Page 52 of Playful Kris

Well, all afternoon, I guess.

“Can you both just shut up?” Kris grunts, adjusting his seat a little closer to mine. Both his parents snap their heads in his direction.

“You can watch your damn mouth, young man,” his dad says, disappointment covering his features, but Kris doesn’t respond. He just fists his hand on his thigh. His mom, however; she just looks embarrassed.

“Kristopher.”

“Good afternoon,” Kaleb’s voice fills the room over a microphone, hushing the awkward encounter happening at our table right now. “I’d like to apologize for a few of the seating arrangements, there was a mishap with availability of tables when we arrived today so a few tables have more than the allotted amount.” He smiles, but glances briefly at our table. Oh, he knew… “We’re about to get started with the lunch portion of our day. We know this is a little untraditional, but we typically do things backwards anyways.”

I frown at that comment.

“After lunch, everyone will follow us into the rehearsal for the wedding. Once we’re finished there, my bride and I would like to invite everyone out for a night of fun. We won’t be partying too hard,” he pauses, looking over at his fiancee, “we do have the most important day of our lives tomorrow.”

She blushes, and I can’t help the aww that comes out of my mouth. They’re perfect together.

“Thank you all for joining us on this special weekend. Enjoy.” Kaleb smiles at the crowd before handing the microphone over and making his way to his seat with fiancee by his side.

Our meal is brought out, and our table falls into silence. Other than the couples whispering that is.

“So, Kameron, how do you and Kris know each other?” his mom asks, trying to keep the conversation light.

Of course she asks me right as I put a piece of the chicken into my mouth, and the entire table looks up from their plates, anticipating my answer. I cover my mouth, chewing quickly before answering, “We went to college together.”

“Oh,you’reKam.” His dad smiles over at me, his date directly beside me.

She glances my way, and I can’t really decipher the look. Almost like she’s assessing me as a threat, but also curious about my answer at the same time.

“Kaleb has told me about you.”

Kris’ mom grunts, and all the heads bounce her way this time. “Care to share with the table what Kaleb has said?” Her tone is snappy, and I’m suddenly feeling the same uneasiness that Kris has felt today.

“Just that Kris was seeing a girl that he really liked, and they seemed serious.” My mouth parts briefly, and the worry builds in my stomach at the wordserious.

I’m waiting for Kris to blow that word to pieces, because he doesn’t doserious, as he’s so eloquently pointed out today.

“That was a long time ago, but it was pretty serious.” Kris’ eyes drop to his plate. “I fucked it up though.”

My God. Who turned the heat on because I’m burning up in here now?

“Language, Kristopher. My goodness, I raised you better than this,” his mother chastises him from across the table.

Kris’ grunts, rolling his eyes.

“Excuse me?” she asks. “Something you’d like to say?”

Oh, please. Not here. Not now.

Kris balls his hands up so tightly, his knuckles turn white. Without thinking, I reach over, using my hand to pry his fingers loose then tangle them with mine.

Almost immediately, he seems to relax. His hand tightens briefly around mine before detangling and flattening my palm against his thigh, before covering it with his. He looks at me, pausing as he stares me in the eyes, and I see the gratefulness in his storm colored eyes. He looks back to his mom, before shaking his head lightly, and using his free hand to continue eating.

The table falls into a quietness that I’m grateful for, but I don’t let go of Kris’ hand.

And I try not to think about the fact that I like the feeling of it.

23

KRIS

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