Finding Serenity

by Amanda Perry

  Marak chuckles along with Allistar, Maverick, and Syn. With their reactions, I suspect I missed an inside joke. "What?" My tone comes out harder than I intended, but I don't like to be left out.

  My anger doesn't faze Marak. "I wasn't distracted by the people. I was distracted by you and your safety."

  Talk about leaving a girl speechless. What am I supposed to say in response? Hey, thanks for caring more about me than your job. Essentially, that’s what he said without the words.

  Lucky for me, Maverick takes the conversation back to topic. "Anyway, we were able to pull up the plates. The vehicle was reported stolen a week ago. The owner is an eighteen-year-old girl who knew nothing about the crime. It's highly likely the attacker ditched it by now. If we can find it, we may be able to run prints or DNA, but finding it is the issue."

  My eyebrows draw together. “Are you sure the girl who owns the car wasn’t in on it?”

  “It’s pretty safe to assume.” Marak snorts and shakes his head. “I can’t directly quote her, but I do remember something along the lines of, ‘O.M.G, no freaking way! Does this mean, like, the government is going to replace my car? I didn’t get insurance because it was just a lot of extra money, and I wouldn’t have been able to get my nails and hair done if I paid that. So, the president pays for that now, right?’”

  “Wow.” So many issues with only a few sentences. “She really said that?”

  Marak nods. “More or less.”

  "So, it's back to square one?" My shoulders sag.

  "Not really," Allistar speaks up. "We learned a few things. First, you're being watched closely. He found you too easily yesterday. We don't know how he's watching you, but he is, which means he or someone he trusts is close by, therefore easier to catch."

  "Which means no going out on your own again," Marak growls, his normal goofiness gone. "This is serious, Red. I know you were pissed off yesterday. You had every right to be, but your life and safety are more important than being angry at us."

  My only reply is a defiant nod. He's right, and I know it. But it doesn't mean I want to admit it.

  "Speaking of that," Syn speaks up, but I hold my hand up to stop him.

  "I've already decided to forgive you all. It isn't your job to take care of me, I shouldn't expect you to." My fit from yesterday seems silly now. "Thanks for the help last night, though."

  "Taylor..." Allistar sighs. A sharp scowl from Maverick stops him from saying any more.

  Marak pulls my attention away from their oddly tense moment. "Hey, we have some friends who invited us over for lunch. You sort of met two of them. Lochlan—the one with all the tattoos—was with Maverick when you first woke up in the hospital. Talen was the one who nearly ran me over when I first met you. The others, Declan, Duncan, and Dominic are their brothers. There's also Austyn and Parker."

  "Holy crap," my eyes pop wide, "that’s a lot of guys. I remember the one that came in with you and the tattooed crazy person that was with Maverick. I didn’t meet the others, I don’t think."

  Marak chuckles. "It is a lot. Except for Parker, she's one of the girls who was taken."

  My body stiffens immediately. Syn scoots over to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders to pull me into his side. "Hey, it's okay. You’re safe now. Remember that."

  "It's not that. It's just..." My words falter, and I need clear my throat to regain some composure. "Is she okay?"

  The four of them exchange loaded glances, and my stomach drops to the ground. Syn notices the beginnings of the shakes before anyone else. He pulls me onto his lap sideways and hugs me to his chest. "She's okay, Taylor. She wasn't, not for a while. She got hurt pretty badly. She’s been home from the hospital for a few weeks. She's the reason we found you, actually."

  I blink up at him. "What do you mean?"

  "I mean Lochlan and Dominic work with us a lot. Their, erm...parents do also. Anyway, when she was taken, they called in a favor with us. They asked us to help with a raid of the place. We agreed, and that's where we found you."

  I want to meet this Parker girl and know for myself that she's okay. Even thank her family for finding us. Would it be rude for me to ask to tag along? "So, you guys are going to lunch with your friends? Should I just hang out here?"

  "Oh, Taylor, you’re so cute." Syn rubs the tip of his nose against my ear, and I lift my shoulder to stop him, laughing despite myself. It makes me nervous for him to show affection in front of the other guys. What if someone picks up on my fondness for all of them? "You're coming with us. It'll be fun, and Maggie cooks like a five-star chef."

  "Maggie?" If I stopped for a second, I could probably figure out who she is, but my brain doesn’t want to work. All of my focus turns to ensuring that none of them notice the pleasure it brings me to be physically close to Syn, how badly I want to be close to them all.

  Marak stands and stretches. "Their mom. She's really cool. Almost cooler than Syn's mom."

  "Hey!" Syn shouts, and I cringe away. "No one is cooler than my mom, asshole."

  "It's fine,” I wave a hand in the air between me and Syn, “I didn't need hearing in my left ear, anyway."

  The sarcasm isn't lost on Syn. He hugs me and apologizes though he doesn’t stop growling at Marak.

  I roll my eyes and hop off his lap as he continues his bitch fit with Marak. The two of them leave the room bickering back and forth.

  When the guys go off to do what they’re going to do, two realizations occur to me. They didn’t go to work today, and now, it’s too late for me to go in, too. They also didn’t ask if I even wanted to go to lunch with them and their friends, but I don't mind. I like that they included me in their plans, even if it’s only because they can’t leave me alone.

  The bitch fits continue through the house, and even while I listen to them bicker, their bond is crystal clear and impossibly strong. They need to get rid of me before I screw things up for them.

  The Harper-Smith residence should be on one of those look at my perfect house shows on TV. The décor is incredible and stylish; the home itself is immaculate and beautiful.

  Introductions go quick and remain simple. Lochlan remembers me from the hospital, and I remember him—he’s giant and scary as hell. Maverick and him boast similar builds, but something about Lochlan intimidates me and makes me want to hide behind Maverick.

  Talen also remembers me though we were never introduced. Declan and Duncan are carbon copies of each other. It's impossible for me to know who’s who, but luckily, they're not bothered by the confusion. Dominic doesn't say a lot, but he's kind. All of them have nice manners and welcome me into the group.

  For some reason, they're all distracted. They may believe they're slick, but each one of them keeps a subtle eye on Parker, who’s adorable and sweet. Even after what happened to her, she's all smiles. She’s also oblivious to the attention the five men in the room give her. Her attention stays on lunch, then on a board game with Austyn and Maggie.

  I fall completely in love with Austyn. He's hilarious and funky. He clearly loves Parker like a sister, and she loves him like a brother. If I had a brother, I’d want him to be exactly like Austyn.

  Lunch goes by quickly. Maggie made an epic chicken Caesar salad. I asked where she bought it from, and she told me she made it. I was shocked and impressed. It didn’t taste like the kind from the bag you mix and serve. She even grilled the chicken herself and left the little black grill lines like they do on TV. I can cook if I must, but nothing like Maggie.

  After everyone finishes, the guys wander out of the room to do whatever it is a group of nine guys do. Maybe they're going to paint each other’s nails and talk about the latest episode of some housewife show. It’s doubtful, but what do I know? Maggie insists we play our game while she cleans up the kitchen. She vehemently refuses my help; I offer multiple times.

  Austyn's phone dings on the table while he and Parker set me up to play with them. He scoops it up to read the message, then hoots with laughter and drops the phone back
down. He smirks at Parker. "Your boyfriends’ group texted me to make sure you're okay. I'm not fucking answering that shit. They're two rooms away for fucks sake."

  Parker's eyes dart to mine and widen. It takes my mind a few seconds to catch up to what Austyn said and my eyes pop like Parker's. “Did you say boyfriends? As in plural?"

  It isn't something I meant to say out loud, but who in their right mind could hear a sentence like that and not ask a question. Parker's mouth opens and closes a few times, her chest rises and falls rapidly with quick, short breaths.

  Austyn takes her hand and answers for her. "Yeah, she's dating my brothers."

  "All five of them? At the same time?" I'm skeptical and wait for the gotcha part of the joke.

  Austyn's eyes narrow at me. My reaction doesn't sit well with him, obviously. "Yes. All of them at the same time. You didn't know that?"

  "No." I shake my head slowly. "I mean, I noticed them all looking her way through lunch, but I didn't know they were all together like that. I figured maybe it was a lot of crushes or something."

  None of us move or talk for a few long minutes as I sort out the new information. Parker’s anxious about me being privy to her business; Austyn’s defensive. I don’t consider the situation something disgraceful—if they're happy, then great for them. It really makes no sense to me, though. How would a relationship like theirs work? A million questions race through my mind, begging to be answered. I frown and huff with my frustration.

  "Is there something you'd like to say?" Austyn must take my silence and frustration as judgment for Parker and his brothers. Really, it’s an attempt to keep my curiosity to myself.

  Parker probably doesn't want a stranger asking her tons of questions about her relationship and how it all works. Austyn takes my lack of answer to his question the wrong way and stands up. "If you've got an issue with my brothers and my best friend, then you've got an issue with me. I should probably warn you that both of my dads are on their way home from work. If you'd like to get your judgments out, I'd do it now. Then you can leave before they get here."

  "Whoa." I blink at him. He waits impatiently for me to respond, and I take my time with it, debating what to say. In the end, my first thought pops out. "You really love your family, huh?"

  He reels back, clearly not expecting my answer. It stuns him into silence, and I take my chance at explaining myself. "I'm not judging anyone, I swear. It's just a little bit shocking, I guess. I didn't exactly expect that. It's not my job to tell you guys what's right and wrong. I'm just—"

  "Just what?" Parker, who remained silent and wide-eyed the whole time, finally speaks up but it's only a whisper.

  I clear my throat and shake my head. "I'm just curious how it all works. I don’t want to pry into your life by asking you questions, but I’m interested."

  Austyn plops down into his chair again and blows out a deep breath. "Oh, good. I don't have to kick you out then."

  "Not unless you want to." I smirk.

  He laughs. "I'm sorry. It's pretty common for my family to get weird looks and comments in public. Parker and the guys haven't gone out together much, yet, so she isn't used to it. My dads and mom are, and it doesn't bother them anymore. It bothers me and my brothers. People can be cruel. It can make a guy defensive. Like you said, I love my family. I’d do anything to protect them."

  "I get it. I'd probably be the same way." His protectiveness doesn't bother me in the least. He wants to keep his family safe from the judgmental jerks of the world. Growing up without parents, I know how he feels.

  He glances at me sideways, then gives Parker a mischievous smile. "So, Taylor," he says, while still staring at Parker, "you have questions, huh?"

  "Hey," I hold my hands up, "it’s not my business. I don't want to step on any toes or dig into personal crap."

  "You're really not freaked out by my relationship with them?" Parker relaxes slightly but remains ambivalent.

  My shoulders lift then drop heavily. "I can't say I'm not shocked. It's pretty damn shocking. But if you're asking me if I think badly of you, your boyfriends, or this family, then the answer is no. It doesn't change who you are. If you turn out to be an asshole who sticks gum in my hair and yells at puppies, then I'll think of you as an asshole. Dating more than one guy in a consensual relationship doesn’t make you or them bad people."

  She snorts, and her gaze shoots to the sliding glass door leading to the backyard. "I'll admit, I've wanted to yell at Pup and Kit a few times. But I love them."

  Two massive German shepherds run around the backyard, chasing and tackling each other. They seem mischievous, so I can kind of understand what she means. “Are they mean?”

  “Not at all.” She shakes her head vigorously. “Lochlan taught them to jump circles around me any time I’m near, though. So, if they spot me, I can’t walk because they’re in my way, jumping up and down.”

  “That’s kind of funny,” I snicker.

  Austyn bursts into laughter. "It's fucking hilarious. I have about twenty videos of this on my phone. Remind me, and I’ll show you later."

  "You're such an ass." Parker pouts.

  Austyn pats her head. "Love you, too, Starshine."

  "Screw you, Buttercup." She waves him off and turns her attention back to me. She’s loosening up and relaxing more. "You can ask me questions, if you want. I don't mind."

  The task of coming up with a single question might be the hardest thing ever. It takes a few long moments to shuffle through them a few times in search of the perfect question. I give up and go with the most basic way to ask most of my questions all at once. "How does it work?"

  "Talk about a loaded question." Austyn leans back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest, and watches Parker with amusement twinkling in his eyes.

  She ignores him. "It works because I love them, and they love me." She says it with such conviction, there's no doubt in my mind that she's right. She loves all five of those guys. The way they watched her earlier makes me believe she's right about their love for her, too.

  "It must have been a lot easier having known them and their family beforehand. I mean, you knew about that lifestyle before you got into the relationship. Since Austyn said he has two dads and a mom."

  Parker wrinkles her nose and shakes her head at my assumption. "This is going to be a long conversation. Are you sure you're that interested?"

  At my nod of encouragement, Parker dives into her story. She tells me how she grew up in the foster system and bounced around from house to house until about a year ago. She was placed with Maggie and her two husbands, Jack and Collin. She explains how Declan and Duncan are biologically their children, along with a little boy named Greyson she says is with his dads at the moment. The others were adopted at different ages, and when Greyson came along, he completed the family.

  Then Parker showed up and flipped the family upside down. She doesn't explain it the same way, but from what she tells me, the whole family fell fast and hard for her. The older brothers fell in love with her—they all wanted her to be theirs. Their parents wanted her as part of the family. Austyn claimed her as his best friend. Greyson decided she had to stay, period.

  It took some time for everyone to get on the same page, to realize what they wanted and needed. They asked Parker what she wanted, and she wanted them. They haven't been officially together for long, but they're happy.

  "We have problems sometimes," she admits. "Last week, Lochlan wanted to take me out, but I'd already made plans with Duncan. After a little bit of bickering, we all agreed that from now on, when plans are made, we all need to know about it."

  "What other issues have come up?" My interest in her relationship style stems from my interest in my guys. They're not going to all want me or a relationship like Parker's, but a girl can dream, and to know it's possible makes the dream even better.

  "There's a lot of things to work out, just like any relationship, I think." She shrugs. "We just have to work it out with more people. There
’s a lot of trial and error."

  "Is it worth all the work?" I know the answer, but still find myself asking.

  Parker doesn't hesitate. "Every one of my guys is worth all the work and more. That's what love is. You don't just get the good and the fun from the ones you love. You get the bad, the frustrating, and the crazy. You have to love and accept it all and be willing to work through any issues. If you can't get through those things, then maybe it wasn't meant to be."

  "What about sex?" My mouth moves before my brain can filter the incredibly personal question. Austyn snorts, and Parker chokes on air. "Sorry, that was not supposed to come out. I didn't mean to ask that."

  "Oh, no." Austyn waves his hands in the air. "I gotta hear this shit. Do tell, Starshine."

  Parker's face burns bright, and I feel guilty for embarrassing her. I want to tell her not to answer it if she isn't comfortable, but she beats me to it. "We haven’t done that yet."

  "Wait... really?" Austyn’s as surprised as I am. With five boyfriends, especially ones quite a bit older than her, I assumed sex would be involved almost immediately.

  "You'd have known by now if I had, dumbass," Parker growls at Austyn who isn’t phased in the least. "I'm not ready for that yet. They know that, and they're okay with it. They know I’m younger than they are and not as experienced with relationships and sex. We talk about it, but they never pressure me for anything I’m not willing to give them."

  Austyn nods hard. "They fucking better be okay with it. I'll kill them if they rush you."

  "You're so sweet to me, Buttercup." Parker wraps her arms around her best friend, hugging him tight. He happily hugs her back.

  The two of them together makes my heart ache for my best friends. Most of the time I can guess what Michelle and Evelyn would say in any given situation. This time, I have no clue what they'd say if they knew I liked four men at once and slept with two of them.