Racing For Freedom

by Bec Botefuhr

  The house is amazing, spacious and surprisingly tidy. Considering this is my last option I feel like I’ve won the lottery. We pass four bedrooms and I’m very curious as to who else lives here. James shows me the guest room and it’s perfect. I thought it would be tiny but it’s more than enough room for me.

  James clears his throat. “So are you a student then?”

  I nod. “Yes I start next week.”

  He smiles. “Great! Well you seem normal enough. Definitely cute enough.”

  The last part was mumbled under his breath. I laugh. I know what he means, considering the last few places I just checked out. It’s harder than you’d think to find non creepy people to share a place with.

  “Are you wanting the room?” He asks softy. He looks almost hopeful.

  I glance around once more, I’m a little hesitant to share a house with men, but this place is amazing, and I’m currently out of options. Oh what the hell. I nod.

  “I would love the room.”

  “Perfect! You don’t have any problems with parties and stuff like that do you?” he asks seriously, “because this is kind of a social house.” His lips twitched into a smile when he said the word ‘social’.

  I laugh. “No, I think the whole university lifestyle will be an experience.”

  “Excellent!” he responds enthusiastically. “Any other questions?”

  I shake my head no. James smiles. “Welcome to the family. I think the landlord is going to be thrilled at my choice of tenant. He’s away for work at the moment. Let me know if you need any help moving your stuff, okay?” He offers his hand and I take it, expecting a hand shake, but instead he places a soft kiss on my hand. I blush. “I promise we are awesome roommates, you have nothing to worry about okay,” he says in a gentle voice. Weirdly, I believe him. I get no creepy vibes from him at all.

  “I’ll hold you to that James,” I tease, causing him to chuckle softly.

  “We’re gonna be fine. Just yell out when you want a hand with your stuff.” I thank him and step into my room, smiling to myself.

  I leave the house and go to the motel room to collect my belongings. I didn’t bring much, a huge suitcase and two boxes. I still needed to purchase all my school books, stationary and necessities. James had given me a key to the house, and I’d offered him the bond and rent money, but he told me so take it up with the landlord when he gets home. He seemed like a funny guy, he even made a comment about feeling free to bring my hot friends over. I chuckle to myself, because at the moment friends are something I didn’t have in abundance. I come from an extremely large family, and this is the first time I am doing anything on my own. Instead of scaring me, the thought of independence thrills me. After my sister left the nest to travel, my mother has become extremely overbearing, and as much as I love her it feels good to be away from all that.

  By the time I return to the house it’s evening. I grab my suitcase and wheel it to the door, pulling out my key to open it. The sight that greets me when I walk into the kitchen has me wondering exactly what I have gotten myself into. Two guys stand there, along with James, laughing and eating pizza. They all look at me when I enter, all with surprise except for James who is wearing a huge grin.

  “Layla! Come and have a seat, I’ll carry your stuff into your room.”

  As James does that, I awkwardly place myself on a stool at the breakfast table, with two pairs of eyes on me. I knew my cheeks must have been bright red, as I waited for someone to talk.

  James walks back in and saves me by introducing everyone.

  “Layla this is Kade, who lives here with us, and our friend Derek.”

  I look at Kade, eager to see who else lives here. He looks a lot like James, with his white blond hair and blue eyes. His hair is longer than James, down to his chin, and slightly wavy. They are definitely related. Derek has brown hair and deep brown eyes, and is very handsome and muscular. Hell, they all are. Hotness overload. A soft sigh escapes me. They all say hi to me and offer me some pizza and beer, which I politely decline.

  “Oh, are you one of those girls?” Kade asks with a smirk.

  “What kind of girls are you referring to?” I say, eyes narrowed.

  “You know, won’t eat in front of a guy, or maybe just counting every single calorie,” he says, and I can hear the challenge in his tone.

  I burst out laughing. While yes I am a little shy, which would be part of the reason I declined, but the main reason was that I’m not very hungry. He raises his eyebrow at my laughter.

  “Since we will be living together, you will be able to see for yourself that I am neither of the type of girls you mentioned. But way to stereotype Kade,” I retort. “Trust me, I eat a lot. You’re going to see something special,” I say with a wink. Kade chuckles, slapping his hand on the table.

  “So where are you from Layla?” Kade asks, his voice now husky and low.

  “Umm, well my mother is Sri Lankan and my dad’s Australian. They live a couple hours down south from here.”

  My hair is long, thick and black, my skin tanned and my eyes almond and brown, hinting at some sort of mixed ethnicity. James walks over to me and affectionately wraps a lock of my hair around his fingers.

  “Can you cook?” he asks with a devilish smile.

  I laugh and look into three pairs of hopeful eyes.

  “Sorry, but, not at all.” I’m holding back a laugh, because they all look heartbroken. I can in fact cook, but I don’t tell them that.

  Kade sighs dramatically. “That’s okay, good thing we have a drawer full of menu’s.”

  “It is 2013 you know, you can pick up a frying pan and learn to cook yourselves,” I say simply, “gender equality and all that.”

  “What’s the fun in that?” Kade snickers.

  James chuckles, “Layla’s already busting balls.”

  “I think you are just what this house needs Layla,” Derek says, giving me small smile.

  Kade gives Derek a reprimanding look. “Don’t even think about flirting with our new roomie Derek, she’s way smarter than that.”

  Kade folds his arms over his broad chest, drawing my eyes to his ripped arms. I glance up at him to see his eyes twinkling. Busted. I shrug it off, “Come on you’re all pretty sexy,” I blurt out.

  Crap, did I just say that?

  Masculine approval all around. Yes, I guess I did.

  “But Kade is right, I am smarter than that.” I throw a wink at Kade.

  He grins, opens a beer and hands it to me. This time I accept.

  Kade sticks his beer out to me and I clink it with mine, giggling.

  These guys are good fun. We all make small talk. Play a bit of PS3, in which I must say, I am not too bad. I excuse myself and go unpack and shower. I wonder which of the boys I’m sharing a bathroom with, considering there is masculine products all over the place. After calling my parents and assuring them all is well, I jump in bed and fall asleep.