House of Boys

Part 3

You went downstairs after fully unpacking to find four boys actually cooking. All four of them. Each was doing something in the kitchen, even though Ian was just kind of lost, pretending to get work done.

"Uh, what's going on in here?" you asked, trying to hold back a bit of laughter.

"Well, usually we take turns, or order-in. But you're here now and we want you to feel welcome, so we're all pitching in a bit for a nice dinner. Welcome home," Brian smiled as the boiling water in the pot on the stove overflowed, sizzling and smoking like mad.

"It's made with love, I promise," Shawn added, looking up at you but immediately looking down when you caught his eye.

Again with the saying nice things. What the hell? "Well, what can I do to help?" you asked and Brian pointed you to the cutlery drawer as you proceeded to set the table.

Dinner was half-decent tasting as the five of you sat at the round table, talking about upcoming assignments and things you wish you'd have known coming into college. The boys then told you how it worked at their house, what the regular routine was, and so on. You fit right in and things were going great. Shawn hadn't said anything rude or confrontational, and you find of forgot that you were supposed to hate him.

It wasn't until you put an entire meatball in your mouth that things got a little weird. They weren't little meatballs, either. They were freaking huge. But you were listening and not really thinking and managed to fit the whole thing in your mouth with ease, catching Shawn shifting in his seat out of the corner of your eye. No one else noticed, but you were sure you heard him release a small "Oh my god," under his breath. Positive he was judging you for pigging out, you looked over at him, catching his eye. "That was so hot," he said jokingly, but there seemed to be almost an ounce of truth to it. You giggled.

You helped clear the table, insisting on washing the dishes after Shawn said he'd do it. You'd finally worn him down, but he was keen on doing the drying. You soaped and washed each dish, handing it over to Shawn to dry it. He'd reach some high cupboard to put it away that you wouldn't even think to keep dishes in. Being tall sure had its advantages, and you were positive you'd be climbing all over the counters to get plates and mugs for the next few weeks.

Matt decided last-minute to go hang out with his girlfriend, leaving the four of you to decide on a game. "We really only have a deck of cards, so looks like we're playing euchre. Ian, you're my partner," Brian stated, pointing at Ian and directing him to sit opposite him at the table, "Y/N, that leaves you and Shawn."

"What?!" you said as Shawn smiled, taking a seat across from you.

"You guys all know how to play? Deal goes to first black jack, we pass on or order up a trump suit, and then play for tricks, which is really just winning the hand that was just played. First team to win ten rounds wins the game. Cool?" he said, confusing Shawn a little. You grew up playing euchre, so you were fine, and Ian didn't seem to be too intimidated.

Picking up on Shawn's uneasiness, you turned to Brian, "Why don't we play an open hand, you know, just for practice?"

You looked over at Shawn as he mouthed a "Thank you," your way. You winked at him, subtly nodding your head in his direction.

Brian ended up dealing and you were to his left, meaning you had to lead. The first open hand was a little slow because you explained every single thing you did and why you did it, which was kind of embarrassing but you knew Shawn needed the help. He picked it up pretty quick, and you were soon playing real rounds. You and Shawn were dominating, and each time you'd win a round, you'd feel his socked foot brush against yours. Normally this would cause you to pull away, but you didn't. You ended up just resting your foot on his for the entire game until you won. It was kind of... nice?