The Red Door (The Door Series Book 1) (12 page)

“And fourth, it’s Sunday. Every Sunday our family gathers here for dinner. You are expected by five unless you are working, in the hospital, or dead. Understood?”

I had been looking up at David this whole time. I glanced at Michele and saw tears in her eyes. Then Becca, who was nodding her head, agreeing with her dad. Then I saw both Jackson and Jasper standing in the doorway. They all wore the same expression. I burst into tears and ran to David.

“Shhh, baby girl. It’s okay.” He gave me another famous hug, rocking me back and forth. “You’re back here with your family and things are going to get better. Dry your eyes, Ari. Come on, or I am going to pass you off to Michele and go hammer some shit in the garage. You know I don’t like tears. Plus, you don’t want to go look at this house with your face all red and splotchy like a rabid raccoon, do you?”

I rose up and wiped at the tears on my face. “I love you. You do know that, right?” I whispered to him and laughed when he shoved me toward Michele.

“Michele, I’m sorry.”

“Nope, Ari. You’re here and you’re staying, that is all that matters.” I glanced at Becca and watched as she wrapped her arms around her dad and smiled big.

Jasper came over and picked me up in a bear hug not so unlike his dad’s. I noticed how big they were. They were so much like David it was uncanny. He swung me around then put me down.

“Dad’s right. There is no way I’m picking out curtains, sheets, or paint.”

“Jasper, with your room the color it is, I doubt I’ll ask,” I said as I stepped back.

He laughed. “Hey that’s a cool shade of green.”

“It’s lime, you idiot,” Jackson said as he pulled me into a tight hug. “You belong to us now,” he whispered in my ear. I jerked, remembering someone else saying those same words. “Oh and I will help pick out your sheets,” he finished then stepped back, gave me a wink, and walked to the door.

Damn teenage hormones!

I wiped off my face and walked to the door behind Jackson. “Okay, well it’s four blocks up and two blocks over. If everyone is ready to go now,” I announced, and they all followed me out the door.

By dinnertime, I had called the owners and told them I would take it. David and I talked about the kitchen and he said the cabinets were in good shape even if they were an ugly peach color. He said he would strip and sand them down then stain them. It did need new floors and countertops. We also decided to have all new windows and doors installed to beef up security, along with a new security system and motion lights for the backyard. We couldn’t see a way to put in another bathroom without taking up a lot of space. We decided that since one room would be an office, we could combine two rooms. We came up with one large master bedroom with a full bath, walk-in closet, and an office nook. That would leave room for another bath and a bedroom. David had a job that was wrapping up, and he said he would squeeze in my house before he began the next. Jasper and Jackson said they would help David with everything. It should be done in a month, but I could move into the guest room as soon as I bought furniture.

Over dinner we all discussed colors and furniture. Michele said she would take me to a flea market to look at some furniture for the guest room, but everything else I wanted to get new, and Becca planned to go shopping next Saturday with me. The owners were meeting me at the bank in the morning, and after that, I planned to set up all my utilities so by the end of the week I would be out of the hotel.

After dinner, I helped Becca clean up and said my goodbyes. I made it to the car and saw another flyer. I was just about to read it when I heard Becca come out of the house.

“I’ll follow you to the hotel, Ari.”

“Oh, okay.” Crap, why would I think she would forget. I threw the flyer into my purse and drove to the hotel.

As soon as we were in the room, I ran to the bathroom and changed into a tank and some flannel pants. Becca raised an eyebrow, knowing if I was getting comfortable it wasn’t a short story. Then I took a deep breath and let it go. All of it. I could not look at her because I didn’t want her expressions to slow me down. I wanted it done fast. Like a Band-Aid, the quicker the better.

“You were still a virgin?”

“Honestly, after all of it; that is what you choose to comment on?”

“I’m a little curious how anyone stays a virgin through college not to mention you. I mean, you hoarded all the dirty magazines from Mark and would barely share.”

“Becca, my virginity is not the issue.”

“Fine, but we will go back to that. So…you lost your virginity in a three-way, huh?”

“Becca! Forget the fact that I fell for the guys immediately. Let’s focus on me being a slutty virgin.” God! Why was she my friend?

“Yes let’s! You said it was good and you came. That’s nearly impossible for the first time. Remember my first time. We went to Jake Smith’s party in eleventh grade. Man that was horrible. I had been drinking but wasn’t drunk. Jake put his little boy wiener in me, pumped two times, then pulled out and came all over my stomach. Oh, then he said ‘Thanks Babe’ and got up and left. He didn’t even notice I was a virgin.”

“Little boy wiener?” I started laughing.

“That’s what it was. He wasn’t man enough to get the job done. Hmm…little boy wiener.” She nodded like it was the truth.

“Yes, it was exciting. Having two guys touch me at once, two mouths on me and both of them comfortable enough with each other not to care that they were both naked. They liked watching what the other one did to me. It turned them on. Heck it turned me on when I watched the live feed.”

“It does sound wonderful having two men pleasure you. I’m sorry they treated you that way, but you lost your virginity to two hunky men. I remember your dream man, Alex. And oh, don’t think I don’t know you fucked the Mad Hatter. I am jealous no matter how much a POS he is, but let me tell you this. Sex of any kind is emotional. Even when it’s supposed to be fun, it can get emotional because of such intense feelings. And two fine ass men making you cum and telling you how beautiful you are. Damn right you are going to feel something. And I’m not talking about that hard stick between their legs, but when they tell you that you are special and you belong to them all the while touching you. Yeah, feelings are going to develop. You need to look at this as having two attentive men ease you into losing your virginity. Don’t take the poor pitiful me route. Be thankful they were there for you and move on.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right. Plus, when I came back last night they were here, waiting. Demanding answers for why I took off.”

“Wait. Hold up. Here, as in the hotel, or here, as in your room?”

“Here, in the room. It scared the fuck out of me. I didn’t know they were here and went to the bathroom to change and came out to see them. Plus, I had moved hotels so they wouldn’t be able to find me, used my middle name, and spoke with the night manager about not letting anyone know where I was staying.”

“Oh, hell no. Pack your shit. You are coming home with me.”

“Becca, I can’t go home with you. You work nights, and I would keep you awake in the day.”

“Well, then go stay at Mom and Dad’s.”

“And sleep where? Your mom turned your room into her craft room. Plus, I think Jackson likes me, and that’s too weird.”

“He’s an eighteen-year-old boy. He wants to screw every female not related to him. Plus you, my friend, are heart stopping gorgeous. I would be offended if he didn’t like you, but yeah, I guess you can’t stay there either. You’re my best friend, and we couldn’t have girl talk if my brother slipped you the moves. I love you but not that much.”

“Ha-ha! I’ll be fine. They were not here to hurt me. They actually went through a lot to find me. And from our conversation I think they will leave me alone,” I lied. “Enough about me, tell me about your night last night. You were wearing the ‘I screwed all night’ look at your parents’, and I want details.”

“Well if you insist…he is great. Which you know. He treated me like a queen. Holding doors open. Making sure everything is right. He lit candles while I freshened up in the bathroom. He had some scented oils and massaged my back and legs before we ever got started. And the way he looks. He has a good body. And he knows what to do in the bedroom. He does this thing with his tongue when he goes down…”

“Uhhhh okay! Okay! Okay! Don’t want that many details! Our girl talks can only cover so much. Sorry, but I don’t want a mental picture of you two screwing.”

“Yeah, you would probably rather see it while it was happening since watching live action gets you all hot and bothered! My little voyeur!”

“Ugh! I will never live this down!” We looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“I’m glad that he treats you good,” I said softly once we had quit laughing.

“He does. He took care of me afterwards, too. He ran a hot bath for us to relax. And he cuddles when he sleeps. It was nice to sleep there feeling safe in his arms. And this morning he was sweet and made sure we talked about everything, and I understood he wanted us to be a couple.”

“That’s sweet. I remember that he liked to cuddle in his sleep. It’s nice.”

“What? When did you sleep with him?” She sounded shocked.

“Not long after he moved in, he came over when it was storming. After I was in bed, he crawled through my window and told me he didn’t want me to be scared. He did it off and on while we were in school. Now, can you see why he always fit into the big brother category?”

“So, no morning wood stabbing you in the butt?”

“Ugh, Becca I was in my early teens. I didn’t even know what morning wood was.”

“Yeah right. We both questioned Mark on everything in those magazines. Just because you didn’t feel it, doesn’t mean it wasn’t there. And since you lost your V card and didn’t stay the night with anyone, you still truly don’t know what it is, but don’t worry we will rectify that. We are going to find you a hot stud to use and abuse. None of this falling in love stuff. Matter of fact, I know some of the men I work with are single. I see them all the time so I never wanted to date them, but I know of some doctors, nurses, EMTs, and cops for sure.”

“Is it a coincidence that they all come with a uniform?”

“Hell no! Don’t tell me you don’t love a man in uniform.” We laughed some more as she filled me in on some of the details. They did sound nice and attractive, but I couldn’t help but think of how they would compare to both Mitch and Alex. I knew they couldn’t. Not while it was so soon, but it couldn’t hurt to meet some of them.

Later, after she left, I was comfortably snuggled in my bed and almost to sleep when I realized I wasn’t sad. And that was why she was my friend.

The next morning I knew I needed to fit in a visit to Adam. I dressed, went to the bank, and I signed the papers for the house. My bank account was a lot lighter, but I wanted it paid off. I didn’t see the purpose of having a payment if I had enough money to pay it off with plenty left to last me over a year in case I couldn’t find a job right away.

Once finished, I went to see Adam. I knew he would be at work. He was a web designer and in a building downtown. When I arrived there I was ushered right in to see him.

“Aurora, how are you? We were worried. What happened? Why did you run off?” he asked while giving me a hug and then walked over and closed the door.

“Have you not spoken with Alex or Mitch?”

“No. Was I supposed to? Please, have a seat,” he said as he made his way back around to his desk chair.

“I figured they would have called you,” I said after I was seated. I looked around his office. He had a couple shelves with pictures and the ones on his desk. There were several pictures of him with both Mason and Holly and a couple with Alex. There was one group photo with about ten people in it, and I could see both my mom and dad. It made me wonder how much I truly knew about them.

“They did leave a message here this morning to say you changed hotels, and you were fine. That’s it, but I’m sure there’s a lot more to it than that.” He gave me a look that told me he planned to hear it.

“There is, but it’s not important. I decided to come by to say I was sorry if I worried Holly and you. I didn’t think about them getting you two involved. For that, I’m sorry.”

“Sweetheart, I am involved. I’m the one who involved them after you came to me. I know when I am being told to butt out and I will. That doesn’t mean I’m not here for you. You seem like a bright young woman so there’ll be no sides to pick. Sound fair?”

“Yes. Thank you, Adam.”

“No problem. Now what have you been up to? Holly was hoping you would come by this week to hang out. She gets bored at the house by herself.”

“I was planning to do that later today. I wanted to apologize to her too.”

“She has her online classes, but she gets them done each morning, so she should be done by the time you get there. I know Mason would love to see you, too. I’ll give her a call to let her know you are coming over.”

“Thanks. What’s she taking classes for?”

“She was nearly done with college when she became pregnant and decided she would rather stay home, but she gets bored. She’s taking a class here and there, but nothing that ever goes together. Last semester she was doing photography. This one I think it is environmental science.” He laughed. “But she loves learning all these new facts.”