Page 5

Ronnie

R evving my R1, I signal them to switch lanes but before I finish my balls jump to my throat.

Those goddamn speed bumps. I grab my aching nuts.

Sucking in a deep breath, I ride onto the side of the road and stop the bike.

I can feel their attention falls on me. The chattering in the helmets stops abruptly, replaced with, “Ronnie, are you okay?”

I glance at them but can’t speak, so I shake my head.

Little speed bump. I whimper in pain, barely able to form a coherent sentence.

“Ohhh, the speed bump,” Bradley acknowledges. “Shit that must have hurt.” He’s dying laughing as I watch him drop the kickstand down and try to inhale properly but can’t.

“I need a minute,” my voice is a little pitchy and full of pain.

“Oh no, your nuts.” Now Amber can’t stop laughing her ass off.

I’m going to whoop their asses for this.

The warmth of the soup in the backpack is instantly ten times more noticeable. “Why are you laughing, I’m suffering.” I pant out. “I think I lost a nut.”

Bradley’s laughter echoes in the speakers. “Are you okay?” He tries again, shoulders trembling.

My middle finger is all he gets in return.

“Don’t spill my soup.” Amber throws another match to the fire that is spreading in my groin.

I stare at her.

My balls are dying and she’s worried about soup.

Placing his forearms on the fuel tank, Bradley rests his head on top, eyes brimming with tears. “I can make the pain go away with my mouth but you don’t want my services so let your nuts simmer.” And another peal of laughter bursts out of them.

I don’t think kids are part of my future anymore.

I pull the helmet off and lean back, needing to collect myself and decrease the hammer in my chest. Shutting my eyes, a moment passes, and hands wrap around each side of my body.

Their warmth instantly makes everything better, I can breathe again, and the pain fades quickly.

I bask in it a little longer.

“We’re sorry.” Amber’s soft voice falls against my ear. “We can tell how painful it was.”

Bradley curls his finger around a strand of hair covering my ear. “How about an ice cream and a movie as compensation?”

It’s been a long day and the sun slowly wanes between the tall buildings, painting the skies gold.

“Deal.”

Fairy lights are scattered around our bookshelf, TV screen, and coffee table—warm lights and some purple, give it a cozy vibe. It’s dark outside and I feel peaceful knowing they’re here and not in some dark corner, searching for a place to crash.

Amber took Teddy for a walk when we returned from Nana’s. And Bradley went to the supermarket to grab us snacks.

They promised me a movie night and I could use some time off to relax.

I was nervous about today, I always am when I need to get the results of my screening tests. As a cancer survivor, the biggest fear is to hear those words again, “your cancer has returned.”

I was twelve years old when I was diagnosed with kidney cancer and survived it against all odds. Now, sixteen years later I’m still cancer free.

But it will always be a part of me.

It was the moment I knew friendship would be the biggest gift I would earn in this life and unconditional love I would never lose.

“Don’t leave me with these crazy people because I swear to the universe I’d become the devil just to bring you back to me. I could go through any gate and get you back.” Dark eyes stare at me, affectionate and caring. “Please, get better.”

“I crown you, the devil of my hell.” I joke, trying to cheer him up even though I am the sick kid but I’m tired of being him—wan, with bleary eyes.

“I wish I could help you,” his voice breaks, gaze falls to the floor, eyes brimming with tears. “Are you in pain?”

My arms clasp around him. “It’s okay, Luka, I’m not in pain right now, they gave me meds.” I tuck him closer. “Maybe a little nauseous so if I puke on you, you can’t get mad.”

“I won’t.”

He pulls back to look into my eyes because he would know. He would see it in my eyes if I was in pain, but all he finds is love—how grateful I am for him.

“Who will be your friend when I’m not around?”

“Hey,” he playfully shoves at my chest and I start laughing but it turns into a cough. “The devil.” He jokes.

“The Devil,” I nod up and down, liking the sound of it, “That’s a good nickname, maybe I will start calling you that from now on.”

“Whatever you want, Ronnie.” Once more, he tightens his arms around me. “Through thick and thin…” he starts, waiting for me to continue.

It only takes me a minute to come up with, “Through blood and tears.”

“Through oceans and crazy grandmas.”

“You’re my…”

“Ride,” Luka’s enthusiasm resounds in his voice.

“Or die.” I finish, jumping with him in place.

Joyful expressions cover our faces. We hug each other excitedly like we cracked the code to some next-level game in minutes.

I smile to myself as the memory slowly fades.

“Get cozy on the couch roomies,” Bradley skipping on the balls of his feet, his favorite black sweatpants hugging his toned legs, and my Metallica t-shirt hanging on top.

Wait… my eyes move to Amber as she walks out of the hall wearing another t-shirt of mine that hangs above her knees. She slightly lifts her hand to tie her hair back, exposing parts of her lush thighs, then settles on the couch with Teddy by her side.

“I see you’re comfortable wearing my t-shirts.” I declare loud enough for the both to hear.

Amber peers up at me, lips parted. “Oh, I thought it was Bradley’s. He gave it to me last night.” And she’s still wearing it today even though she has her clothes.

I smile because it looks better on her.

“Mine were dirty so I gave her yours.” Gathering a few spoons in his hand, Bradley shrugs his shoulder.

“So, I assume that is the same reason you’re wearing mine as well.” And it looks fucking sexy on you.

“You know how that saying goes what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine. Roommates edition.” He laughs wholeheartedly. “Amber if you decide to stay this is rule number one.”

“Noted,” she giggles, grabbing the remote and browsing through Netflix. “What are the other rules?”

I playfully reply, “That is not a rule and there are no rules. He’s just unfamiliar with the word privacy .”

Thick winged liners decorate her eyelids, accentuating her eye color and the little freckles she has on her cheeks and nose—I couldn’t stop staring at her in the restaurant looking so vibrant and a million times herself.

The light from the TV flickers in her irises and hits her forehead, cheeks, and the tip of her adorable nose.

Then my eyes slide to Bradley who props his ass between us. His burst fade leads to a messy pile of lazy inky waves on his forehead when he rakes his hand through it. Dark, long lashes fan his prominent gray irises. Two silver rings pierce his nose, and I bite my lip when a grin stretches his plumped bottom lip to the sides.

“Okay. This bag has lots of goods.” He sifts through it. “Chunky-Monkey for you, Bear.” He hands the ice cream pint to her. “Passion fruit for you, Princess.”

I shake my head at that nickname and take it from his extended hand. Then my gaze falls when he drops a Skittles pack on the couch between us.

“Your favorite.” His hand briefly hovers above mine, sending a jolt of heat to my core.

“Thanks.” I turn my gaze away and open my pint of ice cream.

I’m not afraid to be with him. I look forward to it. I never denied myself love in any form it came into my life yet I never had a crazy roommate who chased me this hard. When we have our moments, euphoria buzzes in my head. Right now, I enjoy seeing him chasing, drooling, and getting frustrated when things don’t go his way but I know how patient he is.

I know he is here for the long run, waiting for me to be ready for him.

It is my fantasy, to be with a man and a woman. But it was always that, a fantasy. Instead of being inside one, I wrote the one I crafted in my head. Yet, this is a whole new game and the only one who can give us the green light is Amber, if she is even interested.

As much as saying this in my head sounds crazy I bet it would sound crazier when I’ll say it aloud. It’s stupid. Bradley is just getting inside my head with his insinuations.

We don’t even know if she’s staying.

Am I even ready to let someone in again?

“Cookies ‘N Cream for me and if you want a bite all you gotta do is ask.” Bradley’s voice snaps me back.

“Let’s play a game, if you eat three candies you take off a piece of clothing.”

“I didn’t see this coming.” Amber stares at me surprised and amused. “You’re naughty.”

“It’s always the quiet ones.” Bradley’s grin widens. “He loves those candies so I bet he’ll lose his clothes first.”

“I’m not that quiet,” I remark.

“Oh, I know,” a playful smirk tugs at his lips. “The bathroom is next to your room and the walls are not that thick.”

“Holy smokes.” She giggles, covering her mouth. “So you will hear me if I use my toys. I’m pretty loud.”

We flick our gaze to her, both surprised and probably turned on. My tongue plays at the corner of my lip but I bite it instead to turn off the images flooding my brain.

“That’s my mom’s favorite movie.” Bradley’s eyes scan the movie list on the screen.

“Are you a mama’s boy?” Amber shoves a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.

He immediately turns his head to me, my eyes are soft, understanding, and comforting. He had told me that his dad passed away five years ago and that they were close but he never said more than that.

“I was my dad’s.” A strained little laugh escapes me. “We did everything together.”

Amber’s features are filled with emotions, understanding where his thoughts went. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” She reaches out her hand to hold his. “It was a stupid comment.”

“It’s okay, Bear.” He caresses her cheek and tucks her to his side, draping his arm over her shoulder. “Let’s watch it.”

Amber hits play and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starts.

I let my hand rest against his chest, feeling his increasing heartbeats. “What can I do to make you feel better?” I whisper.

“I don’t know… start eating Skittles and lose your clothes, both of you.”

We break into laughter.

Amber reaches out to grab some from the pack, the sour taste makes her face scrunch but as promised she loses a sock in return.

“I wear less than you two so this counts.” She states, grinding her teeth as the flavor slowly dissolves. “It’s like torturing yourself on purpose but it’s addictive.” Her hand digs for another candy.

The movie continues and during a bathroom break, we switch places. Amber sits between us, her fingers slowly digging into my palm and lacing with mine.

The pads of my fingers graze hers up and down, tickling our nerves.

During the movie, I lost my shirt, pants, and socks. My boxers are the only thing still attached to my tattooed body besides Teddy who sleeps on my lap, and Amber wears my shirt but her bra is resting on the coffee table.

Her pebbled nipples drill the fabric and my self-control screams at me to let go.

Moving my hand to her bare thigh, I let my fingers trace her soft skin. While my gaze slides to the side, a large hand does the same to her other thigh. Then my eyes encounter the smirk on Bradley’s face.

“Keep watching, Bear,” I order, squeezing her and a little gasp pushes past her lips. “Do you like when we touch you?”

“Yes.” Amber spins her head toward Bradley who is still fully clothed. “You better start playing.”

I laugh at her demand.

Lifting himself off the couch, he starts disrobing his clothes. “It’s only fair I’ll let you see my abs while we’re working—I mean watching.”

He loves to take off his shirt wherever, and whenever. Every time his chest bounces Amber giggles, so he does it again and then once more to hear her adorable giggles.

“You like that, don’t you?” His tongue swipes his bottom lip.

Nodding firmly, she says, “I’m enjoying the view that’s for sure.”

I wink and wiggle my eyebrows and he mirrors the same gesture back. Then my eyes find Amber, my hand is still on her thigh, my thumb stroking her slowly and she tries to strain a little moan before it breaks free but her cheeks flush pink.

“This is my favorite part.” She confesses softly, gazing at the screen where Matthew McConaughey teaches Kate Hudson how to ride a motorcycle.

“Mine too.” Slouching back on the couch, Bradley runs his fingertip across her arm and goosebumps break across her skin. “If you weren’t such a badass on a bike we could’ve taught you ourselves.”

“Too bad I am.” Her lips pull into a sassy smirk.

“Goddamn.”

He took the words out of my mouth.

“You like us?” He says, his breath fanning her ear.

“Yes.”

Pressing two fingers to her jaw, he rotates her head in my direction. “Look at him.” Bradley urges. “Look at the ink on his skin from shoulders to his ankles. Do you want to touch them?”

Her pupils are dilated, but her eyes run along my body, memorizing it inch by inch. Lips hanging open, she nods. “I want to touch you.”

I stare at her a moment longer, half hypnotized before I say, “Touch me.”

As she sends her hand to the side, her fingers find my tatted abs and I flex beneath them. She lets her hand roam upward. Finding the planes of my firm chest, she delicately squeezes it and I break into a small laugh as her eager hand brushes over my shoulder, neck, and face.

“Good girl.” His low, husky voice praises behind her, centering us both.

Bradley mentioned my fantasy but expressed plenty of times in his chapters about his desire to play with two people.

Amber’s fingertips dig into my thigh, squeezing it, and tracing the big dead moth tattoo I got years ago from Luka.

“So eager,” Bradley’s fingers skim across her thigh and her toes curl each time.

Wait…

“Shit, what day is it tomorrow?” Realization strikes me. Between my appointment and our new roommate, I completely forgot.

“Friday.” Their heads snap upright as my mouth parts.

“Fuck, there’s a private event at the club tomorrow. Our client booked it from noon till six but asked if we could help with a game they planned for their guests and I said I would do it. They even paid extra for it.”

“What do you need us to do?” Amber jumps off the couch ready to be bossed around. She claps her little hands twice, “Chop-chop, let’s get to work.”

“You sure?” That’s the last thing I wanted to do tonight.

“Let’s open some beers,” Bradley suggests, squatting in the middle of the living room. “I’m just warming up, did you get a nice view.” He looks over his shoulder and blows us a kiss.

“Oh yes… Do it again for science.” Amber jokes but pretty pink polishes her cheeks again. It’s fun having her here with us, rolling with our jokes and humor. It feels natural despite the fact we just met, we’ve only known each other for a day, almost a day.

My lips stretch wide as I watch them walk to the kitchen. I hop off the couch to bring a box and two trays I hid in the cabinet at the far corner.

“I have a serious question and now is the perfect time to ask why you have a bat in your room?” His eyes dance between Amber’s. I knew he wouldn’t last long.

“What did you do in my room?”

“Checking up on you when you slept but that studded bat caught my attention.”

Studded bat… “Can I see it?” I ask.

“Mhm.” Skipping on her little feet, she runs down the hall and returns with that sparkling weapon. “That’s Harley.” She proudly says and hands it to me.

“Why do you have it?” Bradley questions, uncapping the beer bottles he lined on the counter. “Is that a sex thing?”

“Do you want to know?” Her eyebrow curves higher.

“Ah—yes!”

She cocks her head to the side, putting her hand on her hip. “I lived alone and I needed protection.”

“But violence is not the answer.” He teases and I can’t help but laugh.

“That’s funny coming from you,” I remark, swinging the bat in the air and shooting my cocky smirk.

“I’m very protective.”

“It shows.” I wink at him.

“Well, I’m relieved it’s not a sex thing although that could’ve been interesting.” He smirks wickedly at me.

“Your mind is going places,” Amber comments.

“Definitely.” Catching all the beer necks between his fingers, he lifts them all in one hand. “How good are you with a bat?”

“I’m good do you want to volunteer.“ She arches her brow, and mischief glints in her eyes.

“Only if you use it for sex.” We both say together.

I guess great minds think alike.

While the credits continue to roll on the screen and we gather around the coffee table again, Amber says, “Guys, I’m staying.”

Later before I go to bed I leave a spare key with a note on her nightstand. Your way out, Little Bear.