Page 25 of Find Me
I stuck close to Colt as he headed straight for the kitchen. On the way there, both guys tossed their backpacks on the dining table, which was already covered with clutter. Once inside the dining room, there was a direct view into a somewhat open kitchen. It was U-shaped with an island in the center. Their appliances were all black, the countertops were speckled tan granite, and the cabinets were espresso-colored wood.
Seeing my note on the top of the lasagna, Colt set the oven to three hundred and fifty degrees. Looking around, I was unsure what I should do. I’d never been to a guy’s house before. I’d also never had friends who were guys, either. It wasn’t like being over at a girl’s house, and even though the guys were just as much my friends as a girl would be, it still felt different. Plus, our friendship was still new. “Is there something I can do? I can help clear the table.”
Colt was leaning against the counter next to the oven while Creed was bent over the island, resting on his arms. Both were watching me as I internally freaked out. I was cursing my recluse lifestyle up until now. Mostly, I blamed Mr. X. It was my fear of him watching me and following me wherever I went that kept me home. When and if I had gone to the movies or walked around the mall with the few friends I’d had, I’d always gotten pictures of myself in the mail the next day with a disgusting letter telling me how beautiful I was and what he wanted to do to me.
“Are you nervous, Shiloh?” Colt asked.
I winced. “Yes.”
Colt and Creed shared a look.
I picked at the end of my sleeve, in an attempt to busy myself. Today, I had worn a maroon, long-sleeved V-neck and dark blue, ripped jeans. “If you give me something to do, I’ll feel better. Want me to set the table? Are your brothers eating with us?”
Colt walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Deep breath. There’s nothing to be nervous about.” He squeezed a little. His touch was calming. It was like his hands were sucking away my tension. “Besides, we don’t really eat at the table.” The oven beeped loudly, notifying us that it’d reached the set temp. Colt stepped away from me to put the lasagna in the oven.
“You guys don’t sit down at the table for family dinner?” I asked.
Creed was silent as he watched us.
Colt shook his head. “No, we’re a ‘grab a plate and eat in front of the TV’ type of family.”
What a shame. They didn’t know what they were missing. Then again, not everyone was the same. Everyone liked different things.
Creed pushed away from the island, scooped up their bags from the table, and disappeared down the hallway on the left side of the house.
“What time is your swim meet on Thursday?” I asked Colt.
“It starts at five. You’re still coming, right?”
“Yup. I lost that bet with Ethan and have to flaunt my team spirit, remember?”
A slow and downright naughty smirk took over his face. “Oh, yeah. You have to be our personal cheerleader.”
The way he looked should have been a sin. It made me feel like my stomach was full of anxious butterflies trying to fight their way out. I nodded. “I’m either going to embarrass the crap out of you guys or you’re all going to have a good laugh. Either way, I might end up scarred for life.”
Creed came back before Colt could say more and started clearing the clutter from the dining room table. He caught both Colt and I watching him. “You want to help me with this?” he asked Colt.
Appearing a little surprised, Colt began helping with clearing the table.
Creed then pointed at the cabinet next to the fridge. “There’s plates in that cabinet and silverware in the drawer just below if you want to grab what we need to set the table.”
I turned on my heel to do as he said, grateful to be put to work. It also allowed me to give him my back so I could hide my smile.
I assumed their brothers were going to join us and I collected five plates and five sets of silverware before carting it all over to the table. The three of us were setting the table when the front door opened.
“We’re home!” Keelan shouted as he removed his gym bag from his shoulder and tossed it on the couch. Knox walked through the door next while going through a stack of mail.
“Good. Dinner’s almost ready,” Colt announced.
Both Keelan’s and Knox’s heads whipped in our direction. Their gazes immediately landed on me. Keelan smiled charmingly while Knox schooled his face to look impassive. It reminded me of the way Creed regarded Cassy.
“Hey, Shiloh,” Keelan said and strutted into the dining room. He took in the set table before his eyes met Creed’s and I could see the question pass between them.
My attention shifted to Knox, who slowly walked over after setting the mail down on a small table they had near the front door. He hadn’t removed his eyes from me. I could tell he wasn’t happy that I was there.
Colt brought in the lasagna and set it down in the middle of the table. He noticed Knox staring and frowned. “Shiloh was nice enough to make us dinner. We’re going to all sit down at the table and eat like afamily.” He put extra emphasis on the wordfamilyand his tone was firm.
Both Knox’s and Keelan’s brows rose, clearly surprised. Keelan was the quickest to recover. “That sounds like a great idea. It smells amazing, Shiloh.” He walked to the other side of the table and pulled out a chair.
