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Fourteen
“You guys freaked her out.What do you think happened? You’re acting as if you think you’ll be having sex next week even though she told us she wasn’t ready.” Gavin was fuming. “Carrying those with you completely throws what she said out the window. It’s saying that you don’t expect anything, butif the opportunity presented itself, you wouldn’t stop it even though she already told us no.”
How was he able to articulate what I was feeling when I couldn’t even string the words together? They said they didn’t expect anything, but then why did they need to walk around prepared?
“That’s not at all my intention,” Luca argued.
“It doesn’t matter––” Gavin started, but Vince cut him off.
“None of us were planning on pulling it out and pressuring her into sleeping with any of us. It was something we each decided to do to be prepared and safe. You’re the one that started this.”
Noah nodded, “I’m not ready for sex either, but I’d rather have this ready than be in the heat of the moment and make a mistake.”
That made my chest feel lighter. He wasn’t ready. None of them thought sleeping together was going to happen anytime soon. Maybe this was normal for guys and I just never realized it.
“It’s okay,” I whispered, but none of them seemed to hear.
“This night has gone to shit,” Vince mumbled.
“I couldn't agree more,” Gavin said, not bothering to hide his disgust.
“Why did you even bring it up?” Luca asked him.
“Because she deserved to know.” He shot back.
Luca shook his head and leaned back. “Just because you’re not man enough to walk into a store and buy them yourself.”
Gavin stood. “Are you serious? That’s not even remotely close to being the problem. It’s all of you putting your desires ahead of what Ave needs.”
I rubbed my neck, feeling the pressure of tears building behind my eyes.
“Please stop.” I stood up and all five of them turned to me. “I’ve never been in a relationship that I was even close to thinking about this. It’s overwhelming for me. I know some of you are more experienced, but you all know that I’m not.” I realized then that Noah was the only one that might not know. At least not from me directly. I faced him. “Except for you. We’ve never really had this conversation.”
His eyes dropped. “I knew.”
At least he was honest.
I sighed. “This is new territory for me. For all of us, but I told you just a few weeks ago I wasn’t ready. That doesn’t mean I’m not attracted to each of you or that I don’t feel the desire,” I stood a bit straighter. “But I get it. Having one doesn’t mean you’re expecting anything.”
Gavin took my hand and pulled me down to his lap. “You’re right. I’m sorry I brought it up. I just hated thinking about what might happen.”
What I might do with one of them.
“I’m sorry, Ave. I didn’t realize how it might seem from your perspective,” Luca said sadly.
“Me too,” Sky mumbled.
“Me too,” Noah added.
“Me too,” Vince said. “Now Sky, go grab a hand full of ice cubes and stick them down your boxers.”
Sky’s face dropped, but he stood and marched into the kitchen. He reached into the freezer then turned toward us. With exaggerated movements, he pulled the waistband of his shorts and boxers out then dropped the ice in. His expression contorted into one of shock and pain.
I started laughing, and soon the rest of them joined.
It was the perfect distraction we needed from a tense moment. Gavin squeezed my hip, and I smiled down at him. “Thank you,” I whispered so only he could hear. He nodded once then returned his attention to Sky’s dance in the kitchen.
“Shouldn’t they just fall out?” I asked.
