Page 24 of Make Us Yours
I finish installing the last throw pillows over the couches outside and place the soft throw blankets into the outdoor waterproof storage bin I got. Then I plug in the little string lights to light up the place. It’s still daytime, so it doesn’t show off aswell as I’d like it to, but I want the boys to see what I’ve done with the place. And I’m hoping with it looking this nice, they’ll use it more often.
I would hate for all this money to go to waste. Noah is going to flip when he sees all the money I’ve spent since they left. Although now that I think about it, he probably already knows. He most likely gets a notification every time I use his card, since he knew about the sandwiches before I even told him.
Well, that could be fun… I wonder how he’d feel if I started buying some very inappropriate things with it. We’ll have to test that out.
I walk over to the adorable bird feeder that looks like a mini toy mansion with seeds flowing from every balcony just as a house sparrow lands on one of them and begins pecking at the grains.
“Hey, little thing,” I say quietly, trying not to make any sudden movements to scare it off.
The small brown bird looks at me with the tilt of its head before going back to eating, not seeming bothered by my presence at all. I watch it for a few minutes as it jumps from one balcony to the other, testing out different seeds I’ve placed in each section until it returns to the first, clearly its favorite.
“You know, this place could be all yours if you decide to come back. I promise to fill it every day, so you never run out.” I slowly bring my finger closer to where it’s perched and wait patiently.
I’ve always found birds fascinating—how they get to live their entire lives however they choose, going wherever their pretty wings take them. Nothing holds them back, no invisible chains or bars, no fears. They’re just… free.
After a few seconds, it begins to bounce around again, turning in every direction as it seems to inspect my finger before finally landing on it. I smile, feeling its tiny nails biting into my skin as it leans forward to eat some more. As I watch it, I’m taken back to when I had just moved to New York, back to a time when I felt so alone and lost in the world and was looking for guidance, a sign of where to go next, what to do next. A way to survive.
And as I was sitting in my shitty rundown apartment that was only big enough for a single bed, two-seater couch, and stove, a cute little bird just like this one decided to land outside my open window. It stayed there for a good half hour, slightly stepping inside a few times, before finally flying away.
Only it didn’t stop there. The next day, I found my new friend perched on the windowsill the moment I entered my apartment. I took that as the sign I was looking for. I didn’t lure it back, didn’t leave seeds behind in hopes it would return. It chose to come back, just like it did every day for an entire week.
I was exactly where I was meant to be.
I bring my other finger up slowly, petting the back of the little sparrow delicately before it hops off my finger, then turn for the patio doors, knowing the boys will be here any minute. Just as I’m stepping back inside, the elevator dings, indicating its arrival. I quickly shut the patio door behind me as the boys stroll out of the cab.
“Welcome home,” I say with a smile.
I’m surprised at how empty the place felt without them here. I’ve gotten used to seeing them at some point during the day… I hate to admit it, but I missed having them around.
Gabe beams as he strides over to me. “There’s my beautiful Vixen!”
I know what’s coming next, so I prepare myself for the itchy feeling to set in as he wraps his hands around my waist and lifts me off the ground. “God, I’ve missed seeing this sexy body.”
My legs wrap around his hips and arms around his neck before I even realize what I’m doing.We’ll say it’s just instinct, no real meaning behind it.“You’re ridiculous. It was two days.” Despite my rigid body in his hold, I feel that icky feeling begin to diminish.
“Still too long, I’d have you with me at all times if I could.” He gazes at me with lust-filled eyes. It’s like I can see all the naughty thoughts filtering through them.
I unfold my arms from around his head and place my hands on his shoulders, giving a little tap. “All right, that’s enough. Put me down, Pretty Boy.” He laughs but does as I’ve asked. Once my feet hit the ground, I walk over to Noah, who waits patiently a few steps away.
“Hey, Kitten,” he says with his arms open but doesn’t move to take me in, waiting for me to come into the embrace.
I did just let Gabe pick me up, so might as well give him some attention too. I lift my arms and step into him, my body pressing up against his as my arms circle his neck. He stands still for a few seconds before his own come to hug my body tightly to his.
We’ve never done this before, hugging like this. Side embraces with his arm around my shoulder, yes. But never full-body contact, where my nose presses against his skin and his woodsy scent envelops me. And like always, that itchy feeling never comes.
I don’t know what it is about Noah, why his touch is different from any others. Even my ex didn’t make me feel this safe in his arms. I find myself craving this feeling more and more with each passing day. A feeling I shouldn’t want. But I can’t help it, I’m human after all.Just one more second.
I let out a breath and untangle my arms from him just as he lets go of me. He smiles, even though there’s a hint of disappointment that the hug is over. “I see you’re still spending my money.” He smirks.
“Oh, yeah. I’ve been going crazy. I mean, it’s not every day you get to use a card with no limit.” I wink at him. “But I promise it was all worth it. Come see.”
I walk backwards to the patio door, making sure they’re following me. I should know better by now; these two always follow me around, never far behind.
“Prepare to be amazed, gentlemen.” I slide the door open and step aside, letting them go first.
“Holy shit! You did all of this yourself?” Gabe gasps as he skips over to the couches and throws himself down on one of them.
“I did, I came in yesterday to set most things up and finished it just before you guys got here. I hope it’s okay that I came in on my day off?”
