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My gaze shifts to the floor. “Well, I think we need to abstain from sex until my mom leaves.”
“Abstain?” Seth shouts.
I look around at the irritated gazes around me. “It’s just until she leaves.”
“And how long is she staying for?” Lucas asks.
I make a face, knowing they aren’t going to like the answer. “A week,” I murmur.
Seth cranes his head towards me. “Wait, wait, I didn’t catch that.”
I purse my lips in distaste. “A week,” I say slightly louder.
Seth’s eyes widen. “A week?” he shouts.
Hunter and Lucas groan while Seth tugs at his hair and paces back and forth.
“It’s not that bad,” I say meekly.
All three bros turn their scowls behind me. I feel my body beginning to shrivel in the midst of them. My shoulders lift in a shrug while Seth dumps his body back on the couch. Lucas moves towards them, pushing his way into the middle. I stare down at all three of my bros staring off into the distance, looking as if I’ve just handed them a death wish, or a list of chores, which I just might do after my mom’s deep disapproval of the cleanliness of the place.
Baby steps, Rachel, I tell myself. They’re already aggravated. We’ll talk about the apartment chores when they are in a better mood. Perhaps after my mom leaves and we can all have sex again.
Seth presses his palms against his face and groans. “The things I do for love.”
I smile and clap my hands together. “So, we’re all in agreement.”
Three deep frowns meet me, and my smile brightens when their heads lull up and down.
“Yes,” they say mournfully in unison.
2
ALEX
“Excuseme,”Imurmurwhile edging towards the baggage carousel.
I reach for my suitcase and drag it off. For some weird reason, I can’t stop smiling. Maybe it’s because I’m finally back in the States. I love Europe, but there are some things I will always miss from my homeland like all the ketchup packets in the world and free soda refills. Or being able to eavesdrop easily into any conversation, or read signs without second guessing myself. I’m nearly fluent in French, but at times I don’t understand a word, or if I’m exhausted, it’s difficult to be able to switch my brain into another language.
It’s nearly seven on a Monday morning, and as I exit the airport, I’m hit with the distinct smell of pine and gasoline from the taxis waiting near the sidewalks. The mix of scents gives me a slight headache, but it’s not enough to dim my smile. I can see the mountain peaks in the distance. The clouds hang low, threatening to rain. A sharp wind whips past, making me wonder how harsh the winters are here. Growing up in New York, I’m pretty used to tough winters, but then again, usually there’s a taxi or the subway to take.
Colorado is completely foreign to me. It’s like I’ve stepped off the airplane into a whole other world. There’re no skyscrapers littering the sky and nothing is lit in neon. There is only the vast outdoors.
“Mr. Goode?”
I turn towards the voice and find a man standing outside a black Cadillac, holding a white piece of paper with my name written in black cursive. I nod and head in his direction, dragging my suitcase behind me while shrugging my backpack onto my shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m Alex Goode,” I say with a smirk, handing him both my bags before sliding into the back seat.
As soon as I’m sitting in the car, my phone rings. With a sigh, I look down at the ID, finding my dad on the screen.
“Yeah, I made it,” I say into the receiver, hearing the trunk thump with my items behind me. My eyes watch the driver circle around the car and slide into the front seat.
“You were supposed to call me as soon as you got off the plane,” says Dad.
I roll my eyes at the irritation in his voice. “Well, I made it,” I say while the driver pulls out onto the road.
Waiting fifteen minutes before calling isn’t the end of the world. I had things to do, like go through immigration, find my suitcase, enjoy the mountains in the distance. People like my dad tend to be a tad OCD about things. Especially since I decided to change my life plans at the last second.
