vii.

The next day, I woke up to Rain licking my face as he stood above me. I grumbled and pushed him away, but he pawed at me until I dragged myself from my bed. I scratched behind his ear and watched as he panted happily. "Where'd you go last night, bud? Could've used you to protect me."

Rain ignored me and walked out of my room. I followed and looked around the house. Everything seemed to be cleaned up from last night, and two bowls were laid down filled with food and water for Rain. His bed was laid down beside it. My radio was set back in its spot, and my sketchbooks were back on my shelf, stacked neatly. I smiled a bit and thanked them in my head.

I knew that I needed to open up shop because of all the money I had spent on my new dog. The boys knew where to find me if they wanted to. I read the time off of a clock hanging in my kitchen and sighed before moving back to my room. I didn't have very long to get ready and be out. Maybe I could grab some food on the way home. With my new dog, I felt a bit safer, but I would still stop by a quick place.

I nodded to myself and went about my activities, pulling on a new set of green, lace underwear before deciding that I would pull out a pair of leather pants I hadn't worn in quite some time. They clung to me like a second skin, and the sides of the pants were non-existent, instead being held together by clasps. They thankfully rose to the waist. I grinned at myself in the mirror and pulled on a black crop top that was tied in the front. Lately, I slid on a pair of biker gloves that looked similar to David's. As I stared at myself in the mirror, I took note of the fact that I almost looked like one of the boys. I needed a jacket and maybe to fluff my hair a bit more. I hummed and pulled a comb through my locks, teasing it higher than normal. I finished the look with a pair of ankle boots, a studded belt, a smoky eye look, and bright red lipstick. I hadn't dressed like this since my days in high school when I joined a punk club to fit in somewhere. I silently thanked my younger self before grabbing my bag, hooking my dog on my belt, and walking outside, prepared to face another day in the shop.

The walk there was short as normal, and soon, I found myself in my shop, taking care of flowers and bouncing to a Misfits song on the radio. It seemed that my music was even reflecting my mood today. I had been there for about three hours when Marigold walked in, her eyes wide at the sight of me. The day had been busy, and I had made about seven of the fifteen I was supposed to make at that time. A few people had come in for small bouquets, and only two of the fifteen had picked up yet. I knew I couldn't leave until everyone had come.

I had just finished wrapping a bouquet for a walk-in customer, an old lady with a kind smile that complimented my outfit a bit as she stared around the shop. She had ordered a dozen begonias to give to her husband as a gift. She had handed over the change when I heard a loud 'holy shit.' I immediately looked up, meeting the eyes of my friend.

"Language, Marigold," I scolded, handing the lady back her change. "I'm sorry about her, miss. I hope you have a wonderful day."

"You too, dear." The lady walked out, sending a quick once-over to the girl that was already making her way toward me.

I barely heard the door shut when I felt her lips on mine, her hand on the back of my neck. I pulled away quickly, gasping a bit. She seemed taken back when I did so, her eyes dazed. "Why'd you pull away?"

I paused. How did I tell her that we couldn't do that anymore? I mean, technically I wasn't dating them yet, but how could I do that with the knowledge I had now? I couldn't betray my mates like that. It would hurt them. I couldn't deny that her kiss felt wrong at that point. The soft lips I had grown to love weren't right for me anymore, and I couldn't deny it. "We can't do that anymore, Marigold."

Marigold raised her eyebrows, reeling back a bit. "What? Why?"

"I found someone," I mumbled, looking down so I didn't have to see her look of sadness.

"What?" Her voice cracked as she spoke, and I sighed softly.

"Come on. You don't get to cry. You used to do this to me all the time. If you really cared, you would have made things official. I found someone, well, more than one person, but that's not the point. The point is that I can't do that with you anymore. I still want to be friends, but I can't cheat on them."

I looked up to see Marigold's lip upturned to a sneer. "So you're whoring around now?"

I paused, my eyes filling with tears at the sentence. "Come on, Marigold. You don't mean that."

"I can't believe you! I thought we had something! I was going to retry an actual relationship. I was going to make you the happiest girl alive, and yet, you were whoring around with multiple guys?" Her voice was harsh, a voice I hadn't heard in what seemed like years. I blinked back tears and bit my lip to control my sobs.

"Why do you even care? You should have made your move earlier. For years, I've had to hear about these girls you met at different places, random hookups, and people you've kissed for dares! You can't say anything because if anything, you're the whore here!" I tilted my head back, refusing to let tears fall, and gripped my hair. "God, and to think I thought you would actually be happy for me. I found happiness. I took a risk. I'm sorry that it's not what you wanted, but not everything can go your way!" I was screaming at her, and I wanted so desperately to throw something.

Marigold shook her head and turned to look at the setting sun. "I'm out of here. I'll see you later."

I shook my head. "God, I hope not," I mumbled, falling to the ground as she left the shop. Rain padded over to me and whined softly. I smiled a bit at him and felt him crawl into my lap, though he was entirely too big for it, and lay his head on my shoulder. I took deep breaths, trying not to burst out into sobs. Rain sat with me the entire time, refusing to move until I had my breathing under control.

Rain stepped away when I could breathe properly, though I knew I was still on the verge of falling apart. I would wait until I got home to cry. Right now, I had business to do, and though I was originally excited to see my boys, now I dreaded it because I knew the moment I saw them, I would fall apart.

I continued with my work, for the time being, trying to focus on the music instead of my thoughts, but I knew I couldn't do that for long. My mind always overtook everything. Rain was sitting beside me, moving when I moved and sitting when he knew I would be standing in a particular place for a while.

I let my mind take control. I knew it wasn't smart, but when have I ever been. I mean, what if I am a slut? Four boys. I haven't even known them for a full week, and here I was. I showed Paul my body the first day I met him without even thinking about it. I let Marko kiss my neck. I let Paul make out with me. The boys had seen almost every inch of me, and I hadn't even though twice. I was going mad.

I was a whore, an honest-to-god whore.

I worked mindlessly while I thought, and it hadn't even occurred to me the passing of time. Most of the customers had come to grab their flowers, and I was sitting by the phone, hoping the remaining three would call to say they would be coming the next day. It was three hours after Marigold left that they came in and I was snapped out of my trance. It had been dark for two hours at that point.

It wasn't even the bell ringing that knocked me out of the trance; it was Rain growling lowly, standing up defensively. I went to scold her when I locked eyes with Dwayne. I knew he knew something was wrong, and he took a few strides forward and engulfed me in his arms. I rested my head on his chest and immediately began sobbing, an ugly kind of sob that I wish I hadn't done around them because it wasn't pretty. I was a blubbering mess, and I knew my makeup was ruined at that point, but I didn't care. I was focused on crying so I didn't scream and Dwayne's hand moving slowly on my back.

The other boys were there, but they stayed quiet, watching silently. Paul was obviously sad, his eyes never leaving me as tears of his own gathered in his eyes. Marko was confused, trying to figure out if I was hurt physically by looking over me. David was pissed, his hands clenched tightly as he watched.

Dwayne hushed me quietly, whispering in my ear quietly. "Calm down, baby. You're gonna make yourself sick if you keep crying like that. Take deep breaths. Come on, listen. Breathe in, out, in, out." I listened to his soft voice and managed to calm myself down after a few minutes of trying to breathe properly. I was aware of Rain sitting by my feet, watching Dwayne in case he did something.

"I'm okay," I mumbled, my sobs haven turned to water running down my cheeks. "I'm fine. I'm okay."

"No, you're not," Dwayne responded. "And it's okay. You're allowed to cry, princess."

I pulled away from him, sniffling lightly. "I'm sorry. You didn't need to see that."

David spoke, and I watched as he moved to where I was. I could tell he was trying to calm down, but anger spiked in his eyes. "What happened?"

I took a moment to breathe, wiping underneath my eyes in hope that it would do anything to make me look at least a bit better. "I'm a whore." David growled. "And I know you said not to say that but it's true. Even Marigold believes it." My voice trailed off at the end, and I thought I might cry again. I saw David and Marko stiffen while the others stared with a confused look.

"What happened?"

I wrapped my arms around David's neck and held him close to me so I could feel him but not have to look in his eyes. I rested my head on his shoulder while he had to bend down a bit so I was comfortable. "I was here, and she came in when I first opened up, and she saw me and kissed me, and I pulled back because I didn't wanna do that, y'know. She got confused and asked why I pulled away, and I told her I found somebody, and then I corrected myself to people, and then, she got real mad. I mean, she didn't have the right to. We weren't dating, but then when she kissed me, it felt so wrong, and I thought about when Marko kissed me and that felt right, y'know. So, like, she yelled at me, and then, I yelled at her, and she said I was whoring around now, and she kept calling me a whore, and then she stormed out, and I was trying not to cry, but we haven't fought like that in years, and I don't want to hurt her, but she hurt me, and I don't know what I did wrong." I was crying again, rivers falling from my eyes and onto David's jacket, and I felt bad. David's arms had considerably tightened around me through the story, but not to the point where it hurt.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Marko stated, moving to stand in front of me. "You said no. There's nothing wrong with having boundaries, and she should have respected that, and you're not a whore. I'm sorry she called you that, but you're not. You fell in love with a few people. So what? It's not like you're going behind our backs with each other. That would make you a whore."

I huffed a bit and laid my head against David's jacket. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

"You shouldn't be sorry, princess," Dwayne scolded. I nodded, and I thought, at that moment, that there would never be a place safer than David's arms while the boys surrounded me.

I took a deep breath and pulled out of David's grasp, moving back to my desk so I could find a mirror and fix my messed-up makeup. I groaned at the splotchy looking mess of eyeshadow. The lipstick was simply smudged, but I would need something else entirely to fix this eyeshadow. I looked around and grabbed a paper towel, wetting it slightly, and dragged it across my eyes, trying to take everything off.

"You look beautiful," Paul mumbled, leaning over so he could prop his head on his arm on the counter. "Like, really, really, beautiful. I mean, you look beautiful no matter what, but you look extra pretty today."

I smiled a bit at that, wiping the last bit of eyeshadow and mascara from my eyes. "Thank you, Paul."

Next thing I knew, Marko's arms were around my waist, and his lips were on my neck. I giggled loudly before moaning a bit as he sucked a spot on my neck. My head lolled to the side to give him more access, and I sent a lazy smile to the boys.

"You enjoying yourself there, sweetheart," David questioned, a smug look on his face. I hummed and nodded a bit before grabbing one of Marko's hands and intertwining it with mine.

Marko pulled away after a few seconds, and I groaned a bit at the mirror. A hickey was already blooming on my neck. I pouted as Marko laughed at my disgruntled look. "Come on, baby. It's not that bad."

"Whatever," I grumbled. "Guess I'll just have payback later."

Marko grinned, pressing a kiss on my cheek. "I like that idea."

I climbed on top of the counter and sat down with my legs crossed, staring at the boys as Marko went to join them. Paul was smoking another blunt, staring around my shop in wonder, David was watching Paul with a small smile on his face, and Dwayne was staring above me at the dreamcatcher on the wall. "You know, you're supposed to put that above your bed," Dwayne stated, staring at the ring.

I nodded, leaning my cheek on my hand. "Yeah, but I didn't have room in my room, so I brought it here instead."

"Why don't you leave it in the cave?"

"And why would I do that?"

"Well, you'll be spending a lot of time there from now on if I remember correctly."

I hummed and leaned forward. "And where did you get this memory?"

"I'm not sure," Dwayne mumbled, stepping forward as I reached my arms out for him. "Perhaps I should ask you. Would you like to hang out in the cave more often?"

I giggled and nodded, and I grinned as Dwayne leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. His kiss was soft, but it lingered even after he pulled away. "So, what do you guys have planned tonight?"

"Well, we were going to take you back to the cave, and I guess that means your mutt has to go to," David stated, walking forward toward Dwayne and I. I glared at bit as he said mutt.

"You're going to have to grow to love him. Maybe he'll save your life one day," I stated, grinning as he rolled his eyes.

"Like hell. That dog couldn't do damage if it wanted to." David laughed at my fake angry expression. "You're cute, sweetheart, but that isn't doing much."

I huffed and climbed off the counter as the shop phone rang. "Wings and Feathers Flower Shop. Evangeline is speaking. How may I help you?"

"Hi, I ordered a bouquet of flowers earlier today, but I don't think I'll be able to make it tonight though I said I would." I nodded a bit and looked over at the three bouquets. "May I get a name?"

"It was under Jennifer."

I nodded again. "Okay, thank you. Do you know when you'll be able to get them?" I watched as Paul tried picking a flower from one of the pots only for his hand to be swatted by Marko's. David laughed quietly at the pair while Dwayne was watching me. I sent him a quick wink.

"Most likely tomorrow. I'm sorry to cause any inconvenience."

"You're quite alright, ma'am. Thank you for calling."

"Of course." Then, the line went dead, and I swooped up the vase of flowers meant for her and dumped some more food in so it would last through the night before setting it near the window. "Paul," I said as I passed him, "if you want a flower, just tell me, but please don't pick them. This isn't the woods."

Paul huffed but nodded, staring up at the group of chrysanthemums. "Can I have one of those?"

I nodded, and a smile overtook his face as I went to grab a ladder and some scissors. Paul was practically bouncing as I climbed up so I was face to face with the group and snipped two or three, leaving plenty of stem. I turned and handed them down to him which he took greedily. I sat back down on the counter and turned to David. "I'll come to the cave, but I need to wait until the last two people come or until shop closes. Can we stop by somewhere to eat on the way as well? Well, I don't even know if you guys eat food, but I need some because I haven't eaten since I woke up, and I'm starving."

David laughed and nodded. I hopped down from the counter as a customer walked in, and then, I only had one more set of flowers to go until I could leave. My stomach was getting louder, and I frowned when the guys laughed at it. There was still another three hours until closing time, but I silently hoped the lady coming for her flowers would hurry up, and, as if my wishes were heard, the lady walked in ten minutes later as I was trying to keep Paul from grabbing flowers in his high haze. He simply giggled every time I did so.

The guys cheered once she left, and I smiled as I began closing up, packing everything away and turning off the lights, grabbing the money, and flipping the sign to closed. I hooked Rain onto my belt, and he walked in front of us, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth as he looked around at everything.

"What do you want to eat," David questioned, wrapping his arm around my shoulder while Dwayne wrapped his around my waist. Marko and Paul stood behind us, smoking a joint without fear of being stopped.

I hummed and looked around for a little bit before my eyes fell on a small restaurant that was themed around the 50s. I grinned, and David followed my gaze and led us there. I looked around happily once we entered. Checkered floors, red booths, counter seats, a jukebox sitting in the back. This place was practically heaven. I unclipped Rain from my belt and sat him beside the door, hooking him to a small handle in the wall for animals. I made my way over to a booth and sat in between David and Dwayne while Paul and Marko sat on the other side. Their joint was out, but their eyes were red, and silly smiles sat on their face.

"Dude," I heard Paul whisper to Marko, "we should totally get, like, a milkshake with two straws and be romantic and shit."

Marko giggled and shook his head. "No, you pothead. You'll drink it all before I even get a sip."

Paul nodded slowly before staring out the window, watching the people pass by. I grinned at them, and soon, a waitress was walking up to us, a small smile on her face. She handed out menus, and I smiled at her, but her attention was on Marko. She stared at him for a few seconds before looking back around. "What can I get you guys to drink?"

Paul and Marko ordered their milkshakes, chocolate and strawberry respectfully, while David and Dwayne ordered sodas, and I ordered a water. I never was a fan of carbonated drinks. "Hey, David," I questioned when she walked away, "do you have a few quarters?" David nodded and pulled out his wallet, handing over four of them. "Okay, now, let me out."

David moved out, and I slid out, walking quickly to the jukebox that was currently playing a 50s song. It was filled with 80s music, though, and I placed all four quarters in, choosing four different songs. I cheered quietly as Madonna started playing quietly. 'Like a Virgin' filtered through the speakers, and I swayed my hips to the music as I walked back. David and Dwayne watched me like a hawk, eyes drawn to the movement. David slid out again, and I sat down easily, smiling at the two.

I hummed along to the lyrics as I flipped through the menu, deciding to just go easy and get chicken tenders, knowing it was something that most places couldn't mess up. "Like a virgin touched for the very first time," I sang, meeting David's eyes as I did so. He raised his eyebrows a bit, a smirk sitting on his face. "Like a virgin when your heart beats next to mine." David took my hand, intertwining our fingers as I sang to him, getting closer with each word. "Gonna give you all my love, boy. My fear is fading fast. Been saving it all for you 'cause only love can last." David chuckled a bit and leaned in, pressing his lips to mine quickly. I hummed against him, letting him take control. I pulled away a few seconds later and watched as our waitress walked out with our drinks, placing them down carefully.

"What can I get for you guys?" Paul and Marko said they didn't want anything, but Dwayne ordered them a basket of fries and him a burger. David got a cheeseburger, and I asked for the chicken basket. She smiled and took our plates.

I giggled as Paul and Marko tried to suck down their drinks quickly, excited. "If you drink that so fast, it won't last very long, and then, you'll just be sad." Marko huffed and nodded while Paul grinned a toothy grin.

"They're children," Dwayne stated, watching as Paul flicked Marko on the forehead. I nodded in agreement.

The dinner went by quickly with Paul and Marko making jabs at each other while Dwayne watched them and David kissed me every few moments as I tried to sing and eat. Overall, I was one happy girl as we left to go to the cave. I looked down at Rain with a questioning look as we approached the bikes. Marko caught sight of where I was looking, and he grinned, stating that he would fly the dog to the cave if I took his bike. "You guys can fly," was my only question as Marko grabbed Rain who surprisingly relaxed in his arms and took off. I huffed as he disappeared in the distance and stared down at his bike. "I don't even know how to drive this," I grumbled.

Paul laughed and sat down on his bike. "It's pretty much the same as yours, princess. It just goes a bit faster."

I nodded and slid onto the seat, flicking it on. I listened to the purr and smiled a bit. "Don't worry, babe," David called out of the humming of the bikes, "we'll go a little slower so you can keep up."

"Yeah, right," I called out, revving the engine. "Try me."

With that, we were off, jumping off the boardwalk like we had done my first night with them. We took down the beach and raced happily, hollering and shouting in happiness. There was nothing like riding a motorcycle. The drive was short, and soon, we were in front of the cave. I could already hear music, and I didn't object as Paul threw me over his shoulder again. I grinned at the sight of Marko laid out on one of the couches, Rain laid on the ground beside him.

"Hey, Angel," he called out. I hummed, not able to really look at him because of Paul's arm. "I think I might take your dog from you."

"Please don't," I responded, yelping as Paul pulled the same move he had last night, but this time, he was sitting up while I was in his lap.

"Hey," Paul simply said before pressing our lips together. I rolled my eyes but kissed back, tangling my hands in his hair. Paul only let go so I could breathe for a second before he leaned forward to kiss me again, smiling at my out of breath state. I moved my hips against his slowly, grinning at his low moan against me as I did so. I pulled away a few seconds later, laughing a bit at the lipstick stained on his lips and the dazed look in his eyes.

"Maybe another night," I stated simply before moving from his lips to David who was sitting in a wheelchair.

David pulled me into his lap and kissed my forehead. "You looked like you were enjoying yourself."

"I was," I stated, a dumb grin on my face. David laughed a bit and pulled me closer to him, his fingers tapping on my thighs to the beat of the music -music I didn't recognize- spilling from the speakers. "I'm tired, David," I mumbled against his shoulder. He chuckled a bit and nodded, and then, I was being lifted into his arms as he stood up. I groaned as he set me onto the bed I had slept in two nights before. "Can you guys lay with me tonight?" I looked at him with pleading eyes, and he grinned back.

"Your wish is my command, sweetheart," he stated as he picked me up again, "but we have to go somewhere else because the light will come in from there." I nodded against him, watching as the boys began following up. Paul met my eyes and winked while Dwayne smiled, and Marko waved, a dumb grin on his face.

David pulled me into a room deeper in the caves, and Marko quickly moved around, pulling a match from Paul's jacket and lighting the candles around the room. The bed was huge, and I smiled as David placed me on it. I watched as he stripped from his jacket and gloves, leaving his jeans on. The boys followed, easing off their clothes. I sighed and moved forward so I could stand, knowing I couldn't sleep in my clothes. I eased off my shirt first, and then, all attention was on me. My gloves were next. Then, my shoes. Lastly, my pants. I heard a few of them catch their breath at the sight, but I ignored them, crawling into the bed and under the covers.

"Oh, and I brought the stuff from your house for your dog, so he can sleep out there. You guys took forever to get here," Marko commented, grinning at my satisfied smile. I wouldn't have to leave at all tomorrow. I could have a day with my boys.

I thanked him quickly, and I watched as they all crawled under the covers, taking up different positions. David and Dwayne were on either side of me while Marko laid between my legs like I had done with Paul last night. Paul was laid a bit awkwardly, but he didn't seem to mind it. His head was on one of my legs where Dwayne had made room from him. He seemed determined to latch himself to it, and I chuckled lightly. "Goodnight, boys."

"Goodnight."