Текст книги "Lucky Number Four"

Автор книги: Amanda Jason

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

15

“It’s freezing. I can’t feel my feet,” I moan as we enter the warm, cozy lobby of my building.

“They’re still there. I can see them.”

“Well, I can’t feel them. I wonder where Brad is. I haven’t seen him since last week.”

The lobby is dimly lit and quiet.

“Want me to knock on his door and see if he’s okay?” Jeff nudges me with his elbow as he presses the elevator button.

“No, I don’t want to be one of those nosey people. I just wonder, is all.” The doors open, and Jeff gives me a gentle push inside the elevator.

The hallway upstairs is quiet too. I bypass the main door and put my key into my private entrance. I’m really not up to seeing the gorgeous trio when I know I look like hell frozen over. How do I know this? The bathroom mirror in my parents’ house showed me. I feel as bad as I look and start stripping off my clothes as I make my way to the bathroom, desperately needing a hot bath.

“Hey, are you going to pick up your mess?” Jeff asks as he locks the door behind him.

“No, I thought you could do it for me,” I say before I shut the door behind me, missing what I know would be a withering look. I shiver while standing in my underwear waiting for the massive tub to fill. A delicious smell fills the air as I pour in my favorite lavender-scented bubble bath. I pull my hair up into a half ponytail and toss my underwear across the room. I slide down into the soothing warmth. My bones seem to melt as the water swirls around me. It’s a whirlpool bath, with the jets sending pulsating water all over my achy parts.

The bathroom door opens, as do my eyes in surprise. I’m temporarily shocked at the sight of Colin standing in the doorframe, dressed only in his boxers. He’s as perfect as his images on the billboards and magazines—definitely no airbrushing there. His eyes are focused on mine, and I feel my body reacting from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. I have never felt this aroused.

His eyes move downward and I notice my hardened nipples are peeking through the bubbles. In fact, my whole body is pretty much exposed as my bubble coverage has dissipated. I pull my eyes up and watch as he licks his lips and runs his right hand through his silky hair. The water has cooled, but my body temp has risen by a hundred degrees. He moves closer, and I see he his boxers are becoming tighter by the second as his arousal pushes to escape. He slowly puts his hands to his waist and in one move, his penis is free, and lord, it’s just like I remembered it when I saw it in art class.

Wait.

I look up again to his face, and it’s not Colin. It’s Drew standing there with his penis pointing at me. How the fuc…

“Have you drowned in there?”

Jeff’s voice shocks me to my senses. I realize I fell asleep and it was all a dream. More like a nightmare, with Colin turning into Drew.

I really need to get a life, I think as I look down and see my nipples still standing at attention. I pull the plug and watch the water swirl out of the tub. Shivering, I grab an oversized towel and wrap my totally aroused body, replaying my dream.

Drew? Who in their right mind would dream about Mr. Playboy? Okay, so maybe the majority of women in the world.

When I leave the bathroom, I see Jeff spread out on the recliner adjacent to my bed. “Still feeling like shit?” he inquires.

“No more wine for me. If you see me going for a glass, remind me of this horrible day.”

“Okay, but last time you drank wine you said the same thing. I don’t think it’ll work. Now, to change the subject, are you up for some studying?” He pulls out our math book and raises an eyebrow at me.

“Like I have a choice. I need to nail this exam. Otherwise, I’ll be a senior forever.”

“Sounds like your roomies are home.” Jeff stretches and rubs his eyes.

We hear laughing from the next room, male and female voices. Of course women would be included. Two of them are hot-blooded males, and the other one pretends to be. I really need to talk to Liam alone. My mom pulled me aside earlier this afternoon to reiterate Henry’s requests to help Liam and Drew. I really don’t know what I need to help Drew with. Yeah, he has a screwed up family, mom ran off, dad’s been married several times, but who doesn’t have family issues? He has all the attention anyone could want or need. Why would he need my help?

“Dora, I just turned straight, and I want to have kinky hot sex with you,” Jeff’s blurts out in an attempt to make me focus.

It’s laughable, but I play along. “Okay, well then take off all your clothes so I can jump your bones.”

Did I really just yell that? Yep, the voices have ceased. Good lord, Dora. Now they all probably think I’m about to hook up with someone in here. Well, that could work. If they think I’m involved with someone, maybe they’ll leave me alone and let me return to my normal—okay, so semi-normal—life.

“What the…?”

I quickly place my hand over Jeff’s mouth. “Play along,” I whisper. Then, in a louder voice, I say, “Ted, what is that in your pants? I think it wants to come out and say hello. Oh, sweet caramel apple on a stick, your stick is more like a log. It needs to be freed. See, it’s taunting me.” I put my finger to my lips and nod my head at the door. Jeff looks at me, confused, then it’s like a light bulb comes on and he gives me a shit-eating grin.

“Yeah, babe, it’s all for you.” I almost giggle at his fake deep voice.

“Wow, it’s really hard. Oh, you want to put it where?”

I motion for Jeff to move with me to the door. We hear nothing—nada—coming from beyond the door. I mouth on the count of three and motion to the door. One, two, three, and we both grab the handle and pull the door open. Just as I figure, three heads attached to three bodies fall flat on the carpet. They look up at our grinning faces, and at least Colin has the grace to look embarrassed. Liam and Drew pick themselves up and try to act cool.

“Like what you heard?” I ask, watching Colin avert his eyes while the other two smirk and start to laugh.

“We were looking out for you,” Drew responds, shrugging his shoulders.

“Yeah, you’re like a little sis to us,” Liam chuckles.

“So, you weren’t being nosey, huh, Colin?” Colin looks uncomfortable. It’s time to let him off the hook. “It’s nice to know you guys have my back, but I do like my privacy. And if I was actually hooking up with someone in here, this little spy session you all had going on wouldn’t have been cool.”

“Hey, it was at least better than what we had to look forward to this evening.” Liam has stopped chuckling and is back to his frowny self.

I gently push them aside and look into the living room to find it’s empty. “Where are the ladies we heard earlier?” I ask, turning back to look at them. Jeff is grinning with his arms crossed, leaning against the open door.

Liam looks lazily at me. “Oh, they just came up for a drink, nothing else. At least, nothing on our part. I’m sure they would’ve loved to spend the night, but we just weren’t feeling it.”

“How about cards?” Drew blurts out.

“Yeah, sounds great.” Liam glances at Jeff and me. “How about you two? Want to play a friendly game of poker?”

“Poker? I don’t know how to play,” I reply innocently, and they all fall for it.

Ten minutes later, we’re sitting at the round kitchen table and cards are being dealt. In front of me are orange-colored chips. I wanted red, but Jeff grabbed them first.

Liam has blue, Colin purple, and Drew yellow, and each of us has the same amount … for now.

“So Dora, do you understand what I’ve just told you?” Drew asks like he’s talking to a child.

“I think so. If I mess up, don’t hate me.” There I go with my Miss Innocent act again.

Half an hour later, I’m winning big. In fact, they each have a small hill of chips compared to my mountain.

Drew rolls his eyes as I win another hand. “Gentlemen, we’ve been had.”

Yes. I have a great actual poker face, and one that my dad is so proud of since he taught it to me.

“What? Are you talking about my beginner’s luck?” I’m trying so hard not to smile.

“Beginner my ass,” Liam quips while leaning back in his chair and sending me a playful glare.

“And I must say, it’s a nice ass too,” I reply, keeping my face stoic.

“Very funny, little girl. You shouldn’t try to pull one over on us big boys,” he replies, liking my comeback.

Jeff, Drew, and Colin sit back and watch Liam and me sparring. It’s fun.

“Are you guys conceding? Are we finished with the game?” All four walking testosterone machines shake their heads, and I start dealing the next hand.

“Dora, have you asked them yet?” Jeff asks, hiding his face behind his cards.

“Asked us what?” Drew looks at me with one sexy eyebrow raised.

“My mom asked me to invite you over for Christmas, but I told her you were all going home. Right?”

“I’m going home next week,” Colin says. “My mum would never forgive me if I miss this Christmas. Our whole family will be together, which due to the size, is quite incredible.” His dreamy accent makes me want to drool.

“I’m off to my homeland too.” Liam interrupts my musings of the mind-blowing kiss Colin and I shared at Halloween. I’ve wondered why he hasn’t tried again, not that I would allow it. Okay, I’m lying. I’d be all over him like a fat kid on cake.

“She always zones out like she’s in another realm or something. Dora?” Jeff’s voice floats into my consciousness and I raise my eyes to see that I’m the center of attention.

“Sorry, thinking about my last exam in two days. I really should be studying,” I lie, and Jeff just grins. It’s like he’s a mind reader.

“Did you hear that Drew is free for Christmas, and he’d be delighted to join us? Isn’t that right, Drew?”

“I would love to spend time with your family. Mine are … well, Christmas is just another day for them. I kind of miss having family time.” The look on Drew’s face is heart breaking. He’s usually the happy-go-lucky guy who acts like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“Well, if you get a headache, it’s not my fault” I say. “My family is different, so you’ve been warned. I will not be held responsible for what they do, or say.”

I’m relieved when a smile appears on his beautiful lips. Hey, lips can be beautiful, right? Oh, great. I’ve missed something else.

Concentrate, Dora.

“Drew said he’ll take his chances,” Jeff explains. “I think it’s time for me to put little Dora to bed. Her brain needs a rest.”

Everyone laughs when I stick my tongue out at him. “Little Dora can put herself to bed, thank you. But I am tired. Good night. Come on, Jeff, I’ll tuck you in.”

Jeff flops on my bed after changing into some comfy sleeping clothes. “Well, that was fun.”

“Yeah. It was like spending the evening with ordinary guys, not Greek gods.” I pull on my pajama pants and look over at him.

“I told you they’re normal and they just want to fit in,” he replies, causing me to roll my eyes.

“They’re not normal. Normal is only a few hundred people might know your name, not the whole world.”

“Dora, that’s an overstatement. I bet there’s a tribe in Africa or some poor slob in Siberia who doesn’t know of them.”

“Okay, so maybe a hundred haven’t seen their pics, but you have to admit it’s a little daunting being around them sometimes.”

“Only Liam causes me to be daunted.”

“Yeah, if you like the gorgeous, tall, and solemn type that won’t come out of the closet.”

“Your mom told you Henry says you need to help him and Drew. So maybe your job is to help him come out. I get first shot when you do, okay?” Jeff is so good at pleading.

“Maybe you’re too ugly for him. You are on the homely side.” I giggle as Jeff sends a pillow flying through the air and it hits the top of my head as I bend over to miss it.

“I’m not ugly. I’ll have you know I could’ve been a model, but I didn’t want people attacking me, wanting a piece of this awesomeness.” He laughs as I roll my eyes again, and I move his legs so I can lie beside him.

“Okay, stud, but I don’t want to be mending your heart back together if he doesn’t respond like you want him to. I have to get him by himself before he goes home. It must be horrible living a lie every day. No wonder he doesn’t smile much.”

“Yeah, I’m a lucky one. My family didn’t even blink an eye when I came out to them.”

I turn my head to look at Jeff, who is staring at the ceiling. I scoot over and put my arm across his taut stomach and he places his arm around me. The last thing I remember thinking is that I hope Liam doesn’t break Jeff’s heart.

Playing cards tonight was hard for me. All I wanted to do was stare at her. She has no idea what she’s doing to me. I wish I was the one she’s tucking into bed. I know Jeff’s gay, but I still feel the green-eyed monster raising its dark, ugly head. I wish I knew what she thought about the kiss on Halloween. If I declare my feelings for her, would she laugh in my face? Would she even believe me? I’m so tied up in knots, which is something I’ve never encountered before. I have to bide my time until she trusts me and sees me for who I really am.

16

“I’m so glad it’s over. I never want to see another math book again for as long as I’m alive.” I grab Jeff’s arm and loop mine through his. It’s freezing. Winter has come early and I’m thankful I bundled up this morning. “I think I nailed it though. Thanks, Jeff. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Anytime, my friend. To pay me back, you can buy me lunch.”

“Okay, I guess that’s fair.”

The ringing of my cell has me pulling off one of my gloves and pulling the phone out of my coat pocket. “Hi, Mom. Yes, it’s finally over. I think I did well. Sorry I haven’t called. We’ve been hitting the books hard. Yeah, I asked them and Drew accepted. The other two are going home. Okay, he’s right here. I will. Love you too.” I quickly end the call and throw my phone back into my pocket, pulling on my glove before my fingers drop off from frostbite. “Mom sends her love, and she’s so happy Drew is going to be able to make it. Now she’s stressed about what to buy him.”

“She has a point. What do you buy a zillionaire?” Jeff responds, pulling my hand through his arm again.

We pick up the pace and finally arrive at his car without my frozen nose falling off. The blast of hot air from the vents is almost painful for a few seconds, and then it feels wonderful. I love Jeff’s little sports car. I don’t know what make or model it is though. Cars aren’t really my thing.

“So, where are we going for lunch?”

“Somewhere cheap. Remember, I haven’t worked for a few weeks, and Christmas shopping just about wiped me out.”

“Well, I guess I’ll pay, because I’m not going to eat cheap when I received my Christmas money from my parents today. I went from dirt poor to—let’s just say I have money now.”

“Then we’ll go all out for lunch.” I smile at Jeff’s cute smirk and settle back in the plush leather seats, letting the warm air wash over me.

“I’m stuffed. I shouldn’t have had that dessert, but it was oh-so-good.” I feel like a bloated pig. My three-course meal was amazingly scrumptious, and I finished it off like I hadn’t eaten for months. Now I’m searching through my messenger bag looking for something to calm my tummy.

“If you’re looking for antacids, I could use a few as well. I don’t think the lobster is sitting very well with me at the moment.”

“I thought I had them in here, but they must be in my medicine cabinet. Damn.”

“We’ll be home in a few minutes,” Jeff says as he swerves to miss an idiot who pulls out in front of us.

“I’m glad I’m in the car with you and not my mom. She would’ve chewed that driver out just then, even though he wouldn’t have heard her. I hate when she drives. It’s a wonder she hasn’t been arrested yet.”

“It doesn’t do any good yelling at them. It just makes your own blood pressure go up. Most terrible drivers couldn’t care less.”

We pull into the parking garage entrance and Jeff swipes his card across the machine’s sensor. Within seconds the security gate slides to the side, allowing us to enter. There aren’t any other cars on the basement parking floor, and I’m relieved. All I want to do is to go upstairs, take my tummy meds and lie down.

The lobby is warm and Brad is MIA, which allows for Jeff and me to enter the elevator unseen. Okay, so there are security cameras all over the hallways, but no human has seen us, unless someone is looking at the monitors.

“Jeff, do you know where the monitors are that those cameras feed into?”

“Never thought about it. Maybe they’re in that locked room behind the front desk?”

“I just realized how creepy it is being videotaped and not knowing who’s watching.” I shiver as the elevator doors close and we start to ascend.

“It’s not like there are cameras everywhere, Dora. Just in the stairwells, hallways, and lobby. Or maybe I’m mistaken and there’s one in your bathroom.”

I hit him on the shoulder and he laughs. I storm out of the elevator as soon as the doors open.

“You’re a butt, you know that? Now I’m going to be paranoid about going to the bathroom and showering now, thanks.” I unlock my door and try to shut it before he comes in.

“Dora, I’m only kidding. Look, I’ll show you there’s no camera in the bathroom, and then you can rest easy.” Jeff takes me by the hand and we go into the humongous bathroom to begin our search.

I’m still not convinced ten minutes later. Jeff laughs after I tell him so and he leaves the bathroom. I hear knock at my door and then hear Jeff talking to someone. I open the medicine cabinet and pull out my bottle of antacids and pop a few in my mouth, hoping it helps, but also hoping that whoever Jeff is talking to will be gone when I come out. No such luck. I walk out and there’s Liam, Drew and Colin lounging in my sitting room, making themselves at home.

“Hey, Dora.” Drew’s grin holds me spellbound for a second, and then Colin draws my attention by patting the empty seat next to him on the couch. I plop down, gracefully, of course, and listen to them banter. Apparently, tomorrow is the last day Liam and Colin will be here before departing for home, and they want to go out tonight and celebrate Christmas early.

“What do you two think? Are you up for an evening with us poor unfortunate souls?” Drew glances at me then Jeff.

“We just ate and are stuffed. Frankly, we were going to take some antacids and have a nap. Our last exam was today, and it was brutal.”

“Well, that’s okay. You guys rest, and we’ll leave about seven. We’ll make it a ‘last exam and farewell until New Year’s’ celebration.” I start to shake my head, but Drew raises his hand and shakes his head first. “Not going to take no for an answer. We’ll go to my club so it won’t be crowded, and we’ll just hang out and have a few drinks.” He smiles at my grimace at the word “drinks.” “Or not, and dance, so be ready by around six-thirty, okay? We’ll take my car.”

He stands up and so does his silent partners as they leave without another word.

“Well, I guess we’re going out tonight,” Jeff says as he makes his way to the bathroom.

I lie down on the bed and close my eyes. I feel the bed dip as Jeff joins me. I snuggle up to him and sigh. “I guess we have to go.”

“Yep, we do.”

Drew’s club is exactly the same as it was the last time we were here. The same girl is checking coats and her bright, white smile greets him and then encompasses all of us in her cheerful hello. Its cozy feel is still there, and the music isn’t blaring.

Drew leads us to the farthest booth in the back, where we can actually talk without having to yell at each other. The booth is a semicircle, and somehow I end up between Drew and Jeff, with Liam and Colin opposite us. Can I say I’m disappointed? Well, I am. Colin keeps looking at his phone and Liam is brooding. Yeah, I can feel it. Remember, empath.

A waiter arrives at our table and takes our orders. I move a little in my seat and I feel a thigh pressing against mine. Drew is a little too close for comfort. In fact, I feel a little claustrophobic, or maybe it’s something else. I look over at Colin and catch his eye, and his smile should make me forget the thigh, but no dice. My leg is warm and so are other regions of my body, really warm, in fact. I must be coming down with the flu, that’s it. It is flu season, and I didn’t have the shot. Drew shifts his body so that his whole side presses against mine.

Damn flu.

“Jeff, I need to go to the ladies’ room,” I whisper to him.

He quickly gets up and I scoot over and out, nearly colliding with our waiter, who is bringing our drinks. I find the bathroom and make a beeline for the sink, grabbing a paper towel along the way. I wet it with ice-cold water and pat my neck and forehead. My eyes don’t look feverish, and I don’t look pale, or feel clammy, so maybe it’s not the flu. Maybe it’s early menopause hot flashes, or maybe I’m starting my period several days before it’s due.

Or maybe it’s being too close to a hot guy? I’m going out there to see if it happens when I sit next to Colin. I did have butterflies before.

Arriving back at the table, I lean over and whisper in Liam’s ear and I move back as he gets up and lets me slide in next to Colin. Jeff raises an eyebrow and Drew looks puzzled.

“I want to look at your handsome faces.”

Jeff looks skeptical and Drew flashes an Earth-shattering smile. What the heck … Earth-shattering? What am I thinking?

“I’m too ugly for you to look at?” Liam asks with a straight face.

“Well, you aren’t all that handsome when you frown all the time, so yes, it’s hard to look at you,” I quip and then giggle when he turns to gives me the most beautiful smile.

Me? Giggle? Go figure. Wonders never cease. These three have really done a number on me.

“So I’m ugly too?” Colin’s proper English accent makes the butterflies flutter in the old stomach, or maybe it’s gas, but I’ll go with butterflies.

“No, you’re too handsome for me to stare at for any length of time.”

Before I can finish, he reaches for my left hand that is resting on the table and kisses the back of it. I can feel my face turning beet red, and I hope none of them can see it in this light? I have to act normal and not like some awkward teenager.

“Why, thank you, kind sir. You’re definitely the only gentleman of this group.” Yep, the laughter stops and I feel so smug. “Jeff, would you be a love and pass me my drink?”

He does, and Colin reaches over to grab it in order to place it in front of me. His arm and thigh are glued to mine, and I begin to feel overheated. Hot guys do funny things to me. Maybe I should call it lust. I just need a normal guy to give me WOW, that’s all.

“Care for a dance, sweet thing?”

What the F? Oh, lord, I almost said it, but it’s Liam who’s asking for a dance. I nod my head and he pulls me out of the booth and out onto the dance floor. It’s a slow song, so we move close together and even though my heels are high, he still towers over me.

He bends down and whispers in my ear. “Is something wrong?”

“Well, first of all I feel like dwarf compared to you, even in my heels. And second, I’m kind of trying to figure out how I’m supposed help you.”

“Help me?” He pulls back, looking at me intently.

“Yeah. My mom says I’m supposed to help you. Well, really Henry told her and then she told me,” I ramble, not wanting to start this conversation, but when I talked to my mom this morning, she told me Liam needed my help sooner than later.

“Maybe we should go outside for a minute.”

I nod my head. He grabs my arm and we head out the nearest exit. The cold stings me in the face like a dozen icicles, and I start to shiver. Liam guides me to a little alcove, which keeps most of the frigid wind away from us. He stands in front of me, blocking the rest.

“So, what exactly do I need help with?” he asks.

I look up at his face. It’s semi-illuminated by a weak yellow light attached the building above us. “I know about your secret, and I know it must be so hard for you to conceal it from everybody you love.”

He runs his right hand through his hair and sighs. “How did you find out?”

“I’m what they call an empath, which means I feel people’s emotions. You don’t give off the signals, but I felt your sadness, which most people view as being aloof. There were other signs too, like for instance the way you always look at Jeff.”

He looks at me with a sad smile, which makes me want to hug him, but I need to wait for him to reply.

“Yes, it’s hard,” he admits. “I think Drew and Colin know, but they just don’t know what to say. It’s not easy being me. I know that sounds trite, but it’s true. I’m from a small town, and being gay isn’t an accepted lifestyle there, no matter who you are. God that sounded good to finally say it out loud.” Gone is his sad smile. He actually looks part happy and part amazed.

“Henry wants me to help you, and my gut feeling tells me that you’re supposed to tell your family when you go home tomorrow. No, wait …” I take his hands in mine when he starts to object, and then look deep into his eyes. “I don’t say this lightly. I feel it will turn out that some of them already know. They’re just waiting for you to say something. Trust me, Liam. Everything will be good. Now, we better get back inside before we catch pneumonia. My family will kill me if I’m sick over Christmas.”

“Thank you, Dora. I’m so glad you’re our lucky number four. Thank your mom and Henry too.” He leans down and wraps his arms around me, pulling me in close for a hug.

“One thing you definitely have to do is to call me after you talk to them, and let me know how it goes.”

He beams at me again and puts his arm around my shoulder before pulling out a key card and sliding it into a slot near the door.

Entering the warmth of the club feels like a million bucks, and I realize I had suddenly forgotten how cold I was outside. We bypass the dance floor and make a beeline for the booth, with me holding Liam’s hand the whole way. Now I only have to help Drew. But with what? I need to pump Henry for more info.

“Where have you two been? We looked for you on the dance floor, but guess what? You weren’t out there.” Jeff looks at us with eyes that say he has many questions. It’s kind of cool to be so in tune with someone.

“Wouldn’t you like to know? Sorry, it’s our little secret. Right, Liam?” He looks at me, and yes, I feel so much joy as he gives me the most stunning smile. I know Liam will be just fine.

“Okay, spill it,” Jeff spits out as soon as he closes the door to my room.

“Spill what?” I ask innocently.

“The two of you go missing for a few? And?”

“Okay, Mr. I Need to Know Everything, we were talking about him coming out to his family over the holidays.”

He looks at me with worry in his eyes. “Wow, that’s really deep. Are you sure they’re going to be accepting?”

“I think someone has a crush.”

“Maybe, but I’m concerned. It’s a big step.” Jeff takes off his coat and sits on the edge of the bed to pull off his boots.

“Henry is always right, and I think—no, I know everything will be fine for Liam.” I kiss the top of Jeff’s head and enter my closet, stripping down as I go.

Tonight was different. Dora was different. How long do I have to wait until she notices how much I want her in my life? What will I do if she doesn’t want me? Do I wait longer? Will it make a difference? Oh, what the hell? I have to be patient. Yeah, patient. I can’t lose her.