Ever After (East Raven Academy Book 1)(41)

I am not surprised when I see Uncle Matty and Jake walk into the Indian food restaurant. However, I am surprised when they sit in the booth RIGHT. BEHIND. ME.

Seriously?

How am I supposed to have my first date with those two sitting right there, listening to our entire conversation.

When Brooks gets up to go to the bathroom, after we order, I wait until he’s out of eyeshot and then turn around to look at them.

“Seriously, you guys?” I ask.

“What?” Uncle Matty says, completely unaware that he is ruining my first date.

“Why do you have to sit right behind me?” I ask. “How am I supposed to enjoy my first date with you two...”

“Your first date?” Jake asks, in a mocking tone. “How sweet.”

I roll my eyes at them. “Be serious here. You’re ruining everything!”

“Calm the dramatics,” Uncle Matty says. “The hostess sat us here. Besides, I’d rather be close if things go south. Don’t you want us to protect you and lover boy?”

I let out a frustrated groan. “I will never forgive you for this.”

“Are all teenagers this dramatic?” Jake asks Uncle Matty.

“Just the girls.”

“Is this what I have to look forward to with my daughter?”

“Definitely,” Uncle Matty answers.

“Just... try not to listen,” I say, so they stop talking. “And I swear, if you ever make fun of me or tease me about this moment, I will... I don’t know what... but something bad.”

“Is she threatening us?” Jake asks Uncle Matty, in a feigned-skeptical voice. “What does she think she can do?”

I narrow my eyes at them. “I swear, I will stand up in the middle of class and tell every single person there who I am, and you won’t be there to stop it.”

“You wouldn’t,” Uncle Matty says, his mouth open.

“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Are you really willing to risk it?” I ask.

Brooks sits down at the table, so I quickly turn back around in my chair to look at him.

“Hey,” he says, looking at me cautiously. “You know those guys.”

“Nope,” I say.

“Do you always have conversations with strangers?”

I shrug, not giving an answer either way.

And then I pray that I don’t say anything that will give Uncle Matty and Jake ammunition. They do like to tease me during training every morning, and I want Brooks to stay off limits to them.

“So, what are you doing for Labor Day?” Brooks asks.

“Nothing,” I answer.

But I so wish I was going to see my family.

I miss Charlie.

“You should come to The Hamptons with me,” he says.

“Estaine asked me to come to The Hamptons, too,” I say. “Do you guys live close to each other?”

“Unfortunately, we are next door neighbors,” Brooks answers.

“Seriously? That’s too funny,” I say. “I mean, because you two hate each other, for whatever reason.”

“Since you’re not doing anything, it means you told him no?”

I nod. “I doubt Uncle Matty will let me go anywhere.”

“You can’t stay on campus for Labor Day weekend,” he says. “It’s our last chance to go to the beach before it gets too cold. And it’ll be a lot of fun. Estaine and I both always throw a huge party, so people usually go back and forth between our properties.”

“I will ask.”

I hear Uncle Matty cough behind me.

“But I somehow doubt he’ll let me go,” I say.

“If you really want to go, I can get you off campus for the weekend,” Brooks says.

“Really?” I ask, my face turning slightly red. Why does Uncle Matty and Jake have to be here.

“Yeah.”

“Maybe,” I say. “If Uncle Matty wants to be all protective, then maybe I will just have to sneak off campus.”

“Why is he so protective?”

“He thinks I’ll get kidnapped or something stupid like that,” I say.

“Why would you get kidnapped?” Brooks asks.

“He’s just paranoid.”

I hear Uncle Matty make a noise that lets me know I am probably going to be in trouble later.

What else was I supposed to say? Seriously. I can’t tell Brooks that I’m not allowed to leave campus because a group of terrorists are after me. I can’t tell him that my dad’s job has made me a target. I wish I could. I did tell Estaine, but I’m scared to tell Brooks. I was scared to tell Estaine. I was scared he wouldn’t be my friend anymore. But the feelings I have for Brooks are strong. I really don’t want him to run away. And he would run if he knew that two secret service agents were behind me, listening to our conversation right now.

“Are you sure you don’t know those guys?” Brooks asks.

I nod, my face growing warm.

I hate lying so bad. Especially to Brooks.

Can he tell I’m lying? Estaine did say I’m a bad liar. Maybe Brooks thinks so to.

Thankfully, our food comes and Brooks forgets about the two guys sitting behind me.

Too bad I can’t forget about them, too.