by C. Shell
“Enough,” Jimmie bellows. “Your flirting is making my head hurt more.” His voice sounds strained which forces me to step forward, so I can get a better look at him. Jimmie is laid up on one end of the couch with pillows stuffed under both legs, and an ice pack nestled on the top of his head. He looks about as sad as a child who lost their lollipop.
“What happened to you?”
Jimmie glances up at me with a pitiful pout. “The waves and I had a difference of opinion today.”
“Yea,” Dex snorts, “Jimmie went out there thinking he was a surfing God and the waves thought he was a barney with a board. They kicked his ass good.”
Living near the ocean I’m used to hearing surfing lingo like the word barney, which means a bad surfer. Unlike the guys, I never picked up on the jargon, then again, I don’t spend as many hours at the beach as they do. Surfers have their language and although I can make out a handful of the words they say, most of it goes right over my head.
“Laugh all you want, but no one told me the beach flag was red. A little warning about the extremely rough waters would have been nice,” my brother grumbles.
I blink, unsure how to respond for a moment. On one hand, I want to yell at Nate and Dex for letting Jimmie try and surf when the current was so strong, but on the other hand, Jimmie was stupid for not checking the flag color on his own before going out there. They’re all idiots. “
“Are you going to be okay, Jimmy Pooh?” I ask in a softer tone.
Jimmie lifts one eyebrow, giving me a distinctive ‘are you serious’ look.
I take a step back and start laughing as I head to the stairs. “Pizza should be here soon. Help yourself. I’m going to go take a shower first.”
“Is that an invitation?” Dex asks. “I’m great at scrubbing those hard to reach places.”
“Enough,” Jimmie yells. My lips twitch, but I hold in the laugh. “Go upstairs alone, please Addy,” he adds when I haven’t moved fast enough to his liking.
I think about slowing my steps even more just to pull his chain, but one look at Jimmie, already defeated by the surfing Gods, has me continuing up the stairs without a bobble. A shower is in order after my run-in with Nicholas. Being in his presence leaves a dirty film on my skin that doesn’t easily wash away.
I let the water get as hot as possible before stepping beneath its brutal spray. I don’t waste time enjoying the warmth and instead pick up the loofah brush and start my new regimen of scrubbing every inch of my skin until its red and raw. I hate hurting myself this way, but it’s the only way I can feel clean again after being around Nicholas. He’s like a plague I must rid myself of.
With a towel wrapped tightly around me, I walk back into my room in search of clothes only to find that I’m no longer alone. I smirk at their gawking. “How did you both manage to sneak up here without my brother maiming you?”
Dex stares back at me with absolutely no shame in his crystal blue eyes. “Cammy showed up. She’s doing us a favor by keeping Jimmie occupied so we can have some alone time with you.”
My skin warms and the fact that I only have a thin towel covering me intensifies the emotions rolling through me. I’m turned on and nervous all at once. Moving to my clean pile of clothes on the bed, I rifle through them, looking for something to wear.
“Has the pizza arrived?”
Nate, who is already seated on the bed, scoots in closer, our knees touching. “It’s here.” He runs a finger down my arm and my skin reacts, pebbling with goosebumps. He bends close and places a kiss on my shoulder. “Why is your skin so red?”
My body stiffens and my mind races to come up with a plausible answer. “My new body scrub is harsher than I expected. Guess it’s back to my old one until I find a new replacement.”
Dex steps forward to get a better look and I scramble back, not wanting either of them to see the damage I’ve done in trying to get the feel of Nicholas off me. “It’s fine, guys,” I say in a softer tone. “It’s just from my body scrub. Nothing to get upset about.”
Dex catches my eye. “Anything that hurts you hurts us. No more secrets. If we’re going to give this thing between us a shot, we’re going to have to always be open and honest. About everything.”
I lean back against the dresser, letting his words sink in. I so badly want to tell them about Nicholas, but I know how it will end, and it won’t be good for any of us. The only way out of this is to find a new job before either of them find out.
“So, you like my belly button ring?” I ask, hoping to change the subject.
As if on cue, two sets of eyes dip down to where my towel is covering my stomach.
“Show it to us again,” Nate says. He stands and moves next to Dex. The two of them standing together make my room feel small, as if it has shrunk to half its size.
I glance back at the door, making sure it's closed. My heart is pounding, and my hands shake with nerves as I loosen my grip on the towel. There is no right way to do this. I either show them everything or I show them half of what’s hidden beneath the flimsy cotton. The question is which half do I uncover?
I bite the inside of my cheek as I fidget with the bath towel. Taking a large breath, I start inching it down my naked body. The fabric skims over the top of my breasts, past my taut nipples and down my torso, until it settles in a lump just below my jeweled belly.
I think I hear someone take a sharp breath while the other growls out a curse, but all I'm sure I hear is the frantic beating of my heart. I focus on the floor too scared to look up and see the expressions on their faces. Dex has seen me topless on several occasions, but with he and Nate watching me bare myself, it feels different. It feels like more. It’s not just Dex and me anymore… it’s the three of us now, and that terrifies and excites me all at once.
Feet step toe to toe with mine and a hand draws my chin up. Nate stares back at me with fire in his eyes. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” His voice has dropped several octaves.
I blink a few times, chasing away the tears that threaten to fall. I lock eyes with him right before he groans and opens his mouth over mine. I sink into his warmth as my arms come up and looping around his neck as if it’s the most natural thing to do. The towel that was barely hanging on loses its fight and floats to the floor, forgotten and unwanted. All the nervousness I felt before quickly vanishes, now replaced with a roaring fire of need and want that burns me from the inside out.
Pulling back, Nate looks down and smirks when he sees that my one scrap of cloth is no longer trapped between us. “I like you better this way.” His cinnamon breath feathers over my cheeks.
“It doesn’t seem fair that I’m the only one undressed,” I whisper, my voice hoarse.
“Maybe not.” Dex comes to stand behind me. “But that also means all the attention is on you, Jelly Bean.”
Before I can question his choice of words, Dex’s hands come around and cup my breasts, his fingers tweak and twist my nipples until they ache from his touch. Anticipation coils within me and my head falls back to rest on his chest. My eyes flutter shut and my world spins as a pressure builds low in my belly.
Another hand joins in landing on the apex of my thigh and then moving to the oversensitive bundle of nerves that demand attention. The breath whooshes from me as Nate thumbs my clit, giving it just enough attention to keep me on edge, but not enough to send me sailing over the cliff. I love having both their hands on me, one set firm and knowing while the other set is demanding what it wants. My legs become weak, and I tighten my hold on Nate while leaning more against Dex to stay upright.
“More,” I whimper, “more, please give me more.”
I shift and writhe determined to get to the finish line before someone has a chance to walk in and destroy our bubble of privacy. Time is never on our side, something I’ve learned the hard way over the last few years.
“My greedy girl,” Dex says, nipping at my collarbone. I want to deny his claim, but then he presses two fingers inside my wetness and I go w
ild grinding against his hand and riding it all the way to the finish line.
I moan my victory while Dex laughs against me, his hard cock digging into my backside. My heavy-lidded eyes snap open to find Nate watching me, seeing everything and taking stock of my expressions as if they are a road-map leading him to the promised land. Leaning forward, he presses his lips to mine, the kiss easy and loving.
“Your turn.” I pull away and let my eyes wander over each of their toned bodies. The prominent bulge in their pants calls to me like a beacon in the night.
Nate looks at me, then around the room. “No time, Sweetheart. I give Jimmie about five more minutes before he comes busting down that door and breaking up our fun. I don’t want to test the strength of our friendship by letting him find us in a compromising position.”
“You two always get to have all the fun.” I give them a timid smile.
They laugh, the sound ruthful. “You had fun,” Dex says. “Don’t even try and deny you did, not while I still have the proof of your enjoyment coating my fingers.”
I twist so I can look up at his face, a speck of embarrassment flushing my cheeks. My eyes flash to his and upon seeing his sexy smile my pulse starts racing all over again. As if to prove his point, Dex lifts his hand and starts licking his fingers clean, moaning his appreciation. These guys are going to be the death of me.
With my eyes glued to Dex’s, I lean back further and palm his thickened cock through his board shorts. His sharp intake of breath spurs my boldness. “You sure you don’t want me to help you with this?” I toss Nate a wink. “Or maybe you want to sit back and watch while Nate and I get to know each other better?”
No one moves. The sexual tension in the room intensifies, making my nipples harden and heat pool between my thighs. They each take a step toward me and I can almost taste my triumph when we're interrupted by a loud banging on my bedroom door.
“I’m about to open this door. So, help me God, if I see anyone bare ass I will be kicking it out of this house. You better be fucking dressed and decent,” Jimmie warns.
I swallow my anger and with me being the only one naked, grab my towel from the floor and wrap it around me seconds before my door flies open. Jimmie’s got a hand over his eyes and is peeking through his fingers as he searches out my room. “I’m getting a lock,” I tell him.
“Why are you in a towel?” he accuses, his hand now down as he glances between Nate and Dex as if it’s all their fault I’m undressed. If only he knew how close to the truth that was.
I point to my still wet hair. “I took a shower.” I leave out the duh part, but the word is on the tip of my tongue.
Jimmie coughs, his cheeks turning pink as he backs out of my room. “Well, the pizza is getting cold. Cammy had to leave so it’ll just be us eating tonight.” Before he shuts the door, he looks back at his two best friends and waits.
I laugh. “I don’t think he trusts you two in here with me,” I loud whisper.
Jimmie rolls his eyes at my attempt at humor and that sets me off laughing again.
“That’s a shame.” Dex gives me a side glance. “Guess we’ll make Jimmie happy and go downstairs while you get dressed. If you have any problems with buttoning anything, just holler. I can be helpful when needed.”
My stomach clenches at the memory of just how helpful he and Nate were before Jimmie barged in. I should feel ashamed for loving them both, but I refuse to deny myself the happiness they both give me. When they are around I feel complete and, although our arrangement is unusual, that doesn’t make it wrong.
“I think I can manage on my own,” I answer. Leaning into Nate I whisper, “Do me a favor, though, and save me a few slices. A girl needs to keep up her strength with you two around. Excuse the pun, but your payback is coming. I’m not nearly as greedy as Dex says I am.”
With that final thought, I saunter toward the bathroom, dropping the towel on the way once I’m out of Jimmie’s view.
Chapter Four
The next few weeks go by in a whirl of motion.
I work at the ice rink most days while the guys stay busy catching up with friends and hanging out at the beach. Lindsey and Nicholas had a falling out, so my job hunting has been put on hold. For the moment and I only have Lindsey’s catty comments to deal with. Compared to Nicholas, she is a pussycat.
Nate, Dex, and I have been spending almost every night together. A few times they’ve snuck in by climbing the tree outside my window, but most nights we just hang out in Nate’s basement. We were all friends first, so our new dynamics are an adjustment and something we are working to figure out.
The guys are keeping a short leash on how far things go between us. I can’t tell if they’re worried about me chickening out and calling it quits or if the problem is on their end. In the meantime, I’ve been doing research on ménage relationships to see what we’re up against. So far, it doesn’t look promising. Most relationships fizzle out within a month after the excitement wears off. Talk about shitty odds.
Senior year starts tomorrow. As I sit at my desk, staring at the stack of college brochures and applications ready to be mailed, bits of doubt and insecurities begin to cloud my mind. Besides Cammy and Jimmie, none of us have spoken a word about college or what we will do after high school.
Even though they haven’t said anything, I know the guys are getting a lot of interest from university coaches. Jimmie gets a letter a day asking him to come to check out a campus. Their talent is too good to be wasted. Dex has always wanted to buy, restore, and sell antique cars when he gets older. There is no denying that he has a talent for fixing old vehicles; my car and his truck are prime examples of his handy work. Nate always jokes that he watched too many episodes of Gas Monkey growing-up.
Nate is the polar opposite. He is a man looking for more in life. Since the day I fell out of the treehouse and broke my arm, he has been interested in becoming a doctor. I will never forget the way he studied my cast and researched my break. After taking an interest in soccer, his tastes molded until he decided that a sports doctor was his calling. He’s never lacked good grades or dedication, two things that will make his dreams a reality someday.
So, where does that leave me?
My passion is for photography. I just haven’t figured out what I want to do with it yet. I could go commercial and work for a big company or freelance it and pave my own path.
“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” I smile at the sound of my mom’s soft voice.
Leaning back in my chair, I rub a hand down my face, my frustration getting the better of me. “The future scares me,” I confess.
My mom's eyes widen before dipping down in concern. “That’s deep,” she remarks. “Is this about your college applications or does this have to do with a certain blue-eyed boy?”
I shut my eyes, knowing she can read my expressions like an open book. I so badly want to spill my guts and tell her my deepest, darkest secrets, but the fear of rejection keeps me silent. Instead of telling her about Nate and our three-way pact, I placate her and tell her about my photography aspirations. When I’m done, I tell her one of my concerns, hoping that she might give me some stellar advice.
“I’m afraid of losing Nate and Dex after high school. I’m not naive enough to think that we’ll all end up in the same area. Things are going to change and that terrifies me.”
Mom crosses the room and takes a seat on my bed so she is facing me. We both sit there for a moment studying each other, not saying a word. It's not until now that I notice her new haircut or the tan lines peeking out from underneath her tank top. Whoever this new boyfriend of hers is, he’s bringing out the best in her. I can’t remember the last time I saw my mother look so youthful and carefree.
Her back straightens as she eyes me. “Life is complicated,” she begins. “Sometimes things don’t go the way we want.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I sass and roll my eyes, wondering when her wise wisdom will kick in. Anything has to
be better than this.
“Fine,” she huffs. “I’ll give it to you straight.” I sit forward in my seat, not wanting to miss a single word. “You will all try to keep things the same. Your friendship might work in the beginning, although it will be hard and frustrating. Everyone will make new friends. Even if you manage to keep in touch, it will never be the same. College changes everyone.”
I stare back at her, my lips pinching and my eyes watery. I liked her honesty, but damn if it doesn’t hurt. “That is not what I wanted to hear,” I grumble. “Aren’t you supposed to tell me happy lies, and make me believe that everything will work out?” I argue. “I want the fairytale answer.”
Mom grins and reaches forward to grab my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “If anyone can prove me wrong, baby, it will be you and your friends. You have a bond I’ve never witnessed before. I told you what normally happens to friends after high school, but this is your story and it’s up to you to create the ending.”
My heart fills with hope hearing my mother’s encouraging words. “Thank you, Mom.” I lean forward and wrap her in my arms. “That is exactly what I needed to hear.”
I might not be the smartest in our group or the most athletic, but I am the most stubborn. Come hell or high water, I will find a way to keep us together.
Chapter Five
The sounds of lockers shutting and students laughing fill my ears as I wander down the hallway in search of my English class. Being back in these halls around the same people I’ve known since elementary school is as comforting as it is disturbing.
With my schedule clutched tightly in hand, I search out room 142. Over the summer, a new wing was added to our school. Whoever oversaw the numbering of the classes was either drunk or can’t count. Instead of going in order like one normally would, the numbers jump around, making it hard to figure where to go.
Stopping before an open door, I peek in to see if there is a teacher around that can help. To my surprise, I spot Cammy sitting in the front of the class talking to none other than my old Chemistry tutor, Trinity