“Come on, lazy bones,” I murmur, moving into a room on the third floor full of rugs and comfort. I woke them up to stretch with me before I go on my run with the guys.
It’s about six in the morning, but I told them last night about how Riley thinks it’ll help. He also suggested a nutrient dense beverage, and since Abbott looked at the ingredients and decided he hated them, he’s making them smoothies instead.
Yes, we’re all pushy as fuck.
Abbott, Shiloh, and Ansel smirk as they come in with water bottles, leaving a couple near Bellamy and Winter.
“Group stretching?” Bellamy asks, amused.
Two days have passed since I presented them with their nest, and they accepted the opportunity to decorate it. Abbott’s eyes widened when he saw that paint was being delivered to the house, but instead of offering to do the work for them, asked if they’d ever painted before.
Apparently, they both painted each others’ rooms when their parents married, so they’re well used to the work. My worry is that they’re going to be too weak to do much at a time.
I can’t micromanage everything. That’s no way to live. They’ve had too much of that happen already. They’re almost nineteen years old. I have to allow them the freedom to do things for themselves in what I want them to think of as their own home.
That’s what I want it to be.
“Yes,” Abbott says easily. “We do everything together. After this, there’s breakfast waiting for you while we go running. People will start to talk if we don’t join the run club again.”
“Like who?” Winter asks.
“Society,” I grumble. “You’re not ready to meet everyone yet. For the record, we aren’t hiding you. I’m just not comfortable with going out to meet people while you’re not feeling great.”
“I don’t like people,” Bellamy says, making a face. “I’ve always been much happier hanging out with Winter than going out. My social anxiety isn’t fun.”
“Understandable,” I admit. “We don’t want you to think you’re a secret or something.”
“I’d prefer it if we were,” he says seriously. “People will be looking for us.”
“Who?” Shi growls, startling Bellamy. Yep, it’s never good when his emotions start leaking everywhere. He’s the contained one usually.
“Clara,” Bellamy mumbles. “Petty fucking bitch.”
“That’s the spirit,” my insane alpha cheers, making Bellamy laugh. Granted, they’re all insane, but Shiloh is the one who enjoys taking his time with a kill.
“Stretch,” I order, already on the ground. “Legs apart.”
Abbott smirks at me, making me blush as he complies. He knows exactly how sexy he is. His hair is messier than normaltoday, and his beard makes me think about using it as my private chair.
Focus, Cassidy.They’re all too sexy for their own good.
I lead them through stretches, and I notice the way Winter and Bellamy wince as they do them.
“Don’t go any further than what’s comfortable to start with,” I remind them. “We’re going to be able to lean in further than you for the stretches right now. I’m sure your muscles will be sore.”
“Cages do that to you,” Winter mutters.
“I had them burned,” Abbott grunts. “I’m tracking down everyone who’s had anything to do with that trafficking ring and killing them. Systematic, concise justice.”
“I don’t think murder can be considered systematic,” Winter murmurs, pulling her arm across her body to release the tension in her muscles.
They both need deep tissue massages, but I can’t stand the thought of anyone touching them. There’s also the added stress that they may not be comfortable with that.
Baby steps. That’s what these stretch exercises are.
Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail, and her fresh face is calm as she stretches.
“It is when you do it right,” Ansel smirks, making me giggle.
