Falling Down(52)

"We're eating, what does it look like?"
"Looks like Lucy's half naked," Xander says with a snicker.
I blush what I know has to be a deep scarlet if the heat that's burning my face is any indication.
"Dude. Don't f*ck with her about it."
Ben punches Xander in the arm. "Don't be a dick. You know better."
"Jeez, it was just a joke."
"Well, keep that shit to yourself. Lucy's different," Ben says grabbing three beers from behind the outdoor bar.
"I know she is. What the f*ck?"
"Oh my God, you guys. Just let it go. It's fine," I reassure them.
Jesse scowls. "It's not, but we'll discuss it later."
Ben hands a beer to Xander and another to Jesse.
I fork my last bite of stir fry to my mouth and pretend nothing's out of the ordinary. I have no idea what just happened here or why these guys are acting so retarded to each other so I'm going to ignore it.
"Seriously, Jesse. This was so good."
He smirks, another innuendo on the tip of his tongue.
"Don't even go there."
He chuckles and Ben says, "Dude." And they fist bump. How did he get that out of what was said? Xander reaches over and fist bumps him as well.
I roll my eyes and take a sip of my wine.
"There's pie for dessert if you're interested."
I press a hand to my stomach and groan. "I'll let this settle a bit first."
He nods. Ben and Xander dig in to the stir fry without a word and I wonder what life is like here at Casa Falling Down.
I tuck one leg beneath me and rest my elbows on the table.
"So, tell me. What's a typical day like here at Casa Falling Down?"
Ben chuckles and Jesse and Xander smirk. "Casa Falling Down?"
I shrug at Ben. "Well, I can't call it Casa Jesse or Casa Kingston because that doesn't include everyone. Casa Falling Down seems appropriate."
I take a drink of my wine enjoying the cooling night air, the slight breeze, and the company.
Ben nods at that. "A typical day. Well, it depends really on what we've got going on. Some days there are interviews either TV or radio. Other days there's studio time. There are days we just stay in and go into our studio in the back and write songs and make music."
"You have your own studio?"
They all nod like it's no big deal.
"It's the first thing I had done when I got the house," Jesse says
"Sorry Jesse, but I've got to say it. Lucy you look so f*cking beautiful sitting there right now, all mussed and in the candle light," Xander says.
"Wow," I whisper. "Um, thanks."
"You're just so relaxed. You look now like you look on film. Relaxed, care-free. Happy."
"Huh." What do I say to that?
Jesse crooks a finger at me. I lift a brow but go over to him. He pulls me onto his lap and I wiggle to get comfy. He toys with the back of my hair.
"Do I normally look uptight?"
"Far from it. It's just different seeing you away from work and family and all your responsibilities," Xander tells me.
"Sometimes what's routine can weigh harder on us than we think," Ben adds.
"I don't mind taking care of Sera and Jace. And now that we're going to be making music, I won't have to worry about acting."
Ben nods. "You take care of more than Sera and Jace. I admire it. It's just nice to see you in this light."
I'm not sure what he's getting at. "Well thanks. It's nice to be in this light."
Jesse gives me a squeeze.
I smile. He runs his fingers up and down my thigh innocently. I rub the back of his neck with the hand I have resting there.