On the real though, I don’t know what I did, but God was shining down on me.

Them 7 years of sunday school really pulled off.

Because, Me, Eloise Perry, had landed a goldmine.

I had found, randomly because I couldn’t go another day with Lady’s weird ass brother jerking off in my face, the perfect roommates.

I’m a people’s person.

In a way that I feel I blend really well. I always had.

I never got into fights in school. I was friends with most everybody more or less. Never overly popular, but not a loser non the less. And I think it worked out for me.

Being average.

And I think that’s what attracts me to these loser assholes because in a certain moment, it makes me feel a little more than average you know, when it’s good. But of course when it’s bad, I remember why my mama never wanted me to go to nobody’s house.

“Who are they?”

“What they parent’s do?”

“Nah, his uncle finger look funny Eloise, I don’t trust that family.”

But in one way or another, all my good (and bad) decision in life let me to this moment here. This moment in my 27 years where I had amazing roommates.

Seriously how does life just do a complete 180, just like that? Literally a month and a half ago, I was homeless, depressed and jobless.

Now, I smirked as I left Tyler’s calls on read. Which urprising enough like, he was still trying to reach out.

Shit, that....that felt good. I mean we did have three years under our belt.

I didn’t hate him. There I said it. I didn’t. And I had a soft spot for him. Now don’t go throwing nooses okay...but...he was a good guy, for the most part. I mean. Everybody had their own demons right.

I’m not perfect.

I’m not.

I know that.

I tend to be sometimes a little uptight. I blame mama 110% for that. But I like...compliments and I don’t fish for them but I like knowing what people think of me. I....fuck....maybe I try a little too hard sometimes for people to like me.

But hey! Who doesn’t okay?

What’s the world, if people don’t like you?

I mean, I don’t do too much. Just....maybe if they like a particular song, I’ll get interested in the artist, or maybe I'll adjust to a certain food, or maybe...I don’t know, it wasn’t unhealthy attention seeking.

I don’t even think it was attention seeking.

I’m not being defensive ( a little) but, you get my drift.

Anyways all that is to say, I think I was trying really hard here with the boys for a couple weeks.

They took FULL ADVANTAGE of that (cough Marcel) he did indeed want a maid.

But, surprisingly it was Joseph who...gave me a little pep talk.

“You don’t have to say yes to everything.” He laughed. “Don’t be so nice...say no, tell people to go fuck themselves.” He downed his beer and stretched happily. “Oh shit! I forgot.” He grimaced as he picked up his guitar. “I forgot to get my drycleaning....can you pick it up for me after your shift?”

“Sure.” I shrugged.

He leaned over and kissed my forehead.

I grinned stupidly.

“That was a test and you failed Lee! You failed so miserably. You’re too adorable.” He kissed my forehead again and chuckled as he turned. “I don’t have any drycleaning! See you at the house in a couple.”

I smiled and turned back to the bar.

“Uggghhh he is too fine.” Horatio moaned as he leaned over.

I giggled. “He’s so taken.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. He always gave us free drinks on my break. “Back to work.”

“Later bitch.” He grinned as he moved down the bar to another hotel member.

**

I was happy.

Yep.

Had a job.

Lived on an island.

Had eye candy for days.

I felt more carefree than I had in a long time. Literally taking it one day at a time. Living for the now.

Which my dad is always totally against.

“Think of the future. The future. Invest in your future. Work now. Play in your future.”

I smiled as I dug my toes in the sand. “Sorry dad, let me invest in now.”

**

Joseph was a musician. He had a band.

The Four Thieves.

He was lead guitarist and vocalist. He was good. I loved his charisma, on and off the stage. I could see why he was lead, he was absolutely beautiful and his voice.....omg, why wasn´t he famous?

“You’re so great!” I beamed hugging him. He was sweaty but it didn’t matter.

“Really you think so?” He yelled, hugging me back tightly.

Marcel shook his head. “Humbleness doesn’t suit you.”

Joseph and I chuckled as he ruffled, Joseph’s damp hair and kissed his cheek.

I smiled.

How sweet.

“Come, come!” Joseph grabbed my hand. “I gotta introduce you to the band!” He yanked me through the club as I followed giddily.

I watched him with a smile.

Joseph was a big personality. He exaggerated, he was most definitely a diva with the band, but I guess all leaders were. So different from how he was with Marcel and I at home. But he was fun. He was fun, he was happy and he was full of life.

My smile grew as he introduced me as his best friend. That was news to me. I was expecting new roommate or something.

Joseph was out of the house a lot.

So was I for work.

But Marcel stayed home practically everyday.

He had his own hours.

Sometimes he was just around, lounging in one place or another.

Other times he would lock himself in his studio for God knows how long.

Curiousity got the best of me.

Usually I minded my own business but come on. We were weeks into this now. I should know a bit more about them.

I’d gone to three of Joseph’s show.

It felt like....I just needed to know Marcel a little more.

Besides being a flirt.

He was.

Ive come to terms with it.

Some people were just flirts and some people were Marcel.

Enjoyed it, but this time without the guilt.

Because guess what?

It didn’t mean anything.

And secretly I was enjoying myself.

I liked the hugs.

Marcel was a hugger. Who would have known?

As in he just comes behind and puts his arms around your shoulders or your waist and stays there as he talks.

I noticied he did that to Joseph and then the first time he did that to me, I was so shocked. We were all three in the kitchen just talking about sandwiches and he just came behind me. Arms around my shoulders, holding me in place as he hugged me and kept talking, defending his choice of bread.

It made me feel light and happy. Besides Joseph didn’t so much as blink an eye. If he was okay with it, that was cool with me. I mean we were all friends here. I’ve decided you know what, why am I always analyzing things? Why am I turning into my mama?

Let go. Enjoy.

My new mantra.

But... can I be honest?

I know he’s a flirt and a tease. I'm aware he’s playing around, so I’m not one to make a big deal of it.

But then I remembered Joseph’s cryptic message a couple weeks ago.

When do I stop?

What if I didn’t want it to stop?

Like the time he brushed his thumb over my nipple to remove a piece of lint on my shirt.

Or when he kissed my cheeks, whenever the mood got to him.

Or that time we all came back from the beach, drenched and tired, laughing as I hung on to dear life. Joseph had really been out here thinking he could teach me how to surf.

“God, my body is aching. I won’t be able to walk for days.” I groaned as I put the towel over my shoulder. “I’m going to take a nice long hot bath.”

I felt it. His hand around my bare waist. I thought I was looking cute and wore a white bikini.

“Can I join?” he’d purred.

Used to his antics, I rolled my eyes and laughed as I pushed him away. This boy was too much.

Joseph had chuckled and shook his head.

I climbed up the stairs but looked down before I reached the top. He was staring up at me. I don’t know what that look was, but he made my body warm.

I needed to stop. I really did.

But it was harmless right?

Nope, I needed to stop. There was no way in hell, I was ruining this perfect opportunity by crushing on my roommates. There I said it.

I was honest.

I was crushing on them.

Both.

I couldn’t deny.

Yeah, Marcel made me hot and bothered.

But Joseph made me feel light and free.

But guess what else?

It was my own fucking secret and I could live with that.

I knocked quietly.

“What?”

That’s an invitation, if I’d ever heard one.

I opened the door and poked my head inside the studio.

He was straddling a chair and staring at something out of my view. Once again, shirt off, tan pants this time, rolled up to his shin.

He was running his thumb over his bottom lip repeatedly as if in a trance.

I stepped in quietly and he moved his head to look at the door.

“Hey.”

He didn’t answer but acknowledged with a head nod.

“What are you working on?” I asked, my hands behind my back as I strolled further into the room. I stopped and turned to him in panic. “I’m sorry can I? Am I allowed to see----is this private? Am I going to like fuck with your muse or something?”

He smiled. “You’re good.”

I smiled back. Marcel wasn’t Joseph. Marcel’s smiles were rare. It made him look boyish and not at all like his 25 years.

Yes he was the youngest between us, although he acted like a grampa. Then me, and then Joseph looking nothing at all like his 30 years.

I walked and stood next to him to see what it was he was looking at.

Oh....wow

My mouth dropped open as I slowly turned to him. He was watching me. I looked back to the painting. I looked back at Marcel and then I couldn’t help it. Back to the painting.

I knew he was an amazing artist, I mean, I saw Joseph’s painting in the living room. But this...

“This is a photograph.” I whispered.

He chuckled.

I shook my head and pointed to the picture. “No, no way......what....” I moved closer to examine it. “Holy shit.” I whispered. tracing from far away the picture of the little girl looking out at the waves.

Who knew Marcel was a hyperrealistic painter?

I turned back to him mouth agape. “This is unbelievable.”

He grinned at me. “It came out good.”

I walked back to him. Still trying to figure out that maybe an art prodigy was living in this house. “Wow, so....so....framing huh?”

He nodded and got up. “Gotta give it in a frame, can’t figure it out.” He shook his head. “Usually the buyer just you know, chooses their own frame.”

“Buyer...you sold it...already...it’s sold.”

He nodded again. “It was commissioned.”

My mouth dropped open. Who was this kid? “Okay...how much.... okay you don’t have to tell me about but like approximately...how much does this go for?”

“It was 18 grand.”

I choked on my spit. “18----18----18 thousand dollars!”

He looked at me and I waited for him to burst out laughing at the joke. He didn’t.

I reached out and punched his arm.

“What the fuck Eloise!”

“And you gave me hell for 400 bucks?” I screeched.

He laughed. “We let you freeload----” He laughed harder and leapt out of the chair as I ran after him.

“YOU HAVE MONEY!” I chased him around his studio.

He chuckled as I caught him and shook him.

“18 thousand dollars is nothing.” He replied moving his hair out of his face.

I shook my head. “Oh you spoiled, spoiled.....now I see why you thought you were recruiting a maid.” I shook my head again. “I’m never paying rent on time.” I lifted my head proudly and turned away to look back at the painting. “This is so beautiful.”

“Thanks.” He leaned over and whispered in my ear.

I giggled, expecting him to move, but he didn’t. He stayed behind me. His head lowered by my ear. I could feel his soft breath on my neck.

I shifted my eyes to the floor, before slowly moving my head to the left. I lifted my eyes to meet his as we stared at each other, practically nose to nose.

A second passed.

And then another.

Lee, move away from this very taken man.

But sometimes your brain doesn’t send messages to the rest of your body.

I remember it was first his eyes lowering to my lips.

I tried to resist. At least I think I did.

I don’t know.

When you can no longer breathe, messages can’t get sent to your brain, especially if what you’re thinking is the worst possible thing to be thinking and you must abort.

Abort! Abort!

My lips parted to accept his. He kissed with confidence.

His hand snaking to grab my head, partially turning me around as his tongue invaded my mouth.

Dear God, forgive me for I have sinned.

I moaned and kissed him back. His lips just as soft as I’d imagined. I felt his moan into my mouth as he deepened the kiss. His other hand gripping my hip. My pussy literally pulsated.

I sucked on his lip, gripping his biceps.

His mouth opened wider as he moved his hand down to my neck, tilting our heads into the kiss.

He was good. Fuck he was a good kisser. I should have known. Id seen him kiss Joseph.

Shit.

I pulled away abruptly.

Marcel brought my head back and kissed me again.

I pushed him away and shook my head. Too embarrassed to look elsewhere but the floor in my current state of horniness.

What the fuck was I doing?

I tried to catch my breath. I'm dreaming, no, I’m dreaming. This didn’t just happen.

He reached out for me and I panicked.

Straight panicked.

I couldn’t look at him so I ran out. I Usain bolted out of there and headed straight for my room.

“What the fuck Lee?” I whispered in panic at my closed door.

I paced around my room. That was weird. No that was so weird. Okay what happened? What happened? I rubbed my face nervously.

I kissed Marcel. Like kiss, kiss. That was more than 2 minutes with my tongue down his throat and vice versa.

Putting my hand over my beating heart, I tried to take a deep breath.

Calm down. Calm down. It was just a kiss. (A really good one) but just a kiss.

I shook my head and crossed my arms. “I’m the fucking worse type of person ever.”

**

I had a decision to make.

And I was too happy in my current life to fuck it up over some hormones that didn’t even make sense in the end. I’d been racking my brain for three hours.

And guess what?

Marcel didn’t even come in those three hours for any type of talk through or apologies of confusion.

I sighed as I heard the front door open.

I knew what I had to do.

Please don’t kick me out. Please don’t hate me. My precious golden angel.

Feeling the whole weight of the world on my shoulder, I opened my bedroom door and inhaled sharply.

I marched downstairs knowing that they would both be in the kitchen, because that’s always where Joseph went every time he entered the house.

“Hey gorgeous.” Joseph beamed. “Look, strawberries.” He grinned, putting the basket on the table.

My eyes averted to Marcel sitting back in the chair. His arm draped around another empty chair. Legs spread wide. Seriously in the most laid back comfortable position, as if something didn’t just happen.

Was he for real?

But he was watching me. A serious but unreadable expression on his face. He chewed on the nail of his thumb.

I swallowed hard and smiled nervously at Joseph. “Hey.”

“How was your day?” Joseph asked. “Oh pizza, how does pizza sound?” He asked me. “We’ll make Marcel pay for it.” He chuckled.

I nodded. Say it. Say it now.

I turned to Marcel who was still watching me. I looked away, my heart racing.

I can’t do it.

It was nothing. I should forget it. I looked up at Joseph bobbing his head happily to whatever he was humming as he rinsed the strawberries.

No, no, he deserved to know.

Didn’t he?

I am not a cheater! I am not! And then all of a sudden I got angry.

“So who’s going to call----”

“Marcel kissed me!” I pointed accusingly to the dark haired guy sitting on the chair.

Joseph turned around slowly, not finishing his sentence.

“It was an accident.” I added quickly, retreating the accusing finger. “It was, it didn’t mean anything so I just....but I thought you should know...that...that....” I swallowed hard. “happened.”

Joseph turned to Marcel instead of me, which I was surprised.

Marcel lifted his hand and pointed the same accusatory finger at me. “Joseph she kissed me!” He gasped.

He widened his eyes in shock and disbelief. “She just fucking kissed me out of nowhere. Can you believe that?” He threw his hands up. “How dare she? She just walked into my studio and was assaulted me!”

My mouth dropped. “I did not!”

“Yes you did!” He countered.

My mouth opened wider. “Stop lying.”

Marcel smirked and put his arms up. “I’m the innocent one here.”

I gasped and shook my head turning to Joseph defensively. My hands out shaking at him. “No, no, it’s not true!”

Marcel shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. “God, she was all over me.”

I put my hand over my heart. Feeling emotional and teary eyed as Joseph looked back and forth between us to. “It’s not true.” I protested sounding weaker. “Joseph, please...I didn’t mean to----”

“I was trying to tell her no.”

I lowered my head and covered my face as uncontrollable tears fell.

Oh I was fucked.

“Are you done?” Joseph asked. “Look what you did? Now she’s crying.”

“It’s not true.” I whispered trying to wipe my face. “I didn’t mean----”

I felt Joseph’s arm around me. “Shhh, it’s okay....are you okay?”

I looked up at him in confusion. Why wasn’t he mad at me? Why was he comforting me?

“Would it make you feel better if I kissed you?” He asked softly.

Wait....what?