Page 17 of Boys Like You

All three guys are staring at me when I walk back into the room.

“Holy shit, you look like a real girl,” Rocky mumbles. Maximus hits him in the chest with the back of his hand.

“As opposed to what? A fake one?” Mercer says.

“I still look terrible, and all the makeup on my face weighs a tonne, but I feel better.”

I look at the three of them standing side by side, all so different yet still incredibly handsome in their own ways. I notice Mercer has a slight bend in his nose; he must have broken it at some stage. Maximus is the shortest. He isn’t as stocky as Mercer or as lean as Rocky.

“Do any of you have a spare jacket? Mr Cole got me lots of jumpers and cute sweaters, but lifting my arms kills.”

Maximus walks over to a bag and pulls out a zip-up jacket and brings it over to me.

“He always has a spare jumper in his bag; Rocky always manages to lose his or gets it wet…”

“That’s what she said,” Rocky jokes, cutting Mercer off. I take the jacket and laugh at Rocky. Getting it on my arms is easy, even if it does swim on me.

Once I’m dressed and get my shoes on, the guys and I make our way to the kitchen where Beth is sitting with Dawson, making him breakfast. Each of the guys kiss her on the cheek, and Mercer starts making coffee. Maximus sits at the table and Rocky pours a glass of juice, also pouring me one, bringing them to the table before making himself some cereal. He asks if I’m hungry but I shake my head no.

“What do you boys have planned today?” Beth asks.

“I was hoping it would be okay if JD came to watch me train.” Beth looks at him with a quirked brow, so he quickly adds, “My dad will be there.”

“We need to organise a phone for you, JD, because I have a feeling the boys will be taking you out a fair bit which is fine, as long as I know where you are at all times. I don’t want to seem strict, but I have rules to follow and I need you safe. If you’re not in the house, you must have at least one of them with you. I can’t have you getting lost or anything happening to you.”

Mercer’s phone beeps. I watch him read the message while Beth is talking about my safety, nodding when it’s needed.

“Maximus says Rory will have his old phone; he just upgraded his contract. He’s messaged him to ask, but you know Rory – I don’t expect him or Levi to be up until at least lunch time. She can message you from our phones until we get it sorted,” Mercer assures Beth. She makes me promise to not overdo it today, and to come straight home if I get sore. She only plans to take the small children to the beach today, so she’s happy to give me a ride if necessary.

Mercer drives us to the indoor track where a man is waiting out the front. He’s wearing black Adidas pants and a zip-up jacket, holding a sports bag. He is handsome, his dark hair slightly greying. He smiles when he notices Rocky and I jump out of the car. We say goodbye to Mercer and Maximus, and as I watch them drive off, my nerves start to take over. Rocky takes my hand, giving a gentle squeeze as he introduces me to his father.

“Hi, you must be JD,” he says, holding out his hand, which I accept.

“That’s me, or it is until I know who me is.” He chuckles at my joke, as does Rocky.

“I’m Rick, Rocky’s extremely handsome father.” He doesn’t say it in a creepy way, just a joking kind of way. Rocky smiles, taking his sports bag from his dad.

“Not as handsome as your son,” Rocky adds. “How about we do this so I can spend the holidays hanging out with my friends?”

“Okay, but you have weight training tonight with Mercer.” Rocky rolls his eyes and walks off to get changed. I walk inside with Rick. The building is amazing. There are two full-size running tracks, with huge grandstands around the outside. Rick tells me there is another outdoor track for when the weather is nicer. I take my seat on the stands and wait for Rocky. My jaw drops when he walks out in his tight spandex-looking outfit and he smiles wide when he notices me looking.

“Might want to wipe the drool from your chin,” he jokes, putting his bag down beside me.

“I… Shut up. What do you expect coming out looking like that?” He laughs as Rick joins us.

“I’m going to warm up.” I nod at him and watch as he sits beside the track and starts stretching. Another runner sits beside him and starts doing the same warm ups, followed by slow laps. Rick stands by the side of the track, and after a while, they stop, listening to what Rick has to say, I tune out and stare as they both stand side by side. The other guy is just as lean and broad as Rocky. Running may just be the way to start a day.

After what feels like an eternity, I decide a few hours of this daily would be extremely boring. The upside is the eye candy. Rocky and his friend make their way towards me from the other side of the track, both in spandex outfits and special running shoes.

Do not look at his crotch, JD, keep your eyes up. Damn it, my eyes betray me. Holy crap, they should be illegal, they hide nothing!

When the guys reach me, my face must be bright red. Rocky just winks at me. His friend has red hair and light crystal-blue eyes, and he knows he is good looking; his demeanour screams player.

“Hey,” he says, holding out his hand. “I’m Mac.”

I stare at his hand and look at Rocky. It should be easy to reach out and make that connection, but for whatever reason, I can’t. It makes no sense when I can touch the guys without any problem, hell, even Rick was okay. But this guy? I just can’t. He retracts his hand, and strangely, he doesn’t seem offended.

“Mac, this is my friend JD.” Mac smiles and looks me over. He can’t be serious right now, I still look like a freak and he is checking me out.

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