anyone in this family to not be good looking?
Standing at over six feet, Tom has a stocky build, similar to David. He has dirty blonde hair, falling around his face with subtle waves, touching the slight stubble that appears on jaw line. His warm eyes are surrounded by soft wrinkles. Full lips pull back into a smile, revealing a perfectly straight set of teeth. Despite being in his forties this man is obviously fit. He looks very…Brad Pitt-esque – similar to how Pitt looked in Troy.
“Nice to meet you,” I say lightly.
“It’s very nice to meet you too.”
So this is the infamous, Ryanne. Claire’s description doesn’t give her credit. She’s beautiful. I’m sure she already has these boys wrapped around her fingers. I giggle and close my eyes, concentrating on pushing his thoughts back into the locked box with the others.
“She’s trying to lock your thoughts away. She feels it’s an invasion of privacy to hear other people’s thoughts.” David explains to Tom, trying to imitate my voice.
“That’s understandable,” he replies sincerely. “It’s kind of a blessing in disguise. Burdening, yet helpful.”
When I get them pushed back, I open my eyes and see Colton walk up to his uncle and give him a manly hug, patting him on the back. “What brings you here?”
“I don’t know. Claire called and told me that I may be needed here.”
“You’re about two hours too late,” David replies, chuckling. “We were showing Ryanne some self-defense.”
“That’s fine. I’m staying here for a couple of days. I can help.”
“Great, it’ll probably take me that long to learn the simple steps. I need all the help I can get,” I say. “They were telling me how you used to train them when they were younger. You trained them very well. With all three of you helping, I’m sure I can learn something.”
He beams at me and I find myself swallowed in a tight hug. “I like this girl already.”
He pulls back and I step out of his embrace. “Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to take a shower. I feel gross.”
“Sure, go ahead,” says Colton.
“Do you know how to get back to your room?” David asks.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I remember,” Turning around I start walking away. I call over my shoulder, “I’ll see you guys in a little bit.” I make it back to my room with no problems and jump into the shower, wiping off all the sweat from my body. I smile to myself knowing that now I will at least have some knowledge on how to fight back if needed. It feels empowering knowing that I’m not going to always be the damsel in distress anymore.
Chapter Twelve
I get dressed into a pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt, leaving my hair to air dry. It would end up curly either way. I walk past a room and hear voices inside. Peaking in, I see David, Colton and Tom all sitting on the couch, watching a movie.
“Come on in, sweetie. Join us,” shouts Tom.
I walk in and look at the TV. I have no idea what they are watching, some loud movie with lots of car explosions and shooting. Typical guy film. I stop on the left side of Colton, looking for somewhere to sit. All three guys take up the whole couch. I move to sit on the ground in front, but Colton reaches out and pulls me over the side of the couch and into his lap. I gasp in shock and stare at him. Winking at me, he readjusts me off to his side, leaving me sitting on his lap, with his arm around my shoulder. I fit perfectly against him. He turns his attention back towards the screen. Normally, I would have moved myself, but I’m surprisingly comfy.
All the guys laugh at me as I jump each time a shot is fired. I am okay with PG-13 violence, but this isn’t that. This is gruesome, showing each injury graphically, blood and gore everywhere. I hide in Colton’s shoulder for most of the movie, refusing to look at the screen.
Hearing music, which I assume is the end credits, I speak into Colton’s shirt, “Is it over?”
I feel his chest rumbling, as if he is laughing at my question, “Yes, you can look now.”
I slowly turn around and see a black screen with white names scrolling up. I breathe out a sigh of relief, which causes another round of laughter.
“That movie was horrible,” I say.
David shakes his head amused, “No,