Chapter Three
My third night in the house was fun. Kade and James make me feel welcome, so it’s not as awkward as I thought it would be. We end up watching a few movies, and playing more PS3. It turns out I’m pretty good at Call of Duty, and Kade kept muttering ‘wifey’ comments every time I played well. We order Chinese for dinner, and when I try to pay, Kade and James almost have a fit. I ordered my usual honey chicken and fried rice, and the guys ordered enough to feed an army. When they finished everything, I must say, I was impressed.
The next morning, I wake up when I hear noises in the kitchen. I walk out wearing a pair of track pants and a tank top.
“Hey James,” I mumble sleepily.
“Mornin’ Laylay,” he greets.
“Laylay?” I repeat disbelievingly.
James just grins.
“Oh come on! Find something better than that please!” I beg.
“Hmmm I quite like Laylay. How about princess?” he asks.
“Princess Laylay?” I must look horrified.
James bursts out laughing.
“Maybe. I do like star wars,” is his reply. Ugh. That’s princess Leia not Layla. But whatever.
“What are you doing today?” I ask after I put two pieces of toast in the toaster.
“Got some shit to do in a bit.” James, always so vague. I’m not going to lie, I’m curious as hell about James. He is so laid back, calm, easy going and sometimes very quiet. The saying ‘It’s the quiet ones you need to look out for’ reminds me of James. There is something there under that gentle exterior.
“So tell me about the illusive landlord. I’m curious as hell.”
“He comes and goes, you might only see him once a month or so,” James says.
“And?” I want more information than that.
“And he’s here now. But I think he’s leaving today.”
“Doesn’t he want to meet his new tenant?”
James just gives me a small grin, and doesn’t say anything else.
“I’m gonna run out and give out some applications. Know if there are any salons close by?” I ask around a mouth of toast.
“Um, I only know of one I pass on the way to University. On Cedar Street.”
“Cool, thanks. I’ll go there then.”
“Good luck princess Laylay.” James grins at me cheekily.
I cringe at the new nickname.
I make my way to my room and hear noises coming from the master bedroom. I guess the man who owns this house, is here today. Not thinking anything more of it, I close my bedroom door and get ready. About thirty minutes later, I hear feet stomping out in the hallway, and then murmurs. I then hear a girl’s voice raising. I quietly make it to my door and hear, “What the fuck, I’m good enough to fuck but you won’t even offer me coffee?”
My mouth drops open. I can’t help a small giggle.
Then another voice, one I don’t recognize. A deep voice.
“I said to get out. You know the rules. We come home, we fuck, and you leave. You should have left last night.”
“Fuck you, everyone was right. You weren’t even that good in bed!”
“Good, that means you won’t come back for more. Get.” I hear the front door slam shut. Wow, I wonder if all one night stands end like that. Awkward much. A few minutes later, I hear the door shut again. I finish getting ready and make my way to the kitchen to grab some juice before I leave. Kade and James are both standing there chatting. I walk out with a huge question on my face.
Kade smirks, “Just our landlord trying to get rid of his latest conquest.”
James laughs, “Yeah that man gets all the nut cases. Lucky you missed it.”
“So when do I get to meet him?” I ask as I pour my juice.
James and Kade glance at each other. “Probably won’t. It’s rare he’s here. But when he is here, he’s usually not alone. So you might hear more of that.”
Oh great. I’m living in a man whores house.
“Hey, the drama could be entertaining,” I say with a smirk.
“I’ll see you guys later!”
“Later Laylay.” Both guys chime behind me.
I cringe. At least they haven’t thought of saying ‘Layla I wanna lay ya’ yet.
When I arrive home a couple hours later, I am an employed woman. One less thing for me to worry about, and I’m glad. Kade and James are sitting at the table when I walk in.
“Laylay! You’re home. Come play cards with us!” James says.
I grin. “Give me a sec.” I go into my room and put down my hand bag, change out of my high waisted skirt and blouse and put on my leopard print onesie. I walk out and the boys burst out laughing. I roll my eyes and sit down ready to play cards.
“What the fuck is that, Layla?” Kade asks with a smirk.
“My onesie? Just the comfiest thing ever! Now what card game we playing?” I ask eagerly.
“Is that outfit meant to put us off our game? I think it may be working,” James muses.
“How about we make this game more interesting?” I ask them.
They both look at me, curious.
“Strip poker?” James asks, looking eager.
“Um... no. I was more thinking along the lines of if I beat you; you never call me Laylay again.” I am brilliant, I muse.
“And if you lose?” Kade replies.
“What do you guys want?” I groan.
They both glance at each other, before grinning evilly.
“You need to learn how to cook our favorite meals,” Kade says slowly.
I try to hold in my laugh.
“And then you cook wearing something extremely skimpy. Like lingerie, or a bikini,” adds James with a grin.
“You guys are perverts!” I scoff, outraged.
They both laugh.
“Okay, deal.” We shake on it.
A few games of blackjack later and I’ll never hear the word Laylay again.