“Omari, that isn’t how you’re supposed to do it. Use your stick,” Nathan told her.
“It’s a putter, remember?” Landon asked.
“Yeah, that,” Nathan nodded.
Omari shrugged. “Yeah, but that was faster.”
“Maybe so, but that isn’t how you play, Bitty,” Jalen told her. “You have to play right, or it isn’t fun for everyone.”
“Well, when will we finish playing so we can get nachos?” Omari asked.
“We only have three holes left,” Rohan told her. “We’ll get some food and then go to the rock-climbing wall.”
Omari nodded, and they went back to playing. While Kodi and Mikal spent time with Vega in Denver, Rohan and Jalen took the other girls out so they wouldn’t feel left out of the fun. They’d gone to the movies,Illusion Land, to a picnic in the park, and now they were finishing up the two weeks without the other two at the adventure park.
“Jalen,” Alynn called, gaining his girlfriend’s attention. “Will you take me to the bathroom?”
“I’ll take you,” Landon volunteered. “I have to go myself. Do either of you need to go?” she asked the twins. Both shook their heads no, and Landon took Alynn’s hand, leading her towards the bathroom.
He watched Nathan take her turn while they waited. Four putts later, she sank her ball into the hole. Unlike Omari, who enjoyed vocalizing when she could put the ball into the hole, Nathan preferred to do a little dance. He and Jalen both took their shots while Omari and Nathan played in the faux plants that separated the holes. Jalen walked over and leaned against him.
“I’ll be honest; I didn’t think the twins would like mini golf as much as they seem to. Well, as much as Nathan seems to.”
She’d told him it would be the first time the twins were going mini golfing and expressed that she was worried their attention span for it would be short or nonexistent. However, that hadn’t been the case. They’d been excited to play and take their shots for most of the holes. Until Omari reached this one, Rohan figured that had more to do with her wanting to eat than no longer liking the game.
“We’ll have to bring them back. Just after lunch next time,” he responded with a chuckle.
Landon and Alynn returned, took their shots, and moved on to the next holes. Omari played correctly, though he knew she likely wanted just to put the ball in the hole to get to the food.
Once they finished the course and turned in their putters, the group went to one of the many concession areas. Omari asked if she could order her food, and when Jalen said yes, the little girl excitedly told the attendant that she wanted nachos with extra cheese and only a little chili.
Everyone else ordered, and he pulled out his wallet and paid before Jalen could reach into her purse. He wondered at what point she would realize that when they were out together, regardless of whether it was just the two of them or the entire clan, he wouldn’t let her pay. He figured she wouldn’t, considering they’d been dating almost ten months, and she hadn’t picked up on it yet.
Until then, Rohan hadn’t realized how fast time had flown by. It felt like yesterday when he’d first taken her out in September. Time was speeding by them.
As they ate, Landon told Jalen she wanted to learn to drive, so she could work on getting her driving permit and possibly get her license early. She wanted to at least have her permit by the time Kodi went off to college.
“You’ll have to take and pass the written exam first, and you won’t be able to get your license that quickly. Since you’re under eighteen, you’ll have to have the permit for at least six months and complete thirty hours of driving before obtaining your license,” Jalen responded.
“I’ve already been studying and passed the practice test online twice. Can you take me next week to take the test?” Landon asked.
“I’m sorry, Landon. I work every day next week except for Friday. Since I worked Memorial Day, I have the fourth off for the holiday, and they’ll be closed.”
“She can take it online,” Rohan started. “As long as someone supervises her. I also think you’ll have to make the account, Jalen, but I’m not sure.”
Landon bounced in her seat with excitement. “So, that means I can take it when we get home.”
Jalen nodded as her attention was pulled to Nathan, attempting to steal one of her fries stealthily. She pushed her plate closer, and Nathan grabbed several fries with a thank youbefore placing them in her mouth. She’d eaten all the fries she’d had.
When everyone finished their food, they headed to the rock climbing walls. There were a few different heights to suit different age ranges. They let Alynn, Nathan, and Omari go first on the wall recommended for their age group. Rohan could tell they had fun climbing the wall, but even more fun propelling back down.
Jalen didn’t participate, stating that the last thing she needed was to slip and sprain her ankle, then have to be off work.
“Rohan, let’s race to the top,” Landon stated as they stood at the bottom of the wall.
“You won’t be a sore loser, will you?” he questioned teasingly.
“Nope, because I won’t be the one losing, but you have to give me a four rock head start since you're taller than I am.”
