Page 57 of Five Mountain Daddies

“He can be overprotective sometimes,” Henry says. “He means well, just wants you to be happy. But sometimes we gotta talk about bad stuff,right?”

“Sure,” I say, sighing. “I had a feeling that’s whathappened.”

“Well, you were upset that night,” Ryan says. “And honestly, I agreed with him. I didn’t think it was worth upsetting you again. Might as well enjoy what we have while we haveit.”

I sigh and glance away. “That’s how I’ve been thinking aboutit.”

“Good.” I look back and Ryan’s grinning at me. “Cheerup.”

I manage a weak smile as the guys launch into a work discussion, something about shipping and orders and all that crap. I half pay attention, although it doesn’t really affect me atall.

The day grinds on and I just keep thinking about that conversation. We should enjoy what we have while we have it, and he’s right about that, except I know it doesn’t have to end. It’s ending because I’m choosing to endit.

I’m choosing to give up paradise because of a dream that I think might make me happy. Even though I have something right here, right now that makes me happier than I ever thought possible. Hell, it’s not just happiness. It’s totalfulfillment.

That’s a surprising thought, and I keep mulling it over the rest of the day. I’m fulfilled here in a way I never thought was possible at Leadwood. It’s not just the guys and the sex, which is great, but it’s the job and my overall life in general. I get to be a part of their discussion about how to improve this place, which I’m finding matters more and more to me as time goes by. James’s enthusiasm is infectious, and I suspect it’s why all the other guys are so on board at thispoint.

But it’s that idea of being fulfilled that I keep coming back to. I always thought that one day I’d become a great museum curator, or at least get a good job in a good museum in a big city, and that was how I’d find some measure of fulfillment. I never imagined I’d find it at home, with five men that are all years older than I am. But I essentially have no worries here, and my happiness far outweighs anythingelse.

That’s what I keep thinking about as I head home. Normally one of the guys is waiting for me down by my car with food, a bottle of wine, some excuse to come back with me. But today there’s nobody, and I feel a strange pang of disappointment as I drive back to the apartmentalone.

I park in my usual spot toward the back of the lot, intensely aware of my privilege in this building, and head inside. I ride the elevator to the top floor, and as the doors slide open, I’m still trying to understand how I can feel so good here, and yet want toleave.

I step out of the elevator, then stop in my tracks. All five guys are standing in front of me, smiles on their faces. James is holding flowers, Ryan is holding a bottle of wine, and the twins are wearing hardhats. Henry winks at me and walksover.

“What’s happening?” Iask.

“We have a surprise for you,” Henrysays.

James hands me the flowers, a dozen roses. I smell them and thankhim.

“Should I be nervous?” Iask.

He shakes his head. “Not at all,” he says. “But this is breaking one of my rules bigtime.”

I bite my lip. “I think I know whichrule.”

James grins at me, but doesn’t say anythingelse.

“We have the twins to thank for this,” Ryan says as we walk toward my apartment. The hallway is covered in plastic sheeting, so it’s just a single plastic tube that leads from the elevator to my doorway. I can’t see anything else going on in the upper floor, and for the first time, I’m actually wondering what’s on the otherside.

“We did this for you,” Caleb sayssimply.

Wyatt nods. “For you and for all ofus.”

I bite my lip. “What did you do?” Iask.

Ryan grins at me. “It was their idea. I bought out the residents up here, moved them into units downstairs, and I let them go nuts. Got to admit, they got a pretty damn gooddeal.”

“It’s why we haven’t been around as much,” Calebadmits.

“It was a gamble,” Wyattsays.

“But it’s gorgeous,” Henry cuts in. “Seriously, London. It’s amazing. And they did this in amonth.”

“Guys. What are you talking about?” I feel so totally lost and confused, but my heart’s beating fast, a quick flutter in my chest. I’m sweating a little bit, and I realize suddenly that I’m really, reallynervous.

We make it to my front door, but instead of going in, Caleb steps up to the plastic sheeting. He grabs one corner and looks at Wyatt, who grabs anotherone.

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