The Throw-Aways

To say I was pretty good at Extreme Monopoly was an understatement.

I WAS GREAT!

So far, I had collected three sets of shoes, four wristbands, five shirts, and Tino’s pants. Needless to say, our drummer was out and I was about to be called the champion.

But I was stuck.

Austin had four houses in front of me and Alan was just after him. If I got anything other than an Eight or a twelve, I had to give up a major article of clothing. Yep, that meant my PUG LIFE shirt.

Jack had called me midway through our epic game and I had yelled through Alan and Aaron’s shouts that I would have to call him back. I think he was trying to get together for coffee sometime since he was in Oregon for a concert and we were heading there now. But I don’t really know what he was trying to tell me. I couldn’t hear!

“ROLL! ROLL! ROLL!” Phil and Tino chanted. I picked up the dice with a nervous hand, shook them around, said a little prayer, and tossed them onto the table.

It was a seven.

“Grrr….” I grumbled through clenched teeth. My little iron dog pawn pounced across the spaces and landed on Marvin Gardens. I glared at Austin. I figured out his reason behind playing this game. He wanted me to finally get my sweatshirt off so that would try to feel more comfortable with one arm around the guys.

Okay, I had lost my sweatshirt seven rounds ago, but now my PUG LIFE shirt?! Really?!

“Give it up.” He held out his hand. The air conditioner was on again so we all brought blankets out. Everyone was tucked under one besides me. Throwing off my green shirt, I tossed it in his face and quickly pulled the blanket out.

Nubby the nub complained about being exposed to the open, biting air. I pulled the blanket around me using my right arm. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sucker punch Aaron who giggled as Austin neatly tucked my shirt into his small stack of clothes.

Glaring the entire time, I waited for him to roll the dice.

“Stop looking so sour and will you trade the railroad for the electric company?” Austin chuckled. I shook my head again, not using words. So the rounds continued to go on.

Eventually, it was down to just Austin as my opponent. The others anxiously watched our little pawns circle around and around. Finally, Austin landed on my hotel on Broadway. I stuck my tongue out as he took off his pants and threw them at me. He quickly shuffled under a blanket.

“Winner!” I laughed happily as Alan grumbled about needing his belt back. I handed everybody’s articals of clothing back except Austin’s pants.

“I like this shirt!” He inspected it and then slipped it on. Being the lanky singer he is, it fit him just fine. It was actually a little long on me so it came to the right length on him. His nose ring reflected a small ray of light and I squinted.

“Hey! Give it back!” I complained. I hugged his jeans under Nubby the nub as my right hand clutched the black blanket. His eyes glittered with mischief as I pursed my lips.

“But I like it!” He complained. Aus made no move to take my light green t-shirt off of him. I looked down and saw his sweatshirt on the ground. I grabbed that as well, bending down and snatching if off the ground.

“Okay, at least take your pants.” I grunted and looked away. I’ll trade him my shirt for his sweatshirt.

“Yes, thanks!” He cheered, slipping back into his black skinny jeans. He actually looked kind of good in the shirt…..

“Now can I have my shirt back?” I asked. Alan moved to the couch, eyeing us like he had something to say but no voice to say it.

“Um, no!” He teased. I shivered under the air conditioning that blasted and grumbled. Tino slid the board back into its cabinet.

“Fine, but I’m taking your sweatshirt.” I grumbled. I’ll steal my shirt back eventually. I dropped the blanket and slipped the plain grey top over my bare chest.

It was comfortable, warm, and smelled of Austin. The scent made me dizzy and smile. I loved it and never wanted to let this go.

“Okay, okay, I’ll trade you back!” He whined, looming over me, but had a grin on his face. I shook my head.

“Hmm….I think I like this. I’ll hold onto it for a while.” I smiled and ignored his pouting lips. Pushing past him, I went back to lay in my bunk, feeling better than I had in a long time. That game had actually made me happy, even though I had traded tops with Austin.

“Please?” He begged. I smirked to him and crawled onto my bed.

“Later, Pug Life!” I laughed and ducked inside. It was time to Skype with my own dog.

Three hours later, I had gotten to see my dog and talked to Arestino. I hid the injury beneath Aus’s sweatshirt and was relieved when we had gotten off. But although I had some time to connect with my pug, I missed him so much.

After I shut off my laptop, I rolled onto my left side and cuddle into Austin’s large sweatshirt. It was so warm and nice. I didn’t even need my blankets with the warmth that radiated off of it. Tucking my nose into the collar, I inhaled the scent off of the fabric. It reminded me of warmth and comfort, of home and understanding.

It was just Austin.

Somewhere between halfway to now and then, I fell asleep. Upon waking up, I noticed that my PUG LIFE shirt had been folded neatly and set next to my arm. No, Austin hadn’t stolen the sweatshirt as I slept, but he had kindly returned mine shirt.

He was such a sweetheart.

As I softly yawned and stretched, I noticed my laptop was gone. I went into a frantic, thinking that one of the guys were going through my personal stuff. I slipped out of Austin’s sweatshirt and threw on my PUG LIFE top. Slinking out of my bunk, I stepped up and looked into Austin’s. He had his head tucked under his arm. Of course, he was shirtless and snoring quietly.

I tucked his grey hoodie up next to him, like another pillow. Stepping down, I smiled a little at the sweetness of the man. Looking down the hall, I stepped into the front lounge where the four others were hanging out.

My laptop sat on the drink cooler.

“Is there any reason why my laptop is out here?” I asked them. They shrugged and went back to watching the football game on the TV. Aaron sipped a beer.

“Dunno.” He responded. Eyeing all of them suspiciously, I took my computer and slipped it back into my bunk. Peering onto the screen, I saw that nothing had been changed or removed. Nothing had been opened and my trash hadn’t mysteriously been emptied.

“Okay, okay, what’d you guys do?” I growled to them. They knew that I didn’t like them touching my laptops. Tino, Phil, and Alan held their hands up.

“It was Alan’s idea.” Aaron responded casually, still starring at the screen. Hands on my hips, I stared down the ginger princess.

“Sell out!” Alan grumbled.

“Actually it was Aus’s idea, but Alan was the one who took your laptop.” Tino interjected. I just stared each of them down.

“So what did you do?” I asked impatiently. Alan didn’t say a word.

“Ashby. Spill.” I said. He shook his head.

“It’s a surprise!” He giggled. I slammed my one good hand into my forehead, shaking my black hair in disbelief.

“You boys make me frustrated.” I growled. Tino chuckled lightly.

“Sexually or mentally?” Phil asked. The two burst out in giggles, just like little kids. Alan smirked.

“No, Austin makes her sexually frustrated.” Alan burst out in humorous laughter.

I held up Nubby the nub, the sleeve rolling down to reveal the round tip of Nubby. Everyone in the lounge was gasping for air. Austin moaned and rolled over, probably woken up.

“This is me, flipping you off with my nub.” I muttered darkly as I reached into the cooler with my other hand and balancing my laptop at the same time. Pulling out a soda, I cracked the top and started for my sanctuary.

“See, we all make her frustrated, but Aus makes her sexually frustrated. I knew it!.” Phil chuckled again as I made my way into my bunk. Overhead, Austin watched me crawl into my bunk. I blushed as the curtain slammed closed.

“What’d I miss?” His voice echoed over head.

Notes

Austin pretty much makes everyone sexually frustrated :3