Chapter 9: Planning
"Come with us on our vacation! It would be so fun!"
Those were the words I could not believe that came from my best friends and brothers.
You see, we had this annual kind of thing where we go out of the country. It was one of those escapades that we started five years ago and made it an actual event.
Gabriel, who usually paid for part our expenses and being the over the top son of a bitch he is, excuse the insult, invited Eric to come as we were eating at the food court. Then my brothers, whom I thought would instantaneously dismiss the idea, jumped in the band wagon.
I spluttered out the blueberry shake I was currently sipping.
Today had started out fairly normal. Eric and I had been already hanging out and goofing around when Cole called me and invited us over to the mall food court. Stupid me agreed and went over. I had already told my best friends about Eric and when they heard we were hanging out at the mall, they followed suit.
Normally, I would be happy in these circumstances when my sort-of boyfriend was getting along well with my brothers and friends. Don't get me wrong, I am happy.
Or was for what happened next.
Eric patted my back to soothe me as Ella handed me some tissue. I wiped my mouth and stared at Gabriel. "Gab, are you kidding?" I gasped.
"No, why would you say that? Its not like I can't afford it." Gab scoffed.
Eric's expression softened and I started to feel guilty. I forgot he was beside me. "Its fine if you don't want me to come, Katherine."
I shake my head, "No, no. Its not that. I mean, is it appropriate? And I'm not having you pay for his plane ticket, Gab." I said.
Connor scoffed, "Just because you two are dating does not mean he can't come with us. And besides, we could get to know him more."
Eric nodded, looking a bit too excited and hopeful, "And Gabriel won't have to pay for mine, your brothers and your tickets, even your expenses. I'll only be too happy to shoulder it."
My brothers grinned, "Really? Sweet!"
My eyes widened and protested, "Oh, no. No no no no. NO. Come if you may, but you are not doing that!" I refused. I get that he's rich and money is not an issue, but paying for me and my brother for this trip? Not in my lifetime.
Collin pouted, "You are such a Debbie downer."
I gave him a hard glare.
"Why can't I?" Eric asked.
I turned to him, "Because it would be so wrong on so many levels! I know you're rich but I don't want you spending on me, or my brothers for that matter." I added quickly as Cole opened his mouth.
Eric remained unfazed, amused even, as he cocked his head to the side. "Why not?"
"Think of what your sisters will say when they hear this." I say, already nervous.
He frowns, "My sisters like you so much that they don't even mind if you had a third eye or a crow's feet."
I look at him exasperatedly. I just knew this would be a long discussion and I wasn't about to go headlong into this with a migraine starting. "We'll talk later."
On the other hand, Ella grinned. "Oh my gosh, we have to start planning! We have to make reservations for hotels, book our flights... Wait, where are we even going?" she added.
