Mandy's He-Man by Donna Gallagher Read Free Book Online

singer. Her looks were so different when she was wearing her stage clothes and makeup. Mandy thought it remarkable that her friend was unaware of how stunning she was.
    “Hey, sex goddess, I see your hunky hero is out there already waiting for you. How does he manage to get through a game without seeing you?” Mandy teased Caitlin. “Games go for—what? Like two hours, don’t they?”
    “Yeah, Mandy, let’s just see who’s talking when everyone starts tripping over JT’s big body all the time.”
    “I can’t see myself complaining about that. I’m quite partial to JT’s size. It’s quite in proportion, really…big everywhere, if you get my meaning, Cait.”
    “Oh, you are such a bad girl, Mandy! Thanks for that mental picture. Definitely falls into the TMI category. But just so you know, Brodie doesn’t have any reason to feel inadequate either. Must be a front-row forward thing—they are built big!” Caitlin’s quick reply had both women giggling like schoolgirls.
    Mandy had created a pair of drop earrings for Caitlin. The crimson stones complemented the colour of Caitlin’s hair perfectly, twinkling as they fell from her small delicate earlobes.
    “Oh! Mandy, they are beautiful !” Caitlin exclaimed, teary-eyed.
    Mandy was touched by her friend’s reaction to the gift and reached out to her. As they hugged each other, Brodie entered the bathroom. He seemed a little embarrassed at the emotional scene. Mr Dependable was so big and serious all the time that Mandy couldn’t resist the temptation to tease Brodie, telling him that she and Caitlin had decided to become lovers, and so Caitlin was breaking up with him.
    “Ha, figured the big unit was lousy in bed. One night with him, Mandy, and you’ve given up men! Can’t fault your taste in women, though.” Brodie laughed back at her.
    The conversation was all starting to get a bit ridiculous when JT squeezed into the little room, bellowing that it wasn’t his fault. “Hey, don’t go laying that sort of blame on me Brodes. Mags didn’t seem to be complaining last night…”
    “JT, shush!” Mandy said, embarrassed but thoroughly enjoying the moment, the bonds of friendships being strengthened, as the four erupted into howls of laughter. The raucous sounds even enticed Riley into the room, wondering what wasso funny.
    “What’s wrong with you guys? Geez, can’t we just go and eat? I’m starving,” Riley whined, shaking his ginger head in frustration at the continued laughter filling the small bathroom. “What are you all doing in here, anyway?”
    “It’s okay, Riles,” Brodie said, rubbing the boy’s head affectionately. “The girls were just trying to decide which one of us was the hottest.”
    “Yuck… I do not need to hear this conversation at all.” Riley covered his ears and made ‘la-la-la’ noises, obviously trying to block out the conversation, much to everyone’s delight.
    Mandy felt settled, as if she belonged in this small group. They were a family of sorts—something she hadn’t realised she had been missing. A group of special people who didn’t judge her or try to make her act more normal . Mandy didn’t need to change for them—they seemed to be happy with her the way she was.
    Looking forward to the night, everyone headed out. Brodie was holding Caitlin’s hand, and had an arm around Riley’s shoulders affectionately. Mandy was fitted snugly under JT’s arm, as if her body had been made for that area alone. She thought she would burst, hardly able to contain the emotions that she was feeling. Mandy’s mind was a volcano erupting with colour—hot and heavy, passionate reds and purples, which were quickly replaced by calm, safe, flowing greens and browns, then turned into a rainbow of happy pinks and yellows.
     
    * * * *
     
    Mia’s Restaurant was crowded. More and more customers were coming to enjoy not only the food and entertainment, but also the opportunity to dine with the local sports stars who