Chapter Five
The remembrance partywent for a few more hours.Others came by, paid their respects, and left.More stories were shared from different people and anyone around to listen raised their cups before taking a drink after each one.
Toby bounced back after downing an entire cup of apple cider in five seconds.He bounced off the wall and easily slipped into groups to talk with them.He was a complete social butterfly, in his element as he got people laughing and reacting to his antics.
Justin was quiet, like he usually was, but he was far more attentive than I’d ever seen him.He listened.Over and over, he listened.And I could see how much he appreciated hearing about his mom and little sister.Even some stories about his dad before he became the abusive asshole he was when he died.
But then Justin reached his limit, and it seemed people picked up on that.Slowly, they trickled out of the house, loaded with leftovers.Each person attending also got a remembrance keychain so they had a keepsake of their own.It was a family portrait with an engraving on the back with their names.
Some people seemed absolutely appreciative of the gift.Bryan was the thoughtful one who’d provided that for them.
“I need to head home with Dad,” Paxon said as he brought in more cups.“I’m sorry I can’t stick around to help you clean.”
“You already did enough,” I said.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“All right.”He eyed me.“I’ll see you tomorrow after church services.Calvin is excited for the rehearsal.”
“I am too.He’s been working hard.”
Paxon kissed my temple, giving me a quick hug.
“Let’s go.”George was standing there, eyeing us.
My face went completely hot and I expected him to call us out, but he only raised an eyebrow at his son.
“Yeah, I’m coming.”
His dad slipped away.
“Um,” I said slowly, not really sure how to ask.“Does he know?”
“What?”Paxon seemed confused.
My cheeks heated as I replied, “Us.All of us.Me dating all of you?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Are you sure?”
Paxon stared at me and then over to where his dad had been standing.“Well, now I’m not so sure.It’s Dad after all.I’m pretty sure he reads minds even if he keeps telling me that’s impossible.”He pulled off the light grey beanie he had been wearing and ran a hand through his blond hair.“Damn.I’ll try to feel him out.”
“What is he supposed to think?”
Frankly, I wasn’t sure what anyone thought.I think the guys decided on the parents thinking I was dating them while in front of their parents.But I wasn’t so sure that was what was coming across.And what exactly did that look like to Aunt Laura when she took care of both Toby and Justin?We never outright said I was dating them all, we just...did it, I guess.And it’d been nice, but also confusing.
“Hey, can you take Justin over to my place?He’s going to stay there,” Seth asked, coming in with a half full garbage bag.
