by C. T. Oliver
Sweet melodies of Frank’s Orchestra and Frank singing about the good life wash over me as I stretch and rub my face into the plush pillow. Hmmm, this pillow wasn’t here when Craig laid me down earlier. Loving the pillows, I sigh and burrow in to get more comfortable.
Smells of spices and sweet bread have me curious and I turn to sit up, taking a few extra minutes to close my eyes for the contacts to lube up. One of these days I will get up the nerve to get Lasik. My bare feet pad into the kitchen, where it looks like Paula Deen has exploded all over the place. There is a lot of food and everything smells deliciously fattening.
“Look who finally woke up,” Craig says as he walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. He nuzzles a few kisses behind my ear. “I missed you,” he whispers, sending a shiver down my back.
“I hope you’re hungry, Shorty,” Cory hollers from across the kitchen where he’s feeding Larry a piece of jerky.
“We made you all our favorites,” Ben says standing by the oven.
“Wow, it looks like you guys have been busy and having fun in here.” I step out of Craig’s arms to look around. “How long was I out?”
“About four hours. We got a lot done. We made dinner and worked out a little in the gym.” Craig offers me a glass of wine. “Cory even gave Larry a bath while he was cooking earlier,” Craig chuckles.
I eye Cory, then Larry. “He fell in the sink, didn’t he?”
Cory looks a little worried. “Yeah, he wanted to watch me cook and got a little excited.”
I laugh remembering how scared I was when that first happened to me. “It’s okay, not the first time. Larry likes to be where the action is.”
Cory let out a sigh of relief. “Yeah, he got a nice bath, didn’t you boy?” he asks Larry and pets his small chocolate body. Larry is getting so spoiled.
“Wow, surfing really did tire me out.” I take a sip of wine. It’s sparkling, fruity, and refreshing. It might not be the best choice with Southern food, but I don’t care. It’s one of my favorites and I’m really touched Craig remembered. “What do you guys think of the gym?”
“Loved it! I think I want to meet with your uncle one of these days. Gotta respect a man who knows his way around a Wing Chun.” Ben starts to get the macaroni and cheese casserole out of the oven. A guy talking about karate training while wear oven mittens on both hands is a sight to behold.
I laugh at the excitement on Ben’s face. “I’ll introduce you guys sometime then.” Eyeing all the food, my stomach lets out an unladylike growl.
Craig chuckles, wrapping an arm around me. “Let’s set up for dinner, someone’s hungry.” In all the relationships I’ve had, I’ve never been as comfortable with anyone as I am with Craig. With my ex-boyfriends, I kept PDA to holding hands and hello and goodbye kisses. It’s not that I’m a prude, I just want to reflect professionalism and independence. With Craig, I just want to be wrapped up in him and I don’t care what Ben or Cory or anyone else thinks of it.
The guys set up a spread of Craig’s spicy chili over sweet corn bread, Cory’s chicken dumpling soup, and Ben’s three-cheese mac and cheese. We’re going through wine and beer like its water, but the spicy chili is so good, we have to cool our mouths down while eating it. Cory’s chicken dumpling soup is my favorite and I go through two bowls of it. I top off the meal with a plate full of Ben’s mac and cheese, the cheesiest mac and cheese I’ve ever eaten. By the end of the dinner, the food has brought me so much comfort I’m ready for another nap.
“You guys, that was so amazing. I could eat like that every night. Though I don’t think my arteries can handle it.” I lean back in my chair, rubbing my quadruplet-food-baby stomach and sigh contentedly.
“That’s nothing, you should try our mom’s fried chicken, or Ben’s dad’s rack of rib,” Cory says dreamily. “They’re heavenly.”
“Bro, finish the food you have in front of you before dreaming about your next meal.” Craig shakes his head and takes a sip of his scotch.
I am so in awe that these guys enjoy the simple things in life. Not like most people I know, worrying about money, stocks, and the things they have or haven’t bought. Besides my uncle’s gym and their taste for good scotches, these guys seem to only enjoy adventure, laughter, and the company around them. Pretty admirable for such young, driven men.
“So what’s on tomorrow’s docket for you guys?” I lean forward for my glass of water. The wine was getting to me, so I switched to water a while back.
“More surfing I guess. Craig’s goal is to get in as many waves as he can before heading back and getting ready for the bar exam,” Ben explains.
“Did you have anything planned?” Craig wraps an arm around my waist.
“Oh, I was planning on heading down to Shore’s Archery & Arms to practice. It’s been a while…why are you guys looking at me like that?” I look at all the confused faces around the table.
“You’re an archer?” Craig asks in a low voice.
“Yes, and I can shoot, too,” I say, feeling a little confused. “Doesn’t everyone in Texas know how to shoot?”
“Most, yes, but no offence, Shorty, you don’t look like someone who would be packing. You give out the peace and love vibe so it’s just a little…interesting, to say the least,” Cory leans back in his chair as if seeing me in a whole different light.
I shrug. “My father taught me how to shoot when I was young and it stuck. I like archery more and I’m better at it. I like the physics of shooting long range.” What Cory said is nothing I haven’t heard before. Most people who look at me think I can’t handle my own, even my father and uncle. That’s why they equipped me with the skills I need to protect myself…and maybe a few people around me. Okay, so maybe they went a little above and beyond the skills that I would need to defend myself, but I don’t like to be underestimated.
I look over at Craig and he has the biggest smile on his face, as if he’s the cat that ate the canary, and gloating about it. “You okay, babe?”
“Oh, yeah. You mind if we tag along tomorrow? The guys and I haven’t gone shooting in a while,” he asks while eyeing Ben and Cory before they share a secretive smile.
“Um, sure, you guys have your toys with you?” I ask, feeling like I’m being left out of an inside joke.
Craig chuckles softly. “I’m retired military and a Texas boy—I’ve got my toys with me.”
“Okayyy, you guys are up to something,” I halfheartedly accuse with a sigh. “I guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out.”
“We’ll just have fun tomorrow, don’t worry,” Craig leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I melt a little at being the object of his affection. Whenever we’re near each other, he seems to always have his arm around me, pulling me to his side. It makes me feel complete and treasured.
“Okay,” I sigh, leaning into his warm body. His skin still smells of fresh body wash and clean laundry. It’s the sexiest combination. I’m finding myself squeezing my thighs tightly trying to dull the aching feeling between my legs more often because of that sexy scent of his.
“Since you knocked out all afternoon, Craig sent me to the ice cream place to get dessert.” Cory is already up and heading to the fridge. “So…I got salted caramel ice cream cake!” He comes back to the table with a huge twelve-inch cake, topped with caramel and wedges of granny smith apples and a huge smile on his face.
“Cory, we’re not going to be able to finish this,” I laugh at his boyish excitement.
“You offend me! Of course I am going to finish this,” Cory rolls his eyes. “Besides, Phillip said this is payback for what you put in his till yesterday. That’s what he told me to tell you.”
I sigh heavily. “Of course, it is.”
I help the guys clean up and put away some leftovers. Looking around the kitchen, a joyous feeling settles in my heart. In the short amount of time I’ve known these guys, they have incorporated me into their little family and it makes me feel whole and included. For most of my life, I
didn’t know these types of feelings existed until I met Blu and Pen and we became our own family. My actual family only sees gatherings as a chance to report in on life’s accomplishments rather than being joyous and grateful for what you have.
Putting the last of the containers in the fridge, I feel familiar arms wrap around my waist. “Take a walk with me?” Craig kisses the side of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
“Sure, I’m sure Larry wants to stretch his legs, too,” I say with a giggle seeing Larry plopped down on the floor with his hippo.
“Sure, but we’re walking on the beach,” he says, reaching out to get Larry’s leash.
Outside, the sun is starting to set. A picturesque glowing orange ball sinking into the ocean against a grayish lavender sky. The breeze coming from the ocean makes it nippy. I throw on a North Face jacket over my sundress and wrap my scarf closer for warmth.
Walking down the stairs to the beach, Craig carries Larry so he doesn’t hurt himself on the tall steps. I’m happy seeing how the guys are so loving with Larry. Earlier, I caught Ben sneaking Larry a few bites of the ice cream cake. He is going to be round soon with all the food the boys are sneaking him.
Craig reaches for my hand the second we reach the ocean sand. I can’t remember the last time holding hands with someone felt so good. It makes me giddy and content. I look over at Craig, in his hoodie over a plain gray t-shirt and his light gray sweat pants. He looks every bit as hot as a runway model. He didn’t shave today, so his stubble gives him a wild look that only enhances his manliness.
Craig pulls me under his arm. “Are you cold?”
“Just a little, but I’m okay.” I look up at him. “Thank you for making me dinner. I don’t think I’ve had comfort food in a long time.”
“Anytime. Besides, it was the least we could do because you made us breakfast and lunch today.” He leans over and kisses my forehead.
“I don’t get to eat other people’s cooking often, so it was really special.” I lean closer to him. He lets go of my hand to wrap his arm around my shoulder pulling me into his warmth.
“So, tell me more about Pen and Blu.” He does a quick subject change.
I look up with a raised eyebrow. “You really wanted to ask me why I didn’t have family cooking for me didn’t you?”
Craig stops walking and looks at me with the most sympathetic eyes. “Yes, but I’m going to respect your wishes to tell me when you’re ready.”
I go up on my tiptoes and give him a kiss on the lips. “Thank you for respecting my wishes.” I offer him a small smile and we continue to head away from the sunset. “Well, I met Pen my freshman year in college. She and I were in a Fine Arts course together. She, of course, loved it, me, not so much.” I cringe at the memory of my ignorance. “We ended up being partners and because of Pen, I now have an appreciation for Renaissance art. I can’t tell one artist from another, but I can appreciate the work, the history, and the culture.”
“I can understand the feeling. Ben has dragged me to art showings where I can’t tell if it’s art or a car muffler, but I can see how some people ponder such pieces,” Craig chuckles at his own joke.
Craig leans down to pick up a whimpering Larry. “Little man must be tired.” We turn around to head back to the house. “What about Blu?”
I laugh at the memory of meeting Blu. “That’s a more interesting story.” I look up at him with serious eyes. “Believe it or not, I used to work as a barista at a Starbucks and Blu worked there with me.” I try to not show any emotion as I finish my sentence.
Craig looks at me and starts chuckle. “Amelia, I don’t know why, but it’s really funny that you used to make other people’s coffee.”
“I know, right?” I exclaim with childish glee. “I don’t know why, but when I tell people that, they can’t believe it. It’s not like it’s a bad job or anything, but they just can’t see me making other people’s coffee,” I state with a shrug. “That’s where I met Blu. He was finishing up beauty school. Oh, and when you meet him, you won’t believe he used to make other people’s coffee either,” I say with a laugh.
“Why’s that?”
“You’ll see for yourself. But yeah, that’s how Blu and I met. He showed me other shades of this world, I guess. I was so young and didn’t really know anything when I met him. He showed me how to loosen up, and appreciate all people.” I can remember how narrow minded I used to be before having Blu in my life.
“How did the three of you become a group then?” Craig asks. I can’t believe how curious he is regarding the details surrounding my life. It warms me that he cares to know.
“Well, one evening during my junior year, Pen and I were having a movie and wine night when Blu came rushing into my apartment which was just across from his. He was sad and depressed about it not working out with some guy he was seeing at the time and Pen had just broken up with her boyfriend and they bonded. And the rest is history,” I shrug.
“Okay, here’s the question. What makes them so special that they’re your best friends?” I stop and give him a raised eyebrow. “Amelia, I can tell you’re not one to open yourself up and trust easily, so what’s the trust factor?” he asks earnestly.
I look at him for a moment. “You have good insight, babe. I guess you do have a good lawyer face after all,” I grin up at him.
“Don’t change the subject, Amelia!” He puts on his mock serious face.
I sigh and start walking again. “Each one of us, in our own way, are lacking in the family department. So we found a kindred spirit in one another and became each other’s family.”
He looks over at me, giving me a confused look. “Lacking in the family department, how?”
I look into his eyes, exuding concern and in that moment I decide I’m going to take a leap of faith with Craig. I’ll pull a Lady Gaga and stand on the edge of glory with Craig. Maybe opening myself up to him will help me believe in people again. I can see that he does care for me, and hopefully with him, he won’t use my weakness for trusting too much in people against me.
Taking a deep breath, I take the leap. “Well, we don’t really have a conventional family, or the support of a family in the traditional way. Blu’s family doesn’t support his way of life so they cut him off. Pen lost her parents at an early age. Me—my mom passed away when I was twelve.” I take a deep cleansing breath and look out into the ocean. It still hurts to think about it. I miss my mom so much sometimes I find myself shedding tears when I least expect it. “And my father, well, he basically checked out after that and then moved to Colorado. He is basically just living out his days there,” I say with a shrug. Thinking about my father only makes me angry and disappointed. Overall, not welcoming feelings you should feel towards your parent. Then I feel guilty and sad that I have those feelings towards my own father.
Craig stops walking and pulls me into a fierce hug to soothe me. I can feel the burning in my eyes as tears start to well up behind my lids. I take in a deep breath of Craig’s scent and it’s the most reassuring smell.
I move to look up at him. “So, now you kind of get why I’ve been on my own since I was fourteen.”
He looks into my eyes and it’s as if he can read all my thoughts. “Somewhat, if anything, I’m thinking that I’m standing in the presence of someone who is remarkable and can’t believe how strong she is.”
I look into the face that is expressing so much concern for me, the face that I’m starting trust, and all the sadness that I’ve experienced in the past dims, because I’m looking into the face of my future. Caught up in my emotions, I give Craig a small nod and we continue to walk back to the house in comfortable silence.
Craig comes into the house and goes over to the sink to wash Larry’s paws while I take off my jacket and start the kettle for some tea. “The evening’s ours. Anything you want to do?” he asks.
“We can watch a movie. It will be our first dinner and a movie date,” I go up on my tiptoes and give him a peck on his cheek. His st
ubble tickles my lips sending a giddy feeling to my lower stomach. He is such a sexy man.
He leans in pulling me to his lips, but doesn’t quite touch. “Baby, when I take you out on a dinner and movie date, you’ll know. For one, there won’t be Cory or Ben and two, we’ll definitely end the night with a big bang,” he lifts his hips and rubs his erection between my thighs to emphasize his point, “not a simple walk on the beach.” He closes the distance and gives me a kiss that makes me feel all the muscles in my stomach clench, sex throb, and toes curl.
He steps away from me and walks into the living room with Larry in tow. Casually like he didn’t just set my panties on fire. “Anything you want to watch?”
I turn to look at him sitting on the couch with the evidence of our searing kiss bulging between his legs and I lose all intellectual thoughts. I sigh at the sight and start grabbing the tea and making popcorn. “Hmmm, an action film is fine. No girly films, please,” I tell him.
“What’s wrong with a girly film?” he asks from the living room.
“Nothing, it’s just they’re not my cup of tea.” I didn’t want to tell him that they always make me cry and leave me feeling hopeless. Those happily ever after romances don’t happen to me. People in my life always change and end up distancing themselves from me.
Coming into the living room I see he has put in Ocean’s Eleven, one of my all time favorites. “Oh, babe! Good choice,” I exclaim and sit myself under his open arm.
He pulls me into him. “Good, it’s one of my favorites.”
“Why? The bad guy got away with the money,” I give him a questioning look. “You’re a lawyer, you’re a part of the criminal justice system.”
“I told you, there are two sides to every story and in this case the better of the thieves won,” he shrugs. “I don’t condone their activities, but I can’t help but respect a good storyline,” he gives me a sneaky smile.
In that moment, I feel that I have to lay it out in the open with Craig before this goes any further and I get too emotionally invested. “Craig, please don’t ever lie to me,” I say in a succinct voice.