Gifted Connections 3

My bed doesn’t feel the same without you in it, he projected his thoughts to me. It’s a tease to have your smell on my sheets and pillow but not you in them.

I turned around into his arms and reach up to grip his shoulder. I love this side of you. I love this new dimension to our relationship.

And I love you, he kissed me softly. His lips unhurried as they explored mine.

I would have loved to brush my teeth first, but I wasn’t going to stop him.

I love you, too, Drake Christopher Bell, I responded kissing him once more.

“Let’s get ready,” Drake said reluctantly.

“Okay,” I groaned as I pulled on my sports bra and cotton boy shorts before pulling on my layers of clothing.

I wasn’t going to put on my gloves, coat, and hat until we were outside. I already felt hot in the layers I was in.

“Coffee, Princess,” Troy came back and looked at me appreciatively. He handed me a thermos of coffee. “I’m liking the pigtails,” he teased.

I stuck my tongue out at him. “I had to do something with it. Especially if I’m reduced to baby wipes bathing until we return.”

“I like it,” Jaxson smirked from the doorway. “Now all you need is a plaid skirt that barely covers your butt, maybe a tight white top with most of the buttons undone.”

“Like Brittany Spears in that music video,” Noah added with a wicked grin.

They were both completed dressed, down to their boots, with thermos of coffee in their hands.

I put my coffee down and shook my head at them. “You guys are incorrigible!” I said in mock exasperation as I tightened the laces on my boots.

The guys had bought me inserts for comfort, and I could already tell the difference. I quickly went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I grabbed my coffee cup and went out to the kitchen where Remy and Jace were pouring their own cups of coffee.

“Good morning,” Jace smiled at me before placing a kiss on the side of my mouth. “Are we about ready to get our MREs and something warm to eat.”

“Good morning,” I murmured back. “I’m ready when you guys are.”

“There shouldn’t be a line yet for the MREs,” Remy stated after taking a drink of his coffee.

“Yeah, we should get going,” Troy stated as he stepped out of the bathroom.

We all grabbed our packs with our sleeping bags attached to them, and I grimaced at the weight. It had to weigh at least forty pounds and we hadn’t even gotten our MREs yet. It was no big deal right now, but after hours of walking, I’m sure it was going to feel much heavier.

We were right to assume there was no one else up yet. Will and Paul were already sitting at a table as we entered the cafeteria. Two triwall boxes filled with various MREs were strategically placed next to the trays. We went over to them first before got in line for breakfast.

“How much should we take?” I asked as I looked over at Remy and Troy.

“They told us to grab as many as we wanted to, but I think six of them can fit in our packs comfortably,” Troy stated as he shifted through the boxes.

“I heard the vegetarian options are the tasty ones,” Jaxson stated as he held up a spicy penne pasta pack and handed it to me.

“The chili mac isn’t too bad either,” Troy passed me another MRE.

“Why aren’t you getting yours?” I laughed with an appreciative smile. They really did take loving care of me.

“There’s plenty here. I’m sure we can find others,” Troy shrugged as he grabbed a few.

We took six MREs and then got in line for breakfast. I put some scrambled eggs, sausage links, a banana, and toast on my tray. As we were leaving the line, more people started trickling in. I pretended not to see Adams and her friends as they joined

the line behind us.

“So, we should find them by noon, right?” I heard her ask her friends behind us.