Eccedentesiast

|25|

Voorpret- the sense of enjoyment before the party or event starts.

•••

"Vayda? What are you doing here?"

"Kashton?" I look up at him in shock and back away, not realizing that I was about to run into him. "Why are you here?"

"I live here?" he states, more like a question.

"You're Kate's brother?"

"Yes?" I almost laugh at his confused face, but I guess I'm equally perplexed. "And why are you here? How do you know Kate?"
"My brother, Dayton, I came to drop him off for a playdate." I explain and his mouth forms in a 'o' shape in realization.

"Do you guys know each other?" Jen's face brightens, glancing between us.

"Yeah, we..." Were we friends? Or was it more like acquaintances? I would assume friends but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. Maybe Kashton thought it would be better if we were just acquaintances-

"Vayda's a friend of mine Mom," Kashton speaks up, saving me from my overthinking.

Jen grins and squeals, reminding of me how Kinzley does when something excites her. "Kash, why haven't you ever mentioned her before-"

"Mom," Kashton warns.

"-You should invite her over some time!" She directs her gaze to me. "Maybe you could help me get him to back off from the gym. That boy is always there, I would much rather have him hanging out with you than him overworking himself."

"Lay off the kids babe," Eric laughs.

Jen smiles sheepishly, winking at me before taking a step back next to Eric. I don't miss Kashton's jaw clenching.

I pull out my phone, swiftly looking at the time. "It was really nice meeting you guys but I really better get going."

"Of course," Jen nods understandingly. "Thank you for bringing Dayton over, Kate has been really excited."

"No problem," I laugh lightly. "Imma go say bye to him before I go."

"Alright, I would bet they're in the living room."

And she was right, I find the two little kiddos playing some type of game. I smile at the two, watching them play for a second before interrupting them. Dayton smiles at me and Kate gives me a nervous wave, which I return.
"I got to go now bud, but I'll be back in a few hours to pick you up okay?"

He agrees and we say our goodbyes. I also give one last goodbye to Jen and Eric, and give them my number just incase anything goes wrong before I'm out the door.

I pull out my keys from my pocket, but as I'm heading to my car, someone pulls on my hand. "I don't get a goodbye?" Kashton teases.

"To be fair I didn't know where you ran off to."

"Yeah sure," he jokes, sticking his hands into his pockets. "So um... I'm meeting Porter and Logan down at the diner, wanna tag along?"

"No thanks," I decline. "Dealing with one of you is enough for me, let alone all three of you by myself. Plus I have plans."

"Yeah? like what?" Kashton leans against the driver door, blocking me from opening it.

"Important things."

"Really?"

"Mhm."

"Tell me what you're doing. I want to know."