Page 113 of Bodybuilders for the BBW

Katie

Where the hell were they?

I was sitting in my car outside my parents’ place waiting for my so-called boyfriends to arrive. My knee bounced and my thumb tapped on my phone screen for the tenth time, looking for something, anything to indicate where the hell they were.

We’d agreed to meet outside and go inside as a united front. Surely if we all stuck together, we’d get through this without issue. I’d mistakenly assumed that if I had three boyfriends, at least one of them would turn up on time. I watched another minute tick over on the clock on my phone screen. My teeth ground together, my thumbs rising. I needed to ring them, text them, ask them what the hell…?

What the hell?

I looked up at the sound of a siren’s wail, only to see a 4WD with Metro Fire Service stickers on it roar up. The doors were jerked open, thanks shouted at the driver as they arrived. My fingers went lax, nearly dropping my phone as I found myself grinning.

They were here.

Well, three of them were. Rhys straightened his shirt and Rhett raked back his hair, hastily finger combing it as they led Bronson over to my car.

“Evening, ma’am.” Rhys leaned in through my car window and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Heard you were in need of some backup for family dinner.”

“Where the hell have you been?” I hissed, eyeing the front windows of Mum and Dad’s place. I knelt down to scratch Bronson on the chest. “And where’s Garrett?”

They sucked in a breath, ready to answer, but that was when Mandie strolled up.

“Well, two of you made it.” Bronson wagged his tail and walked up to her. “Make that three. Hey, fella. So, you ready for this bloodbath or what?”

“Not intimidating.” Rhys slid his arm around my waist, and I welcomed its weight. “Not intimidating at all.”

“Hi…” Mum came trotting over, arms wide. “I’m Janey, Katie and Mandie’s mum.”

“I can see where Katie gets her looks from,” Rhys said, holding out his hand. “I’m Rhys and?—”

“These are for you.” Rhett thrust the flowers at Mum who blinked in return, her smile faltering for a second. “Sorry, I’m Rhett.”

“Rhys and Rhett…” She nodded and then gestured for them to come into the house. “That almost rhymes. So, can I get you all a drink?”

“Beer?”

Dad appeared in the doorway of the living room, not a smile in sight.

“I’d love a beer if you’ve got one,” Rhett replied. “Janey, Garrett asked me to pass this on. Katie said you like wine and he says it’s a nice drop. Can’t stand the stuff myself.”

“Hmph.” Dad looked the two of them up and down and I swear to god, my heart started clawing its way out of my chest. “You’ll do. Come through to the deck.”

“That’s Bill,” Mum said and that’s when I noticed her nervous smile. The idea that she was on tenterhooks just like me was a small revelation, but not one I got to examine closer. “He can be a bit of a grump?—”

“That’s it.” Mandie cut her off with a smile. “He’s a grump. Good luck, guys.” She gave them a little finger wave. “Face the firing squad on the deck while us girls finish up things in the kitchen.”

Rhett followed Dad, the prospect of a beer obviously setting him at ease, but Rhys turned around and mouthed ‘help’ as he joined them.

“Well, they’re definitely handsome boys,” Mum said. My sister moved to stand beside her, and by the weight of their collective gaze, I knew I wasn’t going to like this conversation at all. Bronson stayed with me, sitting down at my feet, his body leaning into my thigh. “But didn’t you say there were three?”

“Yeah, where’s the murse?”

“I swear to freaking god, I will kick your arse every time you use that word,” I growled and as I shaped up to Mandie, my sister made clear she was ready to throw down.

“What, murse?”

“Mandie—”

“Girls!” We both spun around to see Mum staring at the two of us, knife in hand. She flushed and then set it down on the chopping board. “We’re supposed to be having a nice dinner with Katie’s boyfriends, so let's contain the crazy for just one night? You can do that for me, right?”

---