Zedd is right though. We’ve outgrown the curfew Beth set for us as kids, but we still abide by it. She’s lost so much already and lives in an almost-constant state of fear for us. On the one occasion we were late coming home, she stayed up waiting for us, worried sick.
We owe her everything and paying her back with anxiety isn’t the plan.
“You heard the man! Let’s head home. Autobots, roll out!” I yell out, quoting my favorite movie, Transformers. It was the last movie we saw in our local theatre before it was destroyed by a category F5 tornado several years back.
The guys gather the empty beer cans, illuminated under the soft glow of the full moon and make sure the fire is put out properly while I stand there admiring them.
Ash and Hale are on the bulkier side, wide-chested with shirts that always pull just a little too tight on their frame, but in the most delicious way. The twins have more of a swimmer’s build, all lean, toned muscle that I have the pleasure of frequently seeing because they have an aversion to shirts. Not that I’m complaining.
If I miss breakfast, I feast on the sight of their abs. Whenever they smile and their dimples pop out, I instantly melt into a puddle of want and need.
Then, there’s my sweet, nerdy Zedd. He’s slimmer than the rest of the group with natural abs and muscle. I’ve always been envious of his ability to retain his build despite his addiction to junk food.
I’m happy with my body, long and supple with soft curves. But if I ever want abs, it’ll have to be in my dreams because I love food.
I haven’t done anything to deserve these guys in my life but I’ll stick to them like an annoying barnacle for as long as I can. Even if it means kicking my romantic feelings to the curb.
Chapter Two
Lana
Unfortunately, there comes a time when you have to trade in your diapers and stop being a little bitch. My time is now.
Sauntering up to Hale, I bump him with my hip to get his attention. I need to figure out what he was getting at in our earlier conversation or it will eat at me all fucking night.
In my best impersonation of a lady with manners, I ask, “Will you do me the honor of escorting me home, kind sir?”
Nailed it.
Hale smiles down at me and holds his elbow out to me in an offering, “Of course, milady.”
I wrap my hand around his large bicep, enjoying the feel of his smooth skin. We fall in step together and begin the short, half-mile walk back home, enjoying the silence while I search for the metaphorical balls to ask him what’s on my mind.
In a low voice so the rest of the guys walking behind us can’t hear, I ask, “What did you mean before when you said I can’t hide from you guys anymore?” I sneak a glance at him before adding, “I’m literally with you guys all day, every day. There’s not much hiding going on there, in my opinion.”
Hale glances over at me out of the corner of his eye and smirks, mischief clear in the turn of his lips. “What do you think I meant by it?”
Motherfucker!
Pursing my lips at the cryptic non-answer, I huff before trying again. “What exactly is it that you think I’m hiding from you guys?” There—that’s simple and to the point.
Without a thought, he shoots back nonchalantly, “Your feelings for us, of course.”
Time slows and my heart screeches to a halt, before restarting and beating three times as hard. When I zone back into the moment, we’re almost home and I’ve almost cut off the circulation to his arm with my death grip.
What the hell? Just boom! Hit me with the kill shot, no warning. What am I supposed to do with that? Feign ignorance?
Worth a shot.
“Wha..What about my feelings for you guys? Obviously, you’re all my family and I love you all. I’d do anything to protect you.”
I almost gag at the ‘I love you like a brother’ implication but a girl’s gotta save her ass somehow. As long as he can’t hear my heart beating like a jackhammer against my chest threatening to burst from my body, it should pass as a normal statement.
He looks at me, trying to gauge my feelings but I try not to give anything away. He smiles lightly and removes my arm from his person while holding the door to our home open, “Okay, Little One. If that’s how you want to play it, then that’s fine. For now.”
Well, shit.
What now? Is my interest amusing to them or do they reciprocate? This requires further investigating. Detective Lana, reporting for duty.
We take our shoes off at the door, per Beth’s house rules, and the rest of the guys follow us in. With mumbled goodnights, the guys head upstairs, to get ready for bed.
The twins share a large room, as do Ash and Hale, while Zedd and I have our own, smaller, private rooms. Those were the rooms we were assigned when we were first brought here and we’ve never requested a change.
Overhead, floorboards creak as the guys do what they do before jumping into bed. Before heading upstairs, I pass through the living room to check on Beth. There’s no way she went to her room before we got home with her tendencies to worry.
Sure enough, she’s in her typical ‘waiting’ spot. I walk into the sight of her on the well-worn, red recliner, her head lolled back as she sleeps. Her short, dirty blonde hair frames her face. She looks so frail as she sleeps. It makes me want to gather her in my arms, like she’s done for us our entire lives.
She’s such a mother hen.
I can’t pretend I don’t love it.
Trying not to rouse her, I pull the light blue, worn blanket over her and kiss her on the forehead. She stirs at the light touch and opens her big, gray eyes to look at me. “Lana? Is everything okay?”
I perch on the edge of the recliner before answering, “Everything’s fine. We’re all home, safe and sound. The boys are just getting ready for bed now. They wouldn’t stop nagging me about birthday plans.” I roll my eyes. “Typical night.”
She smiles indulgently, “This happens every year. You know they’ve always appreciated you wanting to share your day but they’ll never want to take the spotlight off of you.”
I groan. “I just don’t understand why it’s such a big deal! They deserve to feel celebrated just as much as I do, you know?”
She grabs my hand and squeezes. “I can’t believe my babies are all grown up.” Rubbing her thumb over the back of my hand, she sighs before continuing, “It seems like just yesterday you came home with me but forever since we became family. I thank the Goddess every day that we found each other. I can’t believe you’ll all be twenty-one soon!”
Is she still on the Goddess kick? She thanks the ‘Goddess’ so much recently, she has me saying it without thought.
I squeeze her hand right back, feeling a lightness in my chest that can only be described as pure love, “We’re the lucky ones to have found you.”
She waves me off. “Don’t let this old fart keep you up with her mushy words. Go get some sleep.” Picking my hand up, she kisses it before patting it. “I love you.”
I hop up and make my way out of the room, singing my typical response, “Love you more.”
“You know you always lose this battle, Lana! I loved you first so there is simply no way to love me more, for I have loved you longer.”