Into My Own

Thirty-One

"Wanna hear a funny story?" Oakley asked.

Blake, Kellan, Oakley and I were all sprawled out on the various furniture in the rec room of Kellan's house, some movie playing loudly in the background.

Oakley had convinced me to stay the night at her house and then drug me to the Dace mansion. My drunken episode exactly a week before seemed to be completely forgotten.

"Sure," I answered, seeing as neither of the cousins were paying much attention.

"Okay, so this is about the first real date I went on."

I nodded, motioning for her to continue.

"So the kid shows up at my house right on time just like he promised. I'm downstairs putting in my earrings and whatever and the boys let him in."

"Oh no. I think I know where this is going..." I giggled.

"Most likely. Anyway, Shawn opens the door and I can hear them talking. I come into the kitchen, ready to make a grand entrance and whatever, but guess what. Here are all three of my brothers sitting at the kitchen table. My date is standing on the rug looking ready to bolt. They literally brought out every gun we owned and all the cleaning kits and bullets, plus the hunting knives and the sharpener!"

It wasn't hard for me to imagine the three Meisner boys pulling that stunt.

"And nobody cracked a smile or said a word. They just sat there! Staring at the poor kid!"

I let loose another bark of laughter.

"The only words spoken were from Matt. He stands up, serious as can be, grabs the kid's shoulder and tells him to have me back by nine thirty."

"I bet he never asked you out again," I giggled.

"You got that right. And the whole date was super awkward. He wouldn't touch me or make eye contact or anything!" Oakley whined. "He dropped me off at the house at eight. We left at seven."

"Can't say I blame him," Kellan piped up.

"Wuss..." Blake muttered under her breath.

"Blake, you don't get it. Getting the men in the family to like you is an even bigger challenge than getting the girl."

"Whatever!" She rolled her eyes.

"Protection is a guy thing. Let me break it down for you. First time you have a date come and pick you up, I'll be here. And I'll probably have a gun or two out. If the kid seriously likes you, he'll respect you more 'cuz he knows you have a cousin and an uncle who'll hunt him down if he tries anything. It's for your own good."

She nodded, absorbing the information.

"These morons really do care about us. They just have a shitty way of showing it," I giggled, throwing an arm around the boy next to me.

His face wrinkled slightly, as if trying to figure out what I meant.

I laughingly removed my arm from his broad shoulders and tucked my bare feet under me on the couch.

"Have you seriously never brought a guy home?" Oakley asked Blake, incredulous.

"Nope. Haven't found one good enough... I'm more of a 'flirt with you until I realize you're just an idiot looking for a good time' kind of girl."

"There's a lot of idiots out there," Oakley agreed. "I've never had an actual boyfriend. Just flings."

"Those are the worst," I piped up. "Like, you sit there waiting for them to ask you out, make a move, feeling like a side chick or something..."