Gypsy - Book 3 of The Academy Kids Series

Working with Mchotties

  Micah

It was fascinating to watch Amanda with the team. She seemed to slot right in, like she'd always been there. We talked more about her part of the plan and some of her ideas were a bit off the wall. Still, they weren't entirely without merit. She certainly knew more about performing, and keeping attention on her, than we did. It didn't take long before we had her part of the plan ironed out and contingency plans in place. Given the amount of energy she always seemed to have, I was a bit amazed that she seemed perfectly content to stay in the little circle we'd created around her, which was fine by me since none of us could stop touching her.

Every now and then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught Lacey peeking in at us. Her eyes would take everything in and I could almost see her imagination churning. She'd be cornering Wes later. The relationship between Wes and Lacey repaired the fastest in the family, though the rest of us are working on it.

We wrapped up the meeting and walked Amanda out. None of us were quite ready to explain our family, even if she had brought up dating us all and they were due to start coming home soon. I glanced around expecting to see an unfamiliar vehicle and frowned when all I saw were cars that belonged here.

"Gypsy?" Isaiah asked, "Where's your car?"

Amanda smiled and shrugged, "Chase dropped me off. I'll walk home. It's not that far."

I scowled, "Like hell you will." Grabbing her hand I led her over to one of the SUVs we kids shared. "My dad would kill me if I let our girlfriend walk home." I almost missed the swift intake of breath. I glanced back at her. "What?"

"Girlfriend?"

I blinked a couple times, not understanding her confusion. She'd agreed to dating my brothers and I, that made her our girlfriend. Amanda sighed, tucking a lock of blonde hair behind an ear and she smiled at me indulgently.

"You really don't understand girls do you?"

I shrugged. I'd never needed to understand girls. I always knew I'd know my partner when I met them. I didn't need to understand girls since I'd no intention of dating anyone but my partner. Amanda slipped her hand out of mine and strolled over to hop in on the passenger side of the SUV.

"Take me home then, Micah." Laughter laced her voice but I still couldn't figure out what was so funny. I glanced at Isaiah, who just shook his head.

"I'll explain later. Better get her out of here before the 'rents get home."

The ride was quiet, Amanda giving me directions when needed. I figured her mind must be working a mile a minute, trying to figure out all the things we didn't say at the house. I pulled into her drive, taking in her home. A simple, single story in good repair, lawn taken care of, as well as the two trucks sitting in the drive. The house wasn't in a neighborhood, instead sitting on a patch of land surrounded by a simple fence. I'd noticed Amanda slipped off her sandals during the drive and now she drew her feet and tucked them under her as she turned to me. She seemed as reluctant as I was for the drive to be over.

"Let me take you out tomorrow, anywhere you want." The words left my mouth without conscious thought. I just wanted to spend more time with her.

"Sure, okay." She glanced at the window and sighed. " I should go in. My brother's watching us. I'll text you tomorrow?"

"Alright. Tomorrow."

She slipped out of the truck, sandals clutched in one hand. I watched her until she let herself in, then drove off. I couldn't wait for tomorrow.

Amanda

I braced myself as I walked in, knowing what was, or rather who, was waiting just inside.

"Who was that?" though his voice was steady, even and gentle, Johnny still managed to growl the question out. I rolled my eyes, not bothering to hide it. My dad and brother were way over protective. "Why was he bringing you home? You left with Chase. Where did you meet him? What happened to Chase? Amanda!"

Johnny's questions followed me as I ignored him and headed to my room. I didn't really know how to answer them, since the answer was kind of complicated and honestly, a little hard to believe. Who ended up dating three guys at once, and them all being okay with it? I was under no illusions it would last. I would have to choose eventually, and when I couldn't that would be the end of it. I was jerked to a halt by the sudden grip on my shoulders, gentle but firm. As a football player, Johnny was always aware of our size difference and always careful with me. His firm tone and use of my actual name made me stop almost as much as his grip.

"Who was that boy? And don't tell me no one. I saw the way he looked at you." Johnny's stern glare attempt would have made me laugh out loud if I wasn't utterly stumped at his words.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

It was Johnny's turn to roll his eyes. "That guy practically had cartoon hearts in his eyes."

I scoffed. "We've only known each other a few weeks Johnny. I hardly think that's true." No matter how much I want it to be. It was fine though. I'd take what time I got them and enjoy every moment. And when the time came I'd walk away with no regrets. I slipped out of Johnny's grip, the conversation becoming too real, and evoking too many depressing thoughts for me to handle. I just wanted to enjoy the fact that I had a date tomorrow.

"I'll be fine!" I called as I continued down the hall to my room. I would be too, no matter what happened, because life deserved to be lived and that's exactly what I planned to do.