Chapter 9
Callyn
I was nervous walking over to Lucian’s. I had to drum up enough courage a couple of days ago to finally tell my father about the group projects. Honestly, it went better than I thought it would, mostly because he was already half drunk when I mentioned it. Plus, I had to wait for him to be home one night. I never know what days he’s coming home after work, or what days he's going to what I assume is the bar. I like the nights he’s at the bar, it keeps him away from me. The only downside is the state I find him in, in the mornings. I shake my head. No more thinking of my poor excuse of a father. I will not let anything ruin this day.
The guys had told me last week that they all live on the same street. They grew up together and were friends from a young age. Their parent’s get along pretty well too. Turns out they only live three streets away from me and they don’t know that yet.
I walk up the sidewalk that leads to the two-story white home. The house has flower bushes in front of the porch and sits on the most pristine lawn I’ve ever seen. There are four steps that lead up to the front door. I hesitate a moment before I take a deep breath and knock. A moment later Lucian answers.
Oh. Good. Lord.
He’s wearing faded out blue jeans, and a tight fitted maroon Henley t-shirt. His copper hair is slightly messy like he just ran his hands through it. I bite my lip as I continue my perusal. He’s barefoot. Lord, even his feet are sexy. Can feet be sexy? If so, his definitely are.
Mine.
Woah. Where did that thought come from? I mean, I have this insane urge to touch him… all of them, and to be around them. The sound of Lucian clearing his throat breaks me from my thoughts. I look up and he is wearing this smirk on his face. Apparently, he must have said something, but I was clearly distracted.
“I’m sorry, did you say something?”
“I said, would you please come in?” He steps to the side, so I can enter.
Lucian’s house is nice and cozy. There are steps off to the left when you first walk in leading upstairs. There is a small hallway and the kitchen is straight ahead. The living room is to the right. Lucian waves me ahead of him.
It should be illegal for people to look this good in a pair of blue jeans. I stare at the guys for a moment when I enter the living room. I mean I’ve seen them all in jeans at school, but I guess I never really noticed until now. But these boys can fill out a pair of jeans. I start to look around the room before they notice I’m checking them out. There are pictures on the wall and I want to see if any of them are of a younger Lucian or the boys. Before I can go and look, Zeke asks why I brought my bookbag. So, I told him to make this seem legit.
He looks stunned and it causes me to giggle. Before I know it, an older lady barrels into living room asking who’s giggling, calling me pretty, and hugging the crap out of me. She smells like cookies and it comforts me. Reminding me of when my mom used to make cookies for me and I couldn’t help but hug her back.
“Make yourself at home. I’ve got a couple more thing to finish up in the kitchen,” she says before leaves. As she walks back into the kitchen I catch a glimpse of her arms. Are those tattoos? Huh.
“Take a seat,” Lucian says as he gestures to the couch. “We were going to vote on what to do. We can watch some movies or play games. We have board, card, and video games to choose from. The movie collection in under the T.V. in the stand. So, since this is your first time here with us, you get the first vote.”
“Um, I don’t think I should pick first.”
“Why?”
“Well, I haven’t watched movies in a while. I don’t know how to play video games.” I shrug. “So, my vote would be wasted on board or card games.” The boys stare at me with open mouths.
“You’ve never played video games?” Zeke questions.
I shake my head no.
“Like ever?” Max questions.
“Nope.”
“Well, that’s what will do first.”
“Um, shouldn’t Luke get to pick? It is his birthday.” I say looking over at him.
“I’m fine playing video games.”
“If you’re sure, but you have to pick which one we play. I don’t know anything about it. Speaking of your birthday,” I say and hop up off the couch and go to my bookbag.
I pull a card I bought at the store this week. Since my father never goes shopping for food, I didn’t even have to hide it. I walk over to Lucian and hand him the card.
“Happy birthday,” I say and give him a quick peck on the cheek. When I pull back, I know we’re both blushing.
“Thank you.”
“Open it.”
He does and busts out laughing after he reads it. Totally worth it. His laugh is amazing. He has one of those laughs that when you hear it, you look to see who it belongs to.
“Oh, it’s perfect.” He pulls me in for a quick hug.
“Now, I want to know what it says,” Max whines. I look to Zeke and Graydon and they are both nodding their heads.
The front of the card has a guy dressed like a sparkly unicorn. The inside says: Happy Birthday! Act like the ginger unicorn you are! The card gets passed around and we’re laughing by the end. It was perfect. Just like the whole day was.