Page 24 of Girl Like Me

“Thanks for that Mac.” I say powering off my phone. I won’t make the mistake of keeping that thing switched on again.

“Hey, what did I do?” He says dropping down on the couch that’s been pushed up against the far wall. Everyone is awake now and starting to sit up. Levi looks around the room, his hair sticking up in all different directions.

“What’s going on?” He asks, looking between Mac and me.

“JD was on the phone with her boyfriend.” Rocky says with a huge damn smile plastered on his face. Four sets of eyes whip to me with incredulous looks on their faces.

“This boyfriend is going to be a problem for me.” Mercer says, cracking his knuckles. The others agree.

“Well good thing I plan to end it tomorrow night at dinner, I can’t stand the guy.” They all look somewhat relieved. Chloe enters the room before anyone can tell me how they feel about my current boyfriend situation.

“Morning…or should I say afternoon.” Her curly hair is an unruly mess hanging around her shoulders. I notice she’s wearing Mac's shirt that he had on last night when we showed up. I look over at Mac, I hadn’t even realised he wasn’t wearing one.

Mercer huffs and moves across the room mumbling incoherently. The only word I can make out is food.

“How are you feeling today.” I ask Chloe, she doesn’t look like she had a rough night and has bounced back well.

“Good, Mac.” I notice her face flush a light pink when she mentions his name. “made sure I drank water after I threw up. I’m so sorry for getting so wasted.”

“Don’t be sorry, I just have to go help Mercer in the kitchen. Rory, can you help Chloe get her clothes in the wash?”

“Already done. I found a nice lady this morning who took care of it, she insisted.” Mac may come across as a self-centred ass at times but then he shows his sweet side. I wonder why the guys can’t see this, but I’m pretty sure Savannah losing her virginity to him has blindsided them.

“That was nice of you Mac, but I think you should go and borrow one of Rory’s shirts before Mercer comes back and flips out some more.” Mac laughs and looks at Rory who nods. He takes Chloe’s hand and starts to lead her from the room saying he will get her clothes and find a shower for her.

Rory, Levi, Maximus and Rocky are all staring at me. Last night everything happened so fast that today we all need to talk but first I need to make sure that Mercer is okay. “I need to go speak with Mercer. Can you guys tidy this up and give us five minutes, then come for food?” They nod. I know that they know I have to leave today, so they will all be on edge.

I make my way to the kitchen. I may have only been here once before, but I easily navigate my way. Everything is white, the tiles, the walls, the furniture. The smell of bleach is permanently embedded into the house. It’s just a very faint lemon smell. It’ll be the first thing I change when I move in. Holy cow I’m now thinking about redecorating, I shouldn’t be thinking about that, there is no way this would work long term. Surely they would get bored or want to move on and start a family. I don’t even know how they feel about marriage and kids but how would any of that even work with us all. I could only legally marry one, how the heck would I even choose? Then there’s the thought of having kids. If each of my guys wanted one, I would be barefoot and pregnant for a very long time. I will be like that lady from nineteen kids and counting and more power to her for wanting a large family but I barely know who I am, or what I even want. As JD I could give you a fair idea, but as Bristol, who knows. She was a nasty person who seemed to care about appearances and now I would give up all the money to just live a happy life with those who love me. Maybe it was all an act and deep down I was a nice person, after all Echo seemed to like me and seemed genuine.

Mercer is standing at the stove, it’s more like a BBQ plate. He has his back to me, cooking a load of bacon and some eggs. I know better than to sneak up on them, especially Mercer. So I take a seat at the breakfast bar and watch him for a few minutes. He’s shirtless, giving me an unashamed view of the muscles flexing in his back as he moves around. His grey cotton workout shorts hang low on his hips, stopping just before his knees, and his feet are bare. A piece of bacon pops, he hisses pulling his arm back suddenly. I find myself jumping off the stool and moving towards him. He finally notices I’m in the room and his glare is feral. I know he came in here to cool down.

“Are you okay?” I ask taking his hand to assess if he has a burn.

“No.” I look up at him, his amber eyes still take my breath away. “I don’t know how to keep my head above water without you.” He leans down and rests his forehead against mine. I thought staying away, they would get over me, now I’m starting to see why Levi didn’t want any of them to get close to me in the first place. They’re all vulnerable.

“I’m sorry I made you believe I didn’t want to be with you. I do and haven’t stopped since. I just thought if I pushed you away you would get over me and it would be easier for you all.”

“I can understand that but please don’t push us away again. I need you.” I don’t ruin the moment by talking. I just nod, enjoying his embrace.

Mercer sighs and lets me go after a minute. I help him set the table on the back patio. It’s huge, there are enough seats for us all. With everything set, Mercer gets the others and we all sit outside. Levi pulls me into his lap and wraps a possessive arm around my waist.

Chloe sits next to Mac, she looks better now she has showered and changed. I watch the way Mac keeps looking at her, every time she notices her whole face breaks out in a blush. I haven’t introduced her to the guys officially yet, I’m sure Mac has filled her in some but I don’t exactly know how to explain to outsiders. The guys' families get our relationship. What if she decides I’m a freak and then I have no way to see the guys?

“So guys, how about we address the elephant in the room because if I’m being honest I am curious as hell.” Mac clearly throws himself in the firing line for Chloe, her small smile she gives him is thankful.

“And what elephant is that?” Mercer snaps. He knows, he just hates Mac and rears up at him because of the hurt he still carries over Savannah.

“Merce, it’s okay. These are my friends, I’m not ashamed but I think I should start at the beginning, so Chloe understands.” The guys don’t say anything, but exchange tense looks. Levi squeezes my leg under the table. I take a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. “A few months ago Rory helped me escape from a mental hospital.” I glance at Rory, giving him a small smile. “Wave Rory so she knows who you are.” He looks at me like I’m crazy but gives a small wave anyway. “At some point that night I was beaten badly and dumped on a beach where they all found me. It’s a longer story than that but that’s the basics. When I woke up, I had no memory. I still have no memory, only mixed up flashes that don’t make much sense. It was a couple of months before my family stepped forward and took me back. I don’t want to be there but I have no choice until I graduate and figure out who hurt me. In the time I was away, I fell for these guys.” I say, blushing slightly. “I know it sounds crazy falling for five guys and sometimes I think maybe there was a legit reason I was in a psych ward…”

I look towards Mac and Chloe, who seem to be processing everything. “Any questions?” Mac goes to open his mouth.

“Don’t even think about it, I will beat your ass if you ask about that.” Rocky says, looking at Mac. Chloe intercepts before the tension can get any worse.

“So you’re dating them all.” She says more as a statement than a question. She isn’t judging me, I can tell by the look on her face.

“Yes.” She groans and puts her head down on the table with a little too much force that the glass next to her shakes.

“How is that fair? You can get five hot guys and I can’t even get one.” I know it sounds like she is having a dig, she knows the girl I was before but this isn’t like that.

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