“My dad died.” My voice came out in a whisper, “I got money from that.” I looked at them and shrugged, I turned my head back to the breakfast.
There was silence. I looked up again – Matt and Theo were just looking at me. I felt uncomfortable.
“Jesus Ari, what happened?” Matt asked. He looked torn between reaching for me and staying put. So, as I fried the bacon and made the pancakes. I gave them a quick rendition of the last eight months. As I plated up the boys had remained silent the whole time. They ate in silence as they listened to me. I knew they were numb but they still managed to eat every scrap of food I put in front of them. I looked at them. Matt looked distraught, Theo looked suspiciously glassy eyed.
“You should have called us.” Matt said. “Wait that’s why you called me wasn’t it? That night, it wasn’t because you missed us.” His tone was slightly accusatory.
“I did miss you, all of you. Yes, it wasn’t long after that, it was my first night here.” I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “So...how’s school?” I needed to break the silence. Wordlessly I was lifted off of my seat and put on Theo’s knee. He hugged me tightly.
“I’m not even going to mention that you phoned Matt and he didn’t tell any of us.” A glare at Matt for that, “Nor am I going to say you should have called us, because you should have and you know it. What I will say is that you are never going to be alone again. I don’t care about the drama, you’re one of us and you willneverbe alone again. Ok?” I looked at him and felt the tears streaming down my face. I nodded. He patted me on the head. I called him a jerk. He laughed.
I was lifted off of Theo’s lap, scooped up onto Matt’s and hugged again.
“I have a question,” Matt said as he set me down on my feet “Where’s the coffee, caffeine queen?”
I laughed – I wiped my eyes and laughed hard. It felt good. I obligingly went and poured these precious men two steaming cups of coffee.
They helped me clean up. Theo was in love with my apartment, he especially liked my veranda on the back. As we did dishes, we chatted about everything and nothing. I didn’t mention the Dawson brothers and neither did they.
“I forgot to tell you Ari, I’m in love.” Theo declared. My coffee almost sprayed the table as I fought not to choke. I looked at Theo in disbelief. Matt was shaking his head in amusement.
“You? You are in love?” I asked sceptically. Trust me, if any of those four were going to be in love, it most certainly wasn’t Theo. He was a manwhore. I loved him, but he was.
“Yes.” He was beaming. I began to feel slightly guilty for being so condescending.
“He met her Friday Bit; he doesn’t even know her last name.” Matt said, he was leaning back on my couch grinning. Theo punched him, they mock fought. I jumped in between them before my apartment was wrecked. They were only play fighting, but these guys playedhard. They broke apart; I was settled in between them. I sighed happily.
“I’m telling you Ari, she’s the one.” Theo affirmed as he flopped down on my couch again. I laughed out loud; I had missed them so much.
“What’s herfirstname?” I asked Theo as I grinned at Matt.
“Names are unnecessary when you are in love.” Theo declared.
“Oh my God you don’t even know! You complete useless man child!” I screamed as Theo launched himself at me and started tickling me relentlessly. Matt eventually came to my aid and we collapsed on my sofa laughing hard.
The rest of the day passed like that, with laughter and really bad jokes. We watched old movies and ate pizza and popcorn by the bucket.
Matt glanced at his watch, he shifted slightly, it was getting late, but I knew that wasn’t the problem. Theo tensed minutely beside me.
“You have to go?” I asked quietly. They nodded.
“We’re getting them from Denver Airport.” Matt confirmed. I nodded, of course they would be. I stood up, so did the guys.
“You best get going. It wassoooogood to see you.” I said as I twisted my hands.
“Hey, don’t be sad,” Matt said, “This isn’t bad, you’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of us, I promise.” Theo was nodding emphatically behind him.
“Most def, you’re not alone anymore and we’ll get rid of that Ronnie guy for you too.” He half growled.
“Robbie.” I corrected and I slapped his arm. “He is a friend, a friend only.” I said firmly. Theo snorted. Matt grinned but it wasn’t a fun filled grin.
“Yeah, he’s not a friend Ari. The way he looked at you, that guy has you and friends as the last thing on his mind. Trust me, I know.” Theo said as he pulled his boots on. “I’ll have a word with him.” He grinned at me. I felt anxious for Robbie.
“Please don’t.” I pleaded. I looked to Matt for support. He was in full agreement with Theo I could tell. “Please?”
“We’ll talk about it later Lil Bit.” Theo ruffled my hair as he pulled me in for a hug, then he was out the door.
“Matt?” I turned to him and he smiled as he pulled me in for a hug too. “Later Bit. This was fun, missed you so much. I’ll be in touch.” Then they were both gone. I groaned and laughed at the same time. I went to bed with a smile on my face, this was the happiest I had been on a very long time.