The Perfect Spiral

“Run! Run! Run!” The command echoed in my mind as I sprinted through a field of lavender, my eyes fixed on the horizon. A lone tree stood in the distance, its branches drooping as if the life had been drained from it.

The area around the tree was shrouded in darkness, but curiosity propelled me forward. As I neared the tree, my pace slowed until I came to a complete stop.

“Alex.” The sound of my name made me spin around. Wes stood there, clad in blue jeans, his shirt hanging from his back pocket, revealing a set of abs that could make any woman swoon. He was panting, as if he’d been chasing me.

“You sure are fast,” he said, taking long, measured strides to close the distance between us. “But you have to run faster.” His tone was serious, causing me to instinctively step back.

“Why? Why do I need to run, Wes?” I was confused. Where was I supposed to be running to? Who was I running from?

“RUN!” His roar echoed through the field, shaking the ground beneath me and startling the birds from their nests in the withered tree. I heard my name being called in the distance and looked past Wes. There he was.

Drew.

He was sprinting towards me, a deadly look in his eyes that was locked on me. I tried to run, but my feet felt as if they were encased in cement. I swung my arms, hoping my legs would follow suit, but they remained rooted to the spot.

Panic surged through me as Drew drew closer. “Wes?!?!” I screamed, but there was no response. I frantically scanned the area, but Wes was nowhere to be found.

Drew was still charging towards me. If he kept up his pace, he’d bulldoze me over. He was getting closer, closer, until...

“HIKE!”

“Ahhh!” I bolted upright, panting heavily. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck, despite the late November chill. I looked around, trying to get my bearings. It was just a dream. Just a dream.

I was in my room in Savannah. I was safe. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and saw a message from Andy that had arrived eight minutes ago.

I waited for a few minutes until I heard footsteps in the hallway outside my room. There was a soft knock on my door, and I called out for her to come in. Andy entered, closing the door behind her, and climbed into bed with me.

“This house is insane! It’s a fucking mansion,” she exclaimed. I shrugged off her comment, but she noticed my discomfort.

“Hey, you alright? You’re sweating.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I just had a bad dream. I’m good. Did you sleep alright?”

She stretched, accidentally hitting me in the face with her hand. “That bed is the comfiest I’ve ever slept on! I slept like a baby. I feel so refreshed.”

“Thanks for that, Andy.”

“Whoops, sorry. My bad.” We both laughed.

The muffled sounds of shouting and laughter drifted in through my window. The boys were playing football. I remembered the times I’d played with my brothers and their friends. They always went easy on me, despite my protests. I never went easy on them. I was fast, always had been. Still was. But surfing was more my thing.

“Lunch is ready, boys! Come in and eat! Alex, honey,” my mom called from downstairs.

“Yeah, Mom?” I shouted back.

“Lunch is ready! Bring Andy down for some food before these beasts eat it all.” We both chuckled.

“She’s not kidding. There are too many boys here! There’s another family here, The Carters, and maybe Brett and Tyler? There are ten grown men down there and two little ones. You hungry?” Andy asked. I nodded and told her to follow me.

She grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “Like this?”

“Why? Do you want to change?”

“Uh, yes, Alex! If your brother’s friends are hot, I will need to put some gloss and mascara on!”

“Here,” I handed her my makeup to save her the trip back to her room. She was done in under a minute.

“Okay, now let’s go.” She giggled excitedly as we made our way out the door, still in our sleepwear.

We sauntered lazily down the stairs and approached the door that separated us from my family and extended family.

“You ready? It’ll be hectic, but I think the boys are sitting down at the table so we can just help out with the preparations or get some food and sit outside by ourselves or with the boys. It’s up to you.” She nodded.

I pushed the door open and walked over to the left of the room where the island full of food was. “Morning, girls, or should I say afternoon?” Eric called over to us. I went over to give him a hug and a kiss.

Then a whistle came from behind us and we both spun around to see five pairs of eyes staring at us. Brett was the first to comment, “Ho-ly shit! Alex? Is that you?”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Andy, this is Brett, Kyle’s friend, and that’s Tyler. Guys, this is Andy.” I pointed to each of them in turn.

Kyle stood up and walked over to us, taking Andy’s hand and kissing the back of her knuckles while maintaining eye contact. “Hi, Andy. I’m Kyle.” His voice was sultry, causing her to blush and look away.

“Kyle, quit scaring her,” I chided, swatting his hand away. He released her hand and instead pulled me into a bear hug, prompting my other two brothers to join in.

“Sam! Get in here! Group hug,” he bellowed, his voice echoing through the room.

Sam darted in, leaping onto my brothers with a gleeful shout. “You’re home! Yes! I was sick of being the only young woman here! Although I do question if Kyle even has a dick sometimes.”

Laughter filled the room, all except for Kyle. To clarify the family tree, it goes as follows: Cole, Max, Sam, Kyle, and me. Cole is married to Sasha and they have two kids, Lena, 15, and Noah, 4, with another on the way. Max has a girlfriend, Jane, and they have a child, Eden, 3. Sam is engaged to Tyson, which is why I came home—to help plan the wedding and fulfill my duties as a bridesmaid. Kyle and I are the single ones, though I’m newly single.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough you guys! Don’t choke my poor baby!” My mom waved them off me, stepping in to give me a hug herself. “This must be Andy! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you, child! You’re even prettier than I’d imagined!”

After giving Andy a warm hug, she turned back to me. “And you, your hair looks fabulous, baby! It suits you!” My sister agreed, inspecting it closely.

“Would you girls mind helping me and Delilah in the kitchen?” We all nodded and hurried over to Delilah.

“Alex! My goodness, you look so grown up and beautiful!” Delilah greeted me with a warm smile. I returned her smile and gave her a hug, waving at Ace, her husband.

“Hi, Ace! Thanks, Delilah, you look young and gorgeous too!” I beamed back at her. Delilah was like a second mother to me, always looking after me, especially when Knox was being a pain in my ass. Speaking of, where was Satan’s spawn?

“Delilah, I’d like for you to meet my friend Andy. She’s my roommate in college!”

“Well hello, Andy, aren’t you a pretty young thing,” Delilah cooed in her southern accent, giving her a once-over.

“Thank you, Delilah, that’s very kind of you,” Andy replied shyly. She turned back to the table, her gaze searching for someone, and that certain someone was looking right back at her.

I nudged her, bringing her attention back to earth. “Hey, quit ogling my brother and help me with the food,” I teased.

“Alex and Andy, will you cut up some fruit for the salad?”

We parted from Delilah and made our way to the side of the counter where Eric, Ace, and the five of us were chopping and peeling for the meal. That’s when he crawled up from the pits of hell to greet me.

“Baby doll?” I snapped my head around to see him standing right next to me, his brows furrowed in disbelief. “Damn,” he cursed under his breath.

He was shirtless, his top slung over his shoulder, his body glistening with sweat. His six-pack was on full display, and I couldn’t help but stare.

Sweet baby Jesus above! He looked good! So, so good. I couldn’t even deny it.

Standing there, I felt his heated gaze trail down my body, and I started to feel a little uncomfortable. I caught his gaze after his eyes roamed my body, but I can’t talk—I just did the same a few seconds ago. But he doesn’t know that.

Licking his lips and lifting the left side of his lip up into his signature smirk that always managed to piss me off, he looked at me. His hair was dark and messy, like he’d run his fingers through it one too many times. His piercing blue gaze was haunting, and it was locked on me.

There were beads of sweat trickling down his perfectly sculpted body. His broad shoulders and bulging biceps would make Adonis jealous, and not to mention that V line on his lower abdomen disappearing under his basketball shorts that I so badly wanted to peek down.

Fuck! Oh lord, help me!

Wait, what?!?!?! No, no! Hold up! I did NOT just think that! I despise this guy! Alex, get your shit together!

“Jesus Christ! You’re... You’re... Jesus!” Andy squealed, snapping his attention to her. She stood there, stunned at the Greek god standing before her.

“Well, I personally prefer Knox, but I’m cool with Jesus too!” He smirked at her and then turned his focus back to me.

“Well, well, well, baby doll. You look... different,” he said, pausing to take one last look at me. He smirked and took a sip of his water, keeping his eyes locked on mine.

He walked over to Andy and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Andy. I’m Knox Carter.”

I swear she was about to pass out from him just touching her. “Oh, I know who you are! I think every girl in the entire world knows who you are!” she blurted out, gawking at his abs.

I went back to cutting strawberries and he walked up behind me, reaching over to grab a fresh one over my shoulder, brushing against me while holding my other shoulder with his hand.

His chest pushed up against my back and I was in shock. What was he doing? I could feel the heat radiating off his body onto mine.

“Nice jersey, baby doll,” he said, his voice low. I glared at him, realizing I was wearing his jersey to bed. Shit! I asked for that one.

“Baby doll?” Andy asked me with a playful grin, while I glared back at her, continuing to cut the fruit.

“Cat got your tongue?” he asked, resting his elbows down on the counter space next to me, staring at my side profile. He was too close for my liking.

“No, I just don’t want my IQ to plummet by engaging in conversation with you. Ever heard of personal space?” I retorted, prompting a chuckle and a step closer from him.

“Am I making you nervous, baby doll?” His face was inching closer to mine.

“No, you’re just irritating me. You do realize the closer you get to me, the closer you are to the knife in my hand, right?”

He smirked down at me. “Still feisty as ever,” he winked at me. Why is he acting this way?

Typically, we’re at each other’s throats while my mom and Delilah keep the knives out of our reach. Before I could respond, I felt two arms wrap around my legs in a hug.

Looking down, I saw Adam Carter, Knox’s nephew. I bent down to pick him up and set him on the counter. Wow, he’s grown... and heavy. Shit, I underestimated his weight!

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my boyfriend Adam!” A blush spread across his sweaty face at my words.

“Look at you, such a big boy now! Still as cute as ever!” His smile beamed at me.

“Yeah, he gets his cuteness from me,” Knox interjected.

“How could someone this adorable be related to you? I hope he doesn’t take after you, for his sake!”

Knox laughed at me, his hand resting over his abs, and I couldn’t help but follow the movement.

“Hi, Alex!” Adam cried, “Did you miss me?”

Ugh, why is he so cute! It’s too much! “Of course I missed you, honey! I missed you so very much! Did you miss me?” I playfully tapped his nose with my finger.

He nodded, “I always miss you, Alex!”

“You always miss me?! Wow, I feel very special now! Do I get a hello kiss from my boyfriend?” I asked dramatically, and he nodded again, grabbing my face with his little hands and planting a kiss on my cheek.

He turned red with embarrassment, then pulled back and began to tap his finger on his cheek smugly.

“Do you want a kiss from me?” I asked him, and he nodded yet again. “I wonder who taught him that,” I said, turning to look at Knox who was watching us attentively.

I bent down to kiss him on the cheeks and smothered him in kisses while he laughed hysterically.

“The first time I’ve ever been jealous of a three-year-old,” he muttered under his breath.

I pretended I didn’t hear it and set him down off the counter onto the ground. Just then, my nieces and nephews came running into view.

Lena was the first to greet me, “Heeeey Al! Love love love the hair!” She’s such a teenager. I hugged her tight; it had been a while since I’d seen her.

“Hello, doll. Look at you, all grown up. I bet your dad is loving it,” I said sarcastically, catching Cole’s glare as she rolled her eyes.

My brother Cole and Sasha had Lena when they were nineteen in college. They were young, but we all knew they were destined to be together!

Next were the two little rascals, Noah and Eden, who are four and three. I picked them up into my arms—thankfully, they were lighter—and smothered them with kisses too.

“Hello, my two little rugrats! You’re both getting so big,” I said, setting them down. I pointed over to Andy, who was just gawking at Knox.

“This is my friend Andy, say hi to her. Noah, is Andy your girlfriend?” They all said hi and waved at her. Noah ran over to her, gave her a hug and a kiss, and then ran back to hide behind me.

Such a charmer, I know. While Eden ran over to Knox and he picked her up with ease.

“Hello, my Princess, what have you got there? Is this for me?” he asked, taking a piece of paper from her that looked like a drawing of some sort.

“Is that me?” I watched her nod, “Am I playing football?” she nodded again. “Can I have a kiss to make your aunt jealous?” she shook her head no, and I laughed so hard.

“I’ve taught her well. Tell me, Knox, how does it feel to be rejected by a three-year-old?” He scowled at me when Eden reached out for me to grab her, which I did while brushing off Knox.

While in my arms, she turned back to him and blew him a kiss, saying, “I love you, Knox.” “Uh, traitor,” I told her, and she gave me her cute confused look.

“Now if you could just teach your Aunt Alex to say that to me, that would be splendid, Princess.”

“That’ll never happen,” I vowed.

Kyle butted in, “Those words will never come out of her mouth in your direction, buddy!”

“We’ll see,” he winked, taking a gulp of water.

Setting the fruit salad on the dining table, I noticed Brett and Tyler couldn’t stop staring at me. Yes, I got a makeover. Get over it. Geez!

“What?” I eyed them.

“You look so different, Alex. Like, you’re super hot!”

Tyler nodded his head in agreement. But not long before they both got smacked in the back of their heads by Max and Kyle.

“Eyes on me, boys, not my sister,” but they stared anyway.

I was flattered by all the attention I was getting recently from guys with my new look. But sometimes it was slightly uncomfortable because I wasn’t used to it.

Andy pulled me aside to scold me. “Since when do you know Knox fucking Carter?” she hissed at me.

“I don’t,” I kept walking, feeling her hand grip my wrist and pull me back. She gave me a death glare. Okay, I have to tell her. I rolled my eyes at her expression.

“Okay, okay, fine! I’ve known him since I was nine. We went to the same school, his family is friends with my family, and so on and so forth,” I confessed.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Don’t you trust me?” she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just... I don’t like telling people I know him because they only want to be friends with me to get to him. So, I didn’t tell you to see if you liked me for me, not because of who I knew.”

“Holy crap, he’s looking over here! He’s so much hotter in person! Fuck me! But your brother though!” she exclaimed, quickly shifting her attention back to me.

“Wow, okay, that was a quick change in topic!” I laughed, making eye contact with Knox as he sauntered our way.

“Look, if you were just introduced to these hot guys, wouldn’t you be out of your mind high on their looks! Hannah lied! Your brothers are fucking hot and so are their friends! Lord help me!” she exclaimed, tilting her head back dramatically.

Rolling my eyes before Knox could overhear, I retorted, “You ladies talking about me?” Andy blushed and scurried to the table.

“You wish,” I shot back, walking into the pantry to get some plastic cups. He followed me in.