“Let us get going,” Alex says. “Summer, I can drive you home if you like. Everyone meet at my house in an hour?” The guys all nod, and we head to the parking lot. I’m in the middle again without even asking until we’re clear of the crowd. I call Zander as Alex drives us to the house. He hesitates about my spending the weekend at first, but eventually agrees.
I quickly fill my gym bag with running gear, salt soak, and cream before emptying my backpack to use as an overnight bag. Unsure about the sleeping arrangements for tonight, I decide on shorts and a t-shirt to sleep in. I grab a few changes of clothes and retrieve my toiletries from the bathroom.
“Summer,” Alex calls. “We usually end up in the pool if you’d like to bring a bathing suit.”
“Okay, thanks,” I call back, and add my strappy new suit tomy backpack.
We’re on the road quickly, as Alex heads towards Charleston. He turns left shortly before we get to the large bridge, and the houses get bigger and bigger as we drive. He eventually turns right, and we come to a gate with a guard post. The guard on duty waves and opens the gate for us. We drive through and come to a stunning mansion. It looks like one of those old plantation houses, but updated. Three stories tall, with decks covering the first and second floors. A grand staircase leads up to the front door. Staircases on each side of the house lead down from the second and third floors, and manicured lawns surround the house. Seems to be a large parcel of land, too. Alex pulls into a 6 car garage on the right. “Your house is beautiful, Alex.”
“Thank you,” he replies. Something about his tone changed when he responded to me, like a manufactured answer. “Let’s get inside.”
I follow him up the grand staircase into the foyer. Marble floors, crystal, and gold surround us. It’s ostentatious and impersonal. We walk up the stairs to the third floor, and Alex unlocks a door in the middle of the hallway. As soon as we step in, the aesthetics completely change. It looks like we’re in a large apartment. There’s an open area in the middle with warm hardwood floors and rugs underfoot. A fireplace with a huge tv sits on the left wall between two doors. A large U-shaped sectional faces the tv. Bookshelves line the wall along the hallway, filled with books and photos. The right side has a kitchen, a dining area, and two doors. Dark wood cabinets and light countertops are in the kitchen. The dining room has a round table and upholstered chairs.
“This place is amazing, Alex. Far better than downstairs,” I comment.
He looks over in surprise. “Most people prefer the main two floors, not this apartment.”
I shrug. “It’s beautiful but cold, from what I saw. This place has lifein it.”
He gives me a genuine smile, happiness oozing from his expression, and tells me to get comfortable on the sectional. I drop my bags in front of the bookshelves and take a seat. Alex goes to the fridge and grabs two bottles of water, then joins me. “How long have you lived on the third floor?”
Alex picks up a remote to turn the tv on. “I had this place remodeled the summer before freshman year.”
“It must get lonely up here by yourself,” I say. Not to mention, strange for him to be living apart from his family at his age.
“No one has ever brought that up before,” he contemplates. How sad. “I keep busy with studying, diving, and the guys.”
“And Reesa, I imagine.”
“Yes,” he shrugs, “but she prefers the downstairs.”
“Honey, I’m home!” Seb hollers as the main door opens. He enters with E carrying two bags and Nick close behind. “Sunshine, you’re here,” he smiles, bounding over to sit beside me on the couch. He reminds me of a golden retriever. Nick and E drop their bags beside mine, and Bay comes in a few minutes later with his own bag.
“What does everyone want on their pizza?” Alex asks. We call out our orders, and Alex places the order on his phone. “It will be over an hour before delivery. Summer, I can show you the gym so you can run?”
“That would be great, thanks. I just need to change.” Alex tells me there is a changing room in the gym, so I grab my bag and follow the guys down to the basement. We turn right when we reach the bottom of the stairs. There's a legitimate, full gym down here. Two treadmills, a rowing machine, a bench, weights, and even a punching bag. Alex points out a door on the left wall. Inside I find a nice changing room with a full-length mirror and bench, so I change and apply some of my cream. When I come out, Nick is on theweight bench.
“We’re gonna head upstairs and play video games, Sunshine, if you’re good down here with Nick?” Seb asks.
“Sure, I’m fine,” I smile.
“Whoever grabs the pizza can get you guys in an hour,” he says, giving my hand a squeeze as they all head out.
Nick has his earbuds in, so I grab my phone and put my own in and start my stretching. I begin my run after warming up with a jog. It’s always different running on a treadmill than on a track, but both will improve my endurance. I set a quick pace for 30 minutes, followed by stretching out again. I hop back on and run another 30 before I’m done. Sitting on the floor, I do my last stretches and glance over at Nick, noticing him at the punching bag, shirtless. He has a large tattoo across his back of wings shaded in black and grey, with feathers falling onto his lower back. I’m so busy studying the feathers I don’t notice he’s caught me looking. “See something you like?” His gravelly voice asks.
I look up, startled to see his reflection in the wall of mirrors staring at me. Those dark, intense eyes trying to bore into my soul. “Sorry, your back tattoo is beautiful,” I blush.
Nick smirks at me. “Done?” I nod, still embarrassed he caught me staring. He heads for the door, so I quickly grab my bag and follow him upstairs. When we get to the third floor, he opens the door for me. The guys are in a heated video game battle on the tv. Nick catches my eye and points to the right door beside the tv. “Shower.”
I thank him, grab my backpack and walk into the room, walking behind the couch so I don’t disturb anyone. Two double beds are on the far wall, with two doors facing the living area. A big window sits between the beds, with a low dresser below. I open the first door to find a walk-in closet. The second door opens into a bathroom. A single white vanity, toilet, and tub shower combo greet me. I look under the sink and find clean, fluffy towels, so I grab my toiletries and take a quick shower. Leaving my bags on the rightbed, I glance out the window. There’s a manicured yard and a row of trees. You can get a glimpse of the water in the far-right corner.
“Pizza,” E yells, so I leave the room and go back out. The guys are grabbing plates and drinks from the kitchen. Nick has already showered, too. I walk to the kitchen, and E hands me a plate of pizza and a soda.
“Thank you, E,” I smile. Seb and Bay are heading towards the sectional, so I follow behind. The guys spread out around us and pick the controllers back up to continue their game. I sit and watch them play, eating my pizza. Everyone is ribbing each other, and it’s…nice. Nick ends up beating everyone in the fighting game they play.
As the guys clean up, I tell them I’m going to do my salt soak. “Wait, I’m coming too, Sunshine,” Seb says, getting up from his seat.
“Um, nope, you’re not,” I laugh. “You’re great, but I’m not getting naked with you,” I smile.
