14

I unlock the front door and am greeted with soft barking from Mimi, the old dog still barks every time someone’s at the door. Cam stands behind her, his tail going crazy, his little chubby body barely containing the excitement. I walk through the door, closing it behind me.

‘’ hello!? Is anybody home?’’ I call out.

Throwing my backpack in the corner, and kicking off my shoes, I walk into the living room finding it empty. That’s rare in our house. We are four siblings, and our grandparents live in the same house, there is rarely any time when not at least one person is in the house. I decide to enjoy the peace, knowing it will end too soon.

I dig through the cabinets for something to eat, happily finding some cookies. I grab a glass of milk and throw myself on the couch with the cookies on the table. The puppy jumps up in my lap hoping for some treats and the wise older lady lays herself straight under the table waiting for it to drop. I’m only halfway into an episode of MacGyver when I hear the front door slam. I peek around the corner and see my brother; he's not alone from the sound of it. I mentally prepare myself for the shitstorm coming.

We can never be in the same room without getting at each other’s throats. I pray for them to walk down to his basement bedroom, but I have no such luck. Lucas, my brother comes walking in with three of his buddies.

‘’wtf you are doing here?’’ he snarls at me.

‘’shouldn’t you be at school?’’.

I’m trying to resist the eye-roll, responding to him dryly ‘’ I had a short day.’’

I try to keep my focus on the tv wishing for them to disappear when Lucas stands in front of me.

‘’ get lost.’’ He says menacingly, snatching the remote.

Grinding my teeth, I stand up, give him a murderous glare and turn on my heel only to walk straight into a hard chest. I look up into the kindest blue eyes I know.

Henrik.

I’ve had a crush on him forever. Or at least since I was twelve, and he was watching out for me when I was drunk.

He steadies me with his hands on my biceps and gives me a short apologetic smile before he steps around me and slumps down next to Martin. Patrick and James also saunter past me pretending not to notice the tension.

I can feel my heart race as I walk out into the kitchen putting my glass in the sink.

Henrik has that effect on me, I’m so head over heels for him.

He doesn’t seem to notice though, and it does not help that Lucas is his best friend. But a girl can dream. His stunningly handsome, well-built, and kind.

I lose myself in the memory of him taking care of me at my first party. We were in Bulgaria at a nightclub. My brother tried to get me in trouble and Henrik saved my ass. It definitely didn’t help the strained relationship between us siblings. I will always cherish the memory of Henrik that night. I shake myself from the memories. I turn to leave and decide it’s a great time for walking the dogs. I usually train for an hour with Cam after school anyway.

I go back out to the hall and whistle, both dogs come barrelling toward me. I pick up the leashes tuck them in my pocket and walk out, dogs hot on my heels. We walk through the neighborhood and towards the lake, our favorite spot.

15 minutes later we are walking down the riverbank Mimi skips away towards the treeline while Cam follows me to the grass patch that’s our usual spot. The 3-month-old Jack Russell Terrier wags his tail furiously and spits out every dog treat I give him. We keep our routine until he visibly needs a break and then it hits me, I haven’t seen Mimi since we got here. I feel the panic raise. I whistle and call on her. ’’Mimi, come here girl.’’ I stop and look around me. I can’t spot her anywhere. I walk down towards the treeline with Cam in tow, taking turns whistling and calling out her name. I’m completely in my own world, drenched in worries when I hear an unfamiliar voice ‘’ do you need help?’’

Cam is growling and I feel a chill down my spine as I turn around. My breath hitches in my throat. There is a guy standing there, and he is breathtakingly gorgeous. He towers over me and must be in his 20s. next to him stands a huge mastiff. He looks at me expectantly and I can barely get out a word. ‘’Thanks, I’m just looking for my dog.’’ I croak out, heat rushing to my face. ‘’ I’m sure I’ll find her soon. I don’t want to interrupt your walk.’’

He cokcs a brow and smiles at me. ‘’ it’s no problem, I would love to help!’’ he starts walking next to me as we walk further into the trees, whistling and calling for the damn dog.

I would like the earth to swallow me right about now. He must think I’m stupid and irresponsible, losing the dog in plain sight.

Cam is not impressed by our new company and keeps growling at the big dog who barely seems to notice him at all. ‘’a tough little guy you got there!’’ he nods towards Cam. ‘’Yep, he hasn’t realized his size yet.’’ I shake my head at the puppy, he got the confidence of a lion.

I see the bushes rattle down by the water, and rush towards it, stumbling over a fallen branch. I feel strong arms catching me right before I get a close look at the ground. My stomach makes somersaults, and my heart feels like it wants to come out of my chest. ‘’easy there tiger.’’ This time, the deep voice is right in my ear, and I swear my skin is burning from the contact.

I scurry away from him when my feet meet the ground again and he doesn’t seem to notice. I keep moving toward the bush when the familiar snout I was looking for peeks out of it. I chuckle for myself and reach my hand out for her, calling for her softly this time. She comes out oblivious and licks my hand while I fasten her leash. ‘’ you bad girl, walking off like that. You scared me’’ I scold her lovingly.

‘’Thanks!’’ I force out towards the stranger not meeting his gaze. ‘’anytime darling.’’ He bends down and pets Mimi on the head. He stands up and offers me his hand and I study the tattoos covering every inch of skin visible. ‘’I’m Thomas, what’s your name pretty girl?’’ I feel the burn instantly when our hands connect. ‘’Jenna’’ I feel the heat creeping up my chest and into my face as he noticeably checks me out. He doesn’t let go of my hand before I back away from him. The intensity of his baby blues makes my knees wobbly, and I suddenly feel the urge to sit down. I walk towards an old boat wreckage that’s been sitting on the riverside for years, I usually use it as a sit-down. Staring at the water for hours when needing a break from home. I slump down on it and he follows me, standing so close I can feel the heat radiating from him. ‘’ you, ok?’’ he frowns and looks me over. ‘’I’m fine!’’ I wish he would walk away and stay at the same time. Something draws me to him, and I’m still terrified of his presence.

He takes a seat beside me, the huge dog laying down at his feet. He takes out a package of smokes and offers me one, before taking out one with his teeth and pockets the package. I roll the cigarette between my fingers nervously. I haven’t smoked before, and I don’t know why I accepted one, but it feels stupid to give it back so when he offers me the lighter, I take it and copy the way he holds the cigarette into the flame while inhaling it. I try to hold back the cough, but he recognizes it, and chuckles. ‘’you don’t smoke, do you?’’ I shake my head and take another drag of the cigarette. ‘’ you don’t seem to talk much either.’’ He looks at me with interest and I feel the weight of his gaze. Shifting uncomfortably in my seat I move my gaze to the water and shrug.