by Nikki Chase
Now, I know Ted’s the cause of this sickness. And I don’t know how, but he’s probably the cause of Mom’s sickness, too .
By the time I stop retching, I feel better. I know this is a messed-up way to cope, but it’s the only way I know how to .
I turn off the tap and take a shower for real .
When I turn off the hot water, I hear loud voices outside. I can’t make out whose voices they are, but they’re male voices. Multiple male voices .
I let out a big, relieved exhale when I realize it can’t possibly be Mom having an argument with Ted. I dry myself off and quickly put on some clothes, questions circling in my head .
Who could the shouting voices belong to? What’s going on ?
Austin
“J ust get her out of here. I’m sure she can explain what’s going on,” Ian says, the muscles in his neck tensing .
I knew it was a good idea to rush her right away instead of letting Ian face this guy on his own. He’s way too hot-headed for his own good .
Normally, he’d only be hurting himself, which is bad enough. But this time, Emma’s involved. And, so is her mom .
A little diplomacy goes a long way .
I’m not the guy for it either. I’m literally balling my fists right now, ready to launch them straight into his ugly mug .
A bashed-in, unrecognizable face would be an improvement over what he has on that big, red head right now. He’s screaming his head off like some cranky, old guy telling the neighborhood kids to get off his lawn .
Except, he’s not that old, and we’re not just kids .
I wonder how a guy like Ted could ever get a beauty like Emma’s mom, but that’s a question for another day .
I nudge Fraser with my elbow .
“Look, we don’t want any trouble,” Fraser says with a polite smile on his face. A stranger would think he’s in a perfectly pleasant mood, but I can tell by the vein popping in his temple that he’s just as pissed off as the rest of us .
“You show up on my doorstep without any announcement, demanding to see my stepdaughter. It’s late at night. And now, you tell me you don’t want any trouble. It’s too late for that,” Ted says, not lowering his volume, despite Fraser’s careful approach .
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Fraser says. Ah, the apology that’s not really an apology. He continues, “We’re just worried about Emma. She works with us, so she’s our responsibility, as well. She said she was going to come back to our office today, but we haven’t heard a peep from her all day .”
“And by ‘office,’ I suppose you mean that house, where you make her live? Is that how you conduct your business? By luring young, respectable women, who have nowhere to go in the city, into your lair?” Ted shoots us with more inane questions .
“We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. I can assure you, we conduct a legitimate business. And we’re here to check on Emma, to see that she’s safe,” Fraser says .
It’s admirable how calm he is, under the circumstances. I would’ve thrown in an insult—or ten .
"Of course, she's safe. She's home, under her parents' roof. Not in the city, living with a bunch of strange men," Ted says condescendingly .
He crosses his arms over his bulging chest. He's trying to appear intimidating, I suppose. It might work with Emma and her mom because they're much smaller than he is. But to us, five young men at our physical peak, he just looks ridiculous. His arms remind me of short, T-rex arms because they're so spindly compared to his body .
"Thank you for the reassurance. Since she's doing well, could we see her? She doesn't usually sleep this early, and we need to know what her future plans are so we can adjust our schedule accordingly," Fraser says, his words still polite but his voice growing louder .
"What, you're just going to fall apart without a girl keeping your business afloat? What kind of a business do you run ?"
"Emma's an important part of our team." Fraser's sentences are getting shorter—a sure sign that he's losing his patience .
"It's late," Ted states with finality. "Come back tomorrow ."
He starts to close the door, but Ian holds it back with his hand. Ted's eyes widen in shock and—I realize with satisfaction—fear. "What are you doing? Don't make me call the cops on you ."
For a moment, I wonder if he talks like that to Emma and her mom. That's the way a bully talks. He makes his victims think they're responsible for what he does to them .
If Ted insists on being a fucking asshole, we'll have to hold him down while we enter the house forcibly. I don't even care anymore if he calls the cops on us for assault. We have no idea if Emma and her mom are hurt, and we need to know. At the very least, we'll get to see them before Ted gets a chance to make a phone call .
"There's no need for that," I say before Ian opens his mouth and escalates the situation. "We have some materials we need to give Emma in case she needs more time before coming home. She can work from here if she has to, but she'll need these materials to do that ."
"I'll hand them to her," Ted says .
"That won't do. We have to explain her tasks to her, as well," I say. Leaning closer and staring at him, I add, "We insist ."
Ted's gaze flicks from one face to another. There's a beautiful concoction of fear, anger, and hatred in his eyes. He knows he has to give in, and he's not happy about that. "This is a — "
"Hi, Austin." I hear Emma's voice from inside the house, cutting off Ted's sentence just in time .
My brothers prick up their ears and look behind Ted's shoulder as I push the door open wider. Ted glances over his shoulder .
"It's okay, Ted. I know them," Emma says. "They're my guests ."
I swear she sounds fierce. Without actually uttering fighting words, she tells Ted she won't let him tell the cops any lies about us .
Ted's face reddens with fury, and he finally lets go of the door. He huffs away without saying another word, stomping up the hallway .
"I'm sorry," Emma says .
"What for?" I ask. "There's nothing you need to apologize for ."
"You've done nothing wrong, beautiful," Hudson adds .
"For making you guys come all the way here just to check on me," she says .
"It's no trouble at all," Fraser says .
"I'd go anywhere for you," Hudson flirts .
"That's a cheesy line, Hudson," Sandy says. "But I agree with the sentiment. It's just Rockvale. We needed to know if you're safe ."
"Well, as you can see, I'm fine." Emma smiles wryly .
"Why didn't you respond to our calls and texts?" Ian demands. "Did that asshole take away your phone or something ?"
Emma shakes her head, but there's no conviction in it. "I just . . . I haven't been able to find my phone. I must've misplaced it. And I've been so busy ."
"Busy with what?" my brothers and I ask, almost at the same time .
"My mom . . . She's . . . She's sick." Emma tucks her hair behind her ear nervously. "I've had to take care of her and do all the house chores she usually does ."
"What's wrong with your mom?" I ask .
"She's . . . Um . . . I'm not sure either. She fainted, probably because of her low blood pressure." Emma hesitates, then adds, "That's what she told me ."
"But you don't think she's telling you everything?" Sandy asks .
Emma shakes her head .
"Look, you need to get away from that guy," Ian says, nodding in the direction of the dark hallway in which Ted's disappeared. "He's bad news. I've dealt with a lot of assholes, and I can identify them within their first five words. That one has said plenty more ."
Emma says nothing, but h
er eyes well up with water .
“What’s wrong?” I ask. “Did he hurt you? Is that it? What did he do to you ?”
She parts her full, beautiful lips. But, before she utters a word, she looks over her shoulder, presumably to check if Ted’s listening in on our conversation .
That fucking bastard. I swear if I ever get my hands on him, I’m going to do him a favor and fucking ruin his face. I share a look with Ian, knowing he’s thinking the same thing .
“It’s not . . .” Emma’s voice trails off. Tears fall freely down her cheeks as her shoulders shake with sorrow .
“Emma, please tell us what’s wrong, or we’ll have to do something,” I tell her, my fists shaking .
Emma
“W hat do you mean by ‘something?’” I ask with a gasp, terrified that they’re going to complicate matters even more. “No, please don’t do anything .”
“We won’t,” Hudson says, throwing Austin an angry look. “Don’t worry, beautiful. But, please, tell us what’s wrong so we can help you. We need to know what he’s done to make you cry .”
“I’m not crying because of him. I never have, and I never will shed a tear because of him,” I say confidently, even as more tears fall down my face. My nose is blocked and it’s probably red, too. Hudson may have just called me “beautiful,” but I’ve never felt less deserving of that than I do right now .
“Then, what’s wrong?” Fraser puts his hand on my cheek and wipes away my tears with his thumb. “Please, Emma, tell us .”
“I . . . I’ve just never . . . You’re so nice to me. I’ve never felt such kindness from anyone other than my mom.” I speak quickly because as soon as I’m done telling them, the sobbing resumes. And I can’t stop it .
Through vision blurred by tears, I see the Archer brothers sharing a look of understanding .
Then, they gaze at me with loving eyes and surround me like a protective wall, keeping me safe and warm. They wrap their strong arms around me .
I let my emotions go and lean on their broad, hard chests as my tears stain their shirts. They whisper kind, reassuring words in my ears .
“You deserve all the kindness in the world,” Fraser says .
“We’ll keep you safe no matter what it takes.” Austin takes my hand in his and holds on tight as if he never wants to let go .
“We’ll solve this together.” Sandy levels his sharp gaze at me .
“You’re not alone anymore, beautiful. We’re here for you.” Hudson kisses my forehead and tucks my hair behind my ear .
Ian doesn’t say anything, but he pulls me against his chest and strokes my hair gently with his powerful hand .
“Thank you. Thank you all so much.” My voice shakes, but I’m not fearful anymore .
For the first time in a long time, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know there’s an end to this suffering, and better days are waiting for me .
I invite the five gorgeous men inside the house, not caring anymore what Ted would think or say. But, like a coward, he’s hiding somewhere inside the house .
I ask the Archer brothers to sit in the living room and wait for me to come back with drinks. But, instead, they pull me by the hand and make me sit down .
“You seem tired,” Hudson says. “Why don’t you sit down, and let us take care of you ?”
“Oh, but I can’t take a break yet.” I try to get up from the couch. “I’m not done with the dishes yet. And I need to clean the kitchen after that .”
“Let us do that for you,” Sandy says as he puts two heavy hands on my shoulders and push me back down on the couch .
“But you’re my guests,” I insist. “And you don’t know where everything is. You don’t know where the cleaning supplies are .”
“Just take a seat, Emma,” Austin says sternly .
“Don’t make us get a rope and tie you to a chair.” Fraser winks, making me blush .
I stay put as the five men work in the kitchen. Every once in a while, I get up to check on how they’re doing, but they always shoo me back out into the living room .
By the time they’re done with the chores and join me around the coffee table, it’s late at night .
“You should go back to the city, or you won’t be able to get up for work tomorrow,” I say with a heavy heart. “Especially you, Ian .”
Just thinking about staying here on my own makes my chest feel tight. But, I can’t be selfish. They have lives to go back to. They have a business to run, a business they’ve worked hard to build .
“Don’t worry about me,” Ian says gruffly. “You need to worry about yourself .”
“He’s right,” Sandy agrees. “You should come home with us .”
“But this is my home, too.” I force a smile .
“Your home is wherever you’re with people who love you,” Hudson says. “That Ted guy is incapable of love .”
Despite the grim circumstances, my heart flips in my chest. “Did you just . . . Do you mean . . . Are you saying . . . you love me ?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Austin asks. “What else do you think this is about? Business? Sex ?”
“I . . . I don’t know .”
“Emma, we love you,” Fraser says as his brothers nod in agreement. “We think of you as part of our family now. You’re free to tell us we’re wrong, though. We won’t punish you in anyway. We’ll still work with you and help you get out of this place .”
“Thank you,” I say through the lump in my throat. “I love you, too. All of you .”
Tears prick my eyes and escape down my cheeks. My five lovers—my family—gather around me and hold me tight. They kiss me and tell me everything will be fine. They wipe away my tears and say they’ll be there for me .
I’ve never believed in any promises any of my ex-boyfriends made me. Men say things and go back on their own words .
But this time, with the Archer brothers, I believe every single syllable they utter .
* * *
E very day, the Archer brothers visit me after work and only leave once we’re done with the house chores .
Not all of them come every single day, of course. Normally, Ian arrives first because he finishes work earlier than the others. Later at night, the others come and join us, unless there’s too much work to leave behind .
And somehow, we manage to meet our deadlines and get the orders out in time .
I spend my days taking care of Mom, who gradually gets better and regains her strength. During the night, I let the Archer brothers help around the house while I do some admin work for the business .
Mom likes the Archer brothers. She thinks they’re sweet and funny. They make her laugh. She especially likes Fraser, which isn’t surprising because he’s insanely likable .
I’ve heard him talking on the phone to an irate customer, keeping his cool the entire time. By the end of the call, the customer’s apologizing and asking for our address so she could send us some of her home-made cookies .
Ted mostly keeps to himself when the guys are around. But, when they’re not here, he acts like a king, making me run all over the place to do his bidding .
As Mom gets better, she takes on more responsibilities, as well. More than before, it makes me angry to see him yelling and cursing at her .
Now, thanks to the Archer brothers, I can see how messed-up the dynamics between the two of them are .
I’ve always known there was something wrong about the way he treated her, of course. But the way the Archer brothers act toward me makes me realize how much better a relationship could be. The more comparisons I make, the hotter my fury burns .
Despite these improvements at home, I can’t help but still feel sick to my stomach every single day. Every afternoon before Ian gets here, I drop to my knees by the toilet bowl and empty my guts before I take a shower .
On top of that, I’ve had a couple of panic attacks since coming home to Rockvale. They happen when Ted raises his voice at my mom .
When it h
appens, my heart rate soars through the roof and my breathing grows frantic. I tremble uncontrollably .
I always run into my bedroom when this happens, hiding under the covers as I hyperventilate. Focusing on my breathing helps calm me down eventually, but there’s nothing like purging the contents of my stomach to help me feel like I’m in control again .
I manage to keep these habits under wraps for a whole week .
But today, as I come out of the bathroom, having vomited and taken another shower, Ian’s waiting in front of the door for me .
“What happened in there?” Ian’s dark eyes bore into my soul .
“Nothing. I just took a shower.” I give him a sweet smile, even as my heart races. I don’t like lying to Ian, or any of his brothers .
“You’re lying,” he says. “You think I can’t tell when you’re not telling the truth ?”
“What are you talking about?” I laugh nervously and play with the end of the towel wrapped around my hair. I try to side-step Ian .
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asks, blocking the narrow hallway with his body .
“To my bedroom. To dry my hair,” I say .
“Okay.” Ian lets me through, but he follows me into my room .
I sit down in front of the vanity and turn on my hairdryer. With the white noise drowning all the sounds around me, I can’t hear whatever Ian has to say. Yet, there are a thousand voices yelling endless questions in my head .
What does Ian think I did ?
Could he hear me retching through the door ?
How long was he standing out there for ?
What time is it anyway? Isn’t he here early ?
How am I going to explain the noises he heard ?
Should I admit I have a problem, or can I get away by insisting nothing happened ?
Eventually, every strand on my scalp is dry. I can see that, and Ian can see that. The longer I try to stretch this, the more he’ll suspect me .
“Are you ready to talk now?” Ian sits on my bed, cross-legged. He’s wearing his usual ensemble of jeans, plain T-shirt, and dark leather jacket. He clasps his hands in front of him .