“Maybe your luck has changed, or the moon changed positions and the energies have shifted. Or maybe you’re finally getting some karmic justice and the universe has realized the mistakes it’s made. Hell, maybe there’s a God in heaven and he’s noticed his giant fuck up in not hand delivering you to us sooner. It’s probably for the best though, because us three as teens would’ve fought tooth and nail for your attention. It would’ve been a puberty filled nightmare,” he teases, getting a small smile from me.
“Look at you being a sweet talker. Seems more Ethan’s style,” I note, making him give me his own secret smile. It’s one of my new favorite things. Making him smile is like watching a miracle happen because he seems to do it so little.
“You’re paying attention to our individual personalities?” he asks, but he looks a little embarrassed that he did so.
“Well yeah, you’re attentive and thoughtful—steadfast in your ability to show up when you think people need you, whether it’s important or not. It’s a really good quality to have. Cooper is a little more laid back. He’s quick to make a joke and ease the tension in a room, but he also knows when to be serious and not make light of the important things. Ethan looks like a viking and plays it up. He’s the playboy who winks and flirts but knows how to be a gentleman. I wouldn’t doubt, if he were really serious about a woman he’d be the guy that opens doors, and always thinks of the romance aspect of a date.”
“You’re pretty spot on for someone who worries that she doesn’t know us very well.”
“I’ve learned to pay attention to details over the years. You guys make it easy because you’re always so authentically you. I also may listen to the town gossip now that the checker at the grocery store knows I’m your neighbor,” I tease.
It’s true though, small town gossip is no joke and now that everyone knows there’s a new girl in town, the townsfolk have been quick to fill me in on the happenings and who the most eligible men around are. I didn’t need a hint to know it’s the three biggest town heroes. They volunteer for their community. They donate money to the shelters in town. They help some of the old farmers do some upkeep on the surrounding farms. They’re also major advocates for the children’s shelter, helping kids find homes, buying them clothes, food, and toys. They are literally the golden boys of this town. When the waitress at the diner told us that their moms are all single moms, things started to click and that’s when I decided to give them a shot at this friendship thing.
“Oh lord, I’m sure you’ve heard everything from our childhood antics up through who we are now. Hopefully, nothing too embarrassing.”
“You mean like when you wet your pants on the merry go round at the town fair when you were five?” I laugh.
“Seriously? Who told you that?” He mock glares.
“I’ll take the name of the secret teller to the grave.”
“I’ll figure it out and then I’m going to have to beat them up.”
“You can’t beat up a little old lady!” I yell and then cover my mouth because I sort of just gave it away.
“Deloris,” he growls, shaking his head and feigning anger. “Eh, I guess I can let that one go then.”
“Oh thank goodness. I’d hate to have to recant all of the nice things I’ve said about you.” I smile up at him.
“I wouldn’t dream of letting you down like that. I finally got you to like me.”
“Who says I like you?”
“Oh, you like me all right and I’m going to keep making you like me, until we’re the bestest of friends,” he says playfully and for the first time, I believe him.
Twenty-Eight
Security alerts and lurking weirdo’s are no one’s happy place
Aria
November 2020
It’s been a solid week since I last saw the guys and I’m finding myself a little bit disappointed. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but they’re growing on me and Hadley seems to love them. She’s constantly asking about ‘her Efan’, ‘her Coop’, and ‘her J’. It’s both insanely adorable and infuriating because she latched on so fast and I don’t understand it. Her dad never showed her much attention so it’s not like she’s used to a man’s affection and she’s just missing it. At least I don’t think so.
I’ve discovered that they each work crazy hours. Cooper and Ethan had swung by the house the evening after Jace and I had whatever kind of moment that was, to give me their phone numbers in case I needed anything because Cooper and Jace would be putting in extra hours for the next couple of weeks and Ethan’s schedule is always a little wonky.
I thought it was cute that they worried, but that’s a thought I’m definitely keeping to myself. It’s hard enough to battle my own thoughts, but I also get a lot of shit from Tate and Demi. I take it all in stride because I’m going to miss it when they leave next week. I’m not sure how I’ll feel when it’s time for them to go, but I’ve realized that I wish they’d moved with me. They already know that since I’ve begged them to stay almost every single day since they started talking about how soon it’ll be before they have to leave again and how they’re so glad I finally relented and took the guys up on their offer of friendship.
My phone beeps with the alert for my security alarms and goosebumps cover my flesh. I can see from my window that the emergency flood lights have turned on and I’m hoping it’s just a big animal that’s set it all off.
“Girls, get Hadley! Security alert!” I yell and hear them running to Had’s room to bring her in here. I’m already on my computer checking the security footage with my finger on the preset speed dial for the local police.
The video stream shows a shadowy figure moving through the darkness, but it’s not super clear that it’s a person until the lights kick on. The problem is, there’s no way to identify this person, other than it’s more than likely a man based on the size and build. Whoever it is, is covered head to toe in black, wearing a ski mask under his or her black hoodie. They don’t immediately run when the lights kick on, apparently feeling secure in their wardrobe choice of the evening.
I switch to the live stream and see they are still looking for unlocked doors or windows so I immediately shoot a text to Cooper because he’s closer than the police on patrol.
Aria: Coop. Need help. Intruder. 911!
