“Hmm, I want you to be careful. Kalen isn’t so bad; his heart is at least in the right place. If I were you, I would take a leap, because you could die tomorrow. All those problems will resolve themselves eventually. You’re eighteen, have fun. It isn’t like you are looking for a husband. The twins might back off if they see you with him”
That's the problem, I don’t know if I really want them to. I like the attention from them all. The connection I had that night with Sawyer was unlike anything I have ever felt before. “Maybe you’re right.”
“What is she right about?” Kalen asks joining us again.
“That you are the wrong guy for her and that she should just date Baxter.”
“Like hell will she date Branson!” he snaps and I wonder what the deal is with his family and Baxter.
“Why do you and your brothers have an issue with Baxter? He doesn’t seem that bad.”
“He is that bad Amelie. Stay away from him; that guy is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He’ll turn on you and you won’t even know. I wish my father would just kick him out. Far safer for everyone that way.” Okay then, Baxter is a sore subject. Elsie must feel the tension.
“Sooo, let's talk about you two.”
“Nothing to tell,” I answer
“She lies, there is lots to tell. I think you missed the sex part, because I happen to think that wasverymemorable.”
At least they are not at each other's throats, there's a slim chance they might even be friends one day.
We talk and joke for the remainder of the time at the pub and Kalen was right, the food is amazing, although I’m not sure howI feel about a thing called Yorkshire pudding. But that sparked an outrage.
Shopping with Elsie and Kalen is an experience. Elsie is organised, knows where to go and where has the best deals. Poor Kalen is stacked with bags, not that he seems to mind when we get to a lingerie shop and declares Elsie the bag ‘watcherer’ and takes off inside, holding up lace and silk against my body.
A lady measures me and Kalen starts grabbing so many things that I just let him go and take a seat beside Elsie. We both watch him hold up items and look at them curiously. I’m pretty sure we saw him add a pair of crotchless underwear to the pile, and at this rate I’ll be able to wear a new pair every day for the rest of the year.
Once he’s done, he hands the items to the sales lady and I join him.
“Your boyfriend is so thoughtful,” she gushes, jealousy written on her face.
“My sister needs a new style,” he says and the lady looks from him to me in horror. “Can’t have me bending her over…”
“Kalen, you are freaking the lady out and I am not your damn sister!”
She quickly scans the rest of the items, refusing to meet our gazes. She bags the items up and Kalen hands over his card. I shrug because both cards are paid for by Monty, so it’s pointless arguing about it.
By the time we leave the shops, costumes for Halloween sorted by Kalen as a surprise, the sun has gone down. Kalen agrees to drive us back, as long as he gets control of the radio. Neither Elsie or I care. Elsie rests her head on some of the bags.
I must nod off on the trip home, because the next thing I know Kalen is waking me, a lot more tenderly than I expected. “Hey, sleeping beauty, it’s time to wake up.” I blink and adjust to the darkness.
“Where is Elsie?” I ask.
“I dropped her close to her dorm. She said she’ll see you tomorrow.”
Kalen loads himself up with some bags and I have to grab just as many as he does. We leave some in the car and Kalen says he will come back for the rest tomorrow.
Chapter Nineteen
Amelie
“Morning, beautiful.” Kalen says from beside me. I’m weak, that’s what it is, I have zero self-control.
“You didn’t have to do that.” I nod in the direction of the rest of the bags he has brought up from the car.
“Sure I did. After the fashion show you put on last night, it was the least I could do.” He takes a seat beside me on the bed.
“What are your plans today? We could Netflix and chill.”
