Shelly PoV
I giggled as Toren was bouncing up and down inside the red sports vehicle. Didn't think Damien would be the type to own a car like this. Now, Cassian? I would, but maybe more gaudy. Gold would suit his personality.
"You like the car, buddy?" Damien said, grinning.
"Yeah! It's a cool car!" Toren said, his black hair bouncing. "It's red like a tomato, and ketchups are delicious!"
Damien laughed. "Ketchup, huh? Well, I don't think the car tastes like ketchup, but it sure does go fast."
Toren's eyes widened. "How fast?"
"Pretty fast," Damien said. "Wanna see?"
Toren nodded vigorously. "Yeah! I wanna go really, really fast!"
Damien looked back at me, his eyes glinting with mischief.
I sighed and crossed my arms. Given how my parents died, I was a bit apprehensive about speeding. But, this car looked sturdy, and the roads were mostly empty. I guess a bit of fun couldn't hurt. "Alright, but only a little bit. And you better be careful. Toren's life is in your hands, and mine, too. I'll never forgive you if we crash and die."
"Relax, Lady Shelly," Zara said. "With me driving, we're in safe hands. Besides, Damien wouldn't put you or your brother in danger. He's too kind-hearted for that."
Damien blushed. "Don't go praising me too much, Zara. You're embarrassing me."
Cassian scoffed. "Yeah, Zara. Damien isn't as nice as you think."
Damien rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up, Cass."
I grumbled. "Boys, don't start fighting again."
They both mumbled apologies and looked away from each other. I sighed and turned to Zara. "Let's go, Zara. I'm starving."
"Can't we got somewhere better than Big M?" Cassian asked. "The only good item they had were the fries and even those are lackluster now. Let's go somewhere else."
"But Toren likes Big M. If we take him somewhere else, he might get upset if the food isn't to his liking," I said, crossing my arms. "I don't want to deal with him having a tantrum. He can be pretty stubborn when he wants to be."
Toren grinned. "Me no have a tantrum! Me is a good boy!"
I smiled and ruffled his hair. "Yes, you are, sweetie. But sometimes you can get a little bit fussy. So, let's go to Big M so you'll be happy, okay?"
Toren nodded. "Okay, sis."
I turned to Zara. "You heard the little guy. Let's go to Big M, please, Zara?"
She smiled. "Of course, Lady Shelly. Whatever you and the little one want."
Zara nodded and started the car. Toren was bouncing in his seat, his eyes wide as he watched the car move. "Big M, Big M!" he chanted, his voice full of excitement. I couldn't help but laugh. It was so cute.
Cassian leaned over and whispered in my ear, his breath tickling my neck. "You're a good sister, you know that?"
I blushed and pushed him away. "Stop that, Cassian."
He grinned and sat back. "What? I'm just stating the obvious."
I rolled my eyes and turned to Damien, who was looking out the window, his face thoughtful. "What's up, Damien? You seem lost in thought."
Damien shrugged. "Just thinking about how this is my first time going out to eat with friends in a long time. It's nice to have people around who care about me."
Cassian scoffed. "We're not friends, Damien."
Damien glared at him. "You know what I mean, jerk."
Cassian chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Just teasing you. I was obviously excluding you!"
I sighed. "You boys and your constant bickering. It's like you're an old married couple or something."
Cassian scoffed, his cheeks turning red. "I am not gay. Even if I was, I wouldn't date Damien. He's not my type at all."
"Feeling is mutual, asshole. You're not my type either," Damien said, glaring at him.
I chuckled and patted their arms. "You two are so alike when arguing, it's scary. But, it's also kind of cute. Like two little puppies fighting over a toy."
Toren giggled. "Puppies! I love puppies!"
I smiled. "Maybe we can get you a puppy one day, Toren. A little friend to play with."
Toren grinned. "I'm gonna name it Rex! He's gonna be a dino puppy!"
I laughed. "Okay, Toren. You can name him Rex if you want."
We drove for a while, chatting and laughing. Eventually, we reached the Big M. Zara dropped us off at the front and went to park the car. We walked into the restaurant, the smell of greasy burgers and fries filling the air.
It reminded me of simpler times—late nights with our parents after long days, sharing a meal and watching as the little guy's eyes lit up at the taste.
Toren was already bouncing again, his black hair flopping into his eyes as he tugged at my hand, his excitement infectious. "Big M, Big M!" he chanted, his voice high-pitched with joy, and I couldn't help but smile, ruffling his hair as we moved toward the counter.
"We'll get you your kids meal, Toren. But first we gotta line up."
The place was busy, but the line moved quickly, and before long, we were standing in front of the cashier, a young woman with a tired smile and a nametag that read 'Jenny'.
"What can I get you guys?" she said, her eyes darting between us.
Cassian leaned on the counter and flashed her a smile. "Your number would be a great start."
She blushed and giggled. "Flattery will get you nowhere, buddy."
He grinned and winked at her. "Worth a shot, though."
I shook my head and sighed. "Sorry about him. He's an idiot."
Damien laughed. "You can say that again. Anyway, we'll have three Big Ms, fries, and drinks. And a kids meal for the little one here."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Nothing for your assistant?"
Damien snickered. "Who said the third Big M wasn't for her?"
Cassian grumbled as he realized Damien hadn't ordered anything for him. Damien just kept on smirking and I couldn't help but laugh a little. It was nice to see Damien get one over on Cassian.
"I want a Double Big M and fries," he said, glaring at Damien. "And a large swirled M."
The cashier nodded and started ringing up the orders. "That'll be $45.37, please."
Both Damien and Cassian reached for their wallets and glared at each other.
"I'll pay," they both said at the same time.
I sighed. If I had any money on me, I would've paid myself to avoid their bickering. "Both of you, knock it off."
The two guys blushed and looked away.
"You can pay, Cassian," I said, smiling at him. "It's the least you could do since you live in that big mansion and are rich beyond words. We're still struggling with money, so you can treat us to lunch."
He nodded, a small smile on his lips. "Of course, Shelly. Anything for you."
Damien frowned but said nothing. He just shoved his wallet back in his pocket and looked away.
I giggled and leaned in close to him. "Hey, him paying means his wallet will have less money in it. He cares about his money a lot, so this is a hit to his pride."
Cassian glared at me. "Oh, come on. I do have manners, you know."
Damien smirked. "Yeah, right. Since when?"
Cassian flipped him off. "Since always, jerk. At least when it comes to the ladies. Hmm, maybe I should only pay for her meal and Zara's. Well, the little guy too, since he's Shelly's little brother."
"Mean dino!" Toren said, sticking out his tongue. "Don't be mean to Ranger Damien!"
Cassian rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. I'll pay for yours, too, Ranger Damien."
Damien grinned and ruffled Toren's hair. "Thanks, little buddy."
The cashier cleared her throat, looking a bit uncomfortable. I looked over my shoulder and saw the line had grown behind us. I guess our little squabble was making people annoyed.
"Sorry," I said, blushing. "We're almost done here. Cassian, just pay already."
Cassian nodded and handed the cashier a credit card. "Here you go."
She swiped it and handed it back to him. "Thanks. Your order will be ready in a few minutes."
I smiled and waved as I pulled the two idiots away. "Thanks, Miss. Sorry for the bother."