From the moment we got out of that cabin, people were swarming to help us. Brian, AJ, Howie, and Kevin all ran out and got me in a huge hug. I was getting the life squeezed out of me.
“Hey, guys, I love you too but can you let go?” I smiled.
“You had us so worried. How did you manage to survive?” Kevin gave me his best fatherly look.
“We were only there for a day and a half. There was enough food and we had candles. It wasn’t that bad.”
“Oh yeah, I saw that chick that came out of the chimney.” AJ winked, “What exactly happened during that day and a half?”
“You guys no me better than that. I don’t kiss and tell.” I grinned.
“Well, the important thing right now is that you’re safe.” Howie hugged me again.
“Hey where’s my mom and dad?”
“There was a delay at the airport. Your family won’t be here for another couple of hours.” Brian informed him.
“Yeah they should be here soon.” Kevin added.
Nick nodded and looked at everything around him. He saw Emily standing in the middle of a group of girls and one guy. Nick’s eyes narrowed at the sight of him thinking the guy was Peter. She caught his eye and shook her head, indicating that he was not, in fact, Peter. Nick relaxed and smiled. A day and a half they have known each other and already she can read his mind. He turned back to his friends.
“Are you even going to tell us her name?” Kevin asked.
Before he could answer, a voice came from behind him.
“My name is Emily. You could have just asked me yourself.” She smiled.
“Pleased to meet you. Do I need to make introductions or do our reputations precede us?” Kevin looked at her, closely.
“Yes, I know you. However, I never thought I’d meet you charming fellas. I wish we had met under better circumstances.”
Nick slipped his hand in hers as she talked to them. He was amazed at how quickly they had taken to her. After a few minutes, her friends waved her over and she excused herself.
“She’s a keeper. Don’t let her go.” AJ nodded in approval.
“She is very sweet.” Howie agreed.
“I know.” Nick grinned.
“Hey, we’re going to call everyone back home to let them know you’re ok. Do you need anything?” Brian asked.
“Nah, you go ahead.”
“Ok, we’ll be right back.”
Nick nodded as he walked over to Samantha and her friends.
“Hey Nick. I’d like you to meet my friends. This is Lara, Lily, Claudia and Jack.” They all smiled.
Jack was about Nick’s height only he had jet-black hair with green streaks that matched his eyes. He was the first to speak up. “Might I say, what a pleasure it is to meet you. I can safely say I’ve never known a more talented group singers such as you and your friends.” He looked Nick up and down and added “Or sexier.”
“Back off, Jack. He’s not open game.” Claudia, the tall girl with equally black hair grinned.
Emily saw the curious look on Nick’s face and said, “I’ll explain later.”
Nick only nodded. All of them talked and he was glad they all liked him. He was a little nervous about how much Jack liked him, though. Emily finally pulled him away.
“They all like you. I’m so glad.” She smiled.
“Yeah. I’m worried about that Jack guy.”
“Oh don’t worry. He saw all of you before. You don’t even register on his gay-dar. He doesn’t go after straight guys.” She smiled reassuring me.
“Oh, good.” I sighed with relief.
“I’m just glad they like you. They’re really good judges of character. I mean, they saw Peter for who he really is.” She smiled.
I smiled back. We just stood there for a minute, being close to each other. I wish I were closer to her still. I wanted to finish what she and I started before the rescue. Suddenly her face paled and she looked scared.
“Emily? What’s wrong?” I looked at her concerned.
She gulped and looked past me. “What are you doing here, Peter?”
“Peter? He’s really here?”, Nick whirled around.
Previous Chapter
Next Chapter
Home
