11
Adley
I left the house in a daze.
I didn’t know enough about what was going on to know what was good or bad. Everything looked okay, in theory. Most of it was torn to the bare bones or piled high with debris. I was almost relieved I couldn’t talk to Levi when I arrived. He was more…intimidating.
When it came down to it, Tate was just as intimidating. He was just easier to talk to though, and I felt a little less out of my element around him. Maybe it was because he was not as intense as Levi. Tate didn’t have that brooding, alpha character to him that Levi did. Tate eluded confidence, and he did have that alpha male thing going on, but it wasn’t as in your face as Levi was.
The two of them were very, very different. But I was also very, very attracted to them both. It sounded insane and it was crazy, I couldn’t even believe it myself. But I just was. I had only left two hours ago and was antsy to see Tate again. I wanted to see Levi too, but I had no idea how to explain that. It would not be fair either. I’m attracted to you both and I’m hoping you’re okay with that.
There was no way in hell I could speak those words.
I wondered how it would make me look, and how they would think of me. I liked to say I was a person that didn’t care what other people thought. Most of the time I didn’t, but this was just different. Sexuality makes everything different. Being attracted to two men was taboo and only to be desired in your head. It belonged in books and television, not in real life.
But it existed. Obviously. And I didn’t know what to do about it.
I was getting dressed to meet Tate for dinner when I really thought about it. I didn’t want to wear the same jeans over and over so I wore a dress. A simple blue shift dress with four buttons down the chest, that fit me like a glove.
I decided I would be honest with Tate. It wouldn’t be conventional, but I had to find a way to tell him I was attracted to his friend too. From the way they interacted, they seemed like best friends. I didn’t want to be the one to mess that up. I wasn’t sure about real feelings for them besides like or interest, but the attraction—the inevitable pull of desire I couldn’t ignore in their presence—was undeniable. It felt wrong. Actually, it should feel wrong. But it didn’t.
My strawberry blonde hair refused to cooperate, as always. I decided to just leave it down and let it do what it wished. The weather was still too sticky and humid, perks of being so close to the water, I guessed. So, I didn’t wear any makeup, just plain nude lipstick that made my lips look less like I had been biting on them. I was nervous, more than I ever had been before about anything.
I wanted to appear cool, and confident. Like I had my life together, and less like someone between jobs, graced with a household she didn’t know how to run. I could do that. I could pretend.
Tate had texted me his address and I was due there in twenty minutes, so I got going. I didn’t remember much of the area and I didn’t want to get lost. I did enjoy the drive though, because the scenery was nice. His house wasn’t far from my hotel, and I found the outside very charming. It was a cold gray color, with a colonial porch and pillars out front. It looked like a lot of handiwork went into it, and I wondered if he built it himself. He might have with Levi’s help.
His truck was out front, along with a motorcycle, the sport kind. I imagined him riding it, but it didn’t quite fit. It fit Levi better. I took a deep breath, got out, and walked up the porch. My sandals scraped against the wooden planks. There was a bench by the door for sitting, and a side table as well. I got a very homey feeling from it.
With a shaky hand, I rang the doorbell. My chest heaved with deep breaths, and I could swear I smelled what he was cooking. Something with basil and chicken. I had a knack for scents from working in the restaurant business so long. I heard heavy, even footsteps and then the door swung open. My eyes went to the broad, strong chest in front of me.
“Um, hi…” I was a little confused since I was staring at Levi. His dark hair was wavy and disheveled as always, his green eyes bright with mischief.
“Hey. Come on in, hun.” He grinned and led me inside. My insides fluttered at the feeling of his hand on the small of my back. It was only for a moment, but it still had me reeling.
“I…um, isn’t this Tate’s place? He invited me for dinner. I didn’t know you were coming, um—I hope you don’t think I don’t want to see you or something but…gosh, I’m rambling.” I avoided his gaze and searched frantically for something else to look at.
Levi chuckled and shook his head. “We both live here. We’re roommates,” he explained easily.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Oh.”
“He did tell me you were coming. And I appreciated the pie you brought. Cherry is my favorite, all sweet and delicious.” He licked his lips and looked over my body from head to toe, stopping at my chest. I felt the blush spreading there, like he was undressing me.
“It’s no problem. So we’re all having dinner?” I asked. I let my own eyes appreciate the way his jeans fit his body. They weren’t as tight as the ones he wore to work, but the white washed casual look was good on him. His gray tee shirt had some abstract graphic on it that brought out the green in his eyes.
“Yep, you want a tour?” He gestured to the living room.
I followed his eyes. The foyer was right in the center of a dining room and an office, but I thought it was more of a glorified game room. The staircase hid behind a wall that had a few pictures on it, but nothing more. It really felt like the home of two men.
“Okay. Sure.”