by Gemma Weir
“Are you busy Wednesday night?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so.”
“Can I take you to dinner?”
I nod. “Sure.” We exchange numbers and then Kent grabs his bag and leaves, a huge smile gracing his lips.
Later that night, I turn my key in the lock on our front door and push the door open, nearly falling straight through when the door is pulled from my grip. I stumble forward, bracing myself to hit the floor when Griff grabs me, stopping my forward movement and pushing me back upright.
“Whoa, shortcake, you okay?”
“Jesus, Griff, you ripped the door out of my hands,” I hiss.
“Sorry,” he says smirking, not looking even remotely sorry.
I shake my head at him as I pull myself from his hold and step into the house, waiting for him to move so I can step past. Instead of moving, he pulls my backpack from my shoulder and places it on the table to the right of the door, then he bends down and throws me over his shoulder so quickly I barely even know what’s happening until I’m hanging upside down and staring at his jean clad ass.
“Griffin,” I shriek. “Put me down, you asshole.”
His chuckle is low and throaty, but instead of lowering me to the ground, he turns, closes the door then carries me into the living room. “Look what I found. It’s our missing roommate,” he announces.
“Hey, Em,” Zeke says, slapping my ass as he moves by us and drops down next to his sister on the couch.
“What the fuck, guys. How have I been missing? I’ve been here every night this week.”
“No, you’ve hidden in your room every night this week. Tonight’s family night and we’re going out. No excuses, no get out clauses,” he says, as he flips me back upright and sinks down onto the couch, pulling me into his lap.
I slap at his arms until he releases me, then I glare at him as I cross to the other side of the couch next to Nova.
His laugh is loud and unrepentant. “This is the new status quo, shortcake. You hide for a week, then I’ll throw you over my shoulder and kidnap you.”
Flinging a throw cushion at him, it hits him square in the face, but his smile just gets bigger as he shoves the cushion behind his head and leans back in his seat, wiggling his eyebrows at me tauntingly.
“Where are we going?” I ask Nova, while flicking Griff the bird.
“We thought we’d go back to The Fishbowl, that place we went to last week. The food’s good and the beer’s cheap.”
I nod, “Okay. I need to go get changed. What time did you want to go?”
“It’s happy hour til eight.”
“Give me twenty minutes, I’ll be quick.” I tell her.
She nods and I stand up, heading for the door. I glare at Griff, bobbing my tongue at him as I pass. He just laughs, his smile so wide I swear it must meet his eyes. It takes me thirty minutes to get ready and when I make it back downstairs, I see that the others have all changed too.
The Fishbowl isn’t a dressy place, so we’re all in jeans, the guys in t-shirts. Nova’s in a cropped football jersey, and I’m in a plain black tank. The first one I’d found in my closet had a Sinners logo on the back, and for a moment I’d considered wearing it. Normally I’d worry about people recognizing the insignia, but no one here would have a clue. I still pushed the hanger back into my closet and picked the plain one though. This is my fresh start and I can’t be the new me, while dressed in clothes literally branded with my past. I ignore the feeling of guilt tinged with homesickness and try to focus on enjoying myself.
“Family night,” Zeke shouts, strutting ahead of us, snapping his fingers like a hyped-up valley girl.
I try so hard not to laugh, but a giggle escapes my lips anyway. It reminds me of my giggles from earlier in the library with Kent. He’s nothing like my friends, being preppy, and a bit of a geek. He doesn’t fit in with us, and I think maybe that’s what I like about him. As we leave the house and walk down the sidewalk, I consider telling the others that I have a date on Wednesday, but something stops me. I don’t know if it’s because I think the guys will go into alpha bodyguard mode, like they did at the Fresh Meat party, or if maybe I just want something that’s for me; but either way I don’t say anything and instead I listen to the familiar banter of people I’ve known my whole life.
The Fishbowl is busy when we get there, but we manage to snag a big round booth just as the people using it are leaving. The guys gesture for Nova and me to slide in first and once we’re settled they join us, shielding us on both sides like we need to be protected. I fight the urge to roll my eyes, until I catch Nova’s gaze, then we both simultaneously sigh, exasperated with the guys’ overprotective antics.
A harried looking waitress appears to take our drinks orders. “I’m gonna need to see ID’s,” she says so matter of factly that I’ve no doubt she asks every table.
We all dutifully pull out our fake ID’s and hand them over to her. She studies them each in turn, eyeing us before she hands them back and smiles. “What can I get you?”
“Can we have a couple of pitchers of beer and five glasses, please Fiona?” Zeke says, looking at her name tag and addressing her by name, like he does every time we go to a bar or restaurant.
“Sure thing. Just to let you know table service ends after happy hour; then you’ll have to go on over to the bar to order. I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
“We need to order some food when she gets back. I’m starving,” Griff says, nudging my knee with his.
“I want chili fries again, they were so good,” I say, my mouth watering just at the thought.
“Me too,” Valentine agrees. “And hot wings.”
The waitress returns a few moments later, and we order food as Valentine pours beer into each of our glasses. “To the Scions and our first few weeks at college,” he says, raising his glass into the air in a toast.
“The Scions,” I say, lifting my glass and tapping it against his as the others all follow suit.
I scan the people sat around me and get a warm fuzzy feeling as I take in the faces of my friends. These people are my roots and in this moment I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have them; how lonely I’d have been if I’d decided to take up my place at Dartmouth instead of following my heart to Hayhurst.
Conversation about our first few weeks, our classes, and the new people we’ve met flows effortlessly, not even pausing when our food is delivered. When Griff reaches over and scoops the garnish off the top of my fries I don’t blink, and neither does he when I steal one of his fried pickles. Even Valentine, the newest member of our group, seems to push and pull in the dance of shared food and confidences like he’s been doing it his entire life.
Being here is easy, and tension that I didn’t even realize I was holding falls from my shoulders. Leaning over, I press my lips against Griff’s cheek. “Thank you,” I whisper.
He catches my chin as I move to turn away from him, his finger and thumb holding me gently, but firmly in place. “I’ll always take your kisses, Em, but do you wanna tell me what you’re thanking me for?” He asks, his voice a low drawl.
“For this, for family night. For pulling me back from my own head, just like you promised me you’d do.”
His lips twitch at the corners and he blinks slowly, leaning in until his forehead is almost touching mine, our faces so close I can feel his warm breath on my skin. “You’re welcome, shortcake,” he whispers, his lips pressing against the corner of my mouth.
The next two days pass in the blink of an eye and before I know it, it’s Wednesday, the night of my date with Kent. When the doorbell rings, I dart from my room, rushing down the stairs in an attempt to get to the door before any of the others do. Jumping off the last step, I turn toward the front door only to find Zeke stood in the open doorway, one arm curled around the wooden door, the other braced against the jamb, blocking the entrance into the house.
Despite both Zeke and Griffin deciding not to pursue football after high sc
hool, they’ve continued to work out like athletes, lifting weights and doing cardio on the gym equipment we have in the basement. Right now, he’s fresh from a shower, wearing nothing but a pair of loose-fitting sweatpants, his hair still wet, the tattoos he got done this summer bold and black against his tan skin.
“Who the fuck are you?” Zeke demands gruffly, sounding scarily like his dad.
“Err, I’m Kent. I’m here to pick up Emmy.” Kent’s voice is quiet and unsure and I cringe at how intimidated he sounds.
Perhaps I should have warned my date about my living arrangements, or maybe told the others about my date, but honestly, I wasn’t ready for my two worlds to collide yet. After our cute, but somewhat awkward meeting in the library when he asked me out, Kent has texted me a few times, but we’ve mainly exchanged small talk about our days, classes, and homework.
I’ve almost told Nova about him a hundred times in the last couple of days, but every time I’ve opened my mouth to tell her, the words wouldn’t come. My friends won’t understand Kent and I seriously doubt he’ll understand them. Kent’s nice, our texts have been nice, and I’m sure our date will be nice too. It will all be very, very nice and damn it, I want to see what that’s like.
Nova is the only one of my friends who’s ever really been in a relationship. Zeke hops from one girl to the next, always running a mile as soon as they want labels and commitment. I know Griff fucks about, I’ve seen him with more girls than I can count, but never for more than a night; and me, well I’ve never bothered with guys. What’s the point when all the guys at school are either terrified of my family or want to be part of the club and are hoping I’ll help them get there.
Kent is basically my first ever date, the first guy who’s wanted me for me, or at least his first impression of me. We don’t know each other, we don’t have any history, or any real preconceptions, and who can blame me for wanting to keep that to myself and not share it with anyone else.
As I watch Zeke’s back tense, and his body language become hostile, I realize that the other reason I kept my date with Kent secret is because I knew they would react like this. Months ago, when Valentine manipulated Nova into acting like they were dating, neither Zeke nor Griffin batted an eyelid at them making out in the parking lot. But if a guy comes within fifty feet of me, they both turn into Sinners prospects, charged with protecting the prez’s kid, just like they did at the frat party.
I love them for it almost as much as their ridiculous overprotectiveness drives me crazy.
Kent isn’t like the guys I grew up around. I’m not talking about the boys I went to school with. I mean the Sinners, their kids, the other Scions. I grew up in a world filled with men’s men. Every male role model I have is a biker, a brother. I’m not saying they’re all the same person, because they’re not, but my dad and all of my uncles are the same type of man. Strong, independent, but with a viciously loyal streak. Resilient, tough, that’s how I’d describe all the men in my life. Those familiar character traits are what drew them all to the Sinners. It’s what led them to the loyalty and brotherhood the Sinners stand for.
The closest thing I’ve ever known to a math geek is Puck and though he might be a tech genius, he’s still huge, intimidating, and dangerous. Guys like Kent—skinny guys who dress nicely and style their hair with more than water—have just never been a part of my world.
He’s nothing like the life I left behind when I moved to Alabama to go to school. He’s different and interesting and he has no idea that I’m a Sinners Scion, and even if he did, he probably wouldn’t have any idea who the Sinners are.
“What the fuck do you want with Emmy?” Zeke growls, his stance becoming more assertive as he steps forward.
“He’s here to pick me up for our date,” I say, placing a hand on Zeke’s side and pushing him out of the way.
“He’s what?” Griff growls, emerging from the kitchen, a half-eaten banana in one hand and a scowl etched across his face.
“Emmy?” Kent mumbles from the porch, his eyes flitting nervously between my two huge pseudo brothers.
“Ignore them,” I tell him. “Zeke, Griff, this is my friend Kent. Kent, these two meatheads are my roommates and two of my best friends.”
“You live with two guys?” Kent says slowly, eying the posturing men behind me.
“She lives with three guys,” Valentine says, walking up behind Kent, a greasy rag in his hands.
“Oh my god,” I sigh. “Guys stop it.” Pushing past Zeke, I step out onto the front porch and reach for Kent’s arm. “Kent, let’s go.”
“Err,” he says again, his eyes darting between all three guys in turn, his complexion turning a little green beneath their hostile scrutiny.
“Wait,” Valentine hisses, crossing his arms across his chest and widening his stance as both Zeke and Griff step onto the front porch and surround us.
Griff steps forward and pulls me back, wrapping an arm around my waist and dragging me back into his body. “When did you two meet and where are you going?” He demands.
Kent looks at me, and swallows nervously before turning his attention back to Griff. “We met in the library.”
Pushing futilely at Griffin’s arm that’s locked around my waist, I smile at Kent. “I’m so sorry about this, they’re being Neanderthals,” I say, apologetically. “Griffin Elijah Bennett, let me go,” I seethe, twisting my head to glare up at him.
His grip tightens for a brief moment then loosens enough for me to push his arm away and spin around to face him.
“I’m not happy about this Emmy Grace Devereaux.” Griff snarls right back, his eyes narrow in anger. “You’ve never even mentioned this guy’s name and you want us to let you disappear with him.”
Crossing my arms across my chest, I hiss angrily. “Firstly, you’re not letting me do anything, because you’re not my dad, or my keeper, and secondly I don’t have to tell you about every new person I meet, or chose to go out with, because again, you’re not my dad or my keeper. Now I’m going to leave before you do or say something to piss me off even more than you guys behaving this way already has.” Glaring at Griff, I turn to both Zeke and Valentine in turn, narrowing my eyes in warning.
“I’ll see you all later,” I say, grabbing Kent’s arm and pulling him away from my annoying, overprotective friends.
“I’m so sorry about them. They’re so embarrassing.” I say, walking slightly ahead of him, toward the shiny unfamiliar Mercedes that’s parked at the curb. “Is this your car?” I ask, looking at the almost brand-new model.
“Yes, it was a graduation present from my parents,” Kent says quietly, reaching into the pocket of his crisply pressed blue khakis and pulling out a key. The car beeps and I climb into the passenger seat as he strides around to the driver’s door and clambers in.
I pretend I don’t hear his slightly shaky inhale of breath as he closes the driver’s door behind him and starts the engine. Internally cursing, I look out of the window, my eyes landing on Zeke, Griffin, and Valentine; the three of them looking huge and intimidating with matching scowls on their faces as they watch the car pull away from the house.
Kent doesn’t speak again as he drives us to the restaurant a few blocks away, and the silence becomes almost palpable as we enter the steak house and follow the overly bright server to a table in the back. I wish I was a little more experienced with guys, at least then I’d know if this date is beyond redemption, or if this strained silence will fade once we order.
“What can I get you both to drink?” The Suzie Sunshine server asks.
“I’ll have a beer please,” Kent says.
“Sweet tea, if you have it please,” I say.
She hands us a menu each, her perma-smile still firmly fixed in place. “I’ll be right back with your drinks,” she says, as she turns and practically skips away.
“So, you live with three guys?” Kent says slowly.
“And a girl.”
“Three guys and a girl?”
�
�Yep. Nova who you didn’t meet is Zeke’s sister, and her and Valentine are a couple.”
“And Zeke and the other guy are?”
“Family. I actually come from a really big family, lots of aunts and uncles that aren’t actually related to me,” I say, cringing at how bizarre that sounds. “I’ve known Nova, Zeke, and Griffin my entire life. Valentine is my aunt and uncle’s adoptive son.”
Kent nods slowly, obviously trying to join together the tenuous links between me and my pseudo siblings. “And you’re all at school at Hayhurst together?”
I nod. “Yeah, we decided that we wanted to go to the same school and it just made sense for us to live together, rather than end up living with strangers if we moved into the dorms.”
“Wow, you all must be really close,” Kent says, his eyes widening slightly as he leans back in his chair.
“We are. Like I said, they’re my family.”
Kent nods again, a little easier this time and a small smile graces his lips. “They seem a little overprotective,” he says mockingly.
I can’t help the laugh that slips from my lips. “Yeah, my dad worries and I’m fairly sure he made the guys promise to look after me.”
Kent’s expression softens and his shoulders visibly relax. “My parents worry about me too. I guess that comes from being an only child.”
“Do you have cousins that you’re close to?”
“Nope, I’m the only grandchild on both sides. I have an aunt, but she never had any kids. It’s just me,” Kent says with a shrug.
“Wow, you must have been lonely growing up.” The idea of not having a big family is unthinkable. They might drive me mad at times and I might choose to spend time away from them to relax, but I can’t imagine my life without them.
Kent shrugs again. “I guess so, but I’ve never known any different. Plus, I had friends so it wasn’t too bad.”
I nod, just as the server returns with our drinks. She takes our food order then leaves. Unsure what to say, Kent and I fall into a weird silence. This is the first real date I’ve ever been on and I’m not sure what we should be talking about. I mean do I make small talk? If he asks about my parents, do I admit that my dad is the head of a biker club and my mom is a genius who makes money for a living?