Chapter Nine
Sadie
I am curled up with the blanket pulled over my head.
I have my arms wrapped around my throw blanket so I can bury my face.
The pressure in my head was gone when I woke up a few minutes ago, but I don’t want to get up.
I am cozy and cocooned in my blankets. I know Todd will be in here any moment now to wake me up so I can make dinner.
When we got here, I took my medicine for my migraine and took a shower.
By the time I got out, I was so tired I could hardly get myself dressed.
I felt drunk because I was so dizzy. My medicine always does this, but it beats feeling like my head is going to explode.
I ended up getting as dressed as I could, which was just a sports bra and underwear, before giving in and calling for Todd.
No one is new to the way this medicine makes me feel.
I think that is most of the reason Lance asked that Todd come with me, other than the death threats.
The last time I was alone when I took that medicine, I ended up sleeping on the kitchen floor because I made the mistake of going to the kitchen for some water and was too weak to get back to the bedroom.
The guys got home from work and rightfully panicked when they found me curled up on the kitchen floor, knocked out.
I sleep heavily when I take it, so they couldn’t wake me at first. I think it’s humorous that I woke up to Dean carrying me to the couch, and none of them knew what to do.
They scolded me for scaring them and not asking for help, knowing the medicine made me feel that way. They still took care of me, though.
Looking back, it was always so fucking obvious how they felt about me.
How I was in denial for so long is a mystery.
Once it clicked, though, it clicked. I do not doubt how they feel about me.
We haven’t said we love each other aloud in a romantic way, but we’ve said it platonically for more than a decade.
I hear a light knock at the door before it opens. I don’t move, mostly because I’m afraid my headache isn’t gone. I slept for nearly five hours, so I hope it is. Todd sits on the bed beside me and puts his hand on my shoulder.
“Sadie,” he says softly. I groan, and he pulls the covers down. “It’s five.”
“What? I wanted to get up at four?” I say as I look up. The light is still off, thankfully. No need to test out the lights just yet.
“You wouldn’t wake up, so I just gave you some time,” he says. “How do you feel?”
“There is no longer an elephant sitting on my head,” I say as I slowly sit up. “What have you been doing all day?”
“Working,” he says. “Stacy is here. She wanted to see you.”
“You didn’t have to stay here all day,” I say.
“Who would have woken you up?”
“I’ve been awake for a few minutes, I just didn’t want to get up,” I shrug.
“One, Lance asked that I stay with you,” he says. “Two, it’s not a good time for you to be by yourself.”
“Why? We have an alarm system,” I say dismissively as I get up.
“You know the same red car has passed this house sixteen times today?” he asks.
“Maybe they live close.” I shrug and fix my bed before we walk out of my room. I slowly walk into the living room, trying to not shock myself with the light.
“Or maybe it’s some psycho that knows where you live, and that video made them obsessed with you,” Stacy says from the couch. “Hi!”
“Hi. No one is obsessed with me,” I say as I walk to the kitchen.
“The guys are,” she says as she jumps up and follows Todd and me.
“Did you guys watch the video?” I ask as I get out what I need to make chicken and dumplings.
“Sure did,” Stacy says. “That was hot. Are they always that intense?” I look over at Stacy and see that Todd is glaring at her.
“It’s fine. I’m not offended that you guys saw it,” I say. “And nothing was surprising if that’s what you are asking. Todd…”
“Yes?” he asks, breaking his glare from Stacy.
“She’s fine,” I say. “I knew if anyone would have to see it, it would be you. Legally, I’m sure that could have easily been a nightmare.”
“Yeah. I was worried the guys would say something stupid and get themselves sued for slander or something,” Todd says.
“I’m glad that the guys are as supportive as they are,” I say. “I didn’t expect Mason to react the way he did today.”
“They know, just as well as we do, that you guys have nothing to be ashamed of,” Todd says as I prep dinner.
“I feel like I should, but I don’t regret it. I wouldn’t change any of it. I just wish it hadn’t been recorded.”
“The world is changing, but it still has some catching up to do,” Stacy says.
“Exactly,” Todd continues. “Your relationship dynamic is only confusing to those who have never been exposed to a healthy non-monogamous relationship. It’s becoming more normalized, though.
In this instance, it’s just plain sexism that people are guilty of.
Women are still seen by some as people who shouldn’t enjoy sex, and if you do, you’re a whore.
Everyone around you is supporting you because we understand that you are all consenting adults who make each other happy.
That’s all that matters to me. The moment someone is unhappy or upset, I think I get to voice my opinion. Otherwise, it’s none of my business.”
“What is your opinion?” I ask. “You just admitted to having one but not feeling like you had a right to voice it.”
“It’s simple, really. I think y’all were always meant to be together. It was frustrating to see you guys so damn close but deny it over and over that you guys had something going,” he says. “Otherwise, I think you’re a little crazy for letting them all come after you at once.”
“Oh?” I ask with a smirk as I wait for the pot to boil so I can put in my dumplings. “Why’s that?”
“Because you have just doomed yourself to a life of always being sore,” he says, and I laugh.
When the pot starts to rapidly boil, I drop the dumplings in, one at a time. When I am done, I lean against the counter.
“Hey,” Dean says as he comes into the kitchen.
“Hi,” I smile. “I didn’t hear you guys come in.”
“How are you feeling?” he asks before kissing me softly.
“Better,” I say as Mason kisses my cheek, immediately followed by Lance doing the same. “I like this greeting better than the old greeting.”
“Oh yeah?” Mason smirks at me as he looks in the pot on the stove. “No veggies?”
“Excuse me?” I ask with a frown. “Who the fuck puts veggies in chicken and dumplings? This isn’t chicken pot pie.”
“Greg said his wife is from somewhere up north and she puts peas and carrots in hers,” he says with a shrug. “Can’t knock it till you try it, I guess.”
“I have tried it,” I deadpan. “It’s chicken pot pie. That’s not what I’m cooking.”
“You are so offended, and it’s hilarious,” Dean laughs and wraps his arms around me.
“It’s blasphemy,” I declare. “It’s not how things are done in the South.”
“Times are changing, babe,” Dean says.
“Times are stupid then,” I mumble and hug him back.
Once dinner is done, we all get a bowl and sit in the dining room to eat.
The guys tell me about their day at the office.
Everything went smoothly, apparently. Todd tells them about how he had to help me get dressed and to bed.
For a moment, I think that they might get mad about that, but they were the ones who sent him with me.
They know what happens when I take my medicine, so logically, they’d have nothing to get upset over.
The guys all express their gratitude for his helping me.
I try to collect bowls, but Lance takes them from me and walks them to the kitchen to rinse them.
“We are going to get going,” Todd says as he hugs me.
“Okay. Let us know if anything comes up with the police. I assume everything is going through you?” I ask.
“Yes. Everything goes through me,” he confirms. “I have a call with the sheriff tomorrow, so hopefully they’ll have an update.”
“Bye. Text me if you need to talk, okay?” Stacy says. “I know you are only used to talking to the guys about personal things, but I am here for you.”
“I’ll be taking you up on that,” I laugh. I go to the kitchen and see Lance cleaning up. “Todd is leaving.”
“Ah. Okay. I’ll go say bye,” he says as he sets a bowl down and turns to me. “I’ll finish up. Don’t touch anything.” Lance kisses my cheek and steps past me to go see Todd and Stacy out.
I go to the sink and resume cleaning up.
It doesn’t take me long to load the remaining dishes into the dishwasher, add detergent, and start it.
As I am wiping the counters off, hands grab my hips and push me against the counter.
Right away, I know it’s Lance when he steps closer and presses his body against mine.
They all have a distinct smell, and when they are close enough, I know.
The way Lance smells reminds me of what it’s like to walk through the woods.
Dean’s cologne is a bit musky, and it’s fucking mouthwatering.
Even fresh out of the shower, he has this scent profile that numbs my brain.
Mason reminds me of sandalwood and citrus.
“I told you to not touch it,” Lance says. His tone melts me, and I am unable to speak for a moment.
“It’s not a big deal,” I say.
“It is a big deal. You didn’t feel well today, so you shouldn’t push yourself,” he says. “Why didn’t you listen to me?”
“Because I don’t have to,” I laugh.
“You need to lose your attitude, Sadie,” Lance says in a tone I now recognize as lustful.
“Make me,” I say.
Lance growls, and I can’t help but giggle. I gasp when he steps back and yanks my leggings down, then pushes me forward to lean over the counter.
“Lance!” I squeal when he smacks my bare ass in rapid succession.
The fire that spreads across my skin with each bite of his skin against mine sends a wave of pleasure to my core.
The heat of my sudden arousal ignites in my belly as a slight pressure spreads.
When he rubs his hand across my fire-stricken bottom, I groan and rest my head in my arms on the counter.