One Night with the Prince (17 page)

“Daniel! Put me down or I’ll kick your butt so hard you won’t be able to sit for a week!” I yell. He stops and sets me down. The beach was still spinning so I landed on my butt. Danny and Missy laugh at me. I try and glare at them but I wasn’t succeeding since everything was tilting and going around in circles.

“I don’t like you right now.” I mutter closing my eyes to calm everything down. Missy sits next to me and leaned her head on my shoulder,

“Let’s get back to the castle.” She suggested. I looked at her teasingly finally able to focus on her face.

“You just want to see Dem!” I said in a sing-song voice. She ducked her head and played with her fingers, not saying anything because she knew it was the truth. We all agreed to go back to the castle and walked back to our spot to pick up the towels. We went back to the car where the driver was reading a newspaper sitting in the front seat.

“Can you take us back to the castle please?” I asked.

He nodded and folded up his paper turning on the car. We drove back listening to various music like the album Punk goes pop III. Love that one! By the time we get there we were screaming along with the songs, and the driver was grateful we were back. We walked in laughing as we tried to copy his facial expression when the screaming part of the songs started. Elise had just entered the hallway. She took one look at us and scoffed.

“Got something to say?” I asked challenging. She looked like she was about to say something but thought better of it. She glared once my way and stalked off. Wise of her.

“Wow, you really made an impression on her!” Danny snickered. I shrugged.

“What can I say? Girls like her that are insane when it comes to guys and I don’t get along well.” I say breezily. Missy laughed under her breath,

“Didn’t you just call Danny boy crazy not long ago?” She asked. I nodded and hugged Danny around his waist,

“Yes, but he’s a guy so it’s different. Girls that are boy crazy are evil, while guys are just funny.” I shrug. I sometimes lose my cool and act the same way but I never really pursued it. I’d be too awkward if I was really serious about it all. I was lucky I haven’t completely embarrassed myself in front of Zach yet.

“Awww! You think I’m funny?!” He cooed. I laughed and nodded against his chest. I loved hugging him. He was just so warm and gave awesome hugs. Well he used to be my number one go-to hugger until I met Zach. It’s funny how one person can change everything.

　
“So you guys are back?” I turned to see Zach standing there with Dem and Cade. I let go of Danny and go over to Zach. My heart beat loudly as my mind replays how much I am in love with him.

Chapter twenty-two

Zach

After a few hours of Anna being back I sighed, sitting back with her on this outdoor swing. Demetrius, Danny and Missy have kindly given us time to ourselves. It seems like I can never get enough time to ourselves with all these women running around. They seem to back off with Anna around, which makes me more than happy.

“I like this.” She said to herself. The sun was setting and it made the sky turn a different array of colors. We were looking towards the ocean as we had a close view. I held her tighter and kissed the top of her head. 　

“I like this too.” She wrapped her arms around my torso and squeezed lovingly. She smelled of vanilla and strawberries. I wanted to just bury my head in her hair and inhale. I hope that doesn’t make me sound crazy.

“How was the beach?” I asked. She shrugged against me.

“It was good. I had fun hanging out with my friends. You have no idea how thankful I am that they’re here.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

I swung us more so it was a gentle motion. She was tucked into my side as one of her arms was behind me and the other was across my stomach. I began playing with her hair because it looked so soft to touch.

“Mmmm, that feels nice.” She murmured. I chuckled softly and continued. It was nice with just us. I felt like I wasn’t the next crowning king and I didn’t have to go through all this competition nonsense. It was just she and I.

My mother has taken a liking to Anna’s mother as they are now spending their time together. I internally shudder to think of all the stories they are probably swapping of Anna and I.

“When is Cade going to tell your mom and dad?” She asked.

“Soon. He’s scared though. Danny is comforting him now.” I answer, looking out into the sunset.

“How do you think they’ll take it?” She said after it was silent for a few moments. I shook my head.

“I have no idea. I do hope that the will accept him. I’ll tell you it was not an easy thing to hear but you reminded me that he is my brother and I do love him. Nothing can change that.” I answered, leaning my head on hers. She sits up and she had her thinking face on. That consists of slightly furrowed eyebrows and looking at the ground.

“Maybe if you or I could be there for Cade when he tells them? I was there with Danny when he told his family.” She offered. I stared at her in awe. She was willing to do that? She really was incredible.

“I think that’s a great idea. But we should run it by Caidius first.” I explain. She nods quickly.

“Of course! We should go find him.” I nod, even though I want more time with her to myself. I also knew that my little brother needs us right now, so we quickly go up to his room, which by that time Anna is slightly out of breath.

“You know…you really need elevators or something! This is ridiculous!” She huffed. I laughed and kissed her head. She knocks on the door and we hear some shuffling and a quiet, ‘Come in.’ Anna opens the door to find Danny on one end of the room and Caidius on the other. She rolls her eyes.

“It’s just us guys.” They relaxed quite a bit and Anna sat near my brother who was on the other end couch.

“How are you doing?” She asked quietly. He sniffed and rubbed his face tiredly.

“I’m so nervous I feel sick.” He said dully. She rubs his back and I get only slightly jealous until I remember that she’s just comforting him and that he’s gay.

“Well Zach and I were thinking if you needed support either Zach or I, both if you want, can be there with you.” She suggested. He looked at her shocked.

“You would do that?” He asked. She nods and smiled warmly at him. He jumped at her and hugged her fiercely. Remember he doesn’t like her like that. I chant to myself. Wow, I am possessive of her! Danny clapped his hands.

“Yes, Caidius! Anna is amazing at defusing any hostile situation!” He grinned at his best friend. Anna held his hand and looked at him in the eye.

“Everything will turn out fine. I can’t promise it won’t be good at first but I can see your parents love you very much.” She encouraged him. I look at the clock on the wall and sighed.

“I think we should go and do this before it gets too late.” They all nodded and Caidius held both Anna’s hands and Danny’s. He looked so small and afraid that I made a promise to myself. I’d make sure that my parents accepted him! They had to!

“It’s going to work out for the best. I know they love you Cade.” Anna spoke softly. He nodded and tried to smile but instead he looked sick. He wasn’t the jerk player playboy right now. He was a scared guy who was afraid of rejection.

We finally reached my parents’ bedroom and I knocked. After a few moments, we heard a distinct ‘come in.’ I gave an encouraging look at my little brother and we all went in. Except for Danny. Danny and Caidius both felt it’d be easier if he weren’t there. So he waited outside.

Mother and father were both in bed propped up reading their own books. They both loved to read, as this was their favorite pass time of the day. They both looked up and smiled at Anna and us. They were already for very fond of her, and I knew my mother would love to have her as a daughter in law.

“Mother, father. We need to talk.” Caidius spoke quietly. Their smiles faded and they looked more concerned now. Mother patted her bed, so Caidius and I sat on the end of it, while Anna stood behind Caidius, giving him support.

“Go on.” My father encouraged. Caidius breathed in deeply.

“I don’t know where to start.” He looked around helplessly. Anna smiled at him.

“Need a little help?” She asked. He nodded as she started.

“Lilly, J…” They smiled at her nicknames for them, “You love your sons both very much right?” She asked. They nodded immediately.

“Of course!” Mother said reverently.

Anna nodded to herself.

“You wouldn’t abandon them for anything?” She asked. They shook their heads looking more concerned as they gazed at both of us, but seeing as Caidius was looking more upset they kept their eyes on him, and he held his hand up.

“Okay, thanks but I got it from here.” He closed his eyes and then opened them staring directly at our parents.

“Mother, father, I’m-I’m gay.”

There was silence and they just stared at him. You could probably hear a pin drop it was so quiet. After what seemed like an eternity our mother spoke.

“Uh, okay. Well, son, if, t-that’s the case, we still love you. It will, just take some, getting used to. But know that we could never turn our backs on you.” She said at first in a daze but then her voice got stronger. Father blinked and took a shaky breath.

“Yes, your mother is right. I-I will respect your decision. Like she said, just give me time to get used to this. I have to say I’m shocked, but I do still love you.” He looked directly at Caidius.

My brother then broke down as you could see relief rush through him. He hugged mother closely.

“Oh mother! I thought you and father would disown me!” He said relieved and laughed slightly at it all. Anna smiled at them then looked at me. She held a finger to her lips and motioned for her and me to head to the door. We closed it quietly behind us and Danny was pacing the hall worriedly.

“Well?” He asked, impatient. Anna grinned at him and hugged him tight.

“They’ve accepted it for the most part. They just have to get used to the idea now. We were just giving them some time alone.” She explained. His shoulders sagged with relief equal to my brother’s.

“That’s great! I’m going to wait for him to come out.” He said. Anna nodded and jumped up to kiss his cheek, then took my hand leading me away.

“Where might I ask, are we going?” I said slightly amused. She smiled up at me.

“I want to bake some cookies!” She said loudly. I thought I heard an ‘uh-oh.’ from Danny but I shook it off. I grinned down at her and lead her to the kitchen. She made fast work on finding different ingredients. I watched her running around the place looking stunning as her face lit up in excitement.

“Are you going to help or not?” She asked challengingly. I chuckled and made haste to help her mix the ingredients. She threw in some chocolate chips with a generous amount, and started mixing it with a spatula. I chuckled at her as she grunted to mix it, as it was getting thick.

“Oh? You think me straining myself is funny?” She asked. I laughed and nodded. Before I could react she smeared some sweet cookie dough on my face. I stood there shocked as she started laughing hard pointing at my face as she doubled over. Deciding that she needed some as well I took a spoonful and smeared it on her face. She stopped laughing immediately.

“Not so funny now is it?” I asked tauntingly. She looked thoughtful for a moment before hopping up and sitting on the counter.

“Come here.” She demanded. I was a little wary, but the look in her eyes said I shouldn’t argue.

“Why are you sitting on the counter?” I asked once I stopped in between her legs. She laughed.

“So I could do this…” She grabbed my face and smashed some more dough into my face. I pulled back, shocked as I was not expecting that. She thought my shocked face was hilarious as she started giggling, and then I smirked before licking off some of the dough on her face.

“Mmmm, tastes really good.” I said lowly. She was quiet for a second before her face screwed up.

“Ew! Why did you do that?!” She said and tried to rub her cheek in earnest and I laughed, not expecting that reaction.

Still laughing I took the oven towel and began to wipe her face but jumped back shocked when I literally shocked her and myself. “Ow!” She cried out but then started to laugh. I didn’t see her do this but she grabbed the butter and put it over my head. “My little butterball!” she said happily. I felt the slimy texture get rubbed into my hair making me groan in disgust, but I also found it all hilarious.

I then took the towel and quickly rubbed it back and forth and shocked her again. She shrieked and tried to hop away, but I was blocking her. She grabbed at the bag of flour and grabbed a handful before flinging it at my face. I coughed and sputtered stepping away. I heard her laugh triumphantly before I went after again. Throwing the towel down, I knew I needed better ammo. I spotted the eggs and I felt a smirk make its way on my face.

“Oh no, no, no, no!” She said backing away with more flour in her hand. Her back hit the industrial fridge and I cornered her. She tried to throw the flour but I blocked her arm making the flour fall at the side. “No! Do-” I cut her off by breaking the egg over her hair. I then took my hand and smashed it around with a laugh. She ducked down to escape me and ran to grab the small bag of sugar.

She wouldn’t.

Who am I kidding? Of course she would!

Before I could run away she jumped on me like some sort of monkey with a battle cry. I tried to pry her off but she was a lot stronger than she looked! Looking me in the eyes with mischief she poured all of the sugar in my pants when she pulled the waistband away from my waist. My eyes widened in shock as she laughed and hopped off of me.

The sugar was going to be so hard getting off later! And it was already starting to feel sticky.

“You don’t mess with the best!” She giggled and kissed me soundly. I couldn’t help but laugh against her as could feel all of the food between us squish and become gooey.

It truly was disgusting.

“Ahem.” We heard loudly. That snapped us from this crazy battle and we saw Missy and Demetrius standing there. Missy had a very red face as she tried to shield her eyes jokingly and he looked amused.

“Nice bra.” He commented, snickering at Anna. She looked down confused and shrieked when we both noticed her shirt was wet with food substances. Red faced, she hid behind me.