18. June
When Jake and I returned to the apartment, there wasn’t time for a tour. He showed me where the bathroom was and told me I could eat anything. After they left, I felt pretty glum. It’s been fifteen minutes, and the sensation of abandonment hasn’t gone away. I’ve been sitting on their comfortable L-shaped leather couch without moving, staring into nothing.
My stomach grumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten anything today. And I’ve been operating without coffee. I need to fix that pronto, before I develop a headache. I get up and head to the kitchen, but my hope for coffee plummets when I stare at the fancy espresso machine.
“Shit. How does this thing work?”
I look at all the buttons and knobs but can’t figure it out. It looks super expensive. You’ll end up breaking it, June. I might have to head out to grab a coffee.
I open the fridge in search of something to eat. It’s fully stocked with all kinds of promising things, but my eyes immediately zero in on the bottle of cold brew. Katrina hates iced coffee, but I could mainline it.
“Thank God.”
Besides the coffee, I grab cheese, ham, butter, and bread. It takes me a few minutes to whip up a sandwich and less than that to inhale the whole thing. I guess last night’s sex marathon worked up my appetite.
Energized and with caffeine running through my veins, I’m motivated to get organized. The first order of business is to charge my phone and then call roadside assistance to tow my car to a garage. I hope it’s nothing major. I can’t afford an expensive car repair.
While my phone charges, I take my laptop out of its bag and search for places to live. Even if I can stay at Mrs. Carpenter’s apartment for now, it’s temporary. I need to know what my prospects are. But after ten minutes of checking listings, I’m sick to my stomach. As I already suspected, I won’t be able to afford my own place.
My phone pings as it comes back to life. Several different people are waiting for replies to texts, including Mom and my brother, Autumn. Ugh. They know about my epic fiasco. I didn’t tell them I planned to propose to Bill last night, and they don’t watch hockey, so I didn’t worry about them. Someone must have told them, and I bet my humiliation is juicy gossip in good old Baron, Texas.
The messages from my mother start with Honey, what were you thinking? and the last one is all-caps: CALL ME!
“Yeah, fat chance of that happening this second.”
Autumn’s text is better.
Never liked that guy. Do you want me to come over and beat the shit out of the douche?
I laugh despite the growing sadness in my chest. I don’t think I want Bill back. I’m mourning the death of the relationship I thought I had.
Katrina left several messages too, and the last one is about the selfie with the boys I posted on social media. I want to call her and tell her everything, but first period has already started, so I reply with a text instead.
Girl, those hockey players are hot. I want all the deets.
Call me as soon as you can.
I don’t expect a reply right away, so when my phone rings a minute later, it startles me. It’s Katrina.
“Hey.”
“June, how are you, baby girl?”
“I’m okay. Aren’t you supposed to be in class?”
“I couldn’t wait until the end of the first period. I’m in the bathroom. Tell me everything.”
“I can’t tell you everything over the phone. There’s a lot to tell.”
“Ugh... don’t do this to me. At least tell me you hooked up with one of those boys,” she whispers.
My face becomes hot in an instant. “The answer is yes.”
“Yes! Who?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
“You’re impossible. What did you do about Bill?”
“I’ve moved out.”
“Good. He doesn’t deserve to share the air you breathe. He’d better not cross my path, or he’ll get punched in the throat.”
I totally believe Katrina would do such a thing, but then Bill would press charges and ruin her life. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t want you getting in trouble because of that scumbag.”
“Where are you staying now? You know you can totally stay at my place.”
Shit. I can’t be evasive about my whereabouts too. She’d worry. “Right now, I’m at the boys’ apartment.”
“The boys? Oh my God, the hockey players?”
“Yep. They share a loft downtown. It’s amazing.”
“Damn, girl. Talk about an upgrade. I have to get back to class, but text me the address. I’m coming over after work.”
Oh crap. What if they don’t want anyone to know where they live? Also, do I want Katrina to come here and meet the boys before I tell her I was railed by them? She has the uncanny ability to figure that shit out. She always knows who’s banging who at work before anyone else. But I don’t have a choice. She’s my best friend, and she needs to know I’m in a safe place. I’d do the same thing for her.
“Will do,” I reply. “Talk later.”
“Bye!”
Although I’m nervous about Katrina’s visit—and the spilling the beans part—I do want to see her. Maybe I can meet her in a public place. There must be a coffee shop nearby. The past twelve hours have been a whirlwind—sleeping with three men and then moving into their building. I’m so confused about my feelings, and I need guidance.
I glance at the apartment listings again and, with a sigh, close my laptop. Looking at them will only depress me. What I need is a shower and comfy clothes. Grimacing, I look at the boxes and bags with all my stuff. Nothing is labeled, so I have no idea where fuckface Bill put my clothes. I bet he didn’t pack everything, and I have no illusions about what he’s done with the rest.
They’re just things, June. At least my teddy bear and the ukulele made it.
I start with the bags. My underwear is in one bag, and my loungewear is in another. I keep things simple, since I don’t have to go to work. Leggings and a vintage T-shirt it is. I laugh when I see which top I pulled from the bag. It’s a Youngblood movie T-shirt with Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze on it. Appropriate.
With my bundle of clothes in hand, I head to Lachlan’s room. He told me I could use his bathroom to shower. I’m sure Jake and Ryan would have offered as well, but they were already out the door when Lachlan said it. My guess is they were late, and it slipped their minds.
My jaw drops when I step foot in his room. Melissa mentioned he was into comics, but now I see he’s obsessed. He has an entire wall dedicated to his comic and figurine collections. I set my clothes on his king-size bed and walk over to inspect the shelves. I don’t dare to touch anything. With my luck, I’d probably knock a figurine down and break it.
He has hardcover graphic novels on display, but most of his comics collection is stored alphabetically in glass paneled filing cabinets. That’s how I store my comics collection back at my parents’ house. I didn’t want to bring it to LA, knowing there would be limited space. I’m glad I didn’t, because I bet Bill would have thrown it in the trash.
The room is light and airy, thanks to the tall windows. A desk is in front of them, and I notice a closed sketchbook and drawing pencils. I’m tempted to look, but art is personal. I’m intruding on his privacy as it is.
I head to the en suite bathroom, and I’m not even surprised that it’s three times the size of my old one. Considering Lachlan’s size, he needs the space. There isn’t a tub, but the shower stall is enormous; he could throw a small party inside. There are two regular showerheads—one on each side—and a rainfall showerhead in the middle. I can’t help but wonder who Lachlan had shared this stall with. It’d be a waste not to use all this room for some hanky panky. Immediately, I picture myself pinned against the wall with my legs wrapped around Lachlan’s hips while he pounds into me. My clit throbs with arousal.
No, bad, June. You can’t start having sexy dreams about any of the boys—that’s a danger zone.
Great, now that song is playing in my head.
Despite my inner monologue, I can’t control my body. I’m aching for Lachlan, Ryan, and Jake. It’s not only because they’re sinfully hot guys, and they gave me so many orgasms last night. It’s also their attention and care toward me. Hell, who could resist three knights in shining armor? I want a repeat, even if it’s a bad idea.
“Fuck. A cold shower it is.”