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I lean my head against his shoulders. His hand strokes my back and he turns us away. “I guess we should get going before Hunter passes out and Seth causes a scene.”
I chuckle and follow him towards the elevator. “I suppose you’re right.”
There’s no line to the elevator and we’re back in less than five minutes, but the waiter stands at our table, looking nervous while Hunter and Seth are frowning at each other.
“I’m afraid, Monsieur,” starts the waiter while handing the credit back to Lucas, “your card has been declined.”
Lucas’s eyes widen while I glance at Seth and Hunter. They look nervously between themselves.
“Shit,” breathed Lucas while stuffing his card back into his wallet. He stares at the cards inside, as if trying to figure out a maze. “I doubt any of these will work.” He turns to me, his eyes filled with worry. “I didn’t expect Dad to cut me off so soon. I don’t think I have any money to pay.”
I open my mouth to say something, but Hunter speaks instead, “I got it.”
All eyes jerk towards Hunter while he takes out his wallet.
“You’re sure?” Lucas asks.
Hunter shrugs. “My dad gave me a budget and I’ve barely spent it. I’m sure one fancy meal isn’t going to put me back that much. How much is it?”
The waiter hands the bill to Hunter. His eyes bug out of his head when he opens the small black folder. “Holy fuck,” Hunter nearly shouts. “Jesus fucking Christ, Lucas. Why didn’t you say anything?”
Lucas groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t think Dad was going to cut me off so soon.”
Hunter shoves his card into the folder and hands it back to the waiter. I pat Hunter’s shoulder. “I’ll handle the tip.”
“I will, too,” says Seth, perking up in his seat.
Lucas dumps his body into an empty chair, pressing his hands against his eyes. “I really didn’t think this was going to happen.”
“Well, it has,” says Hunter. “No point in crying about it now. We got you covered.”
“And in themeantime,” says Seth while slapping Lucas’s back, earning a sharp scowl. “You’re going to have to get a job.” Seth smiles brightly while Lucas groans. “Welcome to my world, Lucas.”
“I hate your world,” Lucas mutters.
Seth chuckles. “You’ll get used to it.”
“Yeah, you have us to help you out,” Hunter adds.
Lucas turns his gaze to me and smiles. I can see the worry in his gaze, yet he looks a bit more relaxed. He has us to take care of him.
We’re his family now.
27
RACHEL
I stretch my arms over my head while I sit in the back of the shuttle bus. A yawn escapes me. Seth’s head lies on one shoulder while Hunter’s head lies on the other. My gaze shifts to Lucas, who looks antsy. His leg is bobbing up and down and I notice he hasn’t stopped playing with his fingers since we left the plane.
The internship program finished a few days ago. We left Paris what felt like yesterday, but I guess bytime zonestandards, it was this morning? I blink my exhausted eyes. I didn’t sleep at all on the airplane. Lucas sat up in first class, having bought the tickets before his father cut him off.
I kinda wish he sat in economy with us. Even in first class, I don’t think he slept at all. Dark circles shroud his eyes. His skin looks more pale than usual. I know he’s worried about the semester being paid for, paying for rent at the brohouse, and being able to afford rowing, since it’s an expensive sport. I told him I’d help him look for a job, but it seems like my promises and assurancesthathe will be okay have completely missed him.
I know he will be fine. I think it will just take him time to adjust to life without his father’s money.
I’m happy the summer is over. The internship in Paris was amazing, but I’m happy to be returning to life in Colorado. I smile at the mountains in the distance, recalling the final weeks of my internship. Dr. Arnaud really took me under her wing and Lauren pretty much left me alone.
Which was all I could really ask for.
