Cole cleared his throat deeply right before Brent nudged my leg none too gently – guess they were back from Freakville. And, cripes.How long had I been starin’?
I waved a hand, explaining to Zane, “I was just trying to wake them up.” Eyes glancing down at his lack of attire, again. Critically this time. Did they all forget to set their alarm clocks? I pointed at the neon lit numbers. “You guys are going to be late. It’s 7:32.”
“What’s going on?” Ally asked, rushing in and tying her robe, bedraggled and harried.
“Nothing, Ally. Go back to bed. I was just trying to wake them, and well, that didn’t go so well.”
“Why would they need to get up at this hour?” Ally asked perplexed, brushing wild curls back from her face.
“It’s still pitch black out,” Cole groaned, closing his eyes.
Brent glanced at the clock. “I’m going to kill him.”
“What?” I was very confused.
Zane cracked his back. “Stash. This is one of his pranks.” He yawned, scratching his head as he walked out. “You’ll get used to it.”
Laughter exploded down the hallway somewhere.Oh!I really hoped the man was getting frost bite on his important bits. I, also, didn’t think it was the perfect time to tell Brent and Cole about the photo. I’m pretty sure they were already in the killing mood.
Zane shouted at Stash to “Shut the fuck up!” before slamming his door. Ally just said something about “knives and seagulls” and left the three of us alone, shutting the door as she left. I glanced at them in the dark quiet of the room. I wondered what they were going to do.
“One of you leavin’?” I asked carefully. They were both fuming.
“No,” both answered stubbornly.
Okay.
I was laying back down when Cole threatened Brent. “Lay you’re fucking head on my arm again and I’ll break it.”
“And keep your face away from mine or it’ll berealcolorful come morning,” Brent hissed.
“If you two can’t be civil, then get out. Anybody with half a brain knows you’re gonna end up tossin’ and turnin’ in the middle of the night, resultin’ in limbs and such being thrown in different places. So before one of youreallyfreaks when a hand lands somewhereveryinteresting I suggest you think long and hard before sleepin’ in this bed,” I lectured and got comfy again, being almost instantly tugged half on Cole. Just as quickly, Brent resumed spooning me from behind, Cole making room for his arm with only a small grunt this time. Guess they weren’t in the thinking frame of mind.
Time passed.
I was a few ticks from dreamland when Brent whispered, “I’d better not wake up with your hand anywhere near the family jewels, or you’ll lose it.”
“Back at you,” Cole whispered. “And you scream like a little bitch.”
Brent wasn’t to be outdone. “You would too if you woke up staring at your ugly mug.”
Men.
***
Morning cametoo fast after being woken in the middle of the night. I only managed to mumble something about Stash and another photo to Brent and Cole as they rolled out of bed for their early morning workout – without freaking this time. I fell back asleep, and dreamed of shouting and a high pitched squeal and banging doors. I keep telling myself it was a dream, anyway. I hated to think that screech had been Stash.
When I finally woke for good – other than to realize both men had moved in all their bags before leaving for work, it was 11:00 and Ally had made breakfast. I was starving and scarfed it down, only spilling a fourth of it on myself. I didn’t mind eating around Ally. She already knew I was a mess. She shook her head and handed me a napkin. I’m pretty sure she really wanted to tie a bib around my neck by the way she stared at it like she was measuring for the correct fit.
We went down to the lobby where I found a wrap and bathing suit that had a full back, to cover my “brand”, but the darn thing didn’t have much of a front to it. My breast practically spilled from it – which is saying something since they were barely a handful – and I complained about it endlessly until Ally threatened me life and limb.
I paid cash.
We swam for the better part of the afternoon, drinking a few fruity drinks with cute, miniature umbrellas until we decided we had better get back upstairs since some of Lion Security’s staff was supposed to be showing at any time. Ally hadn’t pressed any further with her questions during our relaxation time together. It had been really enjoyable, even if I hadn’t had a lot to contribute to her career talk. She was still the same ‘ol Ally, just an adult version.
Ally was almost done cleaning up dishes from lunch and I was cleaning up the crew’s mess in the living room from the previous evening when the phone rang telling me the rest of our party had arrived. I rode the elevator down to let them up after peaking in the kitchen and telling Ally where I was going. She hadn’t thrown anything at me, so she was in pretty good spirits herself.
When I exited the elevator, I spotted them immediately. They were kind of hard to miss.
