Forever Yours

Chapter 27: Evan Campbell

Everyone was already eating but my stomach was turning to the point I had lost my appetite. I had put away the ingredients I had and decided to just to wait until tomorrow morning. The guys hadn't made it back yet and it was over a half hour ago.

"Hey C?" I said to Caleb before he wiped his face, "Aren't you worried about what's taking the guys so long?"

He swallowed hard trying to find the positive since he had been going crazy for the past week and answers, "They are probably playing in the store again. I went with Chris and Darrius to the store a couple of times and we spent an hour in there only to leave with two things. They should be fine."

I nodded but something was still not right. Even though I didn't show it, I had been losing my shit too. I couldn't let Gabe know what was going on, so I had to keep a brave face in front of him. I didn't want to make Marcus even more anxious, so I just let him relax around me. Well relax enough to go through with the plan. Right now, my heart was racing every minute he didn't walk through the door.

"Evan calm down," I thought to myself, "They are just being Chris, Darrius, and Marcus."

I smiled knowing what type of foolishness was going down in that small store. They were probably running up and down the aisles and I knew that's where Gabe got it from. They could make jokes out of everything they saw and Marcus always critiques the art on food packages when we were together. I relaxed in my seat.

"This lasagna is fire Evan," Tre says with a mouth full of my food, "When you going to open a restaurant?"

"Marcus asked the same thing," I state as I take my first bite.

"You know I asked you about that," Harry chimes in, "I'm telling you we would make a killing."

"Yeah daddy!" Gabe adds chewing beside Harry, "Your food is really good!"

"Thank you," I smile, "but I don't know. I mean, you have your business, Chris's business, et cetera. Don't you think you would be wearing yourself too thin?"

"No," he confidently rebuttals, "Since it would be here, I can spend more time at home. Chris can handle all our fashion affairs and my office can be remotely reached. When I do travel, all I need to know is if you can handle your end."

I took another bite as I smirk, "You serious?"

He leans forward with everyone's eyes on him as he says, "I'm always serious about making money and making the people I care about happy."

That was hard to pass up and we would have to iron things out more later but our shared grins told us we were in business.

"Oh shit!" Tre cheered, "Hey G! We about to have a new eating spot."

"I'm surprised you guys aren't fat yet," Caleb adds, "All the stuff you two vacuum down your throats, I would think it would stick."

"Like I said," Tre says lifting up his arm before flexing his muscle, "Consistency is key."

He kissed his large arm as everyone groaned and Gabe laughs. In the mist of us talking, Harry's phone rings. He smiles and I immediately knew who it was as he answers, "Hey my..."

Now that facial expression was new as he paused. The slick smile he usually has with Chris was replaced with concern as he continues, "Baby slow down, I can barely understand you."

The small ruckus that was happening at the table was quietly turning down. We were all going off Harry's changing posture from relaxed to him gripping the table sheet as he tenses. He took small breaths before speaking again, "Chris baby, I know you are shaken but tell me what happened."