15 Halloween

LILY

We sort of fell into a groove as the days wore on, and as far as I was concerned it was a beautiful, wonderous thing. The guys and I grew increasingly comfortable around each other. They still looked out for me, which was cute and endearing, but they also worried far less about scaring me off.

Flirting was suddenly on the table — a street that happily ran both ways — and walking around without shirts or pants was suddenly no longer taboo. Teasing me by using the upstairs hallway as a catwalk to model their underwear became a daily, welcome occurrence. In reciprocation I was a lot less careful about where I left my unmentionables, especially in the bathroom.

Once or twice I'd been snapped at with a towel, which meant whoever had just taken a shower was wonderfully naked for the split-second they tried to swipe me. Though I whipped my head around as fast as I could, I never was able to catch a glimpse.

We snuggled on the couch sometimes too. Played with each other's hair. One night I traded footrubs with both Colin and Brandon, and when it was my turn they did mine together, both at the same time.

Heaven couldn't feel like that. Not even close.

Even with all this, there was always a set distance. An invisible line the guys refused to cross. As it had been a long time since Garrett, I began wishing one of them would. I would've even been willing to help them along, but I had a really good thing going. I sure was hell wasn't going to risk screwing it all up.

The weather grew colder as the semester dragged on. Until one day things around the house heated up.

Literally.

It was Halloween, and I came home to find my boys lounging around in even less clothing than usual. Though it was bitter cold outside, the living room was filled with a cozy, flickering glow.

"The fireplace works!" I exclaimed happily.

"Technically it never stopped working," Hunter shrugged. He was wearing a tight hooded T-shirt that clung to his body, and what could've been shorts, could've been boxers. "I just had to light it. But yeah, I had it professionally cleaned first, chimney and all. Just to be sure."

I shed my coat, inching closer to the warm, glowing embers. Oh my God they felt good!

"Let me guess, your uncle again?"

"Yup." he replied.

"He'll bill me later?" I teased.

"Nah," Hunter laughed. "This one I made him do for free."

Holding my hands out, I let the heat wash over me in an almost orgasmic wave. I always loved fireplaces. Never had one though.

"Halloween today," I said. "Lots of students dressed up around campus."

"Lots of professors too," Colin noted. He looked me over. "Not you?"

"Nah. I guess I'm a stick in the mud. You guys going out tonight?"

"Hell yeah we are," said Brandon. "Tri-Delta house. Though we're no longer… uh… active as a chapter, they invited us anyway. I guess you could say it's a pity party."

Hunter raised a bottle and saluted him. "Normally I'm not much for pity but in the case of the tri-Delts I'll make an exception."

I smiled at him, and at Colin too. Then, crossing the room, I lifted the beer out of Brandon's hand.

"You're not going," I told him.

He bolted upright. Looked back at me like I had a thousand heads.

"The hell I'm not!"

"Listen up," I told him, "you've got a mid-term tomorrow. And if you flunk it, your coach isn't even going to let you into practice."

Colin sat up and nodded. "She's right bro. This takes priority over going out tonight. You have to study."

Brandon looked from one of us to the other. It wasn't until Hunter stepped in that he realized he was reallysunk.

"Your grades have been better lately," he said, "but still not great. And if you party all night…"

Brandon sighed. "I'll fuck it all up."

"Unfortunately, yes."

He looked sullen and distraught. I decided to cheer him up.

"I'm staying in too," I said. "I'll help you study. We'll sit here by the fire and go over it until you know this stuff inside and out."

Brandon let out a long, wistful sigh. I almost felt sorry for him.

"Besides," I said. "Someone's gotta be here for the trick-or-treaters." I poked him with my foot. "And you don't want me leave me here all alone do you?"

He grunted in reply. "I guess not."

"Good, then it's settled!"