Flock

“Look, I’ll admit back at the plant I thought you were a bit more bulldog than pup.”

I give him a dead stare.

He points to my expression, a new grin in place. “See, now that, that mean mug right there, is what will keep you alive in this house. Think you can keep that up while you’re here?”

“I don’t understand. Aren’t these your friends?”

He lifts a steady hand between us before pushing some hair away from my shoulder. I don’t shy away from his touch. “If you had flinched, I’d take you somewhere else, you’ve got this. Just don’t take any shit like you didn’t from me back at work and you’ll be fine.”

He takes my hand and we walk through the crowd on the porch, stopping short of the front door. “Who’s this?” The voice comes from the porch swing, out of the mouth of a guy draped around a girl who looks at me with the same interest. I can practically see the ‘we don’t do well with strangers around here’ in both their expressions.

“She just started at the plant. Cecelia, this is James, and that’s his girl Heather,” he jerks his chin to the others crowded by the porch fence who scrutinize me while sipping their beers, “Russell, Peter, Jeremy, Tyler.” They all give me the lift of their chins while a strange sensation rolls up my spine, and it’s not a bad one. If anything, it feels a little like déjà vu. Tyler holds my gaze the longest after our introduction, and I can’t help but notice the wing tip beneath the cuff of his T-shirt when he lifts his beer. Our eyes stay locked until I’m led into the house.

Despite my hesitation in coming, I feel more comfortable here than I have after one night at my father’s, and I use that to fuel each step. Once inside, I scan the spotless house. The walls look freshly painted, and the furniture new. The living room is empty of people, save the loveseat where a couple talks animatedly, the guy giving me a once-over before giving Sean a nod while he guides me through a sliding glass door. It’s when I step through onto the patio that my hackles rise, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. I feel like I’m on display, which isn’t far from the truth because the back yard is bustling with people, smoke billowing from a nearby barbecue, and out of the mouths of a few next to the fence bordering the yard. To our left is a long patio table full of people taking shots and playing cards. The gathering seems to be just a few heads shy of a full-on party. Sean leads me to the middle of the yard where rows of coolers sit fully stocked with beer next to a picnic bench.

“Nice place.”

“Thanks, we’re working on it. Beer?”

“I…” I pause, intent on trying to fit in despite standing out like an inexperienced sore thumb. The last time I drank, it didn’t end well. “Yeah, I’ll have one.”

He twists the lid on a hard cider. “I think this is chick beer.” I take a sip and then another, liking the taste. Sean’s lips lift in a sultry smile. “Like that?”

“It’s pretty good.”

“I guess I should’ve asked how old you are.”

“Old enough to vote, but not to legally drink.”

He hangs his head.

“Not that young. I’ll be nineteen in a few weeks.”

“Shit,” he eyes me. “I thought I was going to be trouble for you.”

I double tap my brows. “I’m tricky like that.”

“You are trouble,” he says, his eyes searching mine. “I can tell.”

“I’m harmless.”

“No, you’re more,” he shakes his head slowly. “A lot more.” He takes a beer from the cooler and pops off the top, his eyes never leaving me. “Hungry?”

“Starving,” I say honestly, my stomach rumbling from the smell permeating the yard.

“Should be ready soon.” One of the guys playing cards on the porch waves him over, his curious eyes trained on me. “You okay here for a second?”

“I’m good.”

“Be right back.” He stalks off, and I zero in on his ass. A feminine laugh sounds behind me and I turn as she approaches. She’s beautiful, with long blonde hair, baby blue eyes, and in my opinion, the perfect physique. Petite with soft curves. My last growth spurt puts me hovering above her at 5’9. I got my blue eyes and reddish-brown hair from my father, and work with the slightly disproportionate build I inherited from my mom. What I lack in my border B cup breasts I make up with a double D butt.

She grins. “Can’t blame you, you could bounce a quarter off that ass.”

“Was I that obvious?”

“A little,” she plucks a cider from the cooler, twists off the top and takes a sip. “But we all stare at that ass. I’m Layla.”

“Cecelia.”

“So, how do you know Sean?”

“I don’t. I met him at orientation today.”

She wrinkles her nose. “You work at the plant?”

“First shift starts tomorrow. Just moved here yesterday.”

“I only worked there for a few years after high school, and I couldn’t stand it. Most everyone here works there or has at some point. The owner is an asshole, though. He lives in a castle somewhere around here.” She turns to me. “I get the townies having that job, but why would you take a job there?”

“I’m the daughter of the asshole.”

She tilts her head, her clear blue eyes widening slightly before darting past me in the direction Sean left. “No shit?”

“Yeah, and trust me, I’m dreading it.”

“I already like you,” she takes another sip of her cider and glances around the yard. “Same shit, different day.”

“They do this often?”

“Oh, yeah—” she flutters her fingers as if the subject isn’t worth entertaining. “So where did you move from?”

“Peachtree City, just outside of Atlanta.”

“Why would you want to move here?”

I shrug. “Single parents, and they passed the baton this year.”

“Sucks.”

“It does.”

She looks past me, lifting her chin to the same guy who summoned Sean from the porch, this time, his eyes only for her. He’s got nothing on Sean looks-wise, but there’s something about him that commands attention, especially hers. She gives him a knowing grin and turns to me. “Can’t leave your man alone too long, even with his friends. Well, a man that can’t do without you. And my man doesn’t like my attention divided.” She rolls her eyes as his jaw ticks with impatience. “Do you have a boyfriend back home?”

“No.”

Her eyes are still on his as they pass a look that displays ownership of the other on both parts before she turns to me.

“Well, hopefully you find something in Triple that keeps you entertained.”

“Maybe.” I lift my bottle to sip my cider and find it empty. She plucks us each a new one from the cooler, passing one to me. “I better get over there. Join us if you want.”

“Thanks, I’m going to wait here for Sean. Good meeting you.”

“I’ll see you around, Cecelia.”

She saunters off, retreating onto the lap of her man and wraps herself around him as he plays his hand. He subtly, but possessively caresses her thigh with his thumb as she whispers in his ear. I dart my eyes away, a little envious. It’s been a while since I had a steady boyfriend, and I sometimes miss the ritual.

The more I look around, the more I recognize these people are family. I seem to be the only outsider here, which I assume is the reason for the seconds long glances that are coming at me from all sides. Not the type to mingle, I find myself missing Sean, who’s been gone for what seems like forever as I stand in the middle of the yard, a fish out of water. Music filters down from an open window on the second floor of the house as I walk over to the fence, overlooking a partial mountain view. I might have moved from the suburbs of Atlanta to the mountains in Bumfuck, Nowhere, but even I can appreciate the spectacular scenery.