After getting out of the bathroom, I went downstairs and made myself some toast. I could really use some coffee, but for that, I would need a coffee machine. Unfortunately, dad didn’t start his job and I haven’t found one yet. Job hunting was on my agenda for today after school. While eating my not-so-healthy breakfast, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Considering, only four people had my number and one of them was currently snoring away on the couch, could only mean one thing. It was one of the guys from yesterday.
Asher: Good Morning Malia! Are you ready for the first day?
Me: Morning Asher. Can’t say I am looking forward to it.
Asher: Aww, come on. It won’t be so bad.
Me: Easy for you to say. Everyone knows you and the guys. I will be the new girl with three of the hottest guys I have ever met!
I hit send without even thinking about it, until he messaged me back. By his reply, I realized that I was flirting with him without meaning to. Oops.
Asher: You think I’m hot, huh?
Me: Oh please. I’m sure you’ve looked in a mirror before.
Asher: Well thank you for the compliment, but I think you’ll be just fine with us. You’re pretty hot yourself.
I snorted at that. Between eating and texting it was already time to go meet the guys at the park. I walked to the door and slipped on my black Converse. Zipping up my hoodie, I grabbed my backpack and headed out. I didn’t realize it would be this chilly in the morning so I tried to keep myself warm while walking. As I was walking, I put my headphones on and put on my Halestorm playlist. I was really hoping for a drama-free day. Although, with my luck, it would be anything but good.
A few minutes later, I jumped and screamed like a banshee when someone came up and tapped me on the shoulder.
Ryder ripped one of my headphones out and said, “Hey there, Pretty Girl. It’s just me.”
“Jesus Ryder! Give a girl some warning next time. I feel like I just had a heart attack!” I admonished, trying to catch my breath.
Grayson grumbled, “Maybe you should leave one headphone out while you’re listening to music and walking? You’re new to this area. You should be paying better attention to your surroundings.”
“Yes, sir.” I mocked a salute.
He got this funny look on his face and leaned down to whisper in my ear, “I like it when you call me sir.” His gravelly voice sent chills down my spine. I jerked my head in a nod to let him know I heard him.
Curiosity got the best of me. I asked him, “How old are you?”
“I’ll be eighteen on November Eighteenth. Why?” he asked me in return.
“Uh…. no reason really. Hey, I’m older than you! Ha!” Meanwhile, I was still standing there wondering how many girls he had actually slept with to figure that out. Jesus Malia, who cares what he liked in bed. Nothing could happen with him. Now here I was talking to myself. What in the hell were these guys turning my brain into? A giant ball of mush that’s what.
Trying to put this conversation into safer territory, I asked the guys, “Where is Asher?”
“Here I am! You miss me gorgeous?” he said trying to catch his breath as he was running towards me and swooped me into a big hug.
“Whoa there Asher! Put me down!” I squealed as he was spinning me in circles.
It’s not that I didn’t like people touching me, I just hadn’t had any coffee yet. Asher put me down when we got to Ryder’s 2018 Red Dodge Charger.
“Shotgun!” I yelled as I ran to the front passenger door.
“Damn it, beautiful, I have the longest legs,” Grayson growled, while walking to the car.
“Oh, sit behind me and stop your bitching.” I sassed at the grumpy look on his face.
This actually might end up being a good year and place to live this time around. After Ryder started driving, I turned to ask the guys, “So anything or anyone I should know about before we get to school?”
Asher answered me with a smile on his face, “Well, you might have to watch out for Skylar and the 'evil twins’, as everyone likes to call them. Skylar thinks that since she hooked up with a drunk Ryder over the summer that they are together. She’s also known as the mean girl of the school. Please, try and stay on her good side. Although I’m not sure that’ll be possible considering you are hot, and hanging around Ryder and us now.”
Looking over at Ryder, I noticed that his jaw was clenched and his knuckles were white around the black steering wheel. Huh? I wondered if he actually wanted me to know about that or not.
“So, why would that cause an issue for me? We’re just friends.” I tried to say casually, even though I wouldn’t mind hooking up with someone that looks the way Ryder did, or all of them for that matter.
Hold on a minute, I couldn’t be into all three of them. That was not normal. I mean Grayson and I practically match in style so it wouldn’t be bad if we dated but I couldn’t date all three. Not like his clothes did anything to hide that wonderful body. None of them could hide the way their bodies looked. It didn’t matter what they wore. I could just imagine what they looked like with their shirts off. Oh lordy… Jesus Malia, get a hold of yourself!
Giving myself a mental slap, I caught the end of the conversation, “… hooked up with.” Ryder was saying angrily. Meanwhile, here I was trying to make this blush disappear.
“Malia, you okay?” Ryder looked at me with serious eyes.
“Yeah, just nervous about the first day and being the
