*You risk much for love, but you risk more by avoiding it*
Thanks to Frontma for all the editing help.
*
(Christmas)
As I came up the walkway to our college group home Jamie came running out to jump into my arms. I was barely able to put my gifts down before she collided with me.
"God, I've missed you," she said between kisses.
"Jamie, I've been gone three days," I responded. I saw Gina standing somewhat self-consciously at the door. I'd been back in our home town spending time with my Mom.
"Hey, Gina," I called out. "Help me unload the car." She shuffled toward me as I hung onto Jamie. Together the three of us went to the car. The second Christmas present Gina pulled out made her pause. I casually looked her way.
"Yes?" I asked her.
"This has my name on it," she mumbled.
"It's Christmas; you get gifts on Christmas," I grinned. Gina attacked the pile of gifts, her smile growing larger. The three of us finally got everything inside and I sighed when I noticed what Jamie had gotten for a Christmas tree -- a fossilized bush completely devoid of leaves.
At least Jamie had the good sense to look contrite when I cast my baleful gaze upon her.
"Well, let's get the presents open," I announced. Jamie and Gina sat down and attacked their small pile of presents. Gina got one from Mark, Amber, Emily, Jamie, and I and she went hog wild. She danced around the place with her clothes, new cell phone, and pre-paid charge card.
Jamie laughed it up with Gina and they both raced back to their bedrooms to change. Gina had the good sense to come out fully clothed but Jamie tempted fate by coming out in her new hoodie and thong panties. Gina was scandalized, but I noticed her gaze kept slipping Jamie's way. It reminded me of the kiss Gina had shared with Emily a year ago.
"What did you get for Christmas?" Jamie asked.
"Two gorgeous girls to do with as I please," I chortled. Gina gulped and Jamie poked me in the chest.
"Don't worry, Gina. When he talks about his two girls he's referring to his right hand and left hand," Jamie grinned.
"Ouch," I cringed. "I came all this way to see you, Baby."
"You came all this way to sleep alone tonight," she taunted me. Gina giggled. I looked pained which only made Jamie happier.
"Don't you want some hot throbbing sex?" I begged.
"I don't know," Jamie said loftily. "Gina, what are you doing tonight?" Gina choked.
"I ah -- Craig, a little help here?" Gina sputtered.
"I'll hold her down and you tickle her," I conspired. Gina looked uncertain but Jamie knew what was coming and bolted for the bedroom. I raced after her and got her right at the bedroom door. I wrapped her up in my arms and lifted her back to the main room.
"Gina! Help!" Jamie squawked. I fell down on the sofa and Jamie thrashed around trying to get free. Gina hovered over us for a few seconds before a whole new kind of smile came to her face and she leapt on Jamie. Jamie started really kicking and screaming in hysterics while Gina tickled her without mercy.
The three of us fell to the floor and soon Gina was tickling me and Jamie equally. I grabbed Gina in desperation and pulled her to us. Jamie was fighting for breath but managed to get on top of Gina where the tickling was returned with intent. In the end we were all struggling for breath on the floor and lying on our backs.
Jamie rolled onto her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows looking down on Gina.
"You are going to pay for your treachery, young maiden," Jamie panted.
Gina reached up and stroked Jamie's hair.
"Okay," she responded softly.
"How about I go out and get some food?" I suggested.
"I'll go with you," Gina insisted in a nervous manner. We stood up and gathered our coats, and I noticed Jamie's confused expression. Gina had some issues, that was for sure.
Gina sat in silence for most of the trip to the Chinese take-out place. On the way back Gina turned to me, looking very serious.
"You and Jamie are very close, right?" Gina asked.
"Very close. But that doesn't mean the two of you can't be close too," I suggested. That brought Gina up short once more. "What you are feeling is totally natural, Gina. You don't have to worry about Jamie or me judging you," I told her.
"Craig, I like you; I trust you. What am I going to do?" Gina worried. She trusts me? What is wrong with my jock image that makes girls want to trust me and makes me not want to abuse that trust? How less complicated would my life be if I was as total asshole?
"Follow your heart, Gina. Have a little faith in you," I responded.
"What about us, -- you and me?" Gina asked.
"As I've told you earlier, you are beautiful. Mark is my friend and I don't feel there can be an 'us' while the two of you are together. You, Jamie, and Emily are a different matter," I assured her. "Don't worry about me getting jealous; Jamie has always gone her own way and I think Emily likes you."
"She does?" Gina sounded a bit surprised.
"Oh, yeah, trust me on that one. Emily likes you a lot," I told her.
"Amber?" Gina questioned.
"Amber less so, but that has more to do with what she likes than anything personal," I assured her.
"We are not talking about friendship, are we?" Gina asked for clarification.
"Nope," I answered. Gina looked at her hands a long time.
"All of this was going on when we were in high school, wasn't it?" she inquired.
"Yes, it was," I grinned.
"I always thought there was something 'friendly' about Emily and Jamie; they were always so helpful and touchy-feely," she noted.
"Did you like that level of relationship?" I asked. She thought that over for a minute.
"Yes," she replied quietly. "Yes, I did. Do you think Mark will get upset?"