And now we know why Jasper double shirts.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Amelie
After a fantastic morning at the fair, we opt for a late lunch with my family. It’s just them, me, and my boyfriends. Slate actually manages to relax once introductions are out of the way, and my dad doesn’t give him a hard time.
It’s a noisy affair, but everyone seems to be getting on well. Most of us pigged out on too much candy and sugar at the fair, so we’ve chosen to have small plates or appetisers for dinner. Not Kalen though. He ordered the biggest burger known to man and challenged Aadi and Smalls to an eating contest.
Which they accepted, of course, because family don’t back down from a challenge. Which is probably why all three of them are looking green and groaning. Idiots.
“Hi, can I get you any desserts?” The server asks brightly, coming to a stop at our large table.
“No, thank you,” I say at the same time Kalen yells, “Yes!”
“What? You couldn’t possibly have any more room,” Chelsea says with a laugh.
“That sounds like a challenge,” he replies. The rest of us groan.
“You’re cut off, Kalen,” I declare. “No sugar for the rest of the week.”
“The week?!” he cries. “That’s harsh.”
“Suck it up, buttercup. It is what it is. Your teeth will thank me later.”
“My dentist won’t.”
“Kalen, the dentist wants you to have good teeth,” I point out, frowning at him.
“Does he, though? If I just pop along for a checkup once a year, is he making the most out of my fat wallet? I think not…” He trails off and launches into a conversation with Chelsea about dental care and the NHS, and I swear he almost has her ready to move over here, which is testament to how damn persuasive he is because Chelsea is a home bird through and through.
After we’ve finished and Sawyer insists on picking up the bill for the entire meal, much to my father’s annoyance and Chelsea's approval, I hug my guys goodbye.
“What’s going on?” Kalen asks.
“I’m saying goodbye to you.”
“But why?” He frowns.
“Because I’m going back to the hotel to spend some time with my family.”
“We just spent all day with them.” He pouts.
“And I’m glad you got to spend time with them and they could meet the others, but now I want some time alone with them.”
“Oh.”
“I don’t love you any less. I’ll be back later.”
“The others won’t like it.”
“You’re my boyfriends, not my bodyguards. I have enough of those already. We can’t spend every minute of every day together. You’ll all get over it.”
Thankfully Kalen, Slate and Sawyer don’t kick up a fuss, but Onyx is full of scowls.
“What’s the problem?” I sigh, losing patience with him. He grabs my arm and pulls me away from the group, though that doesn’t stop them all from watching keenly.
“I don’t want to leave you with them.”
