I bit my lip. "Knix."
"You...uh...we're keeping in contact with the teams going out today," he said hesitantly. Knix—for all his giantness—appeared just as nervous as Iwas.
I moved further into the room. "That's good." What else was I supposed to say? I should have been focusing on Erika and what we were doing today, but all I could see was the flush that rose over Knix's cheeks as he averted his eyes, choosing instead to look at a spot on the wall and fixate there. I knew that he—and everyone else—had probably heard me last night. They knew what had happened. I sighed. It seemed I would be the one to break the ice, then. Before I could say something, however, another voice beat me toit.
"So, are we just going to stand here not saying anything or are we gonna kick someass?"
I swung my gaze to Texas, who stood grinning in the doorway to the kitchen. I blinked. Texas' eyes met mine and they practically glimmered with amusement. He strode right up to me and smacked his lips against mine. "Glad to see you're up, Princess." Shocked, confused, and also more than a little relieved, I watched as Texas turned to Knix. "Let's go, big man. Got things to do. People to see. Damsels in distress torescue."
"Sunshine." Marv's gruff voice had me turning again as he strode back up the hall, his hair wet from a recent shower. He looked me up and down before coming to me and winding an arm around my waist. "We should stop by your dorm and grab more appropriate clothing for you before we headout."
"Where exactly are we going?" I asked. “What kind of clothes do Ineed?”
Bellamy approached right behind Texas. "Back to Charleston," he answered. "They leave from three different locations. We're taking the middle. Another team is taking Myrtle Beach and another to Hilton Head. You’ll need clothes you don’t mind gettingwet."
"Why those places?" I wonderedaloud.
"They're tourist attractions," Knix answered, drawing my attention back to him as he drew to his full height and appeared to regain his composure. He went from nervous uncertainty to the leader once more. So quickly, it was hard to reconcile his manner just moments before with how he appeared now—confident and ready for action. I needed to remember, though, that each of these guys were different. Texas appeared to be comfortable as if nothing had changed. He didn't seem to mind showing affection or for the others to show affection. While I noted, even though Knix was now all business, his eyes still trailed to the way Marv's arm wrapped around my waist. It was almost as if the touch was a magnet for hisattention.
"Tourist cities tend to have a higher rate of new faces; people coming in and out from all different places. Cruises stop in Charleston. A lot of people fly into Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head is well known for its golf courses, a lot of people travel there to play. Lots of new faces, lots of change. It's easier for them to slip in and out with those kinds of people and all of those places are on or close to the water. They can take a boat and head out without anyone getting suspicious," Knixcontinued.
"So, back to Charleston then," I said, turning my head to take in everyone present. "Where'sGrayson?"
There was a brief moment of silence from all of them, including Texas. Then Marv finally answered. "He's outside, getting the carready."
I frowned and pushed away from him. "Okay, I'm gonna go see if I can help, and then I'll head to the dorm to change. Pick me up when you'reready?"
Marv looked like he wanted to say something, but Bellamy stopped him by stepping up and cupping my shoulder. "Just remember to take your phone with you," Bellamysaid.
I nodded and then surprisingly, he, too, leaned down and brushed his mouth across mine. As soon as his lips moved away, I jerked my gaze to the side, assessing the others’ reactions. Marv appeared resigned, and almost…okay with it. My eyes moved to Knix, who was practically unreadable, but he didn’t tense or do anything to show that he was uncomfortable. Texas simply smiled and scratched the back of his head, messing up his already somewhat messy hair. He looked like he just rolled out of bed and honestly, I could picture him and me—just like Marv and me—going right back toit.
At that thought, my face flushed and I turned away, heading for the door. Was this real life? I walked, feeling dreamy and a little fuzzy-headed, albeit exceedingly confused. My brows drew down over my eyes as I glanced behind me and stepped out the door. Most of the guys had all kissed me in front of each other and no one had broken out into fights. I mean, it wasn't like they really fought back when they revealed to me that they knew I had kissed them all. Knix was a little bit tenser than I had expected, but he hadn't said anything to ruin the moment. Perhaps he was just a little more reserved aboutPDA.
I stopped on the front porch as the front door closed behind me. I was really doing this. I was really in a relationship with more than one man. I wouldn't be able to just uncomplicatethings.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Graysoncalled.
I looked up and gaped as he slung a giant bin into the back of the SUV Bellamy and Knix had driven up from Charleston. It wasn't the strength that made me gape. It was the fact that he was shirtless. All those muscles and dips and contours. My throat dried up and I had to mentally slap myself with the reminder of the importance of today. I slowly made my way down the frontsteps.
"I'm heading over to Chipley Hall to change before we head out," I said as I approachedhim.
The sky above was barely light and I realized, with a quick glance down the street, no one was out. The neighborhood—and essentially the campus across from it—was startlingly quiet. How early was it? I pulled my phone from my shorts’ pocket and checked the screen. It was only just after 7am.
"You ready for this?" Grayson asked, watchingme.
"I don't know," I admitted. "I am ready to get Erika back, though. I'm ready for this all to end." I paused. "What are you doing outhere?"
"Packing up some of Texas' tech shit," he answered, reaching for a lid on the ground and lifting it to snap over the bin in the back of the SUV. I watched with interest at how quick and efficient he was. Grayson moved back once that was done and then just as quickly closed the backhatch.
He looked over at me for a moment before turning and placing his back against the SUV. "So..." he said, folding his arms over his chest—his eyes bounced from me to the ground and then finally lifted to fixate on a point over my shoulder. I wondered if he did it out of habit or maybe he was anxious. "I suppose you're the one I have to thank for that…” his lips twisted sardonically, “uncomfortablemeeting last night." Grayson smirked atme.
I blushed. "I didn't know that was going to happen," Iadmitted.
"And my one on one with Marv?" His smirkgrew.
"That...I may have been responsiblefor."
He snorted, shaking his head. "It's always a woman," he muttered to himself before rising up and straightening away from the SUV. "Hurry up and go get changed. We're leaving as soon as I get a shower and change also." He passed me, heading for the frontdoor.