*14*

"Mum, I'm going out for a short bit," I said as I got my bag.

"Alright have fun darling," My mum smiled.

"Bye Minx," James smiled as they cuddled on the sofa together.

I drove to St. Thomas' and went up to the room my dad is still in.

"Hi Minx," My dad mumbled wearily.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Weak," My dad grumbled.

"Dad, I know you don't like to talk about it, but can I please tell Mum? She needs to know. You're not doing well."

"Minx."

"Dad, no. She needs to know," I pleaded.

"Fine baby, if it makes you feel better," My dad finally said.

I stayed and talked for a while with my dad, also talking to Dr. Valerie and the nurses to see how he really is doing. They all said his health is declining rather quickly.

As I left, I decided I would tell my mum tomorrow. Because tonight we are going to meet that family again. My mum keeps talking about kind they are.

"Minx, you need to start getting ready for this evening," My mum reminded me as I got home, I hadn't realised I had been out for so long.

I got in the shower, once done cleaning myself, I dried off and got dressed. My mum had informed me it was quite a formal event, being as they were business partners with James and it was a dinner at their home.

I slipped on a fitted, classic, black dress and some heels. I left my hair down, and my make-up natural. Putting in all of my piercings, my phone buzzed, I assumed it's Joe, as we have been texting sporadically throughout the day.

"Have fun, xx."

I decided I would text him back later. My mum was rushing us to go, claiming we were running late. Which we weren't.

"You look beautiful," James said to me as I came downstairs.

"Thank you," I smiled, giving him a small hug.

"Ready?" My mum asked as she got her small clutch.

James and I nodded and then got into James' car, driven by chauffeurs, as always for James. After an almost thirty-minute drive, we pulled up to a gated house.

"Welcome!" A strong voice greeted us.

"Richard," James smiled shaking his hand.

"Hello Diane, I am assuming you're Minx?" Richard said, shaking our hands.

"Yes," I nodded.

Richard lead us inside to the rest of his family. He is probably a few years older than James and my mum. As we walked into their fancy house, we were greeted by Richard's wife, Cate, and their children.

"Hello! Thank you for coming again! It's such a pleasure having you. Is this Minx?" Cate gushed.

"Yes, hello," I smiled.

"Hello honey. Let me introduce you to my children. How old are you?"

"19, almost 20," I smiled.

"Almost the same age as our son, Rory. Rory turned 20 a few months ago," Cate smiled.

"Hello," Rory smiled, extending his hand.

Oh my, he is gorgeous. He has bright green eyes and has muscles the made his white dress shirt more fitted.

"Hello, I'm Ricky," A younger boy smiled, "I'm 14."

I shook his hand and he seemed rather flirty for such a young guy.

"Let's go sit," Rory smiled, placing a hand on the small of my back, leading me to a small livingroom.

We sat down on the small sofa and Ricky sat on the plushed chair across from the sofa.

"So, does your father work with our dad?" Ricky asked.

"Well, James is my mum's fiancé," I nodded.

"Your parents are divorced?"

"Yeah, but it's alright," I smiled.

We talked some more, getting to know each other all some more. I learned that Rory plays rugby and Ricky plays football. Ricky also made an emphasis on how they are both single.

"What about you?" Ricky smirked, "Are you single?"

"Ricky, don't be rude," Rory warned.

"No, it's fine, and yeah, I am," I smiled.

Soon enough our parents called us through, saying dinner was ready. Rory sat next to me and Ricky sat across us. We all chatted for a while and ate the delicious food.

After dinner, Rory and Ricky took me out to their garden and showed me all of their outdoor possessions, to which I was interested, a bit.

"Ricky, can you get my phone from inside?" Rory asked.

Ricky nodded and ran inside.

"He's cute," I smiled as Ricky ran inside.

Rory nodded in agreement.

"We should hang out another time, yeah? Just us two?" Rory asked, nervously.

"Yeah, of course! Can I get your number?" I asked, taking out my phone.

Rory put his in my phone and when Ricky came back, I sent a text to him so he would have my number.

"Thanks," Rory nodded, "I'll be in touch. But let's go back inside, it's cold out here," Rory said, placing his hand on the small of my back again.

It's a nice feeling. I know it's only a nice gesture, but it's comforting and makes me feel protected. From what? I don't know. But it makes me feel secure.

Rory's hand slid a tiny bit as we continued walking, not quite all on my bottom, but definitely a little bit of his hand was. But, I didn't move it. Rory is sweet, good looking, and humble.

Thinking all of this about Rory makes me feel bad, almost as if I'm cheating on Joe. But we've clarified we don't have a relationship. I guess we really are just friends with benefits... For now atleast.

"Minx, time to go," My mum smiled as we walked inside.

"It was nice meeting you. Keep in touch," Rory extended his hand to me.

I gave him a hug instead and nodded to keeping in touch. I got my small bag and said good-byes again before going out to the car. Checking my phone, I had two texts from Joe:

"Hope you're having fun, Minxie. Xx."

"Want to stay at mine tonight? Haven't seen you in almost a week!!"

I quickly replied saying I would love to stay over and catch up and I would be around in about a half hour.

We got back to the house and I had told my mum and James the plan for this evening, luckily avoiding another awkward intervention. I rushed inside and put some pajamas in a bag and a different shirt and sweats and finally a toothbrush before getting in the car and driving to Joe's.

"Minxie!" Caspar yelled as he opened the door.

"Oh no, is it catching on?" I laughed as he enveloped me in a big hug.

"Minx!" Joe said as he ran upstairs, "You look amazing!"

"Joe!" I mocked jokingly.

He also gave me a hug. We all sat down and talked while a film played.

"So how was your fancy dinner?" Joe asked, "I like your dress," Joe added a wink.

"It was fun," I shrugged, "I met their children. He's probably the same age as you," I said to Caspar.

We all talked for a long while before Joe and I headed downstairs.

"I don't want to hear anything again tonight!" Caspar laughed.

"S.hit," I quietly muttered.

"D.amn it Caspar, you said you wouldn't say anything when she's around," Joe said fustratedly.

Caspar apologized and Joe and I headed into his room. We talked for most of the night, catching up since the last time we saw each other.

"Minx, we should totally prank Caspar!" Joe whispered.

I nodded my head and Joe tried to decide what to we should do. Eventually Joe came to the conclusion. Here's the plan: Caspar is such a heavy sleeper that we decided to place cups of water all around his bed on the floor, Joe also vlogged while we did this.

"This is gonna be hard to not wake him up," I said.

"Caspar is such a heavy sleeper that he won't even notice," Joe smiled.

We went out to a 24 hours shop and bought a ton of plastic cups. We got back to the flat and started working, early into the morning.

"Oh my gosh," I laughed quietly as we finished.

"This is awesome!" Joe vlogged, turning the camera to me to give me a quiet high-five.

We went back to Joe's room and laid down. After falling asleep for a few hours, Joe and I woke up to hearing Caspar yell.

"Really?!"

Joe and I rushed out of bed and Joe vlogged as we went to Caspar's room. Caspar was sat on his bed in boxers.

"You think I can't get out of here?" Caspar laughed.

He tried climbing out the window, only to realise Joe had his house-key.

After different tries, Caspar decided to try and jump over the cups out of his room. And with his long legs, he did, and succeeded. He chased Joe upstairs and wrestled him down.

"You two have to clean that up!" Caspar laughed.

°

a/n: sorry it took me longer to update. I've been busy at work and it makes me tired.... Excuses, I know!!

Anyway, bc its late, I made it super longer than usual. Ok love you all!

Remember to comment and vote pls!!! Love ya! X.