Chapter 13
We started our adventure with a nice, hot soak in one of the higher temperature pools. By this time, we had started switching from smoothies over to alcohol, and we could definitely tell that it was an adult drink. I sat between Deacon and Hunter in the pool and held both of their hands. I kept having to ask if I could have one of my hands back so that I could also drink what I ordered. They thought it was very amusing, and it was nice to see the brothers relaxing and enjoying each other's company, even though I sat between them. Both figuratively and literally.
"What should we do after this," Deacon asked nonchalantly, leaning his head back against the granite that lined each pool. He rolled his head to the side to look at me, as if I had an idea, so I just shook my head and shrugged. He then focused his attention on Hunter who was mid sip of his cocktail. Hunter's eyes widened as he realized that Deacon was looking at him, and now the question was pointed towards him. He looked away from Deacon, taking a moment to come up with something.
After a long pause from both of them, I cleared my throat and sweetly spoke, "you know, we don't always HAVE to do something, we could just hang out with the girls or go over to your place," I ended with a wink at Deacon so Hunter could see it. It was an earth-shattering discovery to them, as both their mouths dropped open. "What," I asked, confused and concerned by what I may have just started. Even though we had been at the hot springs for only a couple of hours, the boys pulled themselves out of the pool. Leaving their drinks and heading towards our towels.
I finally made a move to get out of the pool and was met with an already unwrapped towel. "Look, if any of you put make-up on me tonight, then you better not take any pictures," Hunter chuckled at me. I laughed along with him, droplets of water dripping on his face from his black strands of hair, then flying off as he laughed. He then brought himself closer to me and whispered in my ear, "I really enjoyed this date with you, even though Deacon is here." He smirked at me as he whispered it.
I could feel my face starting to get red, and remembered I was only wearing a bikini. I felt naked standing next to Hunter. He must have been reading my mind, because he turned towards Deacon as I wrapped myself up in the towel. At least he was respectful on top of everything else. We walked back to our respective locker rooms and changed back into comfortable summer clothes. The group of girls must have gotten scared off or left, because they were no longer there. The big burly woman was still standing in front of my locker with some book that looked German.
"Thank you," I quietly chirped. The woman grunted again and disappeared back out into the waiting area and up the stairs. After I took a nice shower so I wouldn't smell gross anymore, I put on the new set of clothes I brought with me to change into. I gathered the rest of my things in my bag and met up with the brothers in the waiting area. "Woo, that shower was nice," I chuckled to them. They each grabbed a hand and let me out of the building towards the car. It was still very nice out, so they kept the top down on the car as we started towards the house.
–
The girls were all sprawled out across the living room and kitchen. Claire was making some popcorn, while the other two were stretched out on the couch and floor. Sadie was flipping through streaming services trying to find a movie for them to watch. No one was paying us any mind until the door shut behind us. All three of them looked in our direction, then it was like an eruption of noise. "O-M-G! What are you guys doing here in the middle of the day," that was Jessie.
"Don't you guys have some kind of date to be on," Sadie asked, sounding a little jealous.
"When do we get our girl back," Claire pouted from the kitchen. The microwave rang to alert someone that it was done, then Claire poured the bag of popcorn into a giant bowl. She made her way to the living room, sitting against the couch on the floor. The girls' eyes were pleading for answers.
"Well, I figured we could hang out with you ladies this evening," I paused, "if that's okay with you guys." There was a moment of silence in the air while the three looked at each other, then they began squealing with joy. Clearly, it was a yes. The boys put their stuff down and took turns going up to my bathroom to shower, then after they finished, I quickly ran upstairs and took my own quick shower. I didn't want to smell like the soap from the hot spring. I met everyone downstairs.
The girls had all joined each other on the floor and pointed me towards the couch. Deacon and Hunter were sitting on both ends of the couch, waiting for me to come sit between them again like at the springs. I took my place in the middle, when I noticed the girls', eyes were on us. "Okay, now do the thing," Claire beamed. All of a sudden, Deacon and Hunter each laid a soft kiss on my cheeks. The girls giggled at this gesture that was bestowed on me, then Claire piped up again, "oh, I've never even seen Elise kiss a boy and now I've seen her kiss two! Wow, you go girl!" The room was filled with laughter.
Sadie settled on a romance, vampire movie, and the boys inched closer to me. Deacon grabbed my hand, and Hunter put his hand on my leg. I could tell where each of their priorities were. While we all sat in silence, I took a moment to ponder how I was feeling during this 'competition'. I felt more admiration and dare I say love for Deacon, but Hunter seems to be making some moves to try and win me over and so far, it does seem to be working. I got an idea in my head that I would share with Deacon after the movie ended.
–
Everyone but Deacon, Claire and I had fallen asleep, so we moved to the kitchen, so as to not disturb anyone. I sat on one of the stools at our kitchen counter and Claire sat down next to me. Deacon wanted to stretch his legs, so he stayed standing across from me. "So, what's on your mind? I could tell you were pretty lost in thought during the movie," Deacon smirked at me, pushing himself farther and farther ahead of Hunter.
"Well, I was thinking," I started, "what if, for the next couple of days… Hunter just took me on dates?" I spoke shyly, because I didn't know what kind of reaction I would get from Deacon. Astonishingly, he nodded his head. For the rest of the night the three of us talked in the kitchen and got to know one another even more. Hunter then poked his head up from the couch, saw us talking in the kitchen, then snuck up to my room to lay down. The other two girls followed suit and went to their own rooms. Deacon, however, grabbed his things, said he would text me and that he would see me in a couple of days.