precious together.
But right now, Joni is too focused on her career (actually, the guys’ career) to even think about dating. Unlike me.
“Good. Let’s go. I’m starving.”
“I am, too.”
So we head down the chilly hotel hallway to the room Oliver, Josh, and Jesse are sharing. About halfway there, someone comes running up behind us, places his hands on my shoulders, and jumps. He manages to land on his feet, but he still stumbles a bit and almost face plants right there in the middle of the hall.
“Smooth,” Joni laughs.
“Thanks,” Sam grins that megawatt grin that will forever make my heart skip a beat. He’s wearing his pajamas too: plaid pants and a loose-fitting grey tank top that reveals not only his sexy skinny-guy muscles but also his numerous tattoos. And despite his earlier threats, he’s also done us the great favor of showering. His hair is still a little damp and he smells like his classic Old Spice soap.
“I’m glad you changed your mind about making us bask in your natural odor,” I tell him.
“I considered it, but then I remembered that male pheromones can sometimes make females go crazy, so I decided to spare you the involuntary primal lust. You’re welcome.”
“Wow, Sam. Your empathy toward the female plight is overwhelming,” Joni remarks.
“As is your humility,” I add with a laugh.
“So where’s my brother? Or is he already waiting for us?” Joni asks.
Sam and Cory always end up rooming together because Cory is the only one who is willing to put up with Sam’s annoying sleeping habits. I swear, the boy talks, he snores, he’s a tosser-turner, and when he’s really stressed out, he’s even been known to sleepwalk.
Once, when we were in junior high, we had this one history project that just about did him in. It was odd, because he was never one to worry about school, but apparently, throughout the course of that project, he woke up in a different room at least four or five times and once even in his backyard. Thankfully, he doesn’t get stressed out very often, so he rarely runs off anymore.
Still, that doesn’t mean he’s a pleasant roommate.
“No, I ditched him after I realized that chatting up his girlfriend has become more of a priority than the basic instincts of our mortal preservation.”
Translation: When Sam is hungry, he waits for no one.
“Oh, please don’t tell me he’s inviting her,” Joni groans.
“Probably not. But he might miss out on the pizza if he doesn’t get a move on it.”
I almost comment that there will be plenty of pizza, but then I remember just how much four hungry twenty-year-old guys can eat. I’ve seen Sam polish off an entire pizza by himself and still have room for dessert. I don’t know where it goes, but he can eat and eat and never gain an ounce. All of them can. It’s so annoying. I look at a cookie, I gain five pounds. But not boys.
It’s really not fair. They’re all already cute and talented. They could at least give the rest of the world the courtesy of having to watch what they eat.
Sure enough, when we arrive, Jesse and Josh are both already on their fourth piece of pizza. Oliver, being quite possibly the most polite person I’ve ever met, has graciously waited for us.
“Hey. Where’s the less pretty Foreman twin?” Josh asks through a mouthful of pizza.
“Young Cory has decided to forsake our delightful companionship and fine Italian cuisine for an evening of engaging his new love in electronic conversation,” Sam explains.
“You mean he’d rather spend his night talking to a beautiful woman than hanging out wit h u s ? That bastard!” Jesse pretends to be outraged.
“I never thought I could be so offended,” Oliver jokes. “But we should probably still save him a few slices.”
“No! It’s every man for himself!” Josh proclaims loudly, standing up on his bed.