“We’ll sort it together because we’re in this together, no matter what. One of us needs help, the others are there supporting him. You may have been a total idiot and got married while drunk, but you’re not alone sorting it out.”
My heart swells with pride at having these three guys for my best friends.
“Thanks.”
Cameron yawns again. “Can I go and get another couple of hours of sleep?”
“Yeah, I was in the middle of an important level in one of my games. I bet the idiot who was trying to beat me has got a higher score than me now,” Austin adds and pulls his phone from his pocket. “Fuck! I’m going to kick the little twerp’s ass.”
“I think you should probably get a couple of hours’ sleep as well.” Tate looks at me with concern. “You look like complete shit. Do you want to come and sleep in my room while the girl’s talk?”
“I will. First, I’ll get a couple of things from my bedroom. I really need to brush my teeth again. My mouth feels disgusting.”
“I’m surprised the woman didn’t call for a divorce straightaway with your morning breath.” Cameron gets to his feet and swaggers from the room, laughing.
I flip him the bird behind his back.
Austin leaves next, still muttering about losing in the game.
I get to my feet to go and collect my stuff, but Tate grabs me by the arm.
“Cameron’s right, you know. We’re not just a band who sings together. We’re a band of brothers as well. Family. You aren’t in this alone, even if it means I get less sex for the next few days because you’re going to be keeping my beautiful fiancée busy.” He smirks.
“I’ve been an idiot. There’s no way around that, but it’s what I do next that matters.”
Chapter 2
Yivi
#IveEnteredTheTwilightZone
“Hi,” the pretty blonde says as she walks into the bedroom I found myself in when I woke up this morning.
Last night was the first time I’d ever touched alcohol, and it will be the last. I can’t believe I was so drunk that I got married. The very thing I was running away from, I’ve ended up doing. I’m a complete fool.
“Hi,” I reply from where I sit timidly on the bed.
After I ran from my home, I managed to steal some clothes and a bag. They’re all I have in the world except for some change I managed to procure through begging.
I’m not sure I’d thought through my escape plan very well.
“Do you need some painkillers for your head?” the woman offers as she hands me a bottle of water. My head feels as though I’ve got a hundred elephants stomping around in it, but I won’t take tablets. They’re evil and unnatural.
Or is that just in the life I’ve left behind?
I accept the water and shake my head at the offer of the tablets.
“My name is Zoey. How are you feeling? This must be a shock?”
I nod my head frantically like a mad woman.
“I’m Harmony, but people call me Yivi.”
Harmony is the name my family use. The official name they gave me at my birth, but Yivi is what the very few people I’ve come to think of as friends call me. I feel guilty at leaving them behind, but they were content with the rules of our community. I was always the rebel.
“I’m sorry for upsetting you all,” I apologize.
“It’s not just your fault. Don’t worry. We’re not ogres, really. The boys are just protective of each other. It’s a bit of a shock to everyone, and they want to look after Liam.”
Liam?
“Is that his name?” I question, and Zoey’s face falls.
“He didn’t even tell you that?”
I shake my head.
“When he realized we’d got married, he immediately ran from the room. I didn’t really know what to do. Should I leave?”
“Do you have anywhere else to go?” Zoey asks as Liam walks into the room. I watch him as he smiles at me and then makes his way into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
“I’ll be all right.” I don’t directly reply to Zoey’s question more skirt around the issue. The truth is I don’t have anywhere to stay. I hadn’t thought that far ahead when I ran.
“It might be best if you stay here for a while. Until this mess is sorted out. I’ll see if I can get you another room.” Zoey sniffs at the air. “Sometimes sharing with these guys is a bit of a smelly issue.”
“You share with them?”
My eyes go wide, thinking about the pretty young blonde in a tryst with the four men I’d just seen talking together. I don’t have much to compare them with, but they’re all really handsome, especially Liam with his darker features. I’ve never seen so many tattoos before. Well, I’ve never seen any tattoos before, but the guys seem to be covered in them.
I remember the ink on Liam’s body as he stood in front of me naked. and my cheeks heat with embarrassment.
“I don’t share with all of them. I’m Tate’s fiancée, but I spend a lot of time traveling with the guys, especially on the bus.” She pauses and bites her lip, like she remembers she shouldn’t be telling me this. “Look, you stay here. I’m sure you could do with a change of clothes as well. Why don’t I go and fetch you something to wear from my room? You don’t look too dissimilar in size to me. I’ll be back soon.”
Zoey taps on the bathroom door, and Liam opens it with a toothbrush in his mouth.
“Hmm.” He speaks around the brush.
“I’m going to go and get Yivi a change of clothes. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Yivi?” Liam pulls the brush from his mouth.
“Harmony is her birth name, but Yivi is the one she chooses to go by.”
“Okay.”
Zoey leaves the room, and Liam and I fall into an uneasy silence.
“I’m sorry for making your friends shout at you,” I offer by way of breaking the tension.
“It’s okay. They do it often. I’m known for making mistakes.” Liam smirks and quickly disappears back into the bathroom. I hear him spit and rinse before coming out again.
I take a sip from the water bottle Zoey gave me while I wait.
“Are you feeling okay? Would you like me to order up some breakfast?” Liam offers.
“I don’t think my stomach would cope with food yet. It feels a bit dodgy.”
“Same.” Liam leans against the bathroom door. He’s still only dressed in jogging bottoms and a t-shirt.
“I wish I could remember what happened. I’ve never drunk alcohol before, and I did it pretty spectacularly last night. I think I was intoxicated after the first drop,” I admit.
“Never had alcohol?” Liam pushes off the door and comes closer to me. I’m still sitting on the edge of the unmade bed.
“It wasn’t permitted where I lived previously. Do you remember anything?”
Liam raises a skeptical eyebrow at me. I need to stop talking about where I come from, because I don’t want him to know. As long as I keep it to myself, I’ve got more chance of staying hidden.