Four Kicks

“Maybe you don’t realize, Lacy.” Nathan’s eyes have gone so dark they’re nearly black.

“What?”

“You’re tempting us, too.”

I gaze back at him for a moment, almost wavering, but somehow remaining strong. I should be awarded a medal for the heroic effort it takes me to say my goodbyes, leave the office, and head home alone.

11

A wall of man

Sunday is the island’s end-of-summer festival. It marks the end of the tourist season with food, games, a few rides, and booths from local businesses hoping to gain more sales from Four Points locals and remaining vacationers.

I helped my family prepare and pack up for the event but am grateful not to have to work our booth for the first time in several years. I’m excited about the day but when David arrives to pick me up, it occurs to me that I’m more excited about spending time out in the sun seeing friends and neighbors than I am about spending time with him.

I should be feeling more for him, shouldn’t I?

He looks nice and his company is pleasant, but my body and mind are not firing up in his presence. Not like they do with other men.

We make our way around the festival grounds together until David pulls out his phone, checking a text. “My buddy John just got here. He’s back by Main Street. Would you mind if I run back and meet him? You can look around and I’ll find you again.”

“That’s fine.” I’m actually relieved. I could use a little time to think. I don’t want to waste my time or David’s time, and things just don’t feel the way they should. My gut is telling me I should stop seeing him.

I’m heading toward a jewelry booth that’s caught my eye when there’s a tap on my shoulder followed by a full-on hug as soon as I turn.

“Lacy!”

“Maddy! How are you?” I return her hug with an even bigger one. As soon as we detach, I turn around to look for Amelia. Maddy’s four men are behind her, and there’s a baby carrier strapped to the front of Josh.

“Is she in there?” All I can see are a sun hat and little dangling legs. In contrast to Josh’s broad chest, the little bundle that is baby Amelia looks almost smaller than she did when I met her at the hospital a few weeks ago.

Josh lifts her hat and I catch the sweetest glimpse of button nose, rounded cheek, and impossibly long lashes. In awe, my voice drops down to a whisper. “She’s so precious.”

“Especially when she’s sleeping,” Maddy laughs. “How’ve you been? Walk with us. We’re looking for my mom’s booth, actually.” In a teasing tone, she adds, “Maybe she has apple fritters.”

“Yum.” I join my friend, and the Harding brothers fall in step behind us, following at a distance so Maddy and I can talk.

“So how are things going with David?”

“I’m here with him, actually. He just went off to find a friend. Things are okay.”

She frowns. “Just okay?”

“Yeah. I think I need to end things. Not that there’s much to end. We just went out a couple of times.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. It’s fine. Really.”

Just as we catch sight of the bakery booth, a wall of man approaches from the opposite direction. Derek and Landon each raise a hand in greeting. Ash nods, and Nathan says, “Hi, Lacy” as they pass. There’s a corresponding kick in my belly that I’ve never felt when I see David, not even when we were together in high school.

Maddy swivels her head to watch them go, then turns back to me. “Who was that? The one guy looked familiar.”

“Those are my bosses. You met Nathan at Rusty’s last year.”

“Your bosses?” Her tone is one of utter disbelief.

“Yep.”

“Wow. I mean, they’re not as good looking as my men–” She turns to smile back at Adam, Matt, Josh, and Jake. “But wow. Must be hard working for them.”

She makes it sound like a joke, but I correct her, lowering my voice. “It actually is hard. They want to be more than my bosses – all of them, together – and resisting them takes all of my effort.”

Maddy stops in her path and looks at me with raised eyebrows. “Wait. What? Tell me, how and why are you resisting them? Because you’ve been dating David?”

I sigh. “Sort of. I mean, yes. Even though David and I have just been casually dating, I wanted to give us a chance. But my main reason is that I’m looking for a relationship, not just sex.”

My friend starts walking again, at a much slower pace. “Hmm. Okay. Well, how do you know your bosses wouldn’t be down for both?”

“Down for a relationship? All four of them? You mean like your guys?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“First of all, they’re not brothers. As far as I know, they don’t live together or anything. I don’t think they’d ever enter into a relationship together. Even individually, none of them are interested in settling down. They’re all about short-term fun. There’s a constant stream of women in their lives.”