Quadruplets Make Six

e.

“I should get going.” I nervously tucked my still wet hair behind my ear, biting my lip as I stepped away. He walked me to the door, and held my arm gently before I left.

“Remember what I said.” His voice was stern but his eyes light. I nodded and reached up to kiss him once before taking my leave.

~

The walk really was short. And once I arrived on my subway, I texted Alex as promised. I realized I was a little hungry and going home to a fridge that hadn’t seen proper groceries in a week. I needed to stop at the grocery store. There was a good one real close to my place, just three blocks. So, I got off one stop early and went to the store.

The whole time I was having flashbacks of the shower with Alex. When I passed the produce aisle and the sprinkler came on, I was back in that steamy, enclosed glass box with Alex’s strong, muscular body taking over mine. His hands exploring my body; squeezing me and kneading my flesh. I used to wish I had more ample breasts until they were in his hands, fitting perfectly.

I had to stop myself—who gets aroused in a grocery store?

I went down my mental list I hadn’t deviated from for the past three years. But I was feeling just a little adventurous and decided to add chocolate milk to the list. I knew I was lame, but I wasn’t ashamed of it.

As I was checking out, the weirdest feeling came over me. Kind of like in high school, when you were sitting in class and you thought a guy was checking you out from behind. Except it didn’t feel like that in a good way, it felt like I was being watched, and not just looked at.

I ignored the feeling and slowly bagged my things and used the grocery clip I always carry around with me to hold the bags. When I turned the corner, I felt like someone was behind me and not just going the same way. I didn’t want to commit to it, but I felt like I was being followed.

Was I actually in danger because of that case?

Ugh. I didn’t want to call Alex, and I knew Max was working. I pulled out my phone and moved to call Nate. It only took him two rings to answer.

“Hello doll, you okay?” His deep voice washed over me, and I could hear his smile. It almost put me at ease instantly.

“I um…yeah, I’m fine. I just was wondering if you could come by? I just figured…I don’t know.” I chewed the inside of my lip and walked faster.

I bit the bullet and stopped walking entirely and turned around. There was no one there. Maybe I was just overreacting.

“Sure. I’d love to. I can be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Okay. Thanks. I’ll see you soon.” I tried to keep my voice steady, so he wouldn’t think something was wrong.

They worried about me so easily, and were already being cautious. They even did it in a way that didn’t make me feel like I couldn’t handle myself, or that I needed them for protection. It was just nice to know I wasn’t completely alone. That I could call someone if I just needed some extra security.

I kept a quick pace and got to my place quickly. As soon as I set the bags down, Nate was calling me to say he was there. I let Parker out of his crate and poured him a new bowl of dry food just in time for Nate’s knock.

I sort of wished I had done something with my hair. And was also worried it looked like I had just been fucked. Shit, I didn’t even think about them telling each other! They were close enough friends, surely they would talk about it at some point. Maybe not as fast as a few hours, but eventually.

“Hey doll.” He winked and stepped inside.

“Hi Nate, thanks for coming.” It was a short walk to the kitchen where all my bags were.

Nate loomed behind me and I crouched down to scratch Parker’s ear. He just kept eating.

“No problem. But you sounded a little worried over the phone.”

I stood up and tried to smile at him, but I couldn’t shake the crick in my neck from feeling like I was being followed.

“Uh, just a long day.” I sighed deeply. It was true that I had a long day. But not the whole truth.

“Uh huh. Why don’t you settle in and I’ll unpack these for you? Maybe get to know the other man in your life.” He grinned and gestured to Parker. I laughed, realizing exactly what I needed was his joking spirit.

“Okay. Thanks.” I took a deep breath of relief and went in my bedroom to change. The scrubs were comfortable but there was a limit to how long I would wear them.

I wore leggings and a peach colored sweat shirt, then I tried to mousse my hair down and look more presentable. I spritzed some body splash and went out into the living room. I found the groceries packed and him and Parker playing, rolling around on the carpet.

I laughed and sat on the couch to watch. “He likes you,” I announced to myself. Nate grinned and stood up, telling Parker to sit. Then he tossed him one of his snacks and sent him away. Parker always went to the same little corner by the laundry room.