“If you saw her, I think you would agree she’s come a long way since the last time you were here.”
“That’s so good to know. So… do you think you two might be starting up more than a friendship?”
“I’ve got to go, Mom.”
“Oh, come on! I’m an old lady, tell me something good. She finds you attractive, doesn’t she?” she asked in a conspiratorial whisper. “Are you two flirting? Tell me anything.”
“Ella made the honor roll.”
“You are a right shit.”
“You’re cursing a lot.” Much like the other woman in my life that I seemed to bring out the worst in.
“It’s hot as hell here, it makes me crazy.”
“Don’t get me started on Dad’s geographical choice to migrate.”
“Adam was worth it. Did you know your brother is seeing a waitress at a bar called The Hooters?”
I chuckled. “It’s just Hooters, Mom. No ‘The’ before it.”
“He won’t let us meet her. We offered to go. I think your dad and I might pop in as a surprise.”
“I’m pretty sure Dad will enjoy it.”
“Really, do they serve good food?”
“The best,” I said, smiling. Adam was about to be humiliated.
“Right then, it’s settled.”
“Let me know how it goes,” I said doing my best to conceal my smile.
She was too sharp. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing Mom, enjoy The Hooters.”
“If you say so. I’m sure I will. Love you, son.”
“Love you.”
I hung up and made my way toward the house. Koti read in the safety of her hammock and didn’t bother to glance my way when I stepped up on my porch to let Disco out.
She couldn’t avoid me forever, and at the same time, a few days apart might give us both perspective. We were only in danger of becoming closer.
Thursday she would be forced to make conversation, to look at me, to talk to me.
Thursday.
SCRUBBING MY STOVE, I WAS nervous in a way I hadn’t been in years. Ian and I had barely looked at each other since my parents left. Well, I’d barely looked at him. I knew I was being a little childish. He told me he didn’t want to get involved and I understood it to a degree but being a friend with benefits required him to be a friend. I couldn’t help my anger at his decision to leave me hanging knowing my whole story. Pushing past it for the greater good, I decided to try and put my hurt aside to make the trip the best I could for Ian and his friends, even if I was irritated with him. Two sharp knocks at my door had me pulling my rubber gloves off. I opened it with a smile only to have the wind knocked out of me by the sight of him. Disco barked at my feet as Ian’s scowl and shitty greeting quickly erased all my good intentions.
“They’re pulling up and you don’t have any clothes on!”
“I live at the beach. These are my clothes.”
“A bikini isn’t clothes. Get something else on, now.”
“Hello to you too. I agree the house looks nice. I’ve been cleaning all day. You’re welcome.”
“It’s appreciated
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“Koti,” he said in warning. “We don’t have time to argue.”
“Then let’s not argue.”
“Damnit, woman.”
I eyed my waiting coverup dress on the couch and thought better of it.
“Don’t bark orders at me, I’m doing you another favor.”
The creak of the screen behind him put a stop to our argument.
“S’up, fucker,” the guy at the door greeted as Ian turned to face him grinning from ear to ear.
“How the hell are you doing, Kemp?”
The man caught sight of me as they hugged and cleared his throat. “Sorry about the profanity, ma’am.” The man was tall, with shortly-cropped brown hair and gorgeous dark blue eyes. “I’m Julian Drake.”
I smiled. “Koti.”
“Ian, you didn’t tell us you had a new girl.”
Ian glanced between us and I let him sweat a little before I spoke up. “We’re just friends. Ian’s parents own the house next door, but it’s rented at the moment, so you guys are shacking up here.”
Julian did a full sweep over me with appreciative eyes before he looked back to Ian. “Did you go blind?”
“Shut up,” Ian snapped. “Where are dumb and dumber?”
“Getting their bags out of the car.”
“I’ve got your dumb and dumber, dickhead,” a guy said, climbing the porch steps and looking back at the ocean. “Nice spot.” He grinned at Ian. “Ian Kemp, you ugly bastard.”
“Doug, you piece of shit.” They clapped backs and he grinned wider as he looked over at me. “Damn, I see things are good for you, Kemp.”
“I’m Koti,” I offered as he kissed my hand.
“I’m Doug and you must be his new lady.”
I shook my head adamantly. “Nah, Ian’s more of a big brother to me.”
Ian cleared his throat, gray laser beams directed at me until he was struck by a duffle in the back and let out a loud “oomph.”
“What the hell, Drew,” Ian grunted out, as he turned to face his attacker.
“You poor bastard, you just keep getting uglier,” he said, as Drew hugged Ian before eyeing me. “God, please tell me she’s my birthday present.”
Ian cringed as I spoke up on my own behalf. “Sorry pal, I’m more of a Navy guy kind of girl.”
All four of them looked at me with matching scowls before Drew spoke up with a shit-eating grin. “Beautiful and a ballbuster. I’m in love.”
Ian smacked him playfully in the back of the head. “I see you haven’t grown much. I’m assuming it’s the same sad case for your dick.”
I bit my lips to hide my smile. All four men spoke animatedly as beers were passed from the fridge and I sat on a stool with my wine in hand, the odd girl out. After half an hour of feeling like a fifth wheel, I decided if I was going to make it through the weekend, I would need backup.
“I could kick your ass for giving me a last-minute invite,” Jasmine said under her breath as she walked up the porch steps. “A house full of Marines? And you were going to keep this from moi?”
“Hell yes, I was,” I said, grabbing her bag. “Try to behave yourself.”
“Oh, well yeah, that’s impossible.”
She stepped into the room where four gorgeous men sat around my kitchen island shooting the shit.
“Jesus. Okay, let me pick out Ian. Oh God, he’s not handsome, he’s Bradley-fucking-Cooper hot. What the hell have you been hiding from me?! I’m decreasing your pay.”
“You can’t legally do that.”
“You’re a real asshole. God, Koti, he’s so beautiful.”
I sighed. “I know.” A beautiful self-absorbed asshole.
“Who’s the tall one with the blue eyes?”
“Julian.”
“Dibs.”
“There’s no one else here to call it.”
“Dibs anyway,” she said retrieving a bottle of tequila. “Hey fellas, the party has officially started.” All four men turned to see Jasmine in her Salma Hayek getup and all jaws dropped, including the jaw of the bastard I was sleeping with. I narrowed my eyes as he cleared his throat.
Two of the guys whistled as Ian searched for shot glasses. I moved to the kitchen to help him.
“In here,” I said as he stood behind me and grabbed the glasses from the cabinet I couldn’t reach. He pressed into me and I smelled a hint of his cologne and damn near fell into his frame.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“You seem to have the need to say that a lot.”
I stood encased in his arms, his smell unavoidable, my body coming alive with every brush of his chest.
“I’m dying to touch you, but I’m afraid you’ll slap me.”
“I should.”
“Don’t complicate this, Koti. Please.”
“Oh, you’ve made yourself clear.” I pushed at his arm and he kept me trapped as he leaned down and whispered. “I’m just asking for you to understand.”
“I understand just fine. But you’re the one who blurred the line. A friend would have been the first to show up for me for that shit show. But don’t worry, I have one of those and she’s enough. I don’t need you to go thinking I need you.”
“Then why are you so pissed off?”
I turned in his arms as he kept me locked in place. “It’s simple. You’re a prick and you don’t deserve my friendship or the benefits.”