Page 71 of Boys Like You

Group therapy. When Lissa mentioned it, I didn’t realise it would happen so soon. All six of us came straight after school Friday afternoon. We decided to use the guys’ therapist since he has worked with them all already. He knows their background, and they’re not comfortable sharing it all again with a new person.

“Come on in.” A middle-aged man with salt and pepper coloured hair holds the door open. We all follow him into his office. “It’s been a while since we had a group session, and I see we have a new addition. I’m Darren.” He holds out his hand to shake mine.

“For the time being, I’m JD.” We shake hands and he gestures to the couches, Rory, Rocky and Levi sit on one couch. I sit between Maximus and Mercer on the other.

“So, I know parts about JD and how she came into the group, I want to run over it again so we are all on the same page. You boys found JD on the beach, she has no memory of her past, she’s staying with Beth while the police look for her family.” Everyone nods at each thing he says.

“Correct,” Levi says, he is always the first to lead the conversation, unless Rocky jumps in with something inappropriate.

“How about we start with why you are all here today?” He looks at us all, waiting on who wants to start. Levi sits forward, realising it’s up to him.

“We all have feelings for JD, and as a group, have decided to date.”

Darren nods. If he is shocked by our confession his face doesn’t show it. “And you have discussed how that would affect you as a group?” he asks.

Mercer answers this time, leaning forward slightly, no longer slouching. “We understand there’s a chance JD may choose just one of us, we’re willing to take that chance.” Mercer looks to Darren for reassurance. I can tell he really respects the guy.

“That’s very mature, but have you considered your individual feelings? Set-backs you might have?”

“JD is worth it, Doc,” Rocky says, his knee bopping a million miles an hour.

“Okay, I can’t argue with that. How about when she finds out who she is?”

“We have, we graduate in a few months, we’re jumping in and hoping luck is on our side that there is no boyfriend and that she’s the same age as us, but somethings we will have to deal with as they come.” Rory looks at me and smiles. He is right, some things we can only deal with if they happen.

“Something else I need to ask, and this is going to get personal so I apologise.” He looks at me and around at everyone else, before speaking. “Sex, has it progressed that far yet?”

I internally groan. How many adults are going to ask about sex? Are they genuinely concerned or is it curiosity about how it will work? I don’t even know what sex with one guy feels like, let alone five. I’m not even sure how I will navigate a situation if they ask who is better at doing certain things. I think we will need some ground rules. Will they expect to have group sex? Is that even something I would consider? I feel heat start to pool in my lower stomach and shake any thoughts from my head.

“No,” Rory answers, and I smile at his tone.

“Actually, JD and I have fooled around. Things happened, but no actual sex,” Levi confesses. The others look on, surprised.

“I see that wasn’t known to some of the group. We can touch on that later, but I think we need to focus on JD for a moment.” He turns his gaze to me.

“Me?” I ask.

“Yes. I was sent your files and I have had a read. I worry that you may fast track sexual encounters with the boys to keep a block in place for your memories.” He turns to the group, addressing them. “You all need to consider her mental wellbeing. And with your backgrounds, you need to make sure the fallout doesn’t destroy your friendship. I recommend, and obviously can’t enforce it, to abstain from sexual contact. That connection can make separation worse.”

I almost snort, highly doubtful there will be no sexual contact.

He goes back to Levi and I fooling around. We all know he feels we should back off a little, but he is a smart man and lets us know he thinks if we are all venturing onto more than kissing we need to talk about what each person is comfortable with, and how to deal with jealousy.

We touch on me having other friends beside the guys. I tell him I am friendly with Maximus’s sister and Rocky’s athletics friend. He says it’s a good start, but I should try to branch out a little at a time. Making friends outside of them will help with my dependency on them.

He suggests if we continue our relationship that we continue group sessions; a safe place for everyone to be open and honest with the way they feel.

Once our hour is up, we head back to the cars. They all have their own plans tonight, and I think it’s the perfect opportunity for me to take a break and spend some time away from them.

Beth is still out with the kids when I get home, so I pack away the folded clothes she left on the couch, then flick through the movies to see if anything appeals. Nothing jumps out at me, and when I’m about to pack it in and grab a book to read, my phone starts to ring, and Mac’s name pops up on my screen.

“Hello?”

“Hey, are you coming to the party?” he asks.

“No, I didn’t know about any party.”

“Of course they didn’t tell you,” he says under his breath. “There is always a party, and it happens to be at my house again since the rents have gone to some exotic island where the weather is actually warm. You should come.”

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