I GET DRESSED INTO A pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt, leaving my hair to air dry. It would end up curly either way. I walk past a room and hear voices inside. Peeking in, I see David, Colton and Tom all sitting on the couch, watching a movie.
“Come on in, sweetie. Join us,” shouts Tom.
I walk in and look at the TV. I have no idea what they are watching, some loud movie with lots of car explosions and shooting. Typical guy film. I stop on the left side of Colton, looking for somewhere to sit. All three guys take up the whole couch. I move to sit on the ground in front, but Colton reaches out, pulls me over the side of the couch, and into his lap. I gasp in shock and stare at him. Winking at me, he readjusts me off to his side, leaving me sitting on his lap, with his arm around my shoulder. I fit perfectly against him. He turns his attention back toward the screen. Normally, I would have moved myself, but I’m surprisingly comfy.
All the guys laugh at me because I jump each time a shot is fired. I am okay with PG-13 violence, but this isn’t that. This is gruesome, showing each injury graphically, blood and gore everywhere. I hide in Colton’s shoulder for most of the movie, refusing to look at the screen.
Hearing music, which I assume is the end credits, I speak into Colton’s shirt, “Is it over?”
I feel his chest rumbling, as if he is laughing at my question. “Yes, you can look now.”
I slowly turn around, and see a black screen with white names scrolling up. I breathe out a sigh of relief, which causes another round of laughter.
“That movie was horrible,” I say.
David shakes his head amused, “No, it was awesome.”
Disbelief courses through me, “Awesome?”
Tom gets up and straightens his designer jeans out. “Well, I’m hungry. Got any food?”
Without moving, Colton replies, “Yeah, there is a box of pizza on the kitchen counter. Help yourself.”
Nodding, he walks out of the room. My eyes follow him the entire way out. I can hear his heavy footsteps receding as he gets further and further from the room.
Colton starts moving the leg directly beneath me. “Sorry, my leg is starting to fall asleep.”
“Oh, goodness, I’m sorry.” I hurriedly move off of him, sitting between him and David. I look out the window and notice that it has started getting dark.
David speaks up first. “Claire should be home soon.”
Shifting my body toward David I ask, “Would you mind telling her everything for me? It’s been a long day and I’m starting to get tired.”
He nods understandingly. “Yeah, go to bed, Ryanne. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thanks, David.” I get off the couch and start walking toward the door. “Goodnight. Sweet dreams,” I say without looking back.
I walk into the guest bedroom, turn off the light, and crawl into the bed, falling asleep before my head even hits the pillow.