Jeff’s voice shocks me to my senses. I realize I fell asleep and it was all a dream. More like a nightmare, with Colin turning into Drew.

I really need to get a life, I think as I look down and see my nipples still standing at attention. I pull the plug and watch the water swirl out of the tub. Shivering, I grab an oversized towel and wrap my totally aroused body, replaying my dream.

Drew? Who in their right mind would dream about Mr. Playboy? Okay, so maybe the majority of women in the world.

When I leave the bathroom, I see Jeff spread out on the recliner adjacent to my bed. “Still feeling like shit?” he inquires.

“No more wine for me. If you see me going for a glass, remind me of this horrible day.”

“Okay, but last time you drank wine you said the same thing. I don’t think it’ll work. Now, to change the subject, are you up for some studying?” He pulls out our math book and raises an eyebrow at me.

“Like I have a choice. I need to nail this exam. Otherwise, I’ll be a senior forever.”

“Sounds like your roomies are home.” Jeff stretches and rubs his eyes.

We hear laughing from the next room, male and female voices. Of course women would be included. Two of them are hot-blooded males, and the other one pretends to be. I really need to talk to Liam alone. My mom pulled me aside earlier this afternoon to reiterate Henry’s requests to help Liam and Drew. I really don’t know what I need to help Drew with. Yeah, he has a screwed up family, mom ran off, dad’s been married several times, but who doesn’t have family issues? He has all the attention anyone could want or need. Why would he need my help?

“Dora, I just turned straight, and I want to have kinky hot sex with you,” Jeff’s blurts out in an attempt to make me focus.

It’s laughable, but I play along. “Okay, well then take off all your clothes so I can jump your bones.”

Did I really just yell that? Yep, the voices have ceased. Good lord, Dora. Now they all probably think I’m about to hook up with someone in here. Well, that could work. If they think I’m involved with someone, maybe they’ll leave me alone and let me return to my normal—okay, so semi-normal—life.

“What the…?”

I quickly place my hand over Jeff’s mouth. “Play along,” I whisper. Then, in a louder voice, I say, “Ted, what is that in your pants? I think it wants to come out and say hello. Oh, sweet caramel apple on a stick, your stick is more like a log. It needs to be freed. See, it’s taunting me.” I put my finger to my lips and nod my head at the door. Jeff looks at me, confused, then it’s like a light bulb comes on and he gives me a shit-eating grin.

“Yeah, babe, it’s all for you.” I almost giggle at his fake deep voice.

“Wow, it’s really hard. Oh, you want to put it where?”

I motion for Jeff to move with me to the door. We hear nothing—nada—coming from beyond the door. I mouth on the count of three and motion to the door. One, two, three, and we both grab the handle and pull the door open. Just as I figure, three heads attached to three bodies fall flat on the carpet. They look up at our grinning faces, and at least Colin has the grace to look embarrassed. Liam and Drew pick themselves up and try to act cool.

“Like what you heard?” I ask, watching Colin avert his eyes while the other two smirk and start to laugh.

“We were looking out for you,” Drew responds, shrugging his shoulders.

“Yeah, you’re like a little sis to us,” Liam chuckles.

“So, you weren’t being nosey, huh, Colin?” Colin looks uncomfortable. It’s time to let him off the hook. “It’s nice to know you guys have my back, but I do like my privacy. And if I was actually hooking up with someone in here, this little spy session you all had going on wouldn’t have been cool.”

“Hey, it was at least better than what we had to look forward to this evening.” Liam has stopped chuckling and is back to his frowny self.

I gently push them aside and look into the living room to find it’s empty. “Where are the ladies we heard earlier?” I ask, turning back to look at them. Jeff is grinning with his arms crossed, leaning against the open door.

Liam looks lazily at me. “Oh, they just came up for a drink, nothing else. At least, nothing on our part. I’m sure they would’ve loved to spend the night, but we just weren’t feeling it.”

“How about cards?” Drew blurts out.

“Yeah, sounds great.” Liam glances at Jeff and me. “How about you two? Want to play a friendly game of poker?”

“Poker? I don’t know how to play,” I reply innocently, and they all fall for it.

Ten minutes later, we’re sitting at the round kitchen table and cards are being dealt. In front of me are orange-colored chips. I wanted red, but Jeff grabbed them first.

Liam has blue, Colin purple, and Drew yellow, and each of us has the same amount … for now.

“So Dora, do you understand what I’ve just told you?” Drew asks like he’s talking to a child.

“I think so. If I mess up, don’t hate me.” There I go with my Miss Innocent act again.

Half an hour later, I’m winning big. In fact, they each have a small hill of chips compared to my mountain.

Drew rolls his eyes as I win another hand. “Gentlemen, we’ve been had.”

Yes. I have a great actual poker face, and one that my dad is so proud of since he taught it to me.

“What? Are you talking about my beginner’s luck?” I’m trying so hard not to smile.

“Beginner my ass,” Liam quips while leaning back in his chair and sending me a playful glare.

“And I must say, it’s a nice ass too,” I reply, keeping my face stoic.

“Very funny, little girl. You shouldn’t try to pull one over on us big boys,” he replies, liking my comeback.

Jeff, Drew, and Colin sit back and watch Liam and me sparring. It’s fun.

“Are you guys conceding? Are we finished with the game?” All four walking testosterone machines shake their heads, and I start dealing the next hand.

“Dora, have you asked them yet?” Jeff asks, hiding his face behind his cards.

“Asked us what?” Drew looks at me with one sexy eyebrow raised.

“My mom asked me to invite you over for Christmas, but I told her you were all going home. Right?”

“I’m going home next week,” Colin says. “My mum would never forgive me if I miss this Christmas. Our whole family will be together, which due to the size, is quite incredible.” His dreamy accent makes me want to drool.

“I’m off to my homeland too.” Liam interrupts my musings of the mind-blowing kiss Colin and I shared at Halloween. I’ve wondered why he hasn’t tried again, not that I would allow it. Okay, I’m lying. I’d be all over him like a fat kid on cake.

“She always zones out like she’s in another realm or something. Dora?” Jeff’s voice floats into my consciousness and I raise my eyes to see that I’m the center of attention.

“Sorry, thinking about my last exam in two days. I really should be studying,” I lie, and Jeff just grins. It’s like he’s a mind reader.

“Did you hear that Drew is free for Christmas, and he’d be delighted to join us? Isn’t that right, Drew?”

“I would love to spend time with your family. Mine are … well, Christmas is just another day for them. I kind of miss having family time.” The look on Drew’s face is heart breaking. He’s usually the happy-go-lucky guy who acts like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“Well, if you get a headache, it’s not my fault” I say. “My family is different, so you’ve been warned. I will not be held responsible for what they do, or say.”