Chapter 6
After showering and blow-drying my short hair, I searched for an outfit that wouldn't embarrass the guys. It frustrated me to realize I cared, and it was all Gabe's fault. Before last night-before his words, and his kindness, and his snuggling with me without trying anything, and his kiss on my cheek-before any of that, I hadn't given what I wore a second thought. I threw on any old pair of jeans, and any old t-shirt. Not even the gorgeous Cindy Croswell, and all of her helpful hints, had done any good.
It. Was. Gabe.
He'd said I was sexy, and he'd made me feel sexy, so I wanted to be sexy.
"Ugh, I'm a dork," I hollered at myself, throwing on a pair of baggy faded jeans, and a vintage DefLeppard t-shirt. At least the sleeves were a light blue that matched my eyes. That seemed girly. I didn't have makeup but I did have Cherry ChapStick. I applied some to my lips, after brushing my teeth again, and fluffed my hair a little. "Cindy would be so proud," I mocked my reflection in the mirror. Adding a pair of black converse, and a black leather belt, I grabbed my wallet and headed next door, to Adam Henry's house.
Calling Professor Pops' house a house; well it was a downright lie. The thing was a sprawling mansion. An acre of land separated my house from his, but the mansion sat on ten acres. The amenities included a tennis court, a basketball court, a heated swimming pool that could be indoor or outdoor, a three-hole golf course, and a putting green, plus the house.
I dinged the bell, and waited. You'd think a butler would answer the door, but no. It was Salvatore. His shiny black hair was wet, and pulled into a tiny ponytail.
"Rockin the pirate look, I see," I said as I stepped into the foyer.
Almond colored eyes registered shock, as did his gasp, and the way he dramatically put his hand on his chest. I couldn't help the laugh that started in my belly and bubbled into my throat.
"Where's your poofy shirt, and pantaloons?" I asked, following him into the kitchen. He had on a getup similar to mine, baggy jeans and a vintage shirt. His t-shirt was black though, and had ACDC across the chest.
Pulling open a door on the large side-by-side stainless steel refrigerator, he grabbed a Mountain Dew, and popped the top. "You want one?"
"Um, duh," I responded, to which he grinned, and tossed me one. I flung up my hands, in an effort to at least block the can, but a hand reached in front of me, and grabbed the can from the air.
"Dude," Dorian yelled. "Did you forget who this is?" he asked pointing in my direction with a thumb.
I smacked him in the arm. "I totally had it."
"Uh-huh, sure you did."
Dorian looked freshly showered too. His sandy hair was still wet, and slicked back. He always dressed so nicely, and today was no exception, a light green polo with dark jeans, and a brown belt that matched his shoes.
"You're so pretty, Dorian." I grabbed the can of soda from him and cracked it open.
He smirked. "Don't I know it."
One by one the guys sauntered into the kitchen, each handsome in his own way, each one dear to me. These guys were my family. I'd do anything for them, and I knew the feeling was mutual. After last night's freak out, I figured the guys might act weird toward me, but it was same ole, same ole, and for that, I was grateful.
Gabe walked in last. He looked just as he always did. Gorgeous brown hair, mischievous green eyes, olive skin, and a body of lean muscle, but everything was different too. Those arms held me last night. Those lips had kissed my cheek. He'd made me a promise, and as he walked toward me I knew he meant it. The closer he got the warmer my body became. Ignoring his brothers he placed a kiss on my cheek, as though resealing the promise he'd made earlier.
One of them, Sebastian, I think, did the whole fake cough thing, and said, "Jerk."
Gabe turned, and responded, "Yeah, you're just jealous. Get over it."
Jealous, I thought. No way. But as I scanned the faces of the brothers, I realized something. Sure they were family, but we weren't related, and they saw me as potential, not a sister. How long had this been going on? Had I really been so oblivious? I knew my face turned red, and I lowered my face, intently studying the Mountain Dew can. But I'm not even good looking, I thought, mortified.
Heathcliff cleared his throat. "Let's go. The train leaves in twenty minutes. Hopefully we'll make it." He grabbed a set of keys off a hook on the wall that said, coincidentally, KEYS.
Eight of us in one car, this ought to be interesting.
Turned out to be four of us in two cars. Heathcliff drove the red Audi, and Salvatore drove the black Mercedes SUV. Gabe sat in the back with me, and Dorian sat in the front next to Heathcliff.
Heathcliff had been right. We made it, but not by much. As soon as we were in, the train pulled away.
The ride into Boston was fun, but uneventful. There was one brief moment when I got the distinct impression someone was watching me. The little hairs on the back of my neck, and on my arms stood up, and I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Trying to be nonchalant I searched for the cause, but didn't notice anyone acting strange, or at least not strange towards me. Shrugging it off, I listened to the guys, and their interesting conversations on sports, cars, and women.
Chapter 7
There's something magical about Boston. Puritans founded the city in 1630, so perhaps magic would be considered blasphemous, but that's the word that comes to mind. After Salem, it was my favorite place. A hum, or a vibe, pulsed through the city, uniting its occupants.
We started at Boston Common. Salvatore brought a Frisbee, and we played for a while. The air was humid, hot. After an hour we were all sticky, and in need of liquid refreshments. Walking, the eight of us went to Starbucks for a cold drink.
After that, we split up. Sebastian, Salvatore, Bart, and Daniel decided to get out of the heat, and go see a movie. Heathcliff informed us Professor Pops had asked him to drop something off. It was all very secretive. Dorian, Gabe, and I said we'd keep him company.
We took Tremont Street to State, and decided to stop at the Faneuil Hall Market Place. It was packed with people, and all sorts of shops. From clothing, to jewelry, to food, to purses. The guys each bought themselves a slice of pizza, which smelled so heavenly I almost rethought my food choices, but settled on a soy fruit smoothie.
We purchased tickets to see a play contending for Broadway, called Chasing Disaster, later that night. It was a musical about the life of Sylvester Stallone. We didn't think it had a shot in New York, but figured it'd be good for a laugh.