Chapter Thirty-Five #2
“I’m busy today, but how about we meet for breakfast tomorrow? I’ll send one of my security to pick you up.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
I end the call. We’re not at the stage of pleasantries.
Hell, we’re barely at the stage of talking.
I’m really not ready but at least it will be one thing crossed off my to do list, and it might be useful if she does have any pertinent information about Harold - though I know that may be a ruse just to hook me.
“What did she want?” Onyx grumbles. Kalen slides half his sandwich across the table on his tray and I take it.
“Shit, I have to feed you today!” Adriane exclaims, jumping from the table and running off to go and get my lunch.
“She wants to meet, so we’re having breakfast tomorrow.”
“I thought that you didn’t want to talk to her?”
“What’s with the Spanish inquisition?” Elsie asks him. I love that she’s found her place and isn’t scared to voice her opinion anymore. Especially around the twins.
“What’s with the not knowing your place?” he snaps back at her.
“Amelie is my business, thank you very much.”
“Just eat your damn lettuce before it starts to wilt,” he retorts hotly.
She flips him off and I explain to Onyx that meeting with her is just one less thing I have to worry about before graduation. I don’t want to have any more excess baggage than I need after that.
The rest of the day flies past, but my brain struggles to focus on school work when I get a few emails CC’d to the entire board.
Nothing that they can’t handle. Now we have a full board and the entire organisation is up to speed with their own new boards in place, any tied votes have to come through to my board for assessment.
We expected a few of these to arise since everyone is finding their feet, but they’ll soon realise that they should sort it out themselves, because once my board rules an answer there is no contesting it.
There is one email from the Three Musketeers forwarded from Baxter that I take my time over.
They’ve agreed to meet with me after I graduate, I just have to let them know when and they will accommodate it.
I’m extremely keen to meet their girl, but I don’t want to push them too soon with how protective they are.
That wouldn’t end well for anyone. They need me and I need them, given they’re the best in their field.
When the bell goes for the end of the day I make my way down to the pool, removing my blazer as soon as I step inside. The humidity is crazy in here, reminding me of Australia – so stifling you can barely breathe.
My family is sitting in the stands. Chelsea waves when she notices me and I walk over and take a seat next to Smalls.
“Looking super posh in that uniform,” he quips in the worst attempt at an English cut-glass accent I have ever heard.
“That was terrible.” I laugh.
“I’m so excited to finally see Kalen swim,” Chelsea announces, clapping as Kalen comes out from the changing rooms in his green school speedo.
“They have to wear budgie smugglers, shame.” Aadi sniggers.
I lean across Smalls and punch my brother in the leg. He laughs and rubs the spot that I’m sure is dead right now. I’ve really learnt how to pack a punch since I’ve been here, training with weights has really helped. So help my brother if he gets to see me with a weapon now.
“Honey, I don’t know if the school should let him wear those. There is a lot going on down there. Even my eyes are drawn to it.”
Aadi snorts. “Dad’s checking out Kalen’s package.”
This time Dad whacks Aadi across the back of the head.
“I don’t know how that thing doesn’t weigh him down.”
“For shite’s sake can we not talk about my boyfriend’s dick?! This isn’t a normal family conversation!”
They all laugh at me. We are far from a normal family, that I know for sure. I remember when I first got my period, it was non-stop jokes.
“And besides, if he hears you talking about it, you will never hear the end of it. He is super proud of his junk. So let’s drop it.”
“Ho-lee shit girl!” Bex exclaims, dropping down beside me and Adrianne beside her. They have been hanging out the last few days, having found they both have a lot in common. “Did you see what he is packing? Girl, you are so lucky! He could turkey slap me with that every day, and I would die happy.”
“Bex,” I chastise. “My mum and dad are sitting just there.”
Bex lowers her voice. “I hate to break it to you but you have four boyfriends…I think they know you’re having sex.”
“Still doesn’t mean I want to talk about it with them,” I whisper back.
I look up and Chelsea is standing in front of me, with tears in her eyes. She holds out her hand and helps me up, then pulls me into a hug.
“Are you okay?” I ask her. Surely she isn’t this emotional over my sex life?
“That’s the first time you have ever called me mum!” she sobs.
Shit, I hadn’t even realised I’d said it. In the past, I’ve introduced her as my stepmother when it’s easier than explaining who she is to me.
“I’m sorry I haven’t said it before.”
After we have our moment she goes back to sit next to my dad, who puts his arm around her.
He looks at me with a smile and winks. Smalls at one point squeezes my leg but must realise what he’s done because he moves his hand away fast. We’re both good with where we are at, but it’s hard to stop the touches when it always came naturally to us.
When Kalen is done, he pulls himself out of the pool. I’m pretty sure Bex and Adrianne admire him as he walks our way. Though he ignores us all and heads straight for Chelsea. She stands and he pulls her into a wet hug, but she doesn’t complain. She gushes about how good he is and he beams at her.
There’s no way his head is going to fit through the doors. I groan. His ego was already big enough as it was.