Midnight Blues // Jake Kiszka

two

The cabin was nothing like I expected. Sam had explained to me, in the car, that this was the place they came to write and disconnect themselves from the world and now, I understood why. It had charm to it, and a kind of grandeur that you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. When I had heard the word cabin, I had immediately thought of the freezing cold, and maybe some cozy little space with a couch and a couple of blankets. This cabin was pretty much a house. It took all my expectations and threw them out the window. 

"Holy crap." I said, as we pulled up. 

"I knew you'd like it," Josh said, turning around from the driver's seat to smile at me "this is our safe haven of sorts." 

"I can see why, it's absolutely beautiful." 

"Just wait until we get inside." Jake chuckled. 

That was the first time I had heard him speak since the introduction. It had caught me off guard and made my stomach whirl like one of those wacky rides at the fair. Josh parked and we started taking things in. We had all only packed an overnight bag, so it wasn't much. Josh insisted on carrying my backpack, although he saw that I could carry it myself. 

"It's like practice for the real thing." He winked. 

I rolled my eyes and obliged. I was getting paid a lot of money, so I couldn't really complain. Josh was sweet from what I could gather so far, a bit theatrical, but sweet. I don't think it'll be hard to be his fake girlfriend. Walking into the house, I saw what Jake meant. The inside was illuminated so romantically and there was more than enough room for everyone. There were even stairs that lead to another floor. 

"Thoughts?" Josh asked when he noticed me standing in the middle of all the bustle just blankly admiring everything. 

"Wow." 

He laughed as if he hadn't seen this reaction from anyone before. 

"Come on, I'll give you a tour." He said, grabbing my hand. He showed me around the common areas downstairs, and the upstairs was all just bedrooms. 

"Josh, this is absolutely beautiful. It's like a paradise." 

He smiled. "This is your room." He said. 

"We're not sharing one?" 

"I figured you'd be more comfortable if we worked up to that. I don't just assume." He smiled again.

He really was sweet. All of them seemed like they were. The knot that had been in my chest finally unwound. 

"I'll let you shower and change and then you can meet us downstairs. We're gonna make something for dinner and then maybe some card games." 

"Thank you." I said. 

"No, thank you, you're doing me a favor." 

"You don't understand how much of a favor you're doing me." I almost started tearing up

Josh pulled me into a hug. I was taken aback, but reciprocated almost instantly. This was safe. I was safe. 

"Listen, just because this is a publicity stunt doesn't mean we can't be a real team. We're in this together and I promise I won't let anything happen to you." He said. 

It was like this boy was reading into the depths of my soul. 

"Thank you, Josh, really." 

"You're welcome, Freya."

**

The warm water felt nice over my skin, washing away the day's tension from my muscles. I hadn't realized I was in there for a bit but rushed to go and help the boys in fixing food. I towel dried my wet hair and combed through it with my fingers on the way downstairs. The aroma coming from the kitchen was welcoming. 

"Do you guys need any help?" I asked, entering the room. 

"Nope, we've got it all  handled. It's almost done too!" Josh exclaimed. 

I took a minute to take in the scene. Josh and Jake had their aprons on, moving things from the oven to the counter to cool. Sam and Danny were in the corner fixing something else. It was so precious to see. 

"I know what you can do, Freya! There should be a bottle of wine in the cabinet, can you just pour glasses please?" Sam asked. 

I nodded, making my way over to said cabinet. Luckily the wine glasses were right next to the bottle so I didn't have to do too much searching. I poured the glasses and handed them off to everyone, taking a sip from my glass afterward. 

"Alright you animals, time for dinner!" Josh yelled. 

"Hey!" Sam and Danny whined. 

We all congregated to the kitchen, helping ourselves to lasagna and garlic bread. There were so many conversations happening at dinner, I had to take a moment to just fall back and smile. I hadn't had dinner with someone, let alone a group, in so long. Josh noticed my silence and squeezed my hand, shooting a look of concern in my direction. I smiled, assuring him that I was fine. 

"Mac and Joy are here!" Danny yelled looking at his phone.  

"Danny's and Sam's girlfriends." Josh whispered to a confused me. 

I nodded. 

Two ethereal humans entered the house, and smiled at the lot of us. 

"Hey guys!" A curly haired girl greeted. Danny instantly got up and went over to hug her. 

The other girl, her polar opposite, gave a small wave to the room, walking over to Sam. She planted a kiss on his cheek, and he smiled through a cheek full of garlic bread. 

"Who is this lovely lady?" The curly haired girl asked. 

"I'm Freya, Josh's fake girlfriend, nice to meet you." 

"I'm Mackenzi, but most people call me Mac. I love your name, wow. I have to ask though...fake girlfriend?"

"To keep Josh safe from all the crazies, I was hired as a publicity stunt. I'm Josh's girlfriend for the next 5 months." 

"Makes sense. Well, welcome to the group. Hopefully these rascals haven't bothered you too much yet."

"Not at all." I smiled. 

"Good, so what do you say we play some Cards Against Humanity?" She asked, pulling the box out from her bag.