Chapter 74

Ella

It’s 6 in the morning when I finally stir. Last night’s event still running through my head. Granted, I had only wanted to get a drink of water last night to help calm my racing nerves only for Caleb to magically show up.

My eyes red from crying but not from the reasons Caleb might have thought. No. In fact, I was crying because of a totally different reason. And while I had originally said that I wished mom was here I wasn’t too far off with my want.

Because in spite of everything going on, mom would have known what to do.

My hand now coming to rest along my stomach. A sigh rising. How in the world did this happen? How will Reece, Dylan and Caleb each react once learning about this. After all, it’s not like I planned for this to happen, yet it did.

Although, when your sleeping with 3 hot as sin men under the same roof as yours who also happen to be your fine as hell stepbrothers, a lot can happen during that time, including the loss of one’s virginity.

Sighing, I move to roll over onto my side. My mind now aware that today was the ball. A masquerade ball that me and Reece would be attending later that night. A ball where people would come to dance, drink and place silent bids on items that were up for sale to help out local charities. A noble thing to do as many people including animals all needed help and charities were one way to help support those in need.

Sighing again, I move to grab my phone from my bedside table. Deciding on shooting Kris a quick message to see if she would be up for coming over. Deciding that I needed girls advice opposed to Caleb or even that of Reece or Dylan.

Quick to pull up her name do I move to shoot her a message.

Ella: Hey, I know it’s still early for you but if your free later on can you come over? I need help/

Hitting send; I move to wait. Deciding to go shower and head downstairs to make breakfast. Something that I’ve enjoyed doing since moving in with my brothers.

Forty-five minutes later and freshly cleaned do I move to check the time. The clock now reading 6:45. Perfect. It meant I still had time to finish before my brothers began to stir. Quick to tie my hair into a messy bun I move to throw on a simple white tee and a pair of capri shorts.

Not too worried about appearances as I would be getting myself all dolled up later for the big masquerade ball. Unsure if Kris had seen my text only to notice that she actually texted back while I was showering. A smile rising as I move to see what she wrote.

Kris: Girl you know I’ll help you with anything. I’ll be over as soon as I can.

Ella: Great. See you soon.

Eagerly excited to see Kris, I move to head downstairs. The house silent as I move to walk straight towards the kitchen. Mrs. Foster currently the only one there as she moves to make coffee.

“Morning Mrs. Foster. Your up early” I say as I move to greet her politely.

“Good Morning Ella. And nonsense, I’m always up this early. You just don’t typically see me as I’m always off handling staff duties” admits Mrs. Foster, a smile upon her lips as she moves to look at me.

“So what about now?”

“Slow start. Your brothers requested that I help you this morning instead”

“Me?”

“Yes you. Can’t having you running ragged before tonight’s ball. With that in mind I’ve been asked to help you”

“By whom?”

“The young masters. I mean, they might mean well, but face it, there guys. And guys just don’t have a woman’s touch like we do.”

Giggling at her words I knew it to be true. As Reece, Caleb and Dylan might mean well, but they weren’t mom. Nor did they have a woman’s touch. Moving to look over to Mrs. Foster I begin to wonder if I could ask her. A part of me wondering that if I told her would she be able to keep a secret or at least help give me some advice on what to do.

“Something on your mind sweetie?” asks Mrs. Foster. Her eyes now on mine as if she had sensed my lingering gaze.

“Uh…. Yeah. You could say that” I admit.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Nodding, I’m about to ask my leading question when a voice moves to call out to me. “Ella? I’m here!”

Blinking, I move to smile. My ride or die partner. Kris.

“I’m in the kitchen Kris”

Hearing the sound of feet do my eyes move to greet those of Kris. Kris currently dressed in nothing more than yoga pants and a simple tank top and pair of running shoes. My eye arching as Kris moves to blush.

“What?”

“What are you wearing?”

“Workout clothes. Because I don’t know about you, but I’m going to see Grant and Hayden before anything else happens. I need my morning fix” chimes Kris. A smile upon her lips as I move to sigh.

“Horn dog”

“Hey, can you blame me? There fucking hot. Plus, they both know how to satisfy me”

“Eww… Kris. I don’t need to know your sex life with Grant and Hayden okay. But I won’t lie, they are pretty hot.”

“Who’s hot?”

At the sound of another do we all move to see both Grant and Hayden. Both currently in basketball shorts and muscle tees. Both currently off as it was the day of the ball and both Reece and Dylan were planning to work from home.

“You. That’s who” answers Kris as she moves to greet both Grant and Hayden. Kris quick to kiss both of them in turn in which they both move to accept. A move in which I silently roll my eyes in.

“Where are you too going?” asks Mrs. Foster.

“The gym. Both Reece and Dylan as planning to work from home today which gives both of us free time to catch in a quick workout” explains Hayden to Mrs. Foster.

“Sweet. Can I come too?”

“Sure you can babe. In fact, we’re heading there now if you’d like to tag along” offers Grant, Kris bouncing in excitement.

“YES PLEASE”

“Okay then, let’s go”

Pausing, Kris moves to look directly to me. “Ella???”

“Go. Just hurry back later. I need your help with the ball.”

Squealing in delight, Kris moves to hug me quickly before racing off with both Grant and Hayden. Kris eager to spend quality time with her men and they her as they each move to head downstairs and towards the gym.

Once gone from view does Mrs. Foster move to speak up. “So… how long are you planning to hide your little secret?”

Shocked by how she knew before I even told anyone do I move to look back over to her, my voice soft when speaking. “What?”

“Your secret”

“I…..” pausing for words I try to find the right thing to say only to stop when Reece, Dylan and Caleb each move to enter the room next.

“Morning Stellina”

“Morning” is all I get out as each of them move to kiss me. Their lips a welcoming distraction from the burden I was hiding.