Putting on Airs

Guilt and Gifts

"Trouble, we're here," Gabe coos from beside my ear.

My head rests on the car window, but Meanie's words have me instantly alert. I feel his breath fan across my face as he leans between the seats.

"Mr. Coleman, please assist Sang with getting inside. I will be in momentarily," Owen instructs while I continue to feign a sleep that no one is believing.

Finally opening my eyes, I see that we are yet again at Nate's house. It makes my skin crawl being so near my old house, but knowing Mitch is locked up, I soothe my nerves with just a few deep breaths.

Gabe happily climbs out of the back seat and opens my door for me. His eyes keep darting to my hair, and his fingers twitch with the need to move. I laugh quietly, knowing exactly what he's thinking.

"Go ahead, Meanie. Fix it before you hyperventilate," I tell him gently.

"Oh, thank fuck," he says quietly enough that I don't think I'm supposed to hear his words.

I stand still as Gabe releases my hair from its ties and finger combs the strands that fall in giant waves from being put up wet. Instead of twisting it back into a bun, he gathers it to one side and places it in a low ponytail. Again, the shorter strands frame my face.

Once he's done, his hand finds mine, and I'm tugged toward the door while Gabe smiles maniacally. We climb up the low steps to the door, and Meanie pushes it open.

"After you, Trouble!" he calls, unnecessarily loudly.

I give him a questioning glance, but walk in, toward the living room. As soon as I am level with the couch, seven male figures jump up from behind furniture or out from behind doors and release the balloons they hold while shouting 'surprise'. 

My heart nearly explodes with fright, but instead of jumping or running like a normal person, I'm stock still as I look to each smiling face. Actually, North looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here. There's none of the quiet amusement that I've come to expect in his eyes today. That pinches a little, but I ignore it as I'm still having to work at telling myself they aren't my step brother, and they won't hurt me.

When I'm finally able to shove my completely rational fear of people showing up out of nowhere down, a smile spreads across my face. Each of the guys approaches and wishes me a happy birthday and gives hugs. North stands off to the side, watching the parade of his family filing past with a dark look on his face.

"He's worried about his brothers, not mad at you," Owen states quietly from slightly to the side but behind me when he finally comes inside holding a large envelope.

"I told you I was going to cause trouble, and I haven't even done anything. I should go. I need to find somewhere else to live and get started cleaning again," I say as I take a cautious step backwards, as though sudden movements would cause an attack.

I watch the room in general as the guys find their own clusters to group in and activities to do. Luke goes into the kitchen saying he's going to pull out the party foods they prepared, while Gabe instructs Victor and Silas in stringing streamers around the room. Sean seems to have fallen asleep in the recliner he sat in after the "surprise." He must have worked overnight, the poor guy.

Aside from Owen and North, no one is watching me, so I take another step backwards. When anyone does glance my way, I stop, like a backwards game of 'Red Light, Green Light.' North's eyes narrow further, and I decide to pick up the pace. At this point, I don't care if anyone sees me making a break for it, so I turn fully and walk as quickly as my short, still-sore legs can carry me to the door.

I almost make it when an iron band wraps around my stomach.

"Not so fast there, Sang Baby. It wouldn't be much of a birthday party without the guest of honor," North's voice rumbles through me before he releases me as though it is my flesh scorching him instead of the other way around.