Me: I wouldn’t have been complaining if it was you in my bed…

  I waited.

  He was sleeping?

  Colton never slept, he was like a vampire.

  I checked the phone.