Lucky Number Four (16 page)

“Wow, Pandora Ann Phillips, you have most
definitely come up in the world.” Jeff is standing in my bedroom
taking in our surroundings. “Did your grandmother finally open her
Coach clutch for you?” he asks me. One eyebrow rises as he waits
for my answer.

“Nope. I actually found this place for cheap,
like, insanely cheap. And Julie and Kevin live on the floor below
us.”

“I’m surprised you moved out. I thought you
guys were like the Three Amigos forever, or something.”

“Well, it was the almost constant loud sex
noises, and penis sighting that made me realize it was time to get
my own place.”

“Oh, I have to hear about this,” he says,
lying back on my king-size bed. I lie down beside him and explain
everything.

“It’s not that funny,” I say moments later as
Jeff laughs so hard tears are running down his face.

“Oh, my friend, that’s hysterical!”

“No, it’s not. I mean, Kevin’s my best
friend, and I was eyeing his penis … and it’s not fair Julie has
one and I don’t,” I say.

His laughter intensifies and I can’t help but
join in. A pounding at my door makes us stop. We look at each other
like children who’ve been caught doing something bad.

“Dora, are you okay?” Drew’s worried voice
comes through the door.

Sighing, I get up from the bed and unlock and
open the door. Drew is standing there wearing shorts and a sweaty
muscle shirt.

“Hey, Drew. I’m fine. Come on in and meet my
friend, Jeff.” I open the door wide and Drew steps in while eyeing
Jeff on the bed.

“Jeff, nice to meet you,” he says, politely
extending his hand to shake Jeff’s. He doesn’t look too happy when
he sees Jeff’s luggage by the side of the bed.

“Sorry if we bothered you, Drew, but Jeff is
spending the next few weeks with me. I hope that’s not a problem,”
I say.

“No, of course not. It’s your room. So …”

I can’t believe Drew’s at a loss for words. I
know he’s wondering about Jeff. I’m not going to explain, though.
That would be too easy.

“Hey, you want to grab a pizza with us?”

“As long as it’s Papa’s.” Drew looks smug, as
if he knows something Jeff doesn’t.

“God, I haven’t been to Papa’s in forever.
Forget calling a pizza, let’s go hang out there.” Jeff’s enthusiasm
immediately squelches the smugness.

“Okay,” Drew replies. “Give me a few minutes
to shower. Dora, why don’t you go ask Liam? I know he’s not busy
tonight,” he says over his shoulder as he leaves the room.

“Pandora Ann Phillips is living with two
guys?”

“No, actually it’s three,” I say, not meeting
Jeff’s eyes.

“Three. One being the famous model Drew
Johnson. I’m guessing Liam Chandler has be another one. They’re
always in the news together with Colin Lawrence. What the heck,
Dora? How did you just stumble upon then place?”

“It just sort of happened. I saw a roommate
wanted ad posted up in a grocery store and answered it on a whim.
Liam has this thing for the number four, and their fourth roommate
had just moved out and they needed one. So, they picked me. I guess
I’m a safe bet, as I don’t gush over their awesomeness. I’m
normal
in their eyes.”

“You, normal? Not a chance. I saw a little
jealousy in Drew’s eyes when he saw me. I think he’s hot for the
little redhead.”

“Yeah, right. And pigs fly. I have no
feelings for him or Liam. They’re every woman’s dream, but not
mine.”

“Oooooh, I didn’t hear Colin in that
sentence. OMG, you’re crushing on him. I’m right, aren’t I? You’re
so
blushing.”

“Stop it, silly. I have to go and ask Liam to
join us, so behave.”

“Can I come too? I mean, I want to see if his
intentions are anything like Drew’s.”

I smack him gently on the head before
strolling out the door. I have never been in the others’ rooms,
even when I was alone. I respect privacy. That, and I’d have a hard
time lying to them if they ever asked me. The blushing would give
me away instantly. I have a terrible poker face.

Jeff follows me like a little puppy dog as I
move toward Liam’s door and knock.

“Yeah, come in.”

Opening the door, I hear strange noises and
realize it’s from a video game Liam is playing on a huge flat
screen hung on his sitting room wall. “Brains, we need brains,” a
creepy voice says from the TV. I watch as an armed figure fires at
the zombie’s head, making it explode into a million pieces.

“Take that, you zombie bastards,” Liam says
before turning around.

“Hey, Dora, what’s up?” Liam’s eyes move from
me to Jeff, who is now standing beside me.

“Wow, is that Dead Awakening two? I haven’t
picked my copy up yet. The graphics are killer.” Jeff moves forward
and extends his right hand. “I’m Dora’s friend, Jeff, and you’re
Liam Chandler, if the magazines are correct.”

Jeff is so natural at meeting new people.
I’ve always envied his way of making people feel at ease. I’ve
never met anyone who doesn’t like him.

“Yeah, mate, that would be me.” Liam stands
and takes Jeff’s hand.

I immediately realize why Liam is the way he
is, stand offish, brooding and aloof. But his eyes light up when
they rest on Jeff. I know his secret. My empath skills have kicked
in. Liam is gay! And the world doesn’t know it. Oh, how I wish I
was alone with him to talk about this. I wonder if Drew and Colin
know. They would have to, right? They’re his best friends. I just
want to hug Liam and tell him it will be okay.

“Dora? I swear, she goes off in her own
little world all the time. Dora … hello, Dora?”

“Oh, shush, Jeff. I’m here. Just admiring how
realistic the gore looks in this game … gross.”

“Uh-huh,” Jeff quips.

He and Liam start laughing and I have to join
in. Maybe I could play matchmaker here.

“So, Liam, the reason we’re interrupting your
magnificent game-playing is that Drew, Jeff, and myself are going
to Papa’s for pizza, and we want you to come with,” I say, hoping
he won’t say no.

“Sounds like a plan to me. I was going to
spend the evening playing my game, but pizza, beer, and good
company trumps that. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be ready.”

Back in my room, Jeff plops down on the couch
and is silent, which is a definite first for him.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” he says, and again, silence.

“What’s wrong?” I say, wanting to know what
causing him to be so pensive.

“I like your roommates. I really think I’m
going to enjoy my time here,” he replies with a half-smile.

“Oh, no, sweetie. You’re going to behave,
because we need to study. If you don’t, you’ll be high-tailing it
back to that cell you call a dorm room.”

“Aww, Dora, I’ll behave. I hate my dorm room.
I tell my dad all the time how unbearable it is. It makes him happy
that I’m living what he calls
normal
living conditions.”

I adore Jeff’s parents. They are truly
wonderful people and my family enjoys their company. No, we haven’t
had them over for any of our dreaded Sunday dinners with everyone,
thank goodness. So, they still live under the impression that I
have a somewhat average family. When his parents are in town, we
all meet up at a restaurant and hang out. They know that Jeff is
gay, but it makes no difference to them. They just want him to be
happy.

“Don’t worry Jeff, the next few weeks will be
anything but normal.”

He grins, oh how I love his grin.

The ride to Papa’s is kind of awkward. Drew
is driving, since his car is the only four-seater of the house, and
Liam sits up front with him. Jeff and I sit in the back. From my
position, I see Drew glancing back continuously. I guess his gaydar
is off and he thinks Jeff and I are an item. I can’t believe Drew
might be interested in me. I know, I need to quit putting myself
down, but let’s be honest.

“Have you heard from Colin lately?” Liam
asks, and I immediately sit up and take notice.

“Yeah, everything’s cool now. He should be
back in a few days. Life throws some wicked curve balls,” Drew
replies.

Great, so much for getting the deets on
what’s going on. “Life throws wicked curves balls.” What the hell
is up with that? That doesn’t tell me crap I could have said
shit
, but Henry would probably tell on me, and I’d be in big
trouble. Per my mom, I have to be a role model for my younger
siblings, and apparently real women don’t cuss, except for Julie,
who my mom gives a pass to. Really, I don’t know why she gives
Julie a pass. Not fair in my book. Not that I would cuss much, but
it might be nice in certain circumstances.

As always, Papa’s smells heavenly. With me
leading the way inside, we’re spotted immediately by Mama, who
rushes forward and engulfs me in one of her famous bear hugs. It
takes seconds for Papa to notice us, and I’m swallowed up by both
of their round bodies at once.

“My bella, Dora, it is witha much delight
that I welcome you home. I see you havea brought a stranger.
Jeffrey, we have missed you, you handsome boy.” Mama reaches out
and drags Jeff into the hugfest.

“Ah, Mama, look, she broughta old friends.
Liam and Drew, welcome. We’re so honored to have you back in our
small establishment.”

Liam’s smile is friendly and sincere, but
Drew’s seems to lack the warmth it normally has. What is up with
that? Could he be jealous, like Jeff said? I hope not, because I
don’t get the warm fuzzies with him like I do with Colin. Warm
fuzzies—yeah, right. More like rip-his-clothes-off fuzzies.

I end up sitting with Drew on one side and
Jeff on the other. Liam sits opposite us with Mama and Papa. I hear
a squeal and Julie and Kevin arrive at our table, causing another
hugfest. I envy my friends, their faces glowing with happiness,
something that seems so unobtainable to me. More chairs are added
and questions fly about. Aromatic pizzas and ice-cold beers and
wine soon appear on the table. My glum thoughts turn to happy ones
as I’m surrounded by the warmth of my friends and food.

Okay, I’ve apparently drunk a little too much
wine again, so sue me. I work hard and I need to let my hair down
once in a while. So I can’t walk. It’s my shoes, I swear. I have
three guys, each willing to help me, but there’s only one of me and
I’m giggling watching the testosterone-laden men, aka Drew and
Jeff, fight over carrying me. Without a word, Liam pushes them
aside and scoops me up into his arms while walking toward the
elevator, leaving the other two speechless. The giggle monster
won’t let go of me as we ride the elevator to our floor. Drew opens
the front door and steps aside to let Liam carry me over the
threshold.

“I’m away for a few days and it looks like
you guys have been having fun without me.” The familiar British
accent sends a shiver of fire throughout my nether regions. OMG,
that is so funny and the giggling continues. “I see you didn’t keep
an eye on Dora. Too much wine?” I try to focus on his face, but
it’s not happening.

“Yep, the light weight had a few too many,”
Liam answers.

“Hi, I’m Jeff, and maybe I should take Dora
and put her to bed. Come on, sweetie.” Jeff’s face comes into focus
and he gently takes me from Liam’s arms. I snuggle against his
chest. “Say goodnight to your friends, Dora.”

“Night, my awesomeness friends. Thanks for
the night!” I close my eyes as Jeff moves to my room. The room is
dark and I open my eyes until someone turns on a light. I’m not
feeling too hot, and I welcome the motionless feeling of my bed. My
boots are removed and a sheet is pulled over me, and I feel someone
kiss my forehead.

“Good night, princess.” I hear Jeff say, and
then silence.