My Life Coaches are the Seven Deadly Sins

"Hey Max? You home mate?" Dillon called from outside the door.

The relief was so instantaneous I wanted to collapse. I wiped my eyes as I went to open the door. "Uh.. yeah, just, scared me. You're over an hour early…" I added a bit defensively as my heart continued to beat like a drum. Jesus Christ… I really was becoming paranoid… seriously… what had I thought was going to happen. Still, I am missing food…

Dillon hesitantly walked in with a green shopping back, "You okay Mate?" Dillon glanced around with narrowed eyes, "Anyone giving you problems?"

My breath stilled… I'd almost, a tiny part of me, had really hoped Dillon had come by unannounced. "Uh, just, long day."

Dillon gently grabbed my shoulder, "Max, are you okay? Did something happen?"

I bit his lip as I lowered my head, "I, I don't know. I, is, can we go?" I didn't want to talk about it here. I wasn't even hungry anymore, I just wanted to leave. I could deal with a little food going missing later.

"Okay Mate, I brought some bagels, we can have them at my place. Come on, need to grab anything before we go?" Dillon asked softly.

I just shook my head, then nodded. Keys, wallet… I quickly darted into the bedroom and threw them in my backpack, along with my old computer. Just in case. Then I quietly followed Dillon out.

Dillon was watching me out of the corner of his eye, but didn't continue to ask. "So, Jake and Jack will be there around eleven, wasn't really feeling the gym so just went on a jog around the lake. I sent a text, but reception is kinda shotty sometimes. My vacay ends in two days, so wanted to unpack as much as possible."

I just nodded along as Dillon kept talking. Slowly I started to relax, Dillon's chatter was comforting… especially after knowing someone else might have access to the apartment.

As they pulled into the parking lot I tensed when Dillon turned the car off, but didn't unbuckle himself. After a long moment of silence, when I was sure he'd ask, Dillon took a deep breath, then started getting out of the car.

I hadn't even realized I'd been holding my breath, but I let it out as I silently followed Dillon past security to his apartment.

"So… do you like bagels?" Dillon asked as I set my bag down, head still baod as if Dillon wouldn't ask if I just refused eye contact.

"Uh, yeah. Bagels are good." I agreed quietly, honestly how was I supposed to ask, Hey! Its an awesome apartment! But, is it haunted? Or is there some creep who sneaks in the reason you're practically giving it away? I might have thought a critter made off with my food if the banana peel hadn't been in the garbage bag, or if my phone hadn't moved back into the cup.

"Coffee good or something else to drink?" Dillon asked turning to the freshly brewed pot.

I'd been so distracted I hadn't even noticed the smell, but now that I did I breathed it in. "Coffee would be great." Coffee, that's what I need. Maybe… maybe I've so caffeine deprived I started sleepwalking. That made more sense than someone breaking in to wake me up while I'm bathing.

"A man of good taste, I just add a little cream, how do you like yours?" Dillon asked winking over his shoulder as he pulled out two starwars mugs.

"Um, cream is great." I agreed as tried not to be too eager as I awaited the elixir of life. How long since I've had coffee? Days? More than a week already. I felt like Gollum as I accepted the steaming mug. Closing my eyes, I took a moment to just breathe in the smell, then took my first scaldingly glorious sip.

Dillon tossed three bagels into his toaster oven as he pulled out a pan, "I was going to be lame and just have it with cream cheese at your place, but since we're here, I'm thinking bagel sandwiches, I like my eggs over easy, how do you want yours Max?"

I hesitated, "Uh, whatever is easier." I saw Dillon stiffen for just a moment, but he didn't turn around.

"I like runny egg yolk, otherwise with bacon it's a bit dry, but I know a runny egg anywhere near Jack is a declaration of war. I can cook it all the way through or soft yolk, it's all the same for me Max." Dillon offered as he slid six large, thick cut slices of peppered bacon on the pan. Using a spatula to make sure they didn't stick as the pan quickly heated over the open flame.

I hesitated, "Uh, soft then, anything I can, uh, do in the mean time?" I asked glancing at all the empty boxes along the walls. I could start breaking them down, or unpacking more.

"Chill Max, I'll put you to work soon enough. It's sacrilegious to do anything before the first cup of coffee." Dillon teased, "Grab a seat, if you've got some music for background noise that would be great."

After a glance around, I pulled the rolling countertop away from the wall, opened the ledge and found a soft rock playlist. Mostly older songs. I mostly listened as Dillon kept up the chatter, occasionally offering opinions or my own small stories.

The bagel sandwich was amazing, crispy bacon, fried egg, a slice of ham, thick cheese all on a perfectly toasted bagel. After their second cup of coffee which led to debates on the best brands, we started unpacking more.

I hummed along to the music, glad to just not have to think about the other apartment. For now, just doing something.

I emptied the dishwasher then loaded freshly unpacked dishes. Soon we fell into a good rhythm, I handwashed easier dishes, folded laundry, and broke down boxes while Dillon decided where all his things would go.

When Jack and Jake arrived, Dillon ran down to escort them in. They were both in almost identical outfits again, overalls, bandanas, boots, but no gloves today.

"Hey Jake! Hey Jack!" I greeted with a grin, it was nice to see their gruff but familiar faces.

Jack was mid nod when his eyes abruptly narrowed, after kicking his boots off he walked to stand directly over me. "What happened?" His voice had a low growl as he narrowed his eyes, looking me over repeatedly. Half a moment later Jake was doing the same.

My grin stiffened as they towered over me, not because they were intimidating, but because their question brought back all the anxiety and fear about the other apartment. had Dillon said anything?

"You're tense, why?" Jake asked looking for evidence of violence.

I tried to blow the concern off, "I'm, uh, fine, really, just, I just scared myself."

Dillon shoved his shoulder into Jake, who in turn stumbled into Jack. "Relax boys, give him some room. Let's get those shelves up first. That way we can get the books out of the boxes and make some room in here." Dillon pushed the two larger men half playfully.

Jack glanced over his shoulder but moved as directed, "Are you hurt?"

The raw concern… I boad my head as teers threatened damnit. I was finally starting to convince myself I was just forgetting things. Like maybe I put the phone back before I turned the shower on and just forgot about it because I was so tired.

Jake came to a halt, moving around Dillon to squat down in front of Max. "Did someone hurt you Max?" His voice was quiet, but not in a gentle way, more like a suppressed angry way.

I shook my head, "I'm fine, really." I added looking up at Jake, I tried to force a smile… but from the way they were looking at me I knew it couldn't have been a good one. I couldn't hold the stare as I baod his head again to look at the box I was breaking down. "Really, I just, I just scared myself."

"Jake, Jack, don't hound him." Dillon's voice had lost a bit of his playfulness as he nodded his head to the shelves. "Let's try and wrap up early." He added sternly as he moved to grab his tool bag.

Jack stared a moment longer, then followed Dillon to set the shelves up. Jake ruffled my hair, then followed.

Dillon started talking again while the rest of us mostly listened. It took a little while, but soon I started joining in on the conversation. It was cool to learn that Dillon was a software engineer who'd just been promoted to lead his own team. That's why he'd finally decided it was time to move into a bigger place.

I was a little surprised to learn Dillon had been dumped, but the other two only snorted at him.

"Dumped implies dating." Jack snorted with a grin as they moved the third bookshelf up against a wall. It was pretty close to the spare bedroom door so Dillon would have to be careful leaving.

Dillon gave a dramatic sigh, "I told her I wasn't ready for a relationship! Just friends with benefits! But not even a month later she was introducing me as her fiancé… like hold up! We weren't even dating! I only stayed over twice!" Dillon complained as he started shoving books on the shelves. They were just getting them off the ground. He waved them into the office area where his computer desk lay in pieces.

Jake rolled his eyes, "You bought her flowers…"

Dillon looked aghast, "It was her birthday! Tons of people bought her flowers! I just took her to a dinner… I'm just saying, dating is going to have to wait."

Jack shook his head, "One day someone will lock you down."

Dillon shrugged, "Not today, besides, at least I get out, you two act like every woman on earth is a scourge." Both Jake and Jack scowled.

"I don't do casual." Jake scoffed as he started grabbing pieces of the table.

"Have you met Wella?" Jack asked with a shudder, "causally dating a girl like her was just asking to get castrated… she's already kicked half a dozen men hard enough they had to go to the ER. Not taking that chance."

Dillon rubbed his nose, "Oh, well, uh, anyway, dating isn't in my plans for at least another year. One project and I'm off grid for two months. Who wants to date someone who's only occasionally available?" Jack turned to Max inquiringly.

I shuffled in with the table legs, "Uh, probably no dating, um, at least, not for a bit." I murmured thinking of Arianna… I really loved her. I still had the ring… speaking of which, I should probably see if I could still get a refund. I needed every penny since my job search wasn't looking too good.

Jake and Jack stiffened as they turned to stare at me, their gazes heaving with inquiry. I sighed as I glanced at the three men.

"Uh, my ex… uh, she cheated on me… and wrecked my car… that, uh, why I needed a new start." I explained trying to sound nonchalant, but of course I was anything but. The silence was deafening.

"It's fine, I've, moved on. Just don't want to rush, ya know?" I added as the silence continued.

"Oh hey! I know a gal who works at a call center, was just talking to her the other day, you still looking for a job Max?" Dillon asked clearly trying to change the subject.

I perked up, "Uh yeah, where at?" As much as I needed a job, I couldn't afford taxis everyday. If it wasn't on the bus route or within a reasonable walking distance…

Dillon snagged his phone, "I'll send you the address, it's a bit far from the apartment, but the bus stop is right across the street from it. I used to work there when I first moved to the area."

I used maps to pull up the address, ten minute walk from his apartment to the bus stop, then twenty to thirty minute ride. This would be a godsend. "How, uh, how'd you like it?"

Dillon grinned, "Not gonna lie mate, the hours were ruff. But, lots of overtime helped me finish my degree, they also offer school assistance and work with your schedule for tests. Donna and Erika were awesome references, she's actually the one who helped me score my new gig. I'll shoot her a text, maybe we can swing by tomorrow? If you don't have anything going on?"