8.5-The birthday plans

Carson's pov

June 26th...It's my birthday today!

I really can't wait to celebrate with Ella later.

For now, it's still morning and we're saying goodbye to our parents who are going to work and my sister too as they'll be dropping her off for the day at her friend's.

"Have fun kiddos." My dad says smirking and we both smile.

"If there's anything you can text us. We'll be back at 5 and we'll do the main festivities together. And Cayden, you can't leave until we get back, understood?" My papa says firmly and my brother nods smiling.

"Yeah, yeah. I won't."

"Good," My papa says a bit relieved.

"I hope you'll have fun too. I won't be here this time." My sister says smiling softly as she's about to leave too.

"Yeah, and that's much better," Cayden says smirking and my papa looks at him unimpressed.

"Ok, you impatient boy. I'm sure you both want us out. So we won't keep you two bothering for much longer. Besides we have to go or else we'll be late for work. Have fun with your friends." My dad says smiling and my papa gives him a knowing look but lets it slide.

"Yes, we will," I say reassuring my dads.

"Good, birthday boys. Be good and nice and of course, have fun too. Bye." My papa says firmly yet smiling softly as he leaves alongside my dad and Nora, my sister.

They leave by the door and then go in the car and that leaves just Cayden and I just together.

"Finally, that lasted forever," Cayden says annoyed but now he smiles as he looks at me.

"Come on, our dads just wanted to make sure we'll be ok. It's the first time we'll be celebrating a bit without them." I say.

"I know but they didn't need to be pushy about it. We're 16, we're not planning to trash the house or anything, I'm planning to do that elsewhere." He smirks and I frown concerned.

"Cayden, I hope you don't have crazy ideas." His smirk diminishes as if he thought about something but it comes back.

"Right, speaking of crazy ideas, I need to go somewhere before guests we'll be arriving." He smirks contemplating whatever crazy idea he has.

"What? Why do you need to go somewhere? You're not doing anything risky are you?" I say concerned but his smirk widens.

"I'm sure you're gonna like it." He simply says smirking and then he goes by the door.

"I have to get going now, but don't worry I'll be back soon." He says smiling and I frown.

I want to question him about it but choose not to.

"Oh ok, bye then," I said startled.

"Bye, see ya later."

He leaves by the door and goes to go take his bike stored not too far and he leaves.

Where could my brother be going and why was he acting so strange?

——————-

Emerick's pov

Another day, another day of work.

And today it just had to be a shift that starts at 8:30 instead of 10 like the last few days.

Oh, whatever, it's not the end of the world.

It's not like I could sleep last night after Cayden's crazy proposition.

Me going to Carson's and celebrating his birthday with him? What a joke...

But still, that's not all that's been on my mind.

Even if I wish I didn't care, today it's June 26th, Carson's birthday. How could I forget that?

We used to celebrate it every year at his house. Those times were one of the best memories we shared...

A memory of one Carson's birthday celebration threatens to come back to the surface but I push it away. No, why am I thinking about that?

"Hey, you've been staring into space. What's got your mind preoccupied?" My coworker Ritvy asks curious and I flinch.

"It's nothing important," I say brushing it off she looks at me skeptically and luckily she lets it go.

"Well, you should get to work. Some clients won't like that you're stuck in your mind." She says winking at me and I mentally roll my eyes.

Gosh, she's such a pain but she's right, I have to get to work.

I look around from the counter and notice there's no one for now but that doesn't remain for long.

The bell rings announcing someone entered.

The person gets in but to my surprise heads straight for the counter and once I notice who it is, I mentally groan.

Cayden, are you kidding me? Why is he back here?

"Hey, nice to see you work." He smiles and I look at him impressed.

What does he want? Is it about his crazy idea of yesterday?

"I doubt you care, just cut to the chase," I say annoyed and his fake smile drops.

"I came here to remind you that you have to come to our birthday celebration this afternoon. Something tells me you won't actually go." Ugh, how does he know that? How annoying.

"Yeah? And why should I go? Your proposition was ridiculous yesterday, I just agreed to get you off my back." I say annoyed and he smiles.

"Ridiculous you say? Maybe it is but I wasn't kidding about that." He says smiling coyly and I hate that, it doesn't sound good.

What does he want?

"Really? You weren't? Then what are you planning Cayden?" I say trying to probe an answer out of him.

"Ah, it's just a surprise that I'm planning. Carson will be happy to see you, he's been moping those days because of you." He says smiling and then he looks dead in the eye.

"I don't get it. It makes no sense. I really doubt it Carson will want me there." I say looking at Cayden skeptically.

"And I tell you he will." He says smirking and I stifle a giggle at how ridiculous this all is.

"You really think I'll believe that?" I say looking at Cayden unimpressed and he looks at me coldly.

"Well, you should because I'm willing to do anything to get you to come." He says harshly annoyed and I look at him a bit amused.

"Oh really? And what is that?"

"I want you to be there at 1, remember the address?" He says ignoring my question and I look at him skeptical.

"Cayden, even if I were to say yes, you're missing the obvious," I say unimpressed and then he looks around searching and then it finally seems to come to him.

"Well, you can take a break can ya? I doubt they can force you to work all day." He says and I look at him, baffled by his words.

Is he serious right now?

Then suddenly as if to make it worse, Ritvy joins me.

"What's going on here? He's not paying for anything?" Ritvy asks confused yet firmly and Cayden smiles at her.

"Ah, don't worry. I'm not here to pay, I was just here to ask your coworker something." He smiles but I know that smile means something else. Meanwhile, Ritvy looks at him skeptically yet curious.

"Oh yeah? So you know him?" Ritvy asks me curious.

"Not really he's just a guy..." I don't have time to complete my sentence as I get introduced.

"This guy has somewhere to go this afternoon, do you think you can give him a break or something?" Cayden asks all charmingly and I look at him unimpressed.

"Sure, Emerick's been a good worker. I'll cover for you. What time is that?" She tells me and then asks Cayden.

I just look at Ritvy baffled. Wow, so she just betrayed me for him?

"It's at 1," Cayden says smiling all charmingly.

"Good, you're off at 12 then." She says smirking at me.

I can't believe he won over like that.

"You heard her. You're coming." Cayden says smirking and I take a deep breath hating this.

"Yeah, it seems like it thanks to you," I say annoyed at him and he looks at me smugly.

"Oh, come on no bickering here. Thanks for coming here but will you be paying for something?" Ritvy asks and that makes Cayden fall back to his senses.

He quickly takes a chocolate bar.

"It'll be just this." He says at her smiling charmingly and she chuckles but quickly regains her composure.

"You heard him Emerick, scan his chocolate." She orders.

"Right"

I scan his chocolate bar and he pays, then he leaves but not before reminding me that I'm dead as meat if I don't come.

What is his problem?

Gosh, I can't believe this....Now I'm forced to go to Carson's birthday party.

I'll have to see him...

Oh gosh, I already regret this.