Street Racer (Monthly Updates-For Now)

Chapter 9: Lounging

 The twins laughter is the first thing to register when I start to wake up the next morning. The second is that I've somehow been placed in a cocoon of warmth, and I don't think it's coming from my blanket. After we finished our game last night, we put away all the drinks and turned the living room into what essentially can be called a sleepover haven. We spread out blankets and pillows while Kota and Victor set up a movie. I was dead to the world before the opening credits finished.

I open my eyes slowly to see that sometime during the night I wound up wrapped around Silas like a Koala bear. My arm is wrapped around his waist, my head is on his chest, and my leg is flung over both of his. The arm around my waist lets me know that the heat on my back must be from Nathan. It's not as strong as Silas's natural heat, but then again Silas feels like a personal heater and I'm pretty sure not everyone runs that hot...but what do I know.

I try to look around for a way to disentangle myself without disturbing either one, while the twins are still giggling quietly. Apparently my stealth needs a little work because one of Silas's hands come up to my face, and lifts my chin so I can meet his eyes.

"Good Morning, Aggele Mou."

"Uh, hi." I mumble, slightly mortified at being caught in this situation.

I quickly use the hand around his waist to push myself up from the floor, effectively dislodging Nathan, who just rolls over and goes back to sleep, pulling a discarded pillow into his chest. I look around the room for the twins and see them on the couch with Luke and Gabriel. From the look of amusement on their faces, I'm pretty sure I know what they were laughing at.

"Sissy, you were cuddled up to Silas, does that mean you like him?" Carly giggles.

"Uh, where exactly did you get an idea like that?" I ask her, my cheeks turning slightly red at her question.

"Dr. Sean said that when you like somebody, you hold'em real tight and don't ever let go. And that's what you were doing to Silas so you must like him right?" Carly answers.

"Um..."

"You traitor." Sean pouts. I take another glance around the room and see him sitting up on the couch he slept on last night. His blond hair adorably curly, and a mock pout aimed at Carly. "You were supposed to keep that a secret."

"We don't keep secrets from sissy," Riley tells him with a frown.

"As well you shouldn't." Owen says from behind me. I turn my head and see him standing at the entrance between the living room and kitchen. His pajamas have been replaced by black slacks and a white t-shirt, with a v-neck sweater on top, and white socks with no shoes. Where could he possibly be going this early? And on a Saturday no less. "Sean what exactly are you trying to teach these children?"

"Why, the value of a secret between friends of course." Sean replies with a smile.

"Sissy says we shouldn't keep secrets." Riley tells him. "They only lead to misunderstandings and trouble."

"While I agree with you Miss Sang, I have to ask why you feel that way." Owen says to me.

"Secrets lead to trouble." I answer him with a shrug. "I know that people usually keep secrets because they think they're trying to help or prevent someone from getting hurt, but they usually do more damage than good. The person who is being left in the dark could've used the information to make an informed decision with the whole picture. How are people supposed to make the right choices for themselves when only given half the information?"

"An excellent point, Pookie." Sean says with a smile.

"Dr. Sean likes Sissy." Carly giggles.

"Hey!" Sean says with mock indignation, "Who's side are you on? I'm gonna have to stop telling you my secrets if you're just going to tell them all."

"Never trust a eight-year-old with your secrets Sean." I tell him with a smirk. "Especially if they're my eight-year-olds."

"Duly noted." He says with a twist of his lips, still pouting at Carly.

"Why are there blankets all over the floor?" Riley asks. "Did you all sleep in here?"

"Yeah we did buddy." Luke answers him.

"Why? Don't you all have your own beds? I have my own bed, but Carly and I share sometimes 'cause she's scared of the dark."

"Am not!."

"Are too."

"Hey, who wants to go help North cook breakfast?" Gabriel intervenes.

"I do!" They say together, before running off into the kitchen.

"Thanks." I say to him with a smile. "That could've gotten real messy."

"No problem, Trouble."

"What are your plans for today Miss Sang? If you don't mind my asking." Owen asks me, as he takes a seat in one of the arm chairs that were pushed to the corner last night.

"Of course not, Owen." I reply with a smirk. I'm determined to get this man to loosen up. He can't be much older than I am. "We don't have much planned for the day. We were probably just going to head back home. Relax and rest up for tomorrow."

"What's tomorrow, Trouble?" Gabriel asks.

"I'm taking the twins to see a race."

"A street race? Is it safe for them?" Nathan asks.

"Well hello sleepy head." I say to him as he rubs his eyes. "And no, not a street race. NASCAR. I already had tickets for us, but a friend of mine is giving us an upgrade."

We lounge around talking for a while about how I got interested in racing before the twins come back out of the kitchen with North, Victor, and Kota behind them. They're all carrying in breakfast plates and the twins take a seat on the floor by the coffee table with theirs.North brings me and Silas our plates before going back into the kitchen for his own. Victor hands his two plates off to Gabriel and Luke, while Kota gives his two plates to Sean and Owen.

They go back in the kitchen once North comes back out with his plate and a pitcher of OJ. Victor comes back out with his plate and a stack of cups which gets passed around, and Kota comes out with plates for him and Nathan. I dive into my plate of eggs, bacon and grits with gusto, the twins surprisingly quiet as they eat their food as well.

Once we're all done, Kota shows Carly and I up to the third floor where we can wash up and change without the guys around, while they clean up breakfast and last night's sleepover. I offered to help, but was instantly turned down. I guess that's that southern charm I've been hearing about.

We come back out completely changed, and ready for the day. Carly and I wearing matching t-shirts that say "My sibs are better than yours", blue jean shorts and sneakers, or in Carly's case, sandals. When we walk into the living room, I see that Riley's cleaned up as well and is wearing his black t-shirt that matches mine and Carly's, with blue jeans and sneakers. We spend the rest of the day joking around and playing video games. The twins are really comfortable with these guys, and I can only hope that they'll be the same with the guys from the track tomorrow.