Page 15

Billy

I tend to go along with the others, but Calla still makes me feel special when it’s just us. Despite Clyde’s dumbass idea that he’s the best out of all of us, she never seems to indulge that when we’re all together, or when we’re apart.

I adore her for the fact that she treats us all equally, while individually rocking our worlds.

I’m keen to get her to myself again, though. I won’t deny that I’ve been thinking about her pretty much all the time since we started all of this.

Being here, though, it’s an opportunity to explore everything with her—without the scrutiny or risk of being caught. The adjoining rooms are going to make things a lot easier, but it also means the others will be trying their luck at every opportunity… especially Clyde.

I’m not the only one who’s noticed how superior he acts compared to the rest of us, and even he’s not made a secret of it.

It’s always fun to see him get knocked down a few pegs when she is with one of us instead of him… especially when I’m the one getting all of Calla’s focus and attention at the time.

The rest of the guys feel the same way, and I guess that’s why this crazy little situation between the five of us works as well as it does.

We have a system, a set of rules, and it keeps us all in line—for the most part.

While I’m eager for the next ‘group project’, I’m looking forward to the next time I get to be the center of attention.

Part of me wishes I’d bit back when Clyde tried to take control of everything, but these guys are my brothers, and for the most part, I’m happy to share this with them, especially as it was my idea from the start…

At least when the regret at getting them involved isn’t hitting me like a truck.

As I lose myself in thoughts of how this all started, my mind and emotions become a bit muddled, and I lapse into the silence that usually follows me around.

I’m used to being sidelined, treated like I’m lesser, like I’m a burden, but Calla’s never been the kind of person to let me wallow in those emotions—instead, she draws me out of them with her gentle presence.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I close my eyes and lean back on my hands, sighing as I try to make sense of my thoughts.

The bed sinks down a little next to me, and I open my eyes as a soft hand rests on my knee and the warm, fresh scent of Calla’s shampoo and bodywash floods my senses.

I turn to look at her, smiling a little when I see the concern in her eyes.

“Are you okay, Billy?” she asks quietly, squeezing my thigh.

I nod. “Yeah, just taking it all in. It’s different here, isn’t it?”

She smiles, picking up on the fact I’m not just talking about where we are right now.

I lean against her, inhaling her sweetness, and I close my eyes, savoring her warmth against me. I sigh contentedly, and turn my face to kiss her shoulder.

A soft gasp escapes her lips, and I smile against her skin as her hand tightens a little on my leg. I lift my head to meet her gaze, and I see the heat, the need, and the care for me—and all of us—in the pretty green depths.