“I can walk Theo,” I grumbled. He nodded and kept walking.
“This is beyond ridiculous,” I muttered. Colton was failing to hide his laughter. What was worse, I genuinely don’t think either Matt or Theo thought they were smothering me. I shook my head and as I was carefully placed into the back seat of the Toyota 4Runner, I met Colton’s eyes as he glanced in the rearview mirror. He winked cheekily at me and I felt the laughter bubbling to the surface. Theo got in beside me and then fussed over me more. It was too much, I dissolved into giggles.
The drive was quick, since it was a Monday night. Before Theo could get to me, I leaped out of the car and raced up to the front door. The three of them were laughing as we entered the house and Theo finally relented and conceded I didn’t need to be carried everywhere. Matt jogged up the stairs with me trailing behind as he led me tomyroom.
This time I was able to count the doors and pay attention to who was where. First door off the stairs was Theo. Next to him was a spare and then next to that was Connor. Across the hall from Theo was a spare and then Matt and then me, tucked into the corner, across from Connor. Colton was on the level above; another room up there was used by his dad when he was around. The remaining upstairs space was utilised as a games room.
After Matt dumped my bags in my room, he grabbed my hand and led me downstairs to show me the rest of the house. The kitchen which I knew, two reception rooms and a small office were housed on the ground level. I was then taken down to the basement where there was a huge cinema/TV room alongside a gym filling the rest of the space. My nose scrunched at the sight of the gym and Matt ruffled my hair as he threatened me with morning ‘runs’ on the treadmill. I scampered back up to the kitchen.
The kitchen was huge and I itched to cook something in there soon. It was all white units with black granite worktops, with a huge central island. This was a dream kitchen. I eyed the wall with the hanging pots and speculated that they may never have been used. I was changing that soon, I silently vowed.
Matt crossed to the huge double fridge and handed me a bottle of water. I opened it and looked down at my tatty clothing in this pristine house, I looked distinctly out of place.
“Mrs Green comes in every day to tidy,” Matt said. “Honestly you never know she’s here. She prepares meals for us and stuff but if you want to cook, just leave a note on the fridge door and she won’t make anything that day.” Matt took a swig of his own water.
I heard footsteps and turned as Theo entered the kitchen. I smiled quickly and turned back to Matt. “I won’t be here that long to disrupt the routine,” I said firmly.
Matt nodded and carried on. “She also takes care of the laundry, she has some system going on, but I still can’t figure it out. I just know if you need something the next day, put a note on the fridge and she has it ready.”
“I can do my own laundryandI won’t be here for that long.”
“Sure. She also makes the beds and things.”I don’t think he can hear me?
“Wait what? Why can’t you make your own bed?” I interrupted.
Matt looked at Theo, they both shrugged. “Because Mrs Green does it.”
Oh good grief.
“You’re all hopeless,” I stated as I sat down on a stool.
“If you want to make your own bed Lil Bit, you just need to…”
“Put a note on the fridge. Yeah, I got it,” I snapped.
“What’s wrong?” Colton asked softly from behind me as he entered the kitchen. I turned to him and sighed. I shook my head. How was I supposed to explain to three men who came from incredibly wealthy families that it was just an alien concept to me that someone was going to come and make my bed for me unless I put a note on the fridge? This was their lives though, they had always had that cushion where they didn’t need to do anything. It was a wonder they managed to dress themselves.Ok harsh Elle, it’s not any of their faults.I chided myself,it’s their parents.Ouch.
“I’m just tired,” I said instead, he assessed me with a shrewd look.
Theo made us all go downstairs to watch the last quarter of Monday night football. The Rams were currently undefeated and he was keen to see if they could keep it up on the road. I curled up on a huge seat and felt my eyes get heavier. I was still out of sorts from the drug in my drink on Saturday. On top of that there was all the emotion of today, my head was still spinning from all the information.
I heard someone murmur something and then I felt a strong-arm slide under my knees and another slip under my back. I felt myself being lifted. I made an attempt to open my eyes, but I was just so tired. Instead I half-turned into the embrace and snuggled in deeper. A low throaty chuckle encouraged me to open my eyes, but I had no strength left in me and my lids were heavy. I was content to burrow into the comfort on offer.
I was lowered a few minutes later and a soft mattress welcomed me. I sighed in contentment as I moulded myself into the pillow. Something light fell over me and I knew I had been covered with a blanket. A soft sigh of satisfaction escaped me.
“Are you going to just stand there?” Came a soft voice filled with humour.
“I don’t know…” was the soft reply from somewhere beside me.
“You have to stop this. Just tell her how you feel man.”
“No, she’s not ready,” a heavy sigh, “plus we need to think of Con.”
A snort. “That’s all we do, is think of him.”
“I know. It’ll get better. I promise. C’mon we better not disturb her.”
I sighed again, struggling to come back from exhaustion, to find out who was talking. I felt something feather light caress my face, I turned into it seeking the warmth.