Page 53 of Five Mountain Daddies

We just finished dinner, a meal James cooked himself. Ryan’s lounging on the couch, flipping through the channels on the TV, barely paying attention toanything.

“Liar,” James says. “Hey, Ryan, you notice her badmood?”

Ryan looks over. “Yep,” he says. “Like her dog just died orsomething.”

I shoot him a look. “I’ll throw youout.”

“I’ll throw you out,” he counters,grinning.

I roll my eyes and look back at James, who just shrugs,grinning.

“You might as well tell us what’s up,” James says. “I mean, we have ways of getting it out ofyou.”

“I know what those ways are,” I say. “And that won’t worktonight.”

James grins, glancing over at Ryan. “I suspect that’s not true,” hesays.

I sigh. “Okay, fine. I was just thinking about the end of the summer, okay? It’s coming up. I need to start planning mymove.”

James goes still, a slight frown on his face. I can tell Ryan’s paying closer attentionnow.

“Yeah, you do,” James says slowly. “We can help, if youwant.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I answer. I’d hate to have them help me pack, I think that would be even more painful. Especially considering I know they don’t want me to go, not even a littlebit.

But of course they’d be willing to help. That’s just the kind of guys they are, and that makes it even harder. Everything about them makes itharder.

James rolls his eyes. “Come on, let ushelp.”

“Or at least let us hire people to help,” Ryansays.

I laugh at that. “Typical. Throw money at theproblem.”

“Hey, I’m an artist, money doesn’t matter to me,” Ryansays.

“Only a guy as rich as you could say that with a straight face,” James retorts, making us alllaugh.

This moment is something I’ve found is the most surprising part of this little setup we have. When we first began, I thought this whole relationship would be weird and basically all about sex, but I was totally wrong. As time goes on, I’m finding that the little things become more important. It’s the comfort we have around each other, the laughter, the happiness, and of course the mind-blowing sex is great. But if it were just sex, I don’t think I’d be feeling the way I do rightnow.

It’s a desire for this to become my new normal. It already feels normal, which is so strange. I thought it would always stay weird, but it’s just not. I feel like these guys have always been a part of my life, and they always will be. I guess that’s what happens when you spend so much time around a group of people that knows each other so well, you get sucked into their dynamic. But I actually like getting involved. I like being suckedin.

I can’t help but want more and more and more of it. Even sex aside, I just want to be around theseguys.

“Well, we need to cheer you up,” James says. He puts some of the dishes into the dishwasher, straightening up the kitchen as hegoes.

I pour myself some wine and a glass of whisky for the boys, which they accept gratefully. “What do you propose?” I askhim.

He pauses a second, plate in hand. “Truth orDare?”

I laugh at that as he puts the dish away and shuts the dishwasher. He straightens up and I notice Ryan paying moreattention.

“What, are we fifteen or something?” I ask him. “Maybe we can play Spin the Bottleafter.”

“Not a bad idea,” Ryan callsout.

I roll my eyes at him. “Come on. Truth or Dare? We don’t needthat.”

“It’ll be fun. Or are you afraid?” James smirks atme.

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