by Quell T Fox
“What are we going to do about it?” Someone says.
“I need to look into this further. Most importantly, we tell no one. We don’t know who we can trust, so we trust no one outside of each other. That is non-negotiable.” Another voice answers.
Footsteps sound on the hard wood and then quiet once they reach the carpet. I open my eyes and sit up, taking the plate from Callan’s hands. He hands me a fork and then disappears. He returns a few moments later with a steaming mug of life.
I rest the plate on my lap and sip from the mug. He made it perfectly, just the way I like it. I drink half of the warm liquid before starting on my food. Chicken broccoli alfredo. Yummy. There is even a large hunk of garlic bread. I eat the food in no time, starved from not eating the entire day. When he handed me the plate, I didn’t think I was all that hungry, now I realize that I’m starving.
“Would you like more?” Callan asks, with a smile. He’s worried. His smile tells me one thing, but his eyes don’t lie. They’re shaded with a darkness that only comes with worry. He’s sitting beside me on the couch, the other guys are still in the dining room. I appreciate them giving me my space, and time to sort through everything. As much as I want to be with all of them, it may be a bit overwhelming in this moment.
“Please?” I offer him my plate, licking my lips.
Callan takes the plate and returns to the kitchen. While I sit and wait for more food, Lenny comes over and plops beside me, resting his head on my shoulder.
“You scared me today,” he whispers.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You didn’t do it on purpose.” He shrugs, playing with the string on his cotton pajama pants. “I can’t lose you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I rest my head on top of his and intertwine our fingers. I give Callan my thanks with a smile when he comes back in with another portion of food. I eat myself well beyond being full. I’m stuffed so much that my stomach hurts.
The guys pile in. The monster has been fed, it can’t be dangerous any longer. Little do they know. Callan sits on the side of Lenny while Maddox sits on the other side of me. This couch isn’t big enough for all of us, but we squish there any way. Alec comes over and sits on the floor between my legs. His fingertips graze the top of my bare foot. At first, I think it’s accidental, but when the soft tickling sensation continues, I know he’s doing it on purpose. I’ve never felt so wanted and cared for in my entire life.
I look around and think about how much my life has changed, because of these four men. Four beautiful men that I have by my side and all to myself. I look down at Lenny’s hand that’s locked with mine, his feet curled up under him. Callan sits at his side with his thigh brushing over Lenny’s feet. Maddox’s hand rests on my leg, while Alec draws small circles on my foot.
I went from having nothing, to having everything. And I couldn’t be more grateful for anything than I am in this moment, right now. There is nowhere else that I’d rather be in this world, then right here with these guys. My guys. I’ll take the bullshit. Take the confusion, the explosions, the break-ins, the trying to be killed. It’s all worth it, because I have them.
“Are we going to be okay?” I ask, to no one in particular.
“More than okay,” Maddox says.
“How can you be sure?” He sounds like he’d bet his life on it. How does he know?
“You are like the sun, we are like the planets orbiting around you. You are the center of the universe, and we fill in the empty spaces. Alone we are ineffectual, but together we make extraordinary things happen.” Only Callan can make something so nerdy sound so sexy. And I melt. I fucking melt into a puddle right there on the couch, squished between my men.
“Are you trying to get laid tonight?” Maddox quips.
“He doesn’t have to try.” I wink, letting go of Lenny’s hand to grab Callan’s and pull it to me, giving him a reassuring squeeze. Our hands rest on Lenny’s lap, and Lenny places his hand over ours. I rest my head on Maddox’s shoulder. Alec has moved his arm around my leg, so he’s now cradling my calf while continuing to brush his fingers over the top of my foot. We sit there in mutual silence, until I can no longer keep my eyes open. Sleep takes over me, and I have no idea how. After sleeping for a day, a cup of coffee and food. But I do, I sleep cuddled between the only people in the world that matter to me.
***
My childhood home looks the same as it did over 20 years ago. How has nothing changed?
“Damn it, Friday. No! That is not what you do. Get your ass up to bed, now. You got school in the morning, kid. And I don’t want to hear any whining either. Don’t look at me like that, I’ll slap that look clean off your face if you don’t change it up, girl.”
Mom walks around the corner, cigarette in hand. She smokes too much. Any amount is too much, but I swear I never saw her without one between her fingers. Her hair is long, and so very blonde. It looks bleached, but it is, unfortunately, her natural color. She used to be beautiful, once upon a time. I’d never believe it if someone told me, but I have seen it with my own eyes. She has some photo albums hidden away in her closet that I found. Her hair has never changed, but her eyes used to be bright, not dull and sunken in. Her skin was vibrant, not pale and pasty. She used to have meat on her bones, with luscious curves, now she can’t find clothes that fit her right because of how skinny she is.
The doorbell rings.
Mom goes to it, opening it fully.
“What do you want? It’s too early for you to be here.” I can’t see who is at the door by my position, but clearly, it’s someone that my mother doesn’t want to see.
This feels like a dream. Or something similar to a dream. I feel like I’m standing in an old memory of mine. It feels too familiar to be just a dream.
“It’s never too early. I come when I need to.” A man says. His tone is sharp and condescending.
“She’s not due again for another week.” My mother whispers loudly, I assume so I don’t hear, but I (not this me, but the little me) am in my room. I see the light bleeding out from under the door.
“And? I said I come when I need to. Don’t question me.”
She slams the door after he walks inside. He’s tall, and thin. His hair is dark and slicked back with way too much gel. He wears an expensive suit, with a tie and vest. His shoes are spotless, and possibly more expensive than this house. Though, it isn’t worth much with its leaking ceiling and non-insulated windows. I also think there are mice, but whatever.
“Fetch me a drink. We need to talk.”
Mom disappears into the kitchen without question. Glasses clink together and cabinets open and close. I stand in my spot by the couch, not moving. I know I can’t be seen, but something is telling me to stay right here. An eerie feeling crawls up my spine slowly, giving me goosebumps and that awful sense that someone is watching me.
The man that walks in looks familiar. I don’t know how I know him, only that I do. He meanders in slowly, his hands clasped together behind his back. A comfortable smile across his thin lips. He turns to face me. I hold my breath.
He can’t see me… but why do I feel like he can?
He’s looking right at me. His dark eyes dig into mine. Eyes so dark that they’re almost black. It’s unsettling.
He can’t see me. I remind myself. He can’t.
Then why is he staring at me? His smile turns into a full-on grin. He lets out a small snicker, tilting his head to the side before saying, “Hello Friday, it’s been a while.”
The end…for now.
Author Notes
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Works by Quell T. Fox
A TIMELESS TRILOGY
Broken Promises
Mended Promises
THE ROAD TO TRUTH: (PNR RH)
Finding Friday
Finding Maddox
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