I hobble out of the doctor's office, my right foot encased in a clunky black boot. The sprained ankle is a painful reminder of my clumsiness during dance practice, but I know Theo feels bad. Mark, Danny, and Theo are by my side, their concerned expressions reflecting their genuine care for me. Yesterday, I was sure that not a single one of them even gave a damn.
"I can't believe I have to wear this thing," I grumble, my voice filled with frustration. "And I won't be able to dance for a few days."
Mark's gaze flickers towards me for a brief moment before he averts his eyes, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. I notice the subtle tension between us, remnants of the unexpected kiss shared between us last night. The memory sends a shiver down my spine, but in front of Danny and Theo, I have to keep my emotions in check. What would they think if they found out about the kiss?
Danny shoots a glare at Theo, his irritation evident. "You should have been more careful, Theo. You know how important dance is to Faith. This wouldn't have happened if you'd been watching out for her instead of making it harder."
Theo's expression shifts from guilt to remorse. "I'm really sorry, Faith. I didn't mean for this to happen. I shouldn't have pushed you so hard. You weren't ready."
I place a hand on Theo's arm, offering a small smile to ease his self-blame. I'm surprised when a jolt of electricity shoots down my arm. "It's not your fault. Accidents happen. Let's just focus on getting better."
Mark remains silent, his jaw clenched. I can feel his internal struggle, the unspoken words hanging in the air between us. But for now, we keep our distance, concealing the tension that threatens to unravel the delicate balance of our new acquaintanceship.
As we walk towards the parking lot, I lean on Danny for support, grateful for his presence. Theo walks a few steps ahead, his annoyance palpable. The dynamics of our group have shifted, and I'm acutely aware of the tangled web of emotions that binds us all.
I climb into Theo's car, noticing that Mark and Danny must have just walked or run from their place to the doctor's office, and settle into the passenger's seat, careful not to jostle my injured ankle. Theo takes the wheel, his knuckles white against the steering wheel, his focus on the road ahead. Danny and Mark sit in the backseat, casting occasional sideways glances in Theo's direction, their irritation still simmering beneath the surface.
The drive to their house is filled with an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the distant hum of the radio. I gaze out the window, lost in my own thoughts, contemplating the complexities of this dynamic. The unspoken tension between Mark and me hangs like a heavy fog, and it makes it hard to breathe.
When we arrive at their house, Mark puts the car in park, but none of us make a move to get out. The weight of unspoken words hangs heavily in the air, begging to be acknowledged, but we remain trapped in the prison of our own emotions.
"I should probably go," Danny says abruptly, breaking the silence. "I have some things to take care of."
Theo nods, still wearing a pained expression as he turns off the engine and glances briefly at me before looking back at Danny. "Yeah, I'll walk you out. Faith, I'll be back shortly to take you back to your dorm."
As they exit the car, their departure feels like a release of pent-up tension. Mark and I are left alone, the weight of the unspoken kiss pressing against us. I turn to face him, my voice barely above a whisper. "Mark, about last night..."
He cuts me off, his voice strained. "Faith, let's not talk about it now. It's too complicated, and we have enough on our plates."
I nod, a mix of disappointment and understanding flooding through me. "You're right. We have to focus on moving forward."
Mark's eyes meet mine for a fleeting moment before he looks away, his jaw tight. "Yeah, that's exactly what we need to do."
I turn back around in my seat and watch Theo and Danny head through the front door. We sit there awkwardly for a few moments before Mark speaks again.
"Do you want to come in?"
"Um. Are you sure that's okay?"
"Yes."
"I guess." With a heavy sigh, I open the car door, bracing myself against the pain in my ankle. Mark is there in an instant, supporting me, his chiseled body pressed against mine in a hold that reassures me. "Thanks," I murmur. "I feel like an invalid."
"You're not."
I don't say anything more as I hobble up the sidewalk and then the concrete steps to the front door, where Danny must have seen us coming because he opens it before Mark can reach for the handle.
"Hey," Danny's voice breaks through the tension, his eyes fixed on me. "Come on in, Faith, and make yourself at home."
His words hang in the air, laced with an unexpected warmth that catches me off guard. I step inside, feeling a mix of surprise and uncertainty. It's strange how quickly the dynamics have shifted between us, from hostility to camaraderie, and I can't help but wonder if their sudden change of heart is genuine or just a facade.
"Come sit down," Mark gestures towards the faded leather couch in the living room, his voice softer than before. I follow his lead, my footsteps light on the worn-out carpet. The room exudes a typical bachelor's vibe, but it's clean and somewhat organized, easing my apprehension. As I settle on the couch, Theo appears with a beer in hand, his eyes holding a flicker of anticipation.
"Thanks," I say, my voice tinged with a nervous chuckle, accepting the beer. The cool glass is a welcomed distraction as I pop the cap and take a long, deliberate sip. Their gazes linger on me, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and something else, something I can't quite pinpoint. I lower the bottle, an awkward smile playing on my lips, expecting my honesty to send them running.
"My dad used to drink beer like a sailor," I admit, my voice laced with vulnerability. "He let me try some when I turned thirteen, and I loved it. Of course, I've hardly drunk since then. My stepmother only allowed wine in the house—for herself." I cringe inwardly at my sudden confession, feeling like a babbling fool. But to my surprise, the guys lean in, their interest piqued.
Mark takes a seat beside me, his proximity stirring a mix of excitement and unease within me. Across from us, Danny and Theo settle on another loveseat, their eyes trained on our interaction. The atmosphere crackles with unspoken tension, and I can't help but feel a magnetic pull between us.
"How would your parents feel if they knew you were here with three guys drinking beer in their living room?" Theo's question hangs in the air, his voice laden with implications. Just as the words escape his lips, my phone buzzes in my pocket, a clear reminder of the outside world. With a newfound boldness, I ignore the call, choosing to immerse myself in the allure of this moment. It's probably Sadie, calling to make sure I'm behaving myself.
"Sadie would have a bitch fit," I admit, my voice tinged with both amusement and resignation. "It doesn't matter that I'm legally an adult."
Mark chuckles, his eyes lingering on mine, causing a cascade of sensations to ripple through me. There's an intensity in his gaze that sets my pulse racing, making my cheeks flush with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Across from us, Danny and Theo observe our exchange, their expressions unreadable yet charged with unspoken desires.
"Then it's a good thing Sadie's not here," Mark's voice drips with a hint of seductive mischief as he meets my gaze, his words hinting at a hidden meaning. The warmth that spreads from my neck to my face intensifies as we lock eyes, the unspoken connection growing stronger with each passing moment. I steal a glance at Danny and Theo, trying to decipher their thoughts, their desires. Their expressions reveal nothing, but the energy in the room is palpable, thick with unspoken possibilities. In this charged atmosphere, a whirlwind of longing and anticipation takes hold, weaving a complex web of tangled desires between the four of us.
"I—I think I should go home," I say after a few moments of tense silence. I don't want to admit it's because I'm uncomfortable now, caught between three men who seem to make my insides tingle with desire. I need to breathe, need to separate myself from this strange atmosphere before something happens.
"We'll take you home," Danny says, his eyes on me. "Let's go."
I walk gingerly alongside Mark, Theo, and Danny, my arm securely draped around Mark's shoulder for support as we make our way to the car. The pain shoots through my injured ankle with each step, but I ignore it, too distracted by the tension between us. The cool night air does little to soothe my throbbing ankle, but the warmth of the guy's presence offers some comfort as we make our way back to my dorm. The ride is silent. No one speaks. I take a moment to check my phone, noticing that not only has Sadie called several times, but so has Tara, and a moment of apprehension slithers up my spine. I open a text message from Tara and read it silently.
Your parents are here…
Shit.
Mark must notice the look on my face because he leans forward from the backseat, eyes narrowing in my direction.
"Are you okay?" he asks, and immediately Theo and Danny look at me, too.
"My parents are waiting at the dorm," I tell them. "The doctor must have called them after we left the clinic."
"They're probably just concerned," Theo says, but he doesn't sound convinced. I don't blame him, not after the little bit I've told them about Sadie. The rest of the drive is silent, and I'm surprised when all three men step out of the car to escort me back to my room, despite the looming confrontation that I know must be ahead.
As we approach the entrance of the dormitory, my heart quickens its pace. I know what awaits me inside—confrontation, disappointment, and anger. The familiar corridor stretches ahead, the fluorescent lights casting a sterile glow on the linoleum floor. Mark opens the door to my room, and we step inside, the tension thick in the air. Theo and Danny follow closely behind, their expressions a mix of concern and unease.
And there they stand, my father and Sadie, waiting for me with stern expressions etched upon their faces. Sadie's eyes narrow as she takes in the sight of me, her lips pursed with an underlying fury. My heart sinks as I meet their gaze, my guilt weighing heavily upon me. Tara is sitting on the edge of her bed, looking guilty for some reason, but relief washes over her face when we arrive.
"What on earth were you thinking, Faith?" Sadie's voice carries a sharp edge, cutting through the silence. "You were explicitly told to focus on your studies, not go gallivanting around and dancing like a fool!"
Her words pierce my heart. I lower my gaze, unable to meet her accusing eyes. "I... I didn't think it would be that bad to join the team. I just wanted to have some fun this semester," I stammer, my voice barely a whisper. Sadie's anger doesn't waver as she turns her wrath toward Mark, Theo, and Danny. Her voice rises, dripping with a mix of disappointment and fury.
"And what about you three? Who are you? Were you with her when she did this?"
Mark steps forward, his voice steady but filled with remorse. "Faith is on our team. She tried out, and she was wonderful. This was nothing but a freak accident."
Theo and Danny nod in agreement, their expressions apologetic. Sadie's anger seems to intensify as their words hit home. I watch the exchange, feeling a mixture of shame and frustration. I had put not only myself but also Danny, Theo, and Mark in an uncomfortable position. Their loyalty and concern shine through their remorseful eyes, but it's overshadowed by Sadie's furious glare.
"She was told not to dance," she seethes. "And look what happened."
Silence settles upon the room, broken only by the distant hum of the air conditioning. My father's voice cuts through the tension, his tone a mix of disappointment and concern.
"Faith, you know better than to disregard our rules. We're not angry because we don't want you to have fun. We're upset because we care about your well-being."
I want to tell him how untrue that is. What Sadie says, goes, and he doesn't seem to understand that. She doesn't want me to have fun; she wants me to cooperate.
And I'm over it.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to worry you or disappoint you. I should have listened." I'm speaking only to please them. The sooner I can convince them of my undying loyalty, the sooner they'll leave. Next to me, Mark tenses up, as if silently disagreeing with my approach. But it doesn't matter, because they don't know my dad and Sadie like I do.
"I think you boys should go," Sadie says, and I'm surprised it's taken her this long to kick them out. I know she's hating the fact that I've made friends, especially male ones. I brace myself for the lecture about how toxic she'll try to convince me they are.
"Faith?" Danny says, squeezing my arm. "Are you okay here?"
Sadie narrows her eyes, but I'm grateful for his concern. "Of course," I say softly. "Thank you all for taking care of me today." None of them look like they want to leave, but I'm grateful when they finally turn and go, taking away Sadie's motivation to bitch at us more. Once they're gone, Sadie turns to me, her arms folded firmly across her chest.
"I spoke to your professors, and they've agreed to let you do your coursework online for the next few days," she says. "We can't have you walking around on a sprained ankle. It will only make it worse."
I know her concern isn't for me, it's to keep me from dancing and socializing, but I nod in agreement anyway. Whatever gets her out the door quicker.
"I'll keep an eye on her," Tara pipes up from her place on the bed. I'd almost forgotten she was there.
"Thank you, Tara," my father says. Sadie says nothing like she's not convinced, but after a long moment, she simply sighs and turns to the door.
"Behave yourself, Faith," she says, reaching for the handle. "We don't want to pull your college funding, but we will."
I don't answer. What is there to say? Arguing with Sadie is like yelling at a brick wall. It's pointless.
"Love you, baby," my dad says, and I give him a brief hug. Sadie offers nothing as the two of them finally leave, shutting the door loudly behind them. I turn to Tara, whose eyes are wide.
"That was—interesting," she says, a frown creasing her brow. I nod and sit down on the edge of my own bed.
"Welcome to my life."
"So, do you want to tell me what happened?" she asks, and so I do. I tell her everything. Because as of right now, Tara is the best friend I have in this place.