He laughed, catching me and lifting me clean off the ground into a tight hug. “I wanted to surprise you and Kins,” he said into my shoulder. “We’re off for the summer. I thought I’d come spend that time with my girls.”
I leaned back, my hands still hooked behind his neck. “She’s going to lose her mind! Having you on the weekends is never enough for her.”
“I know, now she’ll have to deal with me for two months,” he retorted, smirking.
I squeezed him once more before stepping back and looking at the grass stains covering him. “Dude, come on. Isn’t there a team rule for showering?”
Without warning, Bodhi pulled me into his armpit and wrapped his arm around me. I half-laughed, half-screamed as I pushed him away and gagged.
“Save it for your girlfriend.”
Grabbing for the door handle, he bumped me with his hip, and a small cough from behind us reminded me of his company.
“Oh, these are some of the guys from my team. I offered Kolby's bedroom to them.”
I waved to each of them. “Oh goodie, he’lllovethat.” Reaching for the door, I looked back at them. “Cover your ears,” I instructed, as we all stepped into the hallway.
From the kitchen, Kinsley called out to me, “Em, did you get—” She turned the corner and screamed. “BODHI?!”
Dropping the empty bowl in her hands, she sprinted across the room, throwing herself at him. He barely had time to brace before she wrapped herself around him, legs and arms locking in place.
“Oh my god, what are you doing here?!” she yelled.
“I missed you,” he laughed. “Surprise, baby.”
“I thought you had training until Tuesday!”
“They let us off early.”
Excitement lit up her face as she kissed him everywhere.
“Okay, okay,” he muttered between each kiss, “at least let me shower first.”
She laughed back in response, pulling him down the hallwaytoward the bathroom.
When they disappeared around the corner, I turned to the men and pointed to the living room. “I call dibs on the remote.”
The next couple of hours unfolded easily. Instead of resting like I’d planned, I ended up on the couch, squished between random men that were now friends and pizza boxes that covered our living room. Kolby showed up halfway through and threw a whole ass fit when he learned he’d been kicked out of his room.
Checking the time between bites, I debatedstayinghome.Bohdi being back had turned the house into something full of laughter and comfort, while being around Silas would probably evoke the opposite. I finally gave in to the nagging in my head and stood, knowing it was well past the time I should’ve have left by.Maybe showing up late would be a good thing.Maybe it would do him some good to have to wait on someone else, for once. “Sorry guys, I have to get ready for work.”
Kinsley looked over at me from Bodhi’s lap. “What?! You’re ditching us?”
Picking up my trash, I nodded. “It’s another photo gig.”
A look of confusion and then recognition washed over her face. “Oh, no!” she yelled, hopping off his lap to follow me into my bedroom. “Absolutely not. You’re goingthereagain!?”
By the time I came out of my closet, I was met by a small crowd. Kinsley stood directly in front of me with her arms crossed. Bodhi was close behind her, sitting on the edge of my bed. Even Kolby had come to see what was going on, leaning into the doorway.
“Ember, come on. Do you really think this is a good idea?” Kinsley’s tone was short, a rare occurrence, but nothing that made me second-guess my plan.
“It’s just work,” I said, before moving into the bathroom and stepping into my dress. From the mirror, I could already tell the yellow color I’d ordered was perfect, mimicking the same one I wore last time. This dress, however, had an added layer of glitter, which made it even more elevated.
Kolby’s hand dropped from the doorframe he was leaningagainst as I entered the bedroom again. His eyes scanned over me, landing on the slit in my dress exposing my thigh. “You’re wearingthatto a work thing?”
Bodhi stood, stepping toward me. “Wait, am I missing something? Did you get a new job?”
“No,”—I said, reaching for the brush on my dresser, “and I’m not sure if you guys are aware of this but I’m actually a big girl and can handle myself.” I brushed through my hair a few times, deciding to leave it down. “If it helps, don’t feel like you need to wait for me this time. The gig is slotted for the whole party. I’ll be fine, even if I’m late.” None of them replied, but they remained rigid. I could tell they each had something to say, a different reason for me to stay home. I honestly understood, but this wasn’t their choice,it was mine.
