Pieces of Nine

4. Getting Ready

“Oy! Trouble! Are you ready?” Gabriel came barreling through my front door a little after 10 o’clock that morning.

North and I were snuggled on the couch watching a movie and we both glanced toward the entryway upon Gabriel’s exclamations. I tried to sit up, but North’s arms were unrelenting. He kept me pressed into his chest and released a slight huff when he felt me try to get up once more. I turned to him, and kissed his cheek softly. “North, please?” Another grunt from North, and he reluctantly let me go.

Gabriel rounded the corner into the living room with a smirk on his handsome face, his eyes alight with his teasing.

“Ready for what? Are we going somewhere?” I was a little confused. Wasn’t tonight my date with Silas?

“Hi Meanie!” I was so happy to see him. I’d seen him not even twenty four hours ago, but that was still too long. As I ran toward Gabriel, he dropped the bags so that he could catch me when I leaped into his able arms. Gabriel tightened his hold on me and turned his head towards my neck. He breathed a deep sigh, releasing me back to the floor.

“Hey, my beautiful girl. I’m here to get you ready for your hot date!” He wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. “Now march that sweet ass back to the couch while I gather all the stuff that I need.” All the stuff that I need? What exactly was going to be happening tonight? When I asked Gabriel if he knew, he popped me on the thigh. “Stop asking questions. You don’t need to fucking worry about it. I have everything under control.” He gave me a wink and nodded his head toward the couch. Telling me to just listen and do what he says. I huffed in exasperation. When weren’t these boys hiding secrets from me?

North stood as I was heading towards the couch. Sweetly, he kissed me on the cheek. “I’ve gotta head out Sang Baby. I’m helping out at the diner during the lunch shift.” I pouted out my bottom lip. It didn’t matter how long I got to spend with the boys, it was never enough. North gave me a tiny smile. “I’ll be back later. Promise.” All I could do was nod my head at him. “You!” He pointed his large fist at Gabe. “Behave and keep your fucking hands to yourself. If I hear about any funny business going on while I’m gone, I’m gonna kick your ass.” With that, he strode out the front door towards the diner. Gabe just rolled his eyes, and sent me a conspiratorial grin.

“Alright Trouble.” He clapped his hands together and rubbed them as if he were trying to warm them. “Let’s get busy!”

Nearly four hours later, I’d been scrubbed, primped, polished and coiffed to perfection- according to Gabriel anyway. He had washed my hair and styled it in loose curls that were casual bit still very pretty. My toe and finger nails were painted a soft pink and my makeup was light and natural. When I looked in the mirror, I was pleased with what I saw. Gabriel had done an amazing job. Sometimes I wonder if he might just be magic.

 Luke and Nathan had showed up over the course of the morning and had spent the time making jokes and all around goofing off. Whether they meant to or not, the boys had calmed my nerves and set me a little more at ease. If I thought about the date with Silas too much, then it got my heart racing. I still didn’t know what was expected of me. Generally, I had an idea of what typically happens on a first date, I’m not completely out of touch. Hand holding, laughter, sharing stories and maybe even a kiss or two before the night is over. But just thinking about some of those things made me panic slightly. I hated not knowing what I was supposed to do and I didn’t want to disappoint Silas. Was he expecting these things from me? Would Silas hate me if I did something wrong and messed up our date? Suddenly, I felt the need to lie down.